First Class Club |
This is a standing special feature on our home page. Bob Pointer and Al Chase will periodically provide updated items of interest concerning our class gift.
Fellow '58ers,
I visited the First Class Club last Saturday with LTC Tom Endres, Director of Cadet Activities, to check out the Direct TV system the class bought for the Club. The system was completely installed with the exception of three of the 7 TVs which were to be installed early this week. There are 8 controls in the system which allow the Cadets to watch up to eight different sports events at the same time. There are several different packages they can buy for monthly fees. They will tailor the programs to the desires of the Firsties. The monthly fees will be paid from the operating budget of the Club.
The TV's are mounted high on the walls and fit in well with the motif of the Club. The eighth TV is the very large TV in the back TV room.
Our total cost was just under $9,000 as approved by the class. I was impressed by the system, but the true test will be the reaction of the Cadets after a few months of operation. There was an additional charge of about $1,000 for wiring etc which was picked up by LTC Endres. The class paid only for the improvements to the Club.
The Sports TV was the idea of Brad Johnson, with the support of others at the Club turnover 2 years ago.
The Club is in great shape. The new floor, patio, and lawn furniture make a great difference. The brass still needs polishing, but they are working on that. I think you will be proud of the club at the 40th reunion.
At the suggestion of Garry Roosma, we are planning a ceremony with the Class of '98 and West Point leadership at the Club on Tuesday after lunch in Washington Hall. The Club will then serve as our base of operations until all of the busses depart for the Hotel.
If you have any questions, please let me know.
Your First Class Club Committee is Alan Chase (Chairman), Brad Johnson, Garry Roosma, Bob Melott, and Bob Pointer.
Best Regards,
Bob Pointer
George, I provide here some input on the events at West Point for the First Class Club turn over, on Thursday 22 August 1997.
This year six of your Classmates participated in the turnover of the First Class Club to the Class of '98. Last year I said it was a joy and pleasure. This year it was even better, although we very much missed Butch Saint's presence. Bob Mellott, the Judge, again came up from Raleigh, NC; Garry Roosma again drove up from Montclair, NJ; Chuck Hansult and Bill Shepard drove up from Washington; Branch Worsham came over from Westbury, NY on Long Island; and Bob Pointer again drove down from Saratoga County, NY.
Unlike last year, it was a rainy day. Again we met at the Thayer. Most of us arrived about 1430, with Garry bringing up the rear about 1700. About 1530, Bob Pointer, and Bob Melott met with LTC Tom Endres, the new Director of Cadet Activities, at the Club for a walk though. Tom has been on the job for less than two weeks, and has hit the ground running. The work on the floor is finished, and it looks good. The patio was about a day away from being finished. It was delayed by the rain the previous two days. Unlike the former concrete, it is now a very nice brick patio. The Club looks great. The brass still tends to look like the brass on my Tar Bucket used to, but Tom said he is going to come up with a solution. We also talked to the Club Manager, Pat Brown.
Again we all socialized during the afternoon and early evening and talked about the good old days, and told some great stories about you guys, our classmates. Our selective memories again worked overtime, but have faded considerably over the last year. Garry Roosma gave us a quick rundown on the 40th reunion, and asked us for input on some of his plans. In particular, he discussed the First Class Club, and how it might fit into the reunion. He asked Bob Pointer to coordinate a First Class Club visit for the class at the reunion. We will most likely have a small ceremony with the Class of '98 celebrating 40 years since the first use of the Ordnance Compound as a First Class Club, and 5 years since the new club was dedicated. This would also allow time and opportunity for our classmates from afar to visit the Club and see how their Class Gift is doing. Your First Class Club Committee, headed by Al Chase, and including Brad Johnson, Bob Melott, Garry Roosma, and Bob Pointer, will do its best to present you with an opportunity to see and enjoy your Club and spend some time with members of the current first class.
LTC Tom Endres, the Director of Cadet Activities, met us at the Hotel at 1730 hours for a beer. At 1830 the Brigade Activities Officer, CDT Anderson Puckett, picked us up and took us to Washington Hall for dinner with the Cadets. We were met by the following escorts from the Class of '98:
CDT David Djuric, '98, H-1, BDE XO
CDT Rob Shaw, '99, B-4, BDE CSM
CDT Aram Donigian, '98, D-4, BDE Athletics Officer
CDT Scott Turner, '98, A-1, BDE Respect for Others Vice- Chairman
CDT Jeremy Olson, '98, H-3, BDE Assistant S-4
CDT Billy Gibbs, '98, C-4, BDE Color Captain
We had some time to spare before the formation, so we went to Andy Puckett's room and talked with our escorts. There was much discussion about the then and now of cadet rooms.
We watched the formation from the front steps of Washington Hall and were greeted by the First Captain, CDT Patrick Connelly. We were all escorted by a Cadet to individual tables throughout the Corps. Bob Pointer and Chuck Hansult were seated with the First Captain at his table with part of his staff and four Regimental Commanders:
CDT Robert Bryant, Deputy Commander
CDT Jake Larkowich, 1st Regimental Commander
CDT Shannon McCarthy, 2nd Regimental Commander
CDT Louis Burts, 3rd Regimental Commander
CDT Brian Wilson, 4th Regimental Commander
Prior to Take Seats, Chuck and Bob were asked by the First Captain to accompany him too the Poop Deck. This was a surprise to all of us. With the announcement of the presence of a representative group from the Class of '58, the Corps gave us a long, loud, and lasting greeting with their napkins waving over their heads. From the Poop Deck the sea of white napkins and cheering Cadets was an awesome sight.
After the meal, we met the new Commandant, BG John Abizaid, in front of Washington Hall. The First Captain, his staff and Regimental Commanders, then escorted us to Thayer Monument where Cadet Captain Andy Puckett read the First Class Club Charter, which was written at his initiative to set standards for his class for use of the First Class Club. It is signed by Cadet Captain Kirk Brinker, Class President, and First Captain W. Patrick Connelly.
We then walked down to the Club with the Cadet leadership and the Commandant. The Superintendent, LTG Dan Christman, and his wife were waiting with a club full of members of the Class of '98. The Supe and the Com did not participate in the ceremony, but stayed in the background and let the Cadets have center stage.
Cadet Captain Andy Puckett welcomed us and introduced Bob Pointer. Bob introduced each of the members of the Class of '58 with appropriate life histories covering 60 years in about 30 seconds each. Bob then introduce Bob Melott who said a few words about the history of the Club and the importance of the Club in building lasting close relationships with classmates.
Bob Pointer then introduced Second Lieutenant CW Estes, Class of '97. As you all know CW was a member of last year's Army team and is a Graduate Assistant for this year's team as Strength Coach. He trained with the NY Giants up in Albany this Summer gaining national attention after an article written in the New York Times about his performance.
He turned the '98 Crest over the First Captain Pat Connelly who placed it in its proper position just inside the door. CW then made some very appropriate remarks, turning the club over to the new First Class, and instilling the responsibility for maintenance of the Club and proper standards on its new tenants. Cadet Captain Kirk Brinker, Class President, then read the Charter and the Chaplain said a few words of inspiration.
We then drank a couple of beers with the Cadets and had some great discussions. Bob Pointer bought Cadet Matt Lawton and his friends some beers and commented on his uncle George's great intelligence, abilities, and that he was a model cadet.
We thank the leadership of the Corps and West Point for the great reception. Our special thanks to LTC Tom Endres, as well as Sergeant Major (Ret) Al Cochran who gave Bob Pointer great support as Acting Director of Cadet Activities prior to Tom's arrival. Tom has a great attitude toward the First Class Club and has pledged full support to the Class of '58. By the way, he called on 26 August and told Bob that they have bought new patio furniture to go along with the new patio. It will be delivered in a few days.
Again next year we are looking forward to your attendance. It will be an experience you will not forget. If you want to attend, get the word to Bob Pointer and he will make sure you have the dates when they become available, and are included if your schedule permits. It should be about the same time next year, the first Thursday after Reorganization Week.
By the way it was Bob Melott's turn to be really impressed by the size of the rooms in the Thayer Hotel.
Bob Pointer
cc: USMA-58
Cdt Anderson Puckett, Bde Activities Officer
LTC Tom Endres, DCA
As most of you are aware, there was water damage to the club. The floor and patio repair project has gone to and been accepted by the engineers. The work will be done just after graduation to reduce the impact on Club operations. The FFC board (Al Chase, Brad Johnson, Bob Melott, and Bob Pointer) hope to visit West Point and discuss all plans for the Club with Greg Dyson and others some time during gloom period. They will keep us informed.
Participating in the turnover of the First Class Club to the Class of '97 was a joy and pleasure for the seven members of the Class of '58. Following the presentation of the Club to the Class of '94 at our last West Point reunion, Garry Roosma and Bob Pointer represented the class in the turnover to the Classes of '95 and '96 over the past two years. This year, thanks to some experience, planning and some travel and dedication of time and resources by several of your classmates, we were represented by seven members of the Class. Butch Saint, Al Chase, our FCC Chairman, and Brad Johnson came up from Washington; Karl Oelke and Garry Roosma drove up from northern New Jersey; Bob Pointer drove down from Saratoga County, New York; and Bob Melott, the Judge, came the furthest from Raleigh, NC.
We all met at the Thayer Bar the evening Thursday, 22 August. Each of us arrived separately at various times in the afternoon, except Al and Brad who drove up together from McLean, VA. Al and Brad came close to missing the event due to a $1,100 water bill which was waiting for Al when he returned home after a 16 day trip. It turns out that almost half a million gallons of water, which passed through their water meter, is unaccounted for. Oops! But that is another story for another day. Mike Dugan planned to come, but had a root canal that afternoon, and it apparently prevented his arrival.
We socialized during the afternoon and early evening. Brad and Al stopped by football practice; Garry Roosma and Bob Pointer visited the new Doubleday Field stadium which is about finished. Bob Melott wandered around post and visited the AOG. Butch spent considerable time in his room working, and Karl timed his arrival for the cocktail hour. As is the norm, we talked about the good old days, and told some great stories about you guys, our classmates. Our selective memories worked overtime.
LTC Greg Dyson '76, the Chief of Cadet Programs, met us at the Hotel at 1815 hours along with the Brigade Activities Officer, Zack Miller, the Brigade Supply Officer, Karen Ricks, and Assistant Bde Activities Officer, Kelly Peacock. They took us up to Washington Hall for dinner with the Cadets. We were met by Brigade Commander Dan Hart, Scott Howell, Assistant Activities Officer and Doug Chapman, Assistant S-1. Last year the Thursday evening meal was mandatory. However this year they changed it to voluntary, reportably so the firsties could go to the airport and pick up their dates for ring weekend. So it was a very casual meal. We had a lot of time to talk to the Bde staff. and enjoyed the meal. Two Plebes came in late and were turned away by the waiters until they were rescued by the Bde Supply Officer, and placed on the table that Bob Pointer, Karl Oelke and Garry Roosma set on. Pointer had the job of cutting the the desert. Remembering his very difficult plebe year, he cut small slivers for everyone on the table but the plebes. They received the other half of the cake, cut in two equal pieces - Pointer's revenge. The plebes then took pictures of our entire group on the steps to Washington Hall.
We then walked down to the Club. The Commandant, BG Robert St Onge, met us outside the club and told us that the Supe was out of town. He welcomed us and said some very nice words about our class gift. He remained thoughout event, but stayed in the background and let the Cadets have center stage. While they were waiting for the activities to start, he told Butch that the Class of '97 is a very responsible class. They also talked about some contemplated changes to make the academy more like the army as it is. Cadet Captain Zach Miller welcomed us and introduced Bob Pointer. Bob introduced each of the members of the Class of '58 with appropriate life histories covering 60 years in about 30 seconds each. The Cadets provided the appropriate oos and ahs. He then introduced Second Lieutenant Bill Mullee, Class of '96. Bill is Graduate Assistant for the baseball team. He gave a very short, inspiring and serious talk about what the Club meant to his classmates and some guidance to the new first class on maintaining it and handling themselves appropriately so it will be there for those who follow.
He was followed by our principal speaker, General Butch Saint. Butch gave an inspiring and entertaining talk as does he always. Some of his points follow:
That all of our classmates wanted to come to the event, but we wouldn't let them. They wanted to come because they remember the First Class Club as a place where they talked about beating navy, drank soda, beer, wine or whatever was legal, snaked their classmates, told great stories of many triumphs that were true and mythical, bonded, and learned from each other. That they were family and the people there represented their friends for the rest of their life- whether they liked them or not and that they would increasingly rely on each other. That our class thought that these things were very important so we wanted to give them something to help foster those ideas - hense the First Class Club. That them listening to him was as if 39 years ago we had had someone from the class of '18 talking to us. That there have been a lot of changes in the years but there are some things that never change- your classmates. That they had the con and we wished them well and to take care of the place and themselves as they start on this road. And that we in '58 were not quite the long gray line, but we would visit and watch them and take pride in them.
The reaction from the class of '97 to Butch's comments was heart warming. He also received a rousing hand from your classmates.
We then "talked about beating navy, drank beer, , snaked our classmates, told great stories of many triumphs that were true and mythical, bonded, and learned from each other". Butch later observed that the cadets are bright eyed, eager, respectful and inteligent- just as we were. Some of us had breakfast together the next morning. Brad and Allan put it well, when they said that meeting and talking with the cadets is a inspiring experience.
We thank the leadership of the Corps and West Point for the great reception. Our special thanks to LTC Peter Kinney '75, Director of Cadet Activities, for all of his support on the Club and this event. He is the kind of guy who makes things happen. At the time of the turnover he was on a tour of the South with his daughter, looking for an appropriate institution of higher learning.
The Club looks great. The floor and outside patio will be replaced soon, but it does not detract from the ambiance of the First Class Club. Alan and Bob Pointer met with Pat Brown, the Club Manager. She regards the Cadets as her "boys and girls" and takes a real personnal interest in them and the Club.
Next year we are looking forward to your attendance. It will be an experience you will not forget. If you want to attend, get the word to Bob Pointer and he will make sure you have the dates when they become available, and are included if your schedule permits. By the way Al Chase was really impressed by the size of the rooms in the Thayer Hotel.
Bob Pointer