USMA Class of 1959
Report of Class Committee Meeting
17 February 2005
1. The Class Committee met from 1430 hours until 1730 hours at the Institute
for Defense Analysis (IDA) on February 17, 2005. Members of the Class Committee
present were: Pete Dawkins, Frank Campbell, Joe Coreth, George Day, Art
Griffin, Powell Hutton, Jerry Jervell, Nick Krawciw, Bob Riordan, Skip Schow, &
Jim Walsh. Other classmates in attendance were Bill Breen, Mike Faber, Bill
Fitzgerald, John McNerney, Tom Roberts, Ed Robinson, & Joe Todaro.
Prior to the start of the meeting an agenda was handed out by Jim Walsh. (Incl.
1.)
2. OPENING REMARKS: Pete Dawkins called the meeting to order. Pete commented
on three items he thought of interest. He mentioned that he and Judi, in their
numerous travels, had the opportunity to visit and have dinner with Pete and Ann
Stromberg in Dubai, UAR. Joe Coreth reported that the Stromberg's had recently
been on a 2-week visit to the States and had spent the night with them. He also
said the Pete greatly enjoys his job and has recently signed a 5 year extension
to his contract. Pete also reported that the AAA and the Army Football Team is
working to get Bob Novogratz nominated for and selected as a member of the
College Football Hall of Fame in South Bend, IN. He expressed optimism for that
effort and we all are hopeful it will prove successful. Pete handed out a
letter of recommendation for Sandy Beach to be appointed to a third term as
Trustee-at-Large for the AOG. (Incl. 2.) Due to the change in Governance
procedures for the AOG, it is not sure what the future holds for Sandy, but we
are all hopeful he will find a place as a member on the new Board of Directors.
Before going to the meeting agenda, Pete mentioned that he would like the Class
Committee to address the question of "Who is a member of the Class of 1959?"
Jerry Jervell would like that expressed by the Class Committee so he will feel
comfortable in approaching former classmates as he develops the Class History.
After a discussion of the question, it was decided that anyone who at any time
during our 4 years at West Point was a member of the Class of 1959 is now
considered a member of the Class. Jerry Jervell sent his definition of this to
the members of the editorial staff of the 50CYB and in order to remain
consistent I will copy it below.
I. The USMA Class of 1959 is defined to consist exclusively of the following
persons:
(1)
Persons that were admitted to USMA, and who took the Oath of Office at Trophy
Point July 5, 1955; plus
(2)
Persons that were turned back to join our Class during the period 5 July 1955 to
3 June 1959; plus
(3)
Persons that the Class has identified and has accepted as “Honorary Classmates;”
plus
(4)
Persons that the Class may identify and accept in future as “Honorary
Classmates.”
II. No person having been designated as a member of the Class of 1959, in
accordance with I above, shall lose membership in the Class for any reason
whatsoever, now and in perpetuity.
Subsequent to the meeting Jerry recommended that for the purpose of our Class
History and for internal Class use we should refrain from the term "EX" when
referring to anyone who was a member of our Class, since by our definition they
are still members.
It was further recommended that they be referred to as members of the Class of
1959 (NG) for those who did not graduate, and as members of the Class of 1959
(G60) for those who graduated in 1960.
It was agreed by all present that this definition basically conforms to our
practice over the years and there was no need to announce it to the Class.
An additional item not on the agenda was raised by Jim Walsh. A couple of
classmates had recommended the Class pursue the possibility of getting a MOH
plaque at West Point for our former classmate Roger Donlon. Jim inquired about
this to West Point and got the following reply from Gus Fishburne, Director,
Alumni Affairs at the AOG.
Donlon MOH Plaque. Doubt that this would ever get approval. There are 7 other
X Cadets who were awarded MOH. Decision was made years ago to only include
graduates. If he got a plaque only equitable that all get a plaque.
After a short discussion the Class Committee recommended that we not pursue this
request.
Note: When this decision was passed on to one who had recommended it, his
comment was, the Class should see if WP would consider an award ceremony for all
8 with their plaques appropriately placed in a central location.
3. COMMITTEE REPORTS
A. Treasurer's Report - Art Griffin presented the current
report, (Incl. 3), which showed a balance as of December 31, 2004, of $25,361.27
and was approved.
Art mentioned that although the balance looked good, we were going to have to
continue to ask for donations in order to meet our expected expenses associated
with the anticipated affiliation responsibilities with the Class of 2009.
Powell Hutton questioned what those were and I forwarded them for everyone's
information following the meeting. In summary our TOTAL ANTICIPATED COST
2005-2009 = Around $100,000 or $25,000/year. We currently have 407 living
classmates (Not including non-graduates). Using the figure of 400 we would be
asking for a contribution of $250/person or $62.50/year/person.
B. Memorial Ceremony at the "Wall"
(1) John McNerney reported that he, through selected Points-of Contact (POCs),
had contacted all relatives for this years four honorees - The POCs are Hutton
(Ray), Mullen (Mansfield), Huntingdon (Versace) and Besson (Jordan). Each has
done a superb job and he is confidant that all close family members have been
notified and have the opportunity to attend (and most are coming).
(2) Mike Faber handed out a summary (Incl. 4) of the "Pros & Cons" for media
coverage of the ceremony and after a short discussion it was agreed by all that
we would approve media coverage, both TV and Print, with the caveat that the
attempt be made to NOT concentrate on our MOH winner Rocky Versace and that the
coverage NOT interfere with the solemnity of the occasion.
C. Scholarship Status - Powell Hutton reported that we had received 2
applications for this year's scholarship. He also handed out a summary showing
the past history of scholarship and who received same. (Incl. 5.) A thank you
letter from Karyn Sper (Incl. 6), our 2003 scholarship winner, was also handed
out.
D. Nominations for Recognition - Jim Walsh reminded everyone that we should
begin thinking about nominations for the DGA and Thayer Awards. This should
start in June so nominations, if approved by the CC, can be prepared in time to
meet the November suspense date. We also have to be thinking about the Class
Citation for Exemplary Service Awards which would be presented in September or
October at the annual Class Party at the Maleks.
E. Status of Memorial Articles - Since our 45th Reunion 1 was published - Dewitt
Monroe TAPS Jan/Feb '05. 2 have been submitted & 2 more are being worked on.
Current Score 45 out of 92 - Not even 50% Approximately 1 year lag time from
submission until publication - We need to improve our effort to reach our goal
to have them all completed by our 50th. As recommended by Powell Hutton, Rush
Yelverton, who lives in Indianapolis, contacted Mr. Robert Shinn, Tom White's
step father and did get his permission to have Larry Minnich submit Tom's
Memorial Article to the AOG.
4. OLD BUSINESS
The 45th Reunion After Action Report had been sent out to all via e-mail and is
contained in the Class Files. Bill Fitzgerald provided his personal comments on
the role of Reunion Chairman and made the recommendation that we centralize a
POC for the contact of Class widows and share escort duties of same. It was
agreed by all that Bill and the Reunion Committee did an outstanding job and are
to be congratulated on a GREAT reunion. It was further recommended that the 50
year Reunion Committee Chairman be appointed and the 50 year Reunion Committee
be organized NLT June 2006.
5. NEW BUSINESS
A. Status Report on 50 Class Year Book (50CYB) - Jerry Jervell gave a brief
summary of his outstanding work on the early preparations of this historical
Class project. He will give a more detailed presentation at our General
Membership meeting on 17 April. One item that was recommended by Bill Breen was
to have sponsors provide and pay for Ad's in our Year Book with a "Then & Now"
theme. After a short discussion this unique suggestion was approved. An
additional strong recommendation by Pete Dawkins was to take advantage of the
new digital technology and have a DVD or associated capabilities used to augment
the printed history. A search for classmates knowledgeable in the digital field
will be conducted and a volunteer recruited as soon as possible.
B. Flag, Flag Boxes, Guideons & Banners - Tom Roberts gave an outstanding power
point presentation on his research into the Class procuring these items. Tom
strongly recommended that we use the National Capitol Flag company in
Alexandria, VA as our source. He reported that a Class Flag with all associated
items would cost $3,632.10. Smaller 18" X 24" flags would cost $100.00 each.
Flag Boxes would cost $158.00. We had a short discussion of the potential
number of banners, guidons, flags and flag boxes we would eventually want and
decided we would one of each immediately. We did see a potential for as many as
10 banners, 30 guidons and 20 big flags and perhaps as many as 250 small flags
in the future. As more information is developed the Class will have to be
canvassed to see what the actual numbers will be. We do need a banner and
guidon on for the Class of 2009 March Back which will take place on 8 & 9 August
2005. If possible we would like to have a Class Flag for the Swearing In
Ceremony for the Class of 2009 which will take place on 27 June 2005.
C. Affiliation Responsibilities w/ Class of 2009
(1) Jim Walsh reported that it had been recommended that members of the Class
of 1959 be present at the Swearing In Ceremony for the Class of 2009 which will
take place at West Point at 1700 hours on Monday, 27 June 2005. We agreed that
this seemed appropriate and a search for a person to plan and coordinate this
activity will be pursued.
(2) March Back - 8 & 9 August 2005 - Jim Satterwhite has done an outstanding job
in the recruitment of marchers and organizing activities for this endeavor. He
will be present and give a summary of his plans at our GM meeting on 17 April
2005.
D. 50th REUNION - Jim Walsh reported that he had contacted the AOG and verified
that the date of the traditional reunion period was 24-27 May 2009. That would
also mean that the Thayer would not be available for our use. It was decided
that we would shoot for the traditional dates. It was recommended that as an
option to the normal NJ hotel accommodations that we pursue the possibility of
acquiring a cruise ship and dock at West Point. An immediate need is to get
someone to research the possibility and feasibility of procuring a cruise ship
as our accommodations for the 50th reunion. We would like to have the cruise
information available for our review by the time the Reunion Chairman is
appointed and the Reunion Committee organized in June of 2006.
6. OPEN DISCUSSION
Pete announced that he had to depart to make another engagement so the
discussion period was greatly reduced. It was agreed that we would have a short
Class Committee meeting in conjunction with the General Membership meeting
following the "WALL" ceremony on April 17, 2005. It was also agreed that we
would shoot for our next major Class Committee meeting to be held conjunction
with the annual Malek Class party which will be scheduled at a date to be
determined in the September/October 2005 timeframe.
The meeting was adjourned and 15 of us proceeded to Clyde's, a local restaurant
one block from IDA, for dinner.
Jim Walsh
JAMES E. WALSH,
JR.
Secretary