Report on Class Committee Meeting of 22 Oct. '05
USMA Class of 1959
Report of Class Committee Meeting
22 October 2005
1. The Class Committee met from 1500 hours until 1730 hours at the Institute for
Defense Analysis (IDA) on October 22, 2005. Members of the Class Committee
present were: Tom Boyle, Frank Campbell, Joe Coreth, George Day, Art Griffin,
Nick Krawciw, Skip Schow, and Jim Walsh. Other classmates in attendance were
Jerry Fogel, John McNerney, Tom Roberts, and Tom Russell.
Prior to the start of the meeting an agenda was handed out by Jim Walsh. (Incl.
1.)
2. OPENING REMARKS: Nick Krawciw called the meeting to order. Nick pointed out
that Pete Dawkins had contacted him and expressed his most sincere apologies for
not being able to attend this meeting due to conflicting Citigroup duties in the
UK. He then requested that I go through the agenda and we get to the business at
hand to insure completion of the meeting in a timely fashion. The annual Malek
Class Dinner was scheduled to begin at 1900 hours and Nick wanted all to have
time to make the transition and get to the Maleks on time.
3. COMMITTEE REPORTS
Treasurer's Report - Art Griffin presented the current report, (Incl. 2), which
showed a balance as of October 22, 2005, of $23,247.46 and was approved.
4. FLAGS & FLAG BOXES
A. Tom Roberts handed out an excellent Memo (Incl. 3), which also contained a
DRAFT Letter of Agreement (LOA) with the National Capital Flag Company, Inc. (NFC.)
The purpose of the LOA was to insure the NFC could provide a decorative memorial
flag box to the next-of-kin of deceased classmates in a timely fashion.
Discussion indicated that an alternative person -- in addition to the Secretary
-- should be identified as one to make the notification to NFC. Sandy Beach, BoB
Chief seemed an obvious choice.
B. It was also discussed and decided that the Class would provide and pay for
Flag Boxes only for the Classmates who die in the future and not for any of our
93 classmates who are already deceased. Jim Walsh indicated that he would
recommend to his A-1 Company mates that A-1 take a collection and provide Boxes
to the next-of-kin of the three A-1ers who are deceased. A consideration was
made to pass this recommendation on to the Class for other companies to
consider, but it NOT be made a Class Policy.
NOTE: Sandy Beach, Tom Roberts, and Jim Walsh will review and update the "LAST
FAREWELL" policy to reflect these new changes and present same at the next Class
Committee meeting.
5. VIETNAM WALL CEREMONY & GM MEETING - 23 APRIL 2006
A. Wall Ceremony
(1) John McNerney reported that he, through selected Points-of Contact (POCs),
was in the process of contacting all relatives for this years honoree, Ron
Shelton. John will continue to pursue this and will via E-mail send the
necessary information to insure the invitations for the April ceremony are sent
out in a timely fashion.
NOTE: Subsequent to the meeting it has been reported that Tony Pokorny has
agreed to be the L-1 POC for Ron Shelton's Memorial Service.
(2) In addition John expressed two potential concerns:
(a) At our next memorial ceremony the honorees will be on opposite sides of the
Vietnam Memorial.
(b) Our 2009 April Ceremony will be just before our 50th Reunion at West Point.
We will discuss the first concern (a) at the next Class Committee meeting.
Concerning (b) for the 50th reunion it was recommended that our annual
remembrance be held in conjunction with our Memorial Ceremony held at the
Reunion.
NOTE: Tom Russell has reported that the two to be honored in 2009, Tully and
Woods, are both buried at West Point. A potential solution is to have our
Memorial Ceremony in the Old Cadet Chapel at the West Point Cemetery followed by
a wreath laying on the two graves in the cemetery.
B. General Membership Meeting and Brunch
A discussion ensued that it might prove beneficial to have the General
Membership meeting and Brunch in a different location than the Ft. Myer Club.
Tom Boyle volunteered to look into the feasibility of having our meeting at the
ARMY-Navy Club in Arlington.
Note: Tom has reported that the cost may be a little higher but has reserved the
ARMY-Navy Club in Arlington as our meeting and Brunch location.
6. 5OTH REUNION - 2009
A. Cruise on No Cruise?
After an initial attempt to announce plans to have a cruise in conjunction with
our 50th reunion, based on some unsolicited responses from Class members, we
discussed the feasibility of having a class survey to capture the Class's
feelings on a cruise, plus other options.
NOTE: We need to get together via E-mail and/or Conference Call and discuss all
aspects of the 50th Reunion. It is recommended that we attempt to get our final
position on type, place and dates for our reunion developed and announced to the
Class by the time of our General Membership meeting on 23 April 2006.
B. Alternate Dates?
Jerry Fogel has been in contact with Vince McDermott (who has replaced Gus
Fishburne) Alumni Affairs - AOG and been told that a potential date for our
Reunion might be "Reunion Weekend" which is tentatively scheduled for 23-25
April 2009.
C. Recognition of Donlon?
Jerry Fogel has been in contact with Roger Donlon who is planning on attending
our 50th Reunion. Jerry recommends some type ceremony to recognize Donlon as a
MOH recipient. Previous contact with the AOG (Fishburne) indicates that a plaque
similar to the Versace plaque would have a very small (virtually no!) likelihood
of being approved. There are 7 other ex-Cadets who were awarded MOHs . A
decision was made years ago to only include graduates in the West Point MOH
plaque program .
NOTE: Fogel will pursue on his own developing some type of distinctive "Class of
1959" recognition for Donlon and plan on providing us his recommendation for
suitable ceremony and presentation as we develop reunion plans.
D. Commissioning a Proprietary Musical Composition: Class of 1959 50th Reunion
March?
Fogel has commissioned Andrew Yates to write a Class March for our Class. "West
Point's 162nd" AKA The Class of 1959 50th Reunion March. Contact with Fishburne
indicates that it is much too early to discuss this topic with the Military
Academy. WP operates on about a 1-year cycle. The proper time to raise this
issue with the USMA band is the summer of 08. As of last contact, the current
band master has just received reassignment orders and no new band commander has
been designated.
E. Distaff Recognition (Wives of 59er's)?
It has been proposed -- and we discussed and recommended -- that a major theme
of our 50th should include some type special function (Dinner?) to specifically
recognize and honor the support of our wives who have served with us so
magnificently over these 50 years.
NOTE: In this regard, an interesting suggestion has been made that we might
award all who dated their current wife while a cadet have first crack at being
billeted at the Thayer -- if, indeed, the Thayer comes to be one of our
billeting options.
F. 50 YCB Report
Initially Jerry Jervell was going to be at the meeting. He canceled out at the
last minute, but as a matter of record, it should be noted that we all expressed
great admiration and support of the outstanding work done by Jerry thus far and
look forward to assisting him in this most important historical activity for our
Class.
NOTE: Subsequent to the meeting we all observed the incessant and excellent work
done by Dave Roush in requesting Classmate BIOs.
7. NEW BUSINESS
A. Thayer and DGA Nominations
(1) It was announced to the Class Committee that Tom Clancy, who Don Morgan had
indicated might be a good recommendation, was mentioned as a potential nominee
from the Class of 1959 for the 2006 Thayer Award. Jerry Fogel and Tom Russell
both reported that they had attended functions where they had not been favorably
impressed by Mr. Clancy.
NOTE: Since Fred Franks had been contacted for his impression of Mr. Clancy, and
had responded very favorably, I recommended that I contact Fred and inform him
of our concerns and then review the recommendation. After a series of E-mails
and some phone conversations it was recommended to Pete that we nominate Tom
Clancy for the 2006 Thayer Award. That recommendation was approved by Pete and
the nomination letter was sent to the AOG in mid-November.
(2) It was also announced to the Class Committee that Nick Krawciw and Bill
Schwartz were both mentioned as potential Distinguished Graduate Awardees. Tom
Leo had volunteered to prepare the Schwartz nomination and was well on the way
of completing same. Pete Dawkins had been contacted by Tom Phillips, president -
West Point Society of Los Angeles and asked to endorse their nomination of Nick
for the DGA. A nomination packet with a Letter of Nomination for Bill Schwartz,
signed by Lawrence Davis, president - West Point Society of the San Francisco
Bay Area, Pete Dawkins, and Warron Tramor, president - West Point Society of
Philadelphia was sent to the AOG October 24, 2005. Nick's nomination letter
signed by Tom Phillips and Pete Dawkins was sent to the AOG October 13, 2005.
(3) Pete Dawkins had also asked that the Class Committee be approached and asked
to approve the Class endorsement of Tom Dyer, Class of '67, who was retiring as
Chairman and CEO of the Board of Trustees, for the Distinguished Graduate Award.
The Class Committee approved same.
NOTE: Subsequent to the meeting, there was a strong recommendation made that we
NOT nominate two Classmates for the DGA at the same time. That concern clearly
seems to have merit . It seems to me that the Class Committee should consider
developing a policy with the goal of insuring we nominate at least one Classmate
every year -- AND ONLY ONE PER YEAR -- for future DGA recognition.
B. Funding to Support Class Expenses
(1) Affiliation Responsibilities with and for the Class of 2009.
A brief mention was made that we had expended $5,000.00 to host the Open House
for the family and friends of the Class of 2009 on "R" day, Monday, June 27,
2005. There was also cost associated with the March Back (Plebe Hike) on 7-8
August 2005 for the Banner and Guidon of $500.00.
NOTE: Pete recently received and E-mail from Tony Ferraiuolo, Director of Class
Support, AOG, seeking his approval that the Class of 1959 would be willing to
continue the affiliation program with the Class of 2009 in the amount of
$45,000.00 over the next four years.
(2) Funeral Expenses and Flag Boxes
It was mentioned that with the new flag box program, it is anticipated the cost
of future receptions, flag boxes, etc., will be at a minimum around
$500/Classmate.
(3) Annual Vietnam Memorial Ceremony
It has been the practice to host members of the honoree families to our Brunch
on the Sundays that we have our Memorial Ceremony in DC. Some other expenses may
arise. We still have five Classmates to honor over the next four years.
(4) Annual Scholarship Gift of $2,000.00
The Class Committee has made the decision to continue the annual scholarship
gift. It is only for children of Classmates (Most in Graduate School) and not
for grand children.
(5) Various recognition and plaque awards.
We honored two Classmates with Class Exemplary Service Award this year which
brings our total to nine. We anticipate that we will continue to recognize
Classmates with this award in the future. Other recognition cost can be
anticipated -- example plaque for Donlon.
NOTE: It is recommended that the Class Committee review the anticipated cost
mentioned above plus administrative cost for annual operation and additional
cost associated with Reunions and come up with a budget and a recommended
collection program to meet it.
8. OPEN DISCUSSION
Several members departed the meeting early to get ready for the Malek dinner.
There was no open discussion.
9. DATE FOR NEXT MEETING
There will be a General Membership Meeting in conjunction with our Annual Wall
Ceremony on Sunday April 23, 2006.
Jim Walsh
James E. Walsh, Jr.
Class Secretary
USMA Class of 1959
301-582-0495
FAX 301-223-7396
USMA1959@aol.com
Class Of 1959 USMA <http://www.west-point.org/class/usma1959-forum/>