USMA 1960

July 23, 1938 – December 23, 2022

Submitted by Charlie Baker

The funeral for Ross Gagliano was held in his hometown of Birmingham, Alabama on January 13, 2023.

Delayed by a tornado-filled weather front while driving up from Jacksonville, we arrived slightly late for the “Viewing and Rosary” at St. Francis Xavier Roman Catholic Church.  As soon as we walked through the front door and into a large crowd that filled the vestibule of the church, Ross’s grandson, 6’7” Zach Ricketts, stepped out of the crowd to greet us. Zach is a Captain in the 3rd Infantry “Old Guard” at Ft. Meyer.  He quickly carried us over to his mom, Lisa Gagliano Ricketts.  The Rosary was about to start, and we were able to work our way over to Ross’ oldest son James (“Jimmy”) before the crowd moved into the side chapel.  Jimmy, as many of you may know, is a graduate of USMA Class of 1987 and went on to serve a long career with the FBI in New York.  Zach is a 2007 graduate.  West Point means a lot to the Gagliano Clan.  Ross had eleven grandchildren – they must have all been there – and twelve great grandchildren, many of whom were there as well, including a couple of toddlers stealing the show.

The Rosary was a beautiful event, hosted by Jonathon, Ross’ youngest son.  All the grandchildren took turns leading the Rosary prayers, with responses from everyone else.  I was just plain stunned by the magnitude of the people that Ross and Dorothy had brought into this world.  A wonderful kick off to this memorial to our great friend and classmate, Ross Gagliano.

#32 on the Plebe Basketball Team of 1956-57, and #1 in the hearts of everyone at St. Francis Xavier this day.

We met many of the family and friends following the Rosary, to include Ross’ two little brothers, Sam and Carl Gagliano. They had so much to say about Ross, their hero growing up and still today, along with his exploits on the basketball court at Phillips High School back in the ‘50s.

0900 hour the next morning, we were at Mass.  39 Degrees and breezy outside, but warm in St. Francis Xavier. A formal Mass in the Catholic tradition, but this one was punctuated by a most memorable eulogy given by Ross’ oldest child, Jimmy Gagliano. He captured the essence of Ross Gagliano, the Gagliano family, and how much Ross meant to them.

On to Elmwood Cemetery, huge and very cold. It was crowded under the tent, not unlike the “Ranger Glob” on the deck of the LST headed back from Santa Rosa Island so many years ago. Zach ran the ceremony, with the bugler and color sergeant from the Alabama National Guard rendering Taps beautifully, and both of them meeting a very high standard unfolding and refolding the flag. Capt. Zach presented the flag to Lisa on behalf of the United States, and the ceremony was over.

Back to the church for lunch, and the telling of some great stories. Told a couple myself. Ross’ horde of family members will remember this day throughout their lives, as will I.

G1 files came together for their annual reunion held in Bar Harbor, Maine September 26 to September 30.  Fred Sladen did an outstanding job of selecting our hotel and scheduling tours.  The highlight of each day was a late afternoon hospitality hour.

We enjoyed touring Bar Harbor, Arcadia National Park, the Abbe Museum, the La Rochelle Mansion and a lobster/seal watching tour on a lobster boat.

The picture below was taken in front of the La Rochelle Mansion.
Seated: Bill McLaughlin, Joe Stehling, Roy O’Connor, Lynn O’Connor, Dick Nelson, Bob Totten, Carol Totten; Standing: Patty Webster (Chan Duryea’s widow), Diann Eubanks, Fred Sladen, “T” Eubanks & Carol Stehling. Picture taken by Chan Duryea’s daughter, Gwynne Butcher.

From Erc Barone: A2 files gathered in Chattanooga from September 14 to September 17 for a reunion hosted by the Faery’s. Eight of our ten remaining company mates attended. We were joined by Kim Hopper, Jim’s widow and David Laurence, Ed’s son. Wives attending were Barbara Andrews, Vi Barone, Linda Faery, Maida Perkins, Arlene Strasbourger, and Pam Willauer.  Cindy Laurence and Phyllis Marmon were not able to attend.

Ed Strasbourger and wife Arlene came directly from Israel despite Arlene’s difficult health situation.

The picture below was taken at the Chattanooga National Cemetery, where we had just conducted our usual Mini Memorial Service for fallen company mates. From left to right: Ed Strasbourger, Erc Barone, Randy Perkins, Ed Laurence, Fred Faery, Ray Andrews, John Willauer, now the Class of 60’s oldest Grad, and Herm Marmon.

From Dick Healy: The 2022 E2 Mini was held at the Alpenhof Lodge, Teton Village, Jackson Hole, WY, from 6-10 Sep, this year.  There were 13 of us attending, including the Stukel’s daughter, Jenny.  Weather was absolutely great. 

Each day featured a special event and enough free time that folks could do pretty much whatever else they wished.  Wednesday, we wandered around Jackson (10 miles down the road); later we had the evening meal and entertainment at the Bar T-5 Ranch, a journey up the trail in a covered wagon, chuck wagon grits and cowboy entertainment.  Return down the trail was under a full moon. The hosts were kind enough to recognize our table during the meal. 

Thursday most took the adjacent tram to the top of Rendezvous Mtn for a view of the world.  Spectacular up there, with about a 40-knot wind.  Some of us even managed a quick trip to Teton Pass for a glimpse of distant Idaho.  That afternoon we arranged for an evening 4-hour Grand Teton NP tour aimed at animal sightings in the Park.  The tour included two vans, driver/guides, binocs for each person, and snacks.  The sightings were a full-blown success: herd of Bison, Pronghorn antelope on the other side of the road, feeding moose (singular) in a stream, two bears, deer, elk, and a chipmunk.  The special evening meal, upon return to The Alpenhof , featured a fondue appetizer, choice of German entrees, followed by apple strudel ala mode. 

On Friday we did the Jenny Lake boat ride, a spectacular outing on a glacial lake with sheer granite mountain backdrops.  That was followed by lunch at the Jenny Lake Lodge, and supper at the Gunbarrel Steak and Game Restaurant in Jackson.  We all enjoyed the time together.  Working now on 2023.

On August 8^th, Chuck Schrankel and 5 (younger) classmates (Charley Otstott, John Denton, John Sherden, Dick Healy & Bob Totten) led the Long Grey Line from the Ski Slope to the Superintendent’s quarters, following the incoming Class of 2026.

Following the marchback we enjoyed a luncheon where we (and our wives) sat with the new Supe, the Com, the Dean, and the Director of Academy Advancement and their wives. We were all recognized and applauded! The photo below was taken there (unfortunately Dick Healy had to leave early).

To see the Class of 2026 and the Long Gray Line, go to https://youtu.be/YYK8DSfr7ic

(The video is 8:34 minutes long. At about 7 minutes the Class of 1960 is mentioned)

Fred Hall 1937-2022

Fred passed away the evening of April 6, 2022 surrounded by his loving family.  The family, Eleanor primarily but supported by her kids, Ben and Karolyn, who live in the Richmond area, and Cindy, from Orlando, Florida, planned a service and reception that took place on April 30th.  Fred would have been very proud of his family.

The service was held at St. Michaels’ Episcopal Church and was followed by a reception at the Willow Oaks Country Club, both in Richmond.  Twelve classmates attended (Erc Barone, Don Chapman, Phil Chappell, Ben Fegan, Craig Hagan, Dick Healy, Sam Kouns, Jim O’Connell, Roy O’Connor, Fred Rice, Tom Throckmorton and John Willauer).  Sam Kouns and Dick Healy had speaking parts during the service; Sam talked about Fred, and Dick recited the Cadet Prayer.  The service ended with the Alma Mater – not a dry eye in the house.

Eleanor had a spread at the reception that was above and beyond – not an empty tummy in the house.  Toward the end of the reception there was an open mic used by family, classmates, and work associates to tell stories about, and remembrances of, Fred.

Displayed below is a photo taken by Pauline O’Connell at the reception. Not all the aforementioned classmates are included in the photo, but at least these were recorded for posterity.  The “Class of ‘60” card had been signed the evening of April 6th by 15 classmates who participated in our class’s Vero Beach outing hosted by Sam Kouns and Hank Maloney April 2-6.  Dick Healy had planned to deliver this card to Fred following the event.  However, as they were signing the card, little did they know that Fred was slipping away.

Fred’s ashes were interred at Hollywood Cemetery in Richmond on 2 May with his loving family in attendance.

Early this month (Nov ’21) Vince McDermott ’85,l USMA Director of Academy Advancement, was inducted as an honorary member of the Class of ’60 Marchback veterans group. The plaque below was presented on behalf of John Berti, Dick Healy, John Sherden, John Denton, Chuck Schrankel and Bob Totten

Click here to see a video recording of the presentation!

Click here to see Vince’s response.

Click on the image to see more!

Chuck Schrankel leading the Long Grey Line

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