USMA 1964

Author: Megan Klein

  • Mini Reunion/Ryder Cup

    The '64 Mountain Division Activities Planning Team (MDAPT) is excited about your presence at the Mini Reunion/Ryder Cup in stunning Cordillera, Colorado. Below is a listing of fabulous possible options for those of you committed to optimizing your learning and growth by choosing the path less travelled and holding high the banner of Non-Golfing excellence. Our tireless team is ready to leap into action, support your interests, and enrich your reunion experience.

    Easiest (walking, 8,500 ft altitude in/around town):
    Wednesday Vail Art Walk (August 1 @ 11am, meets at Vail Village Info Center, top level of parking structure)
    o An hour long walking tour of Vail's public art collection. The tour winds its way through the Village with discussions of master planning and the importance of site specific commissioned art in creating the charm of the village.
    o Vail Recreation Path: Located right in the middle of town, the trail winds from West Vail to East Vail and has 1,100 acres of open space available to the public. The path stretches for 15 miles and is surrounded by 350,000 acres of national forest.
    o Guided Nature Walks. Nature Discovery Center, Daily, 11am & 2pm. Located in an all-seasons yurt adjacent to the Eagle Bahn Gondola atop Vail Mountain. Join Walking Mountains Science Center on a morning or afternoon nature walk and discover how plants and animals adapt to the high elevation environment as you identify signs of life on Vail Mountain.
    Vail Nature Center. Nestled along the banks of Gore Creek, this 7 acres forest, meadow and stream are a delight and peaceful place known by many locals and visitors as their favorite place in Vail. Explore or take in one of the educational programs offered.
    o Betty Ford Alpine Gardens. Enjoy the highest botanical gardens in the world with a unique collection of alpine, sub-alpine and other mountain plants and flowers. Dawn to dusk daily. (Scribe note: I suspect this Betty Ford thing will also have benefits for those of you who feel the need to “dry out” from the mini experience).
    o Silverthorne Shopping Outlets (30 minutes away)
    o Cooking Class at “Dish Restaurant” in Edwards CO (a few minutes away, adjacent to Vail)
    o Wine Tour western slope outside of Grand Junction (approx. 2hr, 15 min away)

    Intermediate (walking, hiking, biking – 8,500 to 11,000 ft altitude):
    o 10th Mountain & Camp Hale (historical presentation, visit to cabins, strenuous hiking involved)
    o Mountain Jeep Tours
    o Tennis: free tennis at the Golden Peak Tennis Courts. First-come, first-served basis .
    o Glenwood Springs: Bike Path/tour through stunning Glenwood Canyon (designated bike path, no traffics); Huge Hot Springs Pool; Caverns (45 minutes away)
    o Leadville Historical Tour: Victorian Architecture, Mining Hall of Fame (1 hour away, 10,000 ft altitude)
    o Rafting Trip (1/2 day) on Eagle River with Lakota Guides Company
    o Biking/Hiking/Climbing Trails (including gondola rides up, lunch at midway chalet, and hike/gondola back down), spectacular wildflowers and wildlife as you explore the nature and forests of Vail. Pack a picnic and camera.
    o Fly Fishing (Eagle River & Gore Creek) Free Fly Fishing Casting Clinics. Gore Creek Fly Fisherman offers complimentary daily casting clinics at 10:30am in Vail Village along the Gore Creek Promenade. Perfect for beginners or those wanting to brush up on their technique.
    o Hot Air Balloon Rides over Vail Valley
    o Horseback Riding: mountain trail ride

    Advanced (slightly above all altitudes):
    o Beer Tasting: Local Micro Brews (in Vail, Avon, Edwards)

    Expert Only (for the mavericks, the rebels, the "outside the lines" dudes and dudettes, those wild and crazy types …):
    o Vail's Free Skatepark: Check out Vail's free skatepark. Open dawn to dusk daily, the free skatepark features a half-pipe, pyramid, multiple ramps, transitions, rails and banks, plus a street course area for younger or less experienced riders. Note: there will be a half-pipe competition between the East and West teams on Wednesday morning prior to tee off.
    o High Altitude Woodstock Yoga: Join internationally acclaimed "Yeti" for an invigorating tantra yoga session at 12,500 ft in a snow field. Known as a Renaissance Experience where one realizes what a "higher level" living is truly about. Bring your own mat, water (or liquid of preference), sunscreen, and a smile … and, yes, clothing is optional. Vintage weed harvested in the late '60's and preserved in an unnamed classmate's wine cellar will be an integral part of the meditation. If enough interest is shown, we can arrange a night yoga session as well. Note: Golfers may want to skip a day of golfing to take advantage of this once-in-a-lifetime growth experience. Reduce your golfing stress and be cool the next day…and the next…and the next…

    The '64 Mountain Division Activities Planning Team is looking forward to your immediate feedback. Your opinion makes a difference. You will brighten the 2012 reunion with your presence, your energy, and, in particular, your Non-Golfing Wisdom.

  • Class Notes

    Subject:
    Class Notes

    George Jacunski's Class of 1964 Notes have reappeared in a
    new location on the AOG web site. The latest offering includes a detailed
    description by Randy Kunkle on non-golf events available during the upcoming
    Mini in Vail, Colorado in July/August 2012.

    You can access the Notes via
    the link listed below. When you click on the link you will probably see a
    screen asking for your ID and PSWD. Remember that there are two sets of IDs and
    PSWDs commonly used by the class:

    1. Logins for wp.org that give you
    access to USMA1964@west-point.org (the site for official class
    mail), USMA1964-FORUM@west-point.org (the site for general
    conversation) and West-Point.org/class/usma1964 (the Class web site.)

    Using my login as example: logins take the form of:

    ID:
    wp25183
    PSWD: XXXXXX

    2. Logins for westpointaog.org that give you
    access to the Association of Graduates web site. This is where George's Class
    Notes are located. Logins take the form of:

    ID: 25183
    PSWD:
    XXXXXXX

    If you have not registered on the AOG site or have forgotten your
    logins, access the AOG site at www.westpointaog.org and follow
    instructions.

    To access George's Class Notes, click on the link below and
    log on to the AOG site:

    http://www.westpointaog.org/page.aspx?pid=4413

    Your
    Class Webkinz
    Dick Puckett
    _________________________________________________

  • Graduate March Back

    Graduate March Back



    12-13 August 2012


     

    Hosted
    by the:

     

    Directorate
    of Academy Advancement (DAA)

     

    USMA
    Staff    .

     

    To view images from last year's event and to receive notification of registration activities go to:

     


     



    http://www.usma.edu/DAA/March%20Back%202011/March_Back_Start_Page_Completed.htm

     

    To view more info. from previous events, click on links on the right side of the web site screen:

     

     – Marchback

    – AOG Booklet on Plebe Marchback

     

    Tom Kullman (tlkullman@verizon.net) and Bob Ballagh (rsballagh@comcast.net) can provide additional info on our class participation in this event.

     

     

     

     

     

     

  • Class Update


    Classmates,
    Hope you are having a great Easter Holiday and a pleasant Spring.
    Your Class skiers have put away their skis for another year and our Golfers
    are dusting off their clubs. Let's pray for a healthy and successful year and
    please remember our Classmates and Wives who are fighting some serious
    illnesses. We hope to have all of them back for our 50th Reunion in two
    years!
    This is a busy note and most important – seems that we get busier and
    busier as each year goes by.
    Recommend you print this message and save.
    Here goes:
    1. Class Reunion: Scheduled for 16-21 May of 2014 (Friday-Wednesday). The
      reunion culminates with the "Old Grad" Parade to Thayer Monument and lunch in
      the Mess Hall on Tuesday the 20th. Some of us (all are invited) will stick
      around for Graduation activities for the Class of 2014 (our 50 Year Affiliate)
      the rest of the week. For starters, as we decided at our last reunion, we have
      arranged for a reunion coordinator to handle future reunions. The AOG is now
      providing this function. We will provide guidance and they will take care of
      everything. It is important to start this because the day is coming when we will
      no longer be able to handle these chores. If you recall at our last Class
      meeting we decided that it is also important to get the Class in one facility
      for the 50th. We will need over 200 rooms and a large ballroom to fit about 400+
      folks. For this, I have been working with the management of the Crowne Plaza in
      Suffern, NY. You may recall the old Holidome (35th and 25th(?)). The Holidome
      was gutted and reopened last year as a Crowne Plaza. You will not recognize the
      place. Some of your committee have checked it out and I have put an
      unbinding hold on the dates of our reunion. FYI – all other hotels that can
      handle our Class size are another 20-30 minutes away from West Point. Check out
      www.cpsuffernhotel.com. A number of you have asked to
      have a trip to New York City to visit the World Trade Center and the Intrepid
      Museum. We will probably schedule these for Friday or Saturday of the reunion.
      In addition to the reunion, Classmates are working on a cruise and golfing
      events before and after the reunion. 
    2. 50 Year Affiliate Program with the Class of 2014. Tom Kullman has and is
      doing a superb job of planning and coordinating this effort. We have two
      upcoming events:

      • Class of 2014 official visit to the West Point Cemetery. Thursday, 3 May
        1PM. This is an event that has been going on for a number of years at the end of
        Yearling Year. John Graham '87 (our John Graham's son) has been coordinating
        this event for us. We have always tried to get a few local Classmates to be
        present. The Yearlings arrive in company groups, take a guided tour and stroll
        around the cemetery. John normally gives a talk on his father and the other
        members of '64 who are at rest in the cemetery. All Classmates are invited. If
        you can attend, please let me know (devans1964@aol.com).
      • Our next event will be the Affirmation Ceremony for the Class of 2014 on
        Sunday night, August 19th. Barry McCaffrey will represent the Class of '64
        as our guest speaker. At this event, we will present each member of the Class of
        2014 with a coin depicting our Class Crest on one side and the Class of '14
        Crest on the other. We will make these coins available to our Class – more to
        come on this in a few months. All are invited. Please let Tom Kullman (tlkullman@verizon.net) if you can make this
        event.
    3. Professional Military Ethic (PME) Program with the Class of 2014. For almost
      two years, Mike Conway has been doing a superb job of planning and coordinating
      this effort. We have about a dozen Classmates who have been participating in
      this most worthwhile and rewarding program. We have just finished Year 2 of the
      program and resume in the fall semester. I have asked Mike to put together an
      After Action Report on the first two years. We will share this with the Class
      before the summer.
    4. Ward Book for 50th Reunion: I just about have complete company coverage to
      work on this effort. Thanks to all the volunteers. Our game plan here is to get
      the book updated electronically by mid 2013. This will provide a great working
      tool for our reunion. Then, after the reunion, we will do another update with
      reunion photos and such and then perhaps publish as a hard copy or CD. More on
      this to come soon.
    5. Jim/Marylee Adams Annual Class Picnic (Clifton, Virginia). Mark your
      calendars for the afternoon of Saturday, June 2nd. More on this to come soon.
    6. Ryder Cup Golf Event and Mini-Reunion at Cordillera, Colorado: 29 July – 2
      August. Bill Annan has been planning this for two years. We stand at 123
      possible attendees and 71 golfers! If you are interested in joining us, Bill
      will be opening a final registration later this month. Contact Bill at Bill_Annan@Comcast.net.
    7. The Golf Fall Brawl Warning Order is out. October 21 – 24 at Williamsburg,
      VA. Contact Howie Bachman for questions: hbachman1@comcast.net.
    8. Army Football Season is around the corner. Seven home games this year! A
      number of us have season tickets and we always have a Class of '64 Tailgate
      before and after the game. Join us for a game or more. Let's see if we can get a
      crowd for the Army/Air Force Game – November 3rd. For more information, drop me
      a note.
    9. By now, all of you should have received a mailing for our 50th Reunion Fund
      Drive. You should also receive a copy via e-mail from the AOG later this week.
      You will notice that the automatic reply goes to Elena Meskill at the AOG.
      Elena, Class of '99, is our Class Rep in the AOG Development Office. She is most
      dedicated to helping us and will be a big help to Dick Nowak, Seth Hudgins, Bill
      Murdy and me as we work our way through this fund drive. Please keep in mind
      that I will always be available to answer your specific questions. If you have
      not received this letter in the mail by now, please let me know. In addition, if
      you do not receive the e-mail version by the end of next week, please let me
      know. I want to thank you in advance for your interest in this most important
      Class project. I have received many encouraging notes from Classmates already;
      most indicating their hopes that our gift be a meaningful contribution to assist
      the Corps of Cadets and support the Superintendent's needs.
    10. Now, a request from Tammy Flint at the AOG. Many of you know Tammy, the
      daughter of our Kim Flint. Tammy keeps tabs on all of us from the AOG data base
      and helps me update addresses and e-mails. Let's do Tammy (and me) a favor and
      visit the AOG website at www.westpointaog.org, log in (follow instructions if
      you don't have a password), and update your profile. While you are at the
      Website, check out the new "Class Notes" section. This is where George Jacunski
      posts the old "Assembly" Class Notes. And, while I'm on this subject, keep
      sending George memos/notes/pictures for posting (hork@sprintmail.com).
    11. Last but not least, our good friends at West-Point.Org, are embarking on
      their semi annual fund drive. Let's not forget that they are the folks who keep
      our Class communications going. All we ask for is a modest contribution of $64
      twice a year. It's called communications "Bang for the Buck"! You should have
      received Jack Price's message this morning. Just go to http://www.west-point.org/donate and make your
      donation. '64 is already leading the way! As a bonus, let's see who can take
      Buffalo (or Beehive) Jack up on his offer: "It is Spring here in the Blue Ridge
      Mountains, and my bee hives are getting ready to swarm. The largest donation in
      the first 24 hours after the time stamp on this message will receive two pounds
      of pure Buffalo Mountain honey. Ties will be settled by time stamp. And, you'll
      only know about this if you have read to the bottom of this Email!"
    I promised all a busy update – that's it for now. This will be posted on
    our Class Website (http://www.west-point.org/class/usma1964/).
    If you have any questions an any of the above, please do not hesitate to
    send me a note. Thanks for your continued support.
    Dan Evans
    Class Chairman
    703-915-3980

  • ARMY-NAVY GAME

    My daughter Laura and I attended the Army-Navy Game Saturday. We ran into Dan
    and Cynthia Evans in the Fedex concourse before kick-off.

    At half-time my
    daughter and I were part of a ceremony where we held a large flag that was
    spread across the field while Lee Greenwood was singing, “Proud to be an
    American.” It was fun being on the field, surrounded by 80,000 proud (mostly
    military) folks in the stands.

    See images taken by a friend Robert
    Tanner, We are in the flag images where my daughter is in a white jacket. Her
    arm is raised in one of the images. I am next to her.

    http://www.west-point.org/class/usma1964/armynavygame2011/

    Your
    Webkinz,
    Dick Puckett

  • Committee on Ethics -21 Fed

    On 28 February our Class Committee on Ethics sent representatives to support
    ethics training for the Class of 2014. Mike Conway, Max Johnson, Joe Mastriani,
    Dan Hornbarger, Tom Kullman and Mark Brennan represented the Class at the
    meeting which was part of an ongoing series. View the report of the meetings on
    the Class Web Site at:

    www.west-point.org/class/usma1964/ethics/ethics.pdf

    Your
    WebKinz,
    Dick Puckett

  • Reflections of 2-14 Ethics Session

    Jun 28, 2011
    10:49 am
    Subject: Reflections of 2014 ethics sessions
    J Mastriani

    The affiliation program has been a very
    rewarding experience for me, from R-Day to A-Day to the four sessions
    facilitating PME2. With the first and second sessions in September and October,
    the plebes were somewhat withdrawn, reticent, and intimidated. By the March
    session, they had grown enormously in maturity and confidence, which was further
    demonstrated in the May session. In addition, the cow facilitators had also
    shown growth in the same areas.
    For an old grad's look at the Corps, I find myself
    pleased with some things, displeased with others, and ambivalent on even more.
    I think we participants were all a little disappointed with the "legal
    protections" built into the Honor Code. The book on the honor process is
    voluminous, as opposed to the simple 'a cadet does not lie, cheat……….'
    etc. Additionally, the cadets acrossx the three underclasses demonstrated an
    uncertainty between honor and regulation, ie what they could and/or should not
    "tolerate", ie, heading to Highland Falls for a few beers at midnight does not
    require you to rat out your classmate unless he marks his card as "authorized
    absence".
    The other thing which I think would strike you is
    that meals are not the thrice-daily tension convention that we experienced.
    Although I'm told it's not uniform across all companies, certainly the area in
    which I sat was very relaxed at lunchtime, even back in September. Uniforms are
    very varied — you'll see many variations in the areas as you stand and watch
    the cadets walk by.
    I recently (June 27th) spent a few hours and lunch
    with a member of 2013 who I have known for four years; he was consistent in
    response to other comments from cadets similar to "it wasn't as hard as I
    thought it would be". It may be a very subjective judgement, but that disturbs
    me.
    All in all, I look forward to continuing
    participation in these sessions next academic year, and in other activities
    related to our affiliation program.


     
    The affiliation program has been a very
    rewarding experience for me, from R-Day to A-Day to the four sessions
    facilitating PME2. With the first and second sessions in September and October,
    the plebes were somewhat withdrawn, reticent, and intimidated. By the March
    session, they had grown enormously in maturity and confidence, which was further
    demonstrated in the May session. In addition, the cow facilitators had also
    shown growth in the same areas.
    For an old grad's look at the Corps, I find myself
    pleased with some things, displeased with others, and ambivalent on even more.
    I think we participants were all a little disappointed with the "legal
    protections" built into the Honor Code. The book on the honor process is
    voluminous, as opposed to the simple 'a cadet does not lie, cheat……….'
    etc. Additionally, the cadets acrossx the three underclasses demonstrated an
    uncertainty between honor and regulation, ie what they could and/or should not
    "tolerate", ie, heading to Highland Falls for a few beers at midnight does not
    require you to rat out your classmate unless he marks his card as "authorized
    absence".
    The other thing which I think would strike you is
    that meals are not the thrice-daily tension convention that we experienced.
    Although I'm told it's not uniform across all companies, certainly the area in
    which I sat was very relaxed at lunchtime, even back in September. Uniforms are
    very varied — you'll see many variations in the areas as you stand and watch
    the cadets walk by.
    I recently (June 27th) spent a few hours and lunch
    with a member of 2013 who I have known for four years; he was consistent in
    response to other comments from cadets similar to "it wasn't as hard as I
    thought it would be". It may be a very subjective judgement, but that disturbs
    me.
    All in all, I look forward to continuing
    participation in these sessions next academic year, and in other activities
    related to our affiliation program.

  • I Company is back!

    Dan Evans announces that I Company is back.

     

    See images at:

     

    www.west-point.org/class/usma1964/Icompany.pdf

  • 2014 Flag Presentation

    Mark Brennan has prepared an excellent after action report on the Flag Prersentation to the Class of 2014.  Report and images can be found at:

     

    www.west-point.org/class/usma1964/2014_Flag_Presentation.pdf

     

  • Class Flag

     

    On 21-22 July, a group of us (Kullman, Baratto, Johnson, Brennan, Conway, Darrow, Cytryn, and Evans) were proud to represent the Class of 1964 at ceremonies closing out Yearling Training at Camp Buckner for our 50 Year Affiliation Class of 2014. Affiliation Class.

     

    Read the entire report at:

     

    www.west-point.org/class/usma1964/classflag.pdf

     

    All the best from West Point

     

    Dan Evans