Category: News

Fall Brawl Golf Reminder: 10 – 14 September 2017 in Williamsburg, VA. If you have not signed up and are interested, contact Howie Bachman at bachman1@cox.net.

We are two and a butt years away from our 55th Reunion. Again we are looking at a gathering in May, however nothing is locked in concrete. Your committee is open for suggestions and ideas for the 55th. So, start thinking about this and drop me a note at your convenience – devans1964@aol.com.

We will do another update of the electronic Ward Book before the 55th. More on this soon.

We have an increasingly growing number of Classmates and Spouses who are struggling with illnesses and “older” age issues. Some we know, but many desire to keep things confidential. Please, do not hesitate to ask for help, advice and prayers. There are limits to what we can physically do, but one never knows what can be learned from another’s experience with doctors, hospitals, the VA, Medicare, Social Security, etc. Do not hesitate to drop me a note at danevans1964@gmail.com; it will be Confidential.

What follows are the photos from two weeks of shenanigans at Brions, on Nov. 8 and Nov. 15, plus a mission with Rangers Evans, Brennan, Roberts and Jones to the U.S. House of Representatives regarding the Defenses of Washington National Historical Park legislation many in the Class have advocated previously to the Congress.

Note: This is a long report likely to be turned into a miniseries should it get any longer. And, while we are on these matters, please let us know if anyone would like to have your names deleted from these reports. As I have reported before, when I have dropped someone so as to not to overload inboxes without the concurrence of the owner of that inbox, I have gotten snippy comments from old roommates 🙂 and company mates asking if they had said something offensive (??) or if we didn’t care for or love them anymore, or some other such guilt trip, so, I have said what the hey…send the stuff to them !!!! And, when we don’t do photos a time or two, there have been some who have commented that they had worn something special thinking that the photos would be taken, etc… Plus, those away from the DC area write in saying that they are enjoying the reports even though they must realize that they are being written up each time they miss one of the weekly conferences for not joining us.. and that quill is going into their official records at WP, etc., etc. 🙂

Al Carver had a birthday at the one on Nov. 8th. He is really, really old, but looks so young. Not sure how he achieves that but he does – probably because he married up.

I included a chandelier from my recent burger outing to the Trump Hotel before the election which I was reconning just in case (so I should get credit with those who had the DT’s : ) for either being clairvoyant or just shameless). When Dan, Judy, Mark and I went to the Hill last week, I had arranged for us to have lunch in the Members Dining room in the House and took a photo of the chandelier in that historic room and thought you would get a kick out of comparing the two. The Members Dining room in the House dates back to 1834. Heck that is almost as old as our institution (1802)!!

Many of our clan were working the polls (elections or dancing – not sure… no that would be poles) at the Nov. 8th conference. Good job. Many of us wore our “I voted” buttons. For better or worse, it is still the best system of gov. around. Always needs tweaking from time to time, but it is the best that mankind and womankind have put together so far.

On our trip to visit with Rep. Barbara Comstock’s office, we were waiting to hear from my old friend Rep. Don Young’s office to see if someone might be able to escort us over to the Capitol. We were visiting the House Natural Resources Committee Hearing Room where I used to work for many years, with paintings in the room by Brigadier Seth Eastman, West Point Grad from the late 1800s. He was commissioned by Congress at the turn of the century (early 1900s) to paint scenes from the West of Indians. He did, and the paintings are on the walls of the committee room.

While we were in the room, an old staffer from Mr. Young’s office showed up with 3 interns, to escort us to the Capitol. I told them that no Member of Congress ever had such an entourage escorting them to the Capitol – it was so cool – down into the bowels of the Longworth building, on the trolley, to the Capitol. And when we go there the Hostess actually hugged each one of us when we arrived and when we left. (I keep telling our folks I am not as dumb as I look) I had spoken with her and related my story about working there for a 1,000 years and my meeting Muhammad Ali at the White House, and several other stories. She was a sweetheart and made us feel welcomed to say the least. She will have to amend her welcoming if we take the whole class there someday!!! since it would take her away from her duties for too long…

There is a history paper Mr. Young’s office gave us on the history of that dining room – will share that during the miniseries I guess or later. We met Rep. Jim McDermott who sat next to us with a woman doctor from Turkey. He allowed that he served in Vietnam in 1968-1969 as a psychiatrist. I introduced our folks to him and his dinner companion. He asked if we actually served in combat. I said yes. (I should have explained too that I was with First Infantry Division, in the artillery, which, as us in the artillery like to say, “it lends dignity to what would otherwise be a vulgar brawl”.

Also included are a few nature scenes from Tom Kullman’s hiking trails around Burke Lake – I like to go out there to clear my head – I don’t do the trip around the lake like Tom does, but few do (other than Max I think and a few others), but Tom does it routinely. Those going to do the march back from Buckner would do well to train with Tom at Burke Lake.

Dan went to the game 3 days ago and sent a message, as you know, to the Team… and they won 60 to 3! That is how I remember all our games going while we were there. I assume you all remember them the same way. Hope this was good prep for Navy!!!

Cheers…

Roy

Registration deadline is April 30, 2014

To register, fill out and send the form located on the AOG website at:

http://classof64.kintera.org/50thReunion

I suggest that you print out a copy of the form before sending it.

Our
buses will leave the Crowne Plaza in Suffern at about 8AM on Saturday, the 17th
of May and go directly to southern Manhattan in the general area of the World
Trade Center. We should arrive by 9:30, and
most of us are planning to spend two hours or so in the area. Basically, you are
on your own until pick-up later in the evening in the Times Square area.
Depending upon the number of folks going to NY City and your desires for
returning to the Crowne Plaza, we will have
one or two returning groups – one at about 5PM and another about 9:00PM –
leaving from the Bryant Park area (5&6th Avenues/40&42nd Street). John
Farnsworth has volunteered to do the "one step forward" inspection before
boarding the buses – he has extensive experience with this
maneuver.

I would
highly recommend forming small groups of Classmates/Roommates, etc. and
start your planning process. NY City has some unbelievable web sites covering
just about anything you might want to do. Just spend a few minutes googling NYC
tours, walking tours, etc., etc and you'll see. Statue of Liberty, Ellis Island,
Boat Tour of Manhattan, Broadway Shows, Lincoln Center, Art and Historical
Museums, the Intrepid Air and Space Museum, the "Art Kelly" Pizza Walking Tour
of Arthur Avenue, etc., etc. In other words, there is something for everyone.
Here's a site to get you started (from Betsy Lonsberry): http://www.cityguideny.com/activityplanner.cfm.

Here's
an example of what I am doing –  My old roomie (I-1 Yearling Year) Hal Winton
proposed a "roommate day" in NY to me and Al Fulco. Hal, a great organizer has
us going to see Les Miserables in the afternoon (2PM) and then off to dinner at
a local French Restaurant at 5PM. Hal is willing to share his ideas and to give
recommendations – just drop him a note at bayonet@knology.net. 
Most of the Broadway shows have 2PM matinees.

The
French restaurant where Hal, Al and I are eating is Pergola des Artistes (252
West 46th Street, 212-302-7500). It is offering a special menu to those who make
advance reservations and identify themselves as "West Point Class of 1964". The
menu includes a 4-course meal with several choices of appetizers, mid-courses,
entrees, and desserts w/coffee or tea for $55/person, tax and tip included (wine
and cocktails extra). The restaurant only seats 70, so book early if you want to
take advantage of this offer. Recommend small groups (4-6 people).

From
folks who go into NY frequently, one thing they all tell me is to make
reservations, especially at restaurants. Bud Henry, who frequently visits his
daughter in NY, is also available to offer advice and recommendations; he's at
bud.henry@cox.net .

A
suggestion –  use the USMA 1964 class forum or info central to let all know of
your plans and to give other folks ideas of what to do.

For any
questions on the trip or Reunion, drop me a note at devans1964@aol.com. Should be a great day in NY
City!

Dan
Evans

The tentative Reunion agenda can be viewed at:

http://www.west-point.org/class/usma1964/Agenda1.pdf

Monitor this site for agenda changes.

Click on the following link to view Reunion info on the Class AOG Reunion site:

http://www.westpointaog.org/Page.aspx?pid=1860&chid=229