Chip O’Donnel: Fr. Kapaun's Story

September 30th

This week, I sang with the Catholic Choir at former Army Chaplain, and POW, Fr. Emil Kapaun’s Funeral Mass and Vigil Service. After receiving the Distinguished Service Cross for his heroic actions in the Korean War, his award was upgraded to the Medal of Honor in 2013. His remains were identified in March after spending 70 years in an unidentified grave, thus the funeral occurring in 2021.

Our former USCC Chaplain, Fr. Matt Pawlikowski, tells an amazing story recalled by COL Mike Dowe. COL Dowe was a POW with Fr. Kapaun and graciously shared every detail of Fr. Kapaun’s service within their death camp. A podcast of this amazing story is here and a written account of the story is here.

Fr. Kapaun’s dedication and passion for others is incredibly inspiring to me, and I feel my own leadership spirit and vigor for service has been re-ignited.

September 29th

Our scribe remembers me as someone who hung out with Tad Ono and wore funny pants. I am good with that. Tad is the only classmate I knew before arriving for Beast Barracks. In the Spring of 1961, we met at the Greater New York Area High School Gymnastics Tournament at the US Merchant Marine Academy. We have been friends ever since.

Sixty years later, I am still doing “funny” things. After January 6, 2021, I started to write a book. Little did I know that publishing a book is harder than doing iron crosses; perfect landings are impossible; and the big unknown is how much money you will lose. That’s why I say, I am still doing funny things.

Unless your name has the drawing-power of “Clinton,” “Gates,” or “Obama;” a non-fiction book is almost sure to lose money. Authors of non-fiction write for two reasons: they believe they have important information to share and they can’t sleep at night until they try. My goal is to look at recent events in America through the eyes of an engineer and a human resources manager, and convince readers that it is time for CHANGE. To further ensure that the book loses money, I will plow the royalties back into book promotion. For every 100 books that are sold, I can place another ad that could potentially generate the sale of 100 more books. This is consistent with my objective to spread a message I feel is very important.

The book is entitled: Better Government Through Better Hiring. It covers a lot of territory: education, history, politics, problem-solving, quality, hiring, human behavior, and two theories of relativity. (You don’t want to miss those.) Politically, no sides are taken. One way to state the thesis is: “If Americans think they can continue to do exactly what they have been doing and that bad outcomes will magically become good outcomes, they are dreaming.”

September 29th

As the 50th approached, a handful of us discussed making a significant statement. Step Tyner coined the title: Years of a Century Told. In April 2015, a round table discussion by and between the then living Supes was presented to the graduating class. Except for Palmer, the living Supe's were present. Chris Wallace was invited to moderate.

There are interesting and humorous anecdotes about our class interactions with USMA during the planning process. I was mailed a DVD and set it aside for later viewing. I realized several days ago that I forgot about it. With some help from my Jim Olivo, I managed to get it posted on YouTube. Chuck Nichols and I worked together to post Fred Laughlin's “Sons of the Greatest Generation.” Chuck did the magic then, but because it had 60's pop tunes as background, YouTube would not post it without copyright releases.

The YouTube file identifier is 4Xad2FZR4Ws; or , search “Years of a Century Told.” Here is a link: Years of a Century Told

September 28th

Amanda Van Essen Wirth has created a very nice book about the West Point Mule. It is available at Amazon for $23. It makes a great gift - for the right West Point person! I helped Amanda but do not benefit from any book sales.

Last year I asked class leadership for permission to announce the book through our Forum. At that time, leadership agreed. Maybe you should check again. The book is now available at Amazon. Title is “America’s Favorite Mascot. The book jacket intro is:’

“America's Favorite Mascot chronicles the history of the U.S. Army mules at West Point. West Point has a rich history that has impacted United States History and the United States Military immensely. Alongside the esteemed graduates of West Point have been their beloved mules. America's Favorite Mascot tells the stories of the mules, their antics, and the important role they have played at the United States Military Academy.”

September 23th

Another perfect weekend with another big win for Army West Point against the UConn Huskies! During the first half, Class of 1991 President Scott Clemenson and Fundraising Chairman Jamie Schleck presented a 30th Reunion Gift of $1,500,000 in support of the Army Cyber Institute to the 60th Superintendent of the United States Military Academy, LTG Darryl A. Williams ’83 and Kristin Sorenson, VP of Development of WPAOG.

The Class made its 30th Reunion Gift in memory of their fallen classmate, MAJ William F. Hecker III. Major Hecker was one of the five soldiers who were killed on January 5, 2006, when an IED was detonated near their Humvee during a routine convoy, south of Baghdad. Richelle Hecker, MAJ Hecker III’s widow, and family also joined the class to unveil its recognition plaque on the Friday prior to the game.

The Class of 1991 has set the new record of having the highest alumni participation rate of 68.15% for the 30th Reunion Gift. Thank you to the Class of 1991 for its faithful support to West Point and congratulations on this monumental accomplishment!

September 22nd

In what became an unexpected joint mission Tuesday afternoon, an Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcon intercepted an Army soldier-piloted Cessna that accidentally intruded upon restricted airspace during a meeting of the United Nations General Assembly in New York.

Article: Air Force F-16 intercepts Army West Point plane that violated UN flight restrictions (militarytimes.com)

September 16th

Boo…. Janet and Jim Dyer stopped by to see us! Great time was had by everyone. We always welcome friends passing through Charlotte.

September 10th

There will be a Golf Outing and/or Mini-reunion in the Phoenix area from 10 – 14 April 2022. The initial plan is to arrive in Anthem, AZ on 10 April. You will make your own reservation at a designated motel in that area. Based on the number of attendees we will negotiate for a hospitality room in the motel. Golf is planned for Monday and Wednesday on the Persimmon and Ironwood Courses at Fred Laughlin’s Country Club. A group dinner will be planned for Tuesday night. There is much to see in the Phoenix area at this beautiful time of year and the Clubs will be available to those who simply want to relax. You are certainly welcome to expand the trip to take in Sedona or the South Rim of the Grand Canyon.

To assist with planning please send your status as Definite, Probable, Possible or Out. Also let us know if your spouse will join us also. Send this information to both Fred and Bob at: flaughlinaz@mac.com and bobradcliffe@mindspring.com. Fred and I hope the dates work for you! Hopefully by then the Delta Variant will be history.

September 10th

AOG inclued USMA ‘65 into Sally Port, the master communication program enveloping all USMA classes. Other classes will be added overtime.

September 9th

With deepest sorrow, we regret that Judith Ellen Gildea Csoka passed away on August 21, 2021. Her passing was sudden and unexpected but she passed peacefully surrounded by  people who loved her. Her memory will never be forgotten.

September 7th

In September 2021, USMA '22 celebrated its Ring Weekend and former Denny Coll had the pleasure of attending because his granddaughter USMA '22, Kirby Home was getting her ring. Here is Denny with Kirby

September 4th

John Swensson reports that the September Issue of CAR AND DRIVER contains an interview with our distinguished classmate Joe Anderson. "On the Front Lines: Joseph Anderson turned his experience leading soldiers in war into a career managing auto workers in Factories." It is a brief interview with Joe which can be found on line: Joe Anderson. The interview includes photos, including a throwback of Cadet Anderson’s in his dress uniform taken during Christmas leave.

“And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also”. John 14:3

Classmate Frank Arnall passed away on November 6, 2021. He was interred at a private family service on Tuesday, November 23 at All Saints Episcopal, Winter Park, FL.

A public celebration of life service was held on Saturday, April 9, 2022, at St. Luke’s Lutheran Church in Oviedo, FL. Over 50 family and friends attended including eight West Pointers. Class POC was Mike Lapolla ‘65 who was Frank’s A1 roommate Yearling year, and lifelong family friend.

Family attending were Frank’s wife, Susan; brother Joe Arnall; daughters Susan Dickson and Ouida Foster; son Franklin and his wife Holly; and grandson Corbin Arnall with friend Jessica Foley.

The family appreciated the many classmates and friends who travelled to Oviedo to made this a special service. Our ’65 classmates attending were Dave and Marcella Gnau, Harry Haines, Hugh Kelley, Mike and Carol Lapolla, Jack Lyons, Jerry Merges, and Sharon (Mrs. Don) Parrish.

Other West Pointers attending were Jim Young ’78 and Jack Halsey '58 and his wife. They represented the West Point Society of Central Florida.

The opening music of the service was selected by Frank’s wife Susan. It was “Mansions of the Lord”. We remember the hymn as originally written for the 2002 movie “We Were Soldiers” and performed by the West Point Glee Club. The movie depicted the First Air Cavalry Division in Vietnam’s Ia Drang Valley in 1965. Frank joined that unit in June 1966, exactly one year after graduation. He would serve a 14-month tour of duty.

Our class flag was perfectly placed at the altar. Thank you, classmates Terry Ryan and Hugh Kelley.

The memorial concluded with professionally executed military honors coordinated by Frank’s son Franklin. The Honor Guard of Major Philip Stiles and CW3 Wilkin Romero conducted the flag honors and presented the folded flag to Susan. The firing team salute and Taps bugler were from American Legion Post 286 in Orlando. It was a beautiful blending of a military ceremony in a civilian church.

A reception luncheon followed.

Our condolences go out to the families of those how joined the Long Grey Line:
Duke Wheeler: 21-09-28:
Rick Sullivan: 21-09-14
Jesse Whitten: 21-08-26:
- End of Despatch -

It was a regular meeting of the two oldest academies with Army having had a better season record. As usual it was a fight to the very end. Navy 17 – Army 13.

Denny Coll and Fred Smith combined for a ‘65 touchdown with tickets and accommodations.

USMA1965 had a nice gathering at the Hilton Meadowlands and Met Life Stadium for the Army Navy game. Part of the pre-game activities remembered the 20 years since the 9/11 terrorist attacks on NYC, PA and the Pentagon. Lee Greenwood and the fans sang "God Bless the USA". Lee Greenwood sang that song 20 years ago at the Army Navy game. It was memorable and moving both times.

While the outcome of the game was disappointing, we had a nice gathering.

We shared a lot of memories, old and new life stories, with good camaraderie and the joy of being together. And there were certainly a lot of laughs.

The Army Navy game will be in Philadelphia in 2022. Please consider coming and if you can pull it off, bring your grandchildren. They will never forget that experience. Here are some Pix from the game, the Class dinner after the game and the Sunday brunch.

We begin on the field . . .

More during the game:

Above, left to right (1) Field General Wollen. (2) Ross, Myrna and her grandson Logan O’Keefe (3) Pete Dawkins with Logan.