Here is Joe Barkley at the Colgate game" The ultimate definition of "The Old Grad".

A Tribute to Bob Jones ‘65

September 17^th was a beautiful fall Saturday football afternoon at Michie Stadium when the Army Black Knights hosted unbeaten Villanova Wildcats. Army had begun its season with losses to Coastal Carolina and U. Texas San Antonio. This day was also National POW/MIA Recognition Day and at halftime, Bob Jones was introduced to represent POW/MIA Recognition Day. He was on the field and proudly waved to the crowd - he continues to look healthy and young.

Army seized leads twice in the first quarter, and back-to-back interceptions in the second allowed Army to score again for some breathing room. In the third quarter, Army’s ground game managed two scoring drives. Its defense stiffened limiting the Villanova to just a field goal.

The thrill of the afternoon came early in the fourth quarter. Tyrell Robinson fielded a puntl, cut back a run to his right and raced down the left sideline for a 73-yard touchdown. Serendity was hand as Robinson raced though the end zone only to run right smack into Bob. Here is a wonderful video link to the two: Bob Jones Fist Bump. The Black Knight Nation reported details, see Army-Villanova

Here are some photos

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Bob Wolff Reports

I was at West Point this past weekend. My wife (Phyllis) and I were fortunate to be sit with Rollie Stichweh at the Superintendent’s tailgate. Rollie attended the 2022 Hall of Fame banquet on Friday night. The Villanova game was a blowout and so very enjoyable.  The video recently sent out on Bob Jones was shown at half time in the stadium and Bob was introduced to represent POW/MIA Recognition Day.  He was on the field and proudly waved to the crowd - he continues to look healthy and young

Phyllis and I were at West Point to escort the widow and daughter of Medal of Honor recipient SFC Christoper Celiz who was killed in Afghanistan in 2018. President Biden presented the medal to his widow and daughter at the White House on December 16, 2021. SFC Celiz is the 18th Jewish MOH recipient to be recognized on a display in the Jewish Chapel. LTG Steve Gilland, the Superintendent, came to lunch at the Chapel to meet the Celiz family.

Another MOH recipient, COL(R) Jack Jacobs, and an honorary member of the Class of 1965, was the keynote speaker at the Friday night service and the unveiling of the plaque honoring SFC Celiz on the Medal of Honor display in the Chapel. The widow and daughter were given a tour of West Point and attended the parade and Villanova game. It was a very meaningful weekend for the Celiz family and the West Point Jewish Chapel Fund that financed the Celiz family’s trip to West Point. 

COL Gail and Shawn Yoshitani attended the event. Gail is the Head of the History Department. The display behind the group are plaques honoring those Jewish graduates who were killed in a war zone (including Gary Kadetz and Mike Berdy), those who have received valor awards, and those who have risen to the rank of General Officer. As the Curator for the Jewish Chapel, I was the project manager on the project—it took over four months to get the approval of the USMA Memorialization Committee and Superintendent—but was finally installed the day before the Medal of Honor ceremony in the chapel.

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Terry Ryan

On October 13^th, members of the illustrious class of 1965 joined members of the West Point Alumni Glee Club for our annual celebration of Oktoberfest.

Left to right are: Steve Ammon, Peter Cahill, Mary Jo Ammon, June Fergusson, Maria Cahill, Nancy Riley (WPAGC Artistic Director), Jim Ferguson, Herr Bob Harter, Karen Ferguson and Sally Wright (Ferguson’s guest), Frau Mary Harter, Tom Fergusson, Diane Maddra (Chuck Nichol’s guest), Chuck Nichols, Nancy Ryan and Terry Ryan.

Mary and Bob Harter definitely know how to do Oktoberfest as they were the best dressed revelers in the entire restaurant and looked more authentic than the Oompah Band.

Our Class Historian, Bob Frank reminds us that Strength & Drive has been committed to USMA and finding cadet candidates over many years. Some candidates have come from our own ranks, that is the offspring and the grandchildren of fellow Classmates. Other candidates have been identified through the recruiting efforts of Classmates. Most of us don’t know about the efforts of those who worked as part of the USMA Field Force, a group that supports the Admission Office in the identification and recruiting of candidates. This salute is to two who have joined the ghostly assemblage.

George Ruggles

I was reminded of this important service by two recent events. First, the passing of George Ruggles made me recall his efforts in the encouragement of a candidate, who entered West Point as part of our Affiliation Class. George mentored her throughout the four years, and emphasized his support of her and the Class of 2015 by contributing his Class ring to the Ring Melt. His mentee got to place George's ring in the crucible that would melt the gold into an ingot, which would later join the gold used for the 2015 rings. The rest of the story about that mentee is that she served as an Air Defense Artillery officer in Europe, then attended Stanford Law School and is now a CPT in the Judge Advocate General Corps serving at Ft. Riley.

Don Nowland

I was reminded of this important service by two recent events. First, the passing of George Ruggles made me recall his >The second event that hit me occurred on Saturday in the vicinity of the West Point PX Shoppette, where I struck up a conversation with a Firstie and her mother. When Cadet Codi Butt of Boston learned that I was a member of ’65, she asked me if I knew of Don Nowland. I confirmed that I did and added that I was at his memorial service at the Boston Yacht Club a few years back. Codi’s mother and she told me that they were both there as well! Codi went on to explain that Don was the reason she was at West Point. Not only did he identify her as a potential candidate, but he then proceeded to mentor her through the admissions process, all the while encouraging her to stay steadfast in her pursuit of an appointment. The story gets even more interesting.

Don’s widow, Davita, gave Codi Don’s Class ring at the memorial service, as a way of encouraging Codi through her cadet years since Don would not be around to do it in person! As Codi is in her final year as a cadet, she consulted with Davita about returning Don’s ring. Instead, both women concluded that it would be more appropriate for Don’sring to become part of the Ring Melt this coming February, with both Davita and Codi making the presentation. Needless to say, I was astounded that a casual conversation with a cadet would lead to a stirring insight about another member of Strength & Drive.

I am sure there are many stories that are equally inspiring. Bob Doughty’s history of the Class does a superb job of capturing many of our stories. The memorial articles of Classmates add to the breadth of our experience. And, the many years of Class notes makes our collective lives as a Class richer. When one has a bit of time, I would encourage each of us to tap into the Center of Oral History, focusing especially on the interviews of our Classmates. This superb resource further illuminates the character and contributions of Strength & Drive.

Bob Frank

Class Historian

The sudden passing of number 37 left Rollie Stichweh without a backfield. It was this poignant insight into the loss of yet another great Army back and much beloved Classmate that came first to his mind.

Ray Paske came to us from Buffalo, where he was, among other things, a high school football star.

Like his brothers before him, Ray probably considered going to Colgate University. However, fate intervened and Ray wound up at a small school along the banks of the Hudson. In July 1961, he joined the soon to be 'Distinguished Class of 1965.' From the beginning, Ray exhibited all that is embodied by the Class motto, Strength and Drive.

On 29 September, Ray’s family, friends and Classmates gathered in the St. Vincent’s Martyr Catholic Church of Madison NJ to honor Ray and celebrate his life. A funeral mass was held in his church, which had a standing room only attendance. The family was deeply involved throughout the mass, with pallbearers including a brother, a son, two grandsons, a son-in-law, a cousin and a nephew.

Eulogies were delivered by son Mark and daughter Madeline, both of whom drew a picture of a very loving husband and dad, and grandad. Family gatherings were often large and boisterous occasions, Ray being one of five brothers.

After the mass, Ray’s casket was taken out to the bright sun to be accorded military honors. This was a very moving experience, especially for those who had not before witnessed in person such a tribute to someone who served the nation honorably.

A repast followed the activities at the church. It took place at the Morris County Country Club, where Ginny and Ray were members. The country club includes a gorgeous golf course, upon which Ray so often demonstrated his great athletic abilities. While a sad occasion, the atmosphere was lively with wonderful stories being told of the many good times in the Paske family and the circles in which Ray moved.

The turnout of Classmates was inspiring with several coming long distances. Such as, Bob Jones from Hawaii, Nick Principe from Florida, Mark and Linda Walsh from the Ashville NC area, Tom Genoni from Albuquerque. Attending the funeral but not the repast was Linda Parcells. The photo below captures all Classmates present. It was taken by Joe Fitzhenry, Sr., USMA ’83. The significance of his presence is that Joe’s father was one of Ray’s high school football coaches!

Another coincidence was revealed by our own Fred Smith. Upon seeing the Army football program that featured Ray, Fred remarked that the game being played against Cincinnati was the very first date Fred had with Mary Ellen, his now wife of many years!

Ray’s inurnment at West Point will be held on a date in the future. One last bit of nostalgia and Buffalo pride:

On 10 November, the life of William J. Connolly was celebrated with a funeral mass at the Fort Myer Old Post Chapel. Bill died in April 2021, but his burial at Arlington National Cemetery was delayed by the covid related backlog. Nevertheless, the gathering of family, friends and Classmates filled the chapel. Thanks to the West Point Alumni Glee Club (of whom several ’65 Classmates are founding members), the family experienced a unique tribute – namely, the singing of ‘Mansions of the Lord’ prior to the start of the service. Also special about Bill’s funeral service was that our own Joe DeFrancisco served as the lay assistant to the priest. At the close of the service, the Glee Club sang the Alma Mater.

Bill’s cremains were then removed from the chapel and caringly handled by the Old Guard, which rendered full military honors in recognition of Bill’s service and achievements.

The procession into the cemetery included a band, a caisson, an honor guard and a riderless horse. The location of Bill’s grave site is a beautiful hollow within Arlington. There, the completion of military honors took place. This included a rifle salute, the playing of Taps and folding of the US flag and presenting it to Bill’s wife, Janice. The family were able to move directly to graveside to witness the emplacement of Bill’s cremains. In good Irish tradition, a bagpiper played a funeral tune from then until the family’s departure.

A reception followed at the Community Club. It was a time for remembrances and celebration of Bill’s life. A sizable contingent of Sky Soldiers (veterans of the 173rd Airborne Brigade) came to honor their former comrade. Several spoke of Bill’s leadership and courage. Of course, Bill’s kids also spoke warmly of their dad. Then, a colleague who worked closely with Bill on handing over the Panama Canal to the Panamanians informed all that Bill’s work on this project was undoubtedly his most important endeavor, historically speaking. The last to speak was Bill’s Ranger buddy from 57 years ago, Ric Shinseki. Ric’s comments were illuminating as to Bill’s talents and commitment. Ric stated that Bill was one of the finest soldiers he had ever encountered. Ric’s recalling of Bill’s Ranger skills caused Janice to remember another Ranger and dear friend, Fred Scruggs, the two having served together in the Mountain Camp of Ranger School.

Among those who could not be present was Jerry Cecil, a former member of Strength and Drive, who went on to graduate with ’66. Jerry’s company was in an horrific fight near Dak To in 1967, and was totally surrounded and in danger of being wiped out. Bill’s company was sent to relieve Jerry’s unit, and faced stiff opposition as he and his men fought their way in. As Bill reached Jerry’s position, Jerry greeted him somewhat facetiously with these words: “What took you so long?” It was an encounter that cemented their bond for the rest of their lives.

Class of ’65 attendees included Jim Ferguson, Tom Fergusson, Terry Ryan, Pete Cahill, Linda Thompson, Jim & Beverly Murphy, Mike & Cathy Applin, Ric & Patty Shinseki, Joe & Lynne DeFrancisco, Bob Cato, Bob Wolff, Dan Christman, Bob & Mary Frank.

l-r: Mike Applin, Janice Connolly, Dan Christman (seated),
Jim Murphy, Pete Cahill, Joe DeFrancisco, Ric Shinseki,
Bob Cato, Bob Wolff, Bob Frank (standing)