L-R: Standing: Bill Reisner, Joe Barkley, Bill Byrne, Barrie Zais,
Howie Reed, & Fred Smith
Seated: Linda Zais, Betsy Reed, Mary Ellen Smith, Diane Barkley, Francis Reisner
The Class of 1965 Occasional Lunch Group – SE PA and New Jersey met for lunch at Jasper’s Backyard, Conshohocken, PA. Its just fun to get together and enjoy each other’s company. We welcomed Bill and Francis Reisner to the group for the first time too. The indoor lighting is responsible for the “back light and halo effect.”
A Regular Gathering in N.C.
April 23, 2023
L-R: George Bell, Pat Kenny, Bob Radcliffe, Clair Gill, Gordy Larson,
Rick Charles (Gordy's Service dog, Rodeo behind), and Sandy Hallenbeck.
Also in attendance were Carol Bell, Sherry Gill, Muriel Halvorson,
Alice Kenny, Marlene Charles, and Rosemary Hallenbeck.
What seems to be a regular spring and fall gathering of classmates in southeastern North Carolina took place at St. James Plantation on April 20th. The luncheon was organized and hosted by George and Carol Bell, with a preliminary gathering hosted by Clair and Sherry Gill at their home in St James Plantation.
Central Virginia Gathering
May 3, 2023
L-R: Emery & Eleanora Chase, Jim & June Harvey, Chuck Nichols, Darlene Hopkins, Trish Clover, Dave Hopkins, and Bob Clover
The Central Virginia group gathered on May 2nd at the Cheesecake Factory in Short Pump, Virginia, for their quarterly gathering. The usual tales were told concerning vacations planned and conducted and surgeries planned and completed. The after lunch picture was taken by our very efficient server. She took several and then asked the group to strike a funny pose. That one looked the same as this one but when Darlene and Dave Hopkins moved to strike their pose they hid much of Tricia's face so we will use the non-funny pose shot.
Kansas News
May 17, 2023
Standing - John and Susan Madia
Seated - Larry and Ruth Neal
Larry and Ruth Neal enjoyed dinner with John and Susan Madia at Georges French Bistro, one of Wichita's finest. Larry and Ruth, who recently moved to Wichita and knew no one there, were warmly welcomed by John and Susan.
Lunch in Fort Collins CO
May 25, 2023
Left to right: Bill, Pat and Les
Last Thursday Bill Tredennick, Pat Kenny, and Les Hagie enjoyed a pizza lunch in Fort Collins, CO. Bill and Les live in nearby Windsor, CO; Pat travelled to Fort Collins for his granddaughter’s high school graduation. Bill and Les were Beast Barracks roommates and have remained very close friends since that summer of 1961.
Old Grads
May 29. 2023
Emery (1965), Emery III (1989), Ken (1991), Jim (1976), Gavin (2015), Mat (2021), Sam (2021), Garrett (2021, Mat and Sam's other roommate), and Tucker 2022)
Enery Chase reports that this past weekend, we celebrated the marriage of our granddaughter Erin to Mat O'brien. Mat is class of 2021 and was the roommate of Sam, Erin's brother. Mat's father is Jim O'Brien, class of 1976. Someone got the idea of an 'Old Grads' photo.
Final Rest of Ray Paske - 7 Jun 23
June 12, 2023
Honor Guard approaches Ray’s urn after rifle salute and Taps has been played
On a beautiful 7 June day, the Paske family and friends gathered for a final salute and tribute to our Classmate Ray. Number 37 was brought home to West Point to rest in peace. Father Matt Pawlikowski, Chaplain US Corps of Cadets, presided over the religious portion of the ceremony. His eloquence and comforting words lent a dignity to this somber event that enhanced the tribute being paid to Ray. Military honors were rendered immediately thereafter, as this was a graveside inurnment. The following pictures document parts of the ceremony.
Flag is unfurled over Ray’s remains to honor his service to the nation
Folded flag “kisses” Ray’s remains in final sign of respect
Ginny Paske receives the flag and the thanks of a grateful nation
At the Hotel Thayer reception,remembrances f Ray join the flag in celebration of Ray’s life
Ginny Paske with Tom Barron, Mark Walsh, Dan Steinwald, Bob Frank,
Barrie Zais, Nick Principe, Labe Jackson, Tom Genoni, Ray Hawkins,
and Bob Jones
Since Ray started out with the Class of 1964, two members of that Class
joined to honor Ray. James Beierschmitt and Dan Evans ’64
Rembering Steve Harman
June 12, 2023
The Class was represented by the Wolffs, the Jones, the Franks and Kay Dermody
On 30 May, prayers for Steve and Anne Harman were said in Most Holy Trinity Catholic Church at West Point. A large contingent of the Harman family was present to honor their parents and grandparents. The Brigade Chaplain, a retired Colonel as well as a priest, officiated the Mass of Christian Burial. Ave Maria was sung by daughter Kathleen Petzold.
Memorial photos when they were young were on display.
Shortly thereafter, an Irish meditation, “Our Lady of Knock,” was sung by Anne's niece, Kathy Cole. As the service ended, the family and friends participated in a vehicle procession that passed by the quarters area that Steve, Anne, and their kids resided in when Steve served in the Math Department. Commitment services were conducted at the north end of the cemetery and include military honors.
A repast luncheon in Herbert Hall (the Alumni center) followed.
Jim Harmon's Daughter
June 12, 2023
In mid-May, Harmon and his wife Jeanne lost their older daughter, Lisa 54 years old, in a tragic accident. As many of you might remember, what makes this even more tragic was they lost a young daughter Laura almost 40 years ago. Attached is a copy of the Harmon's thank you for the floral bouquet we sent.
Two Old Bulls
June 27, 2023
Tom Abraham & Jerry Merges
This from Jerry Merges.
Two Old Bulls and plenty of bull shoot to go around I suppose. Tom joined my family at the Merges Reunion. Two old bulls.
In Memory" 17 June 2023
June 28, 2023
Classmates, Wives, and Friends of '65,
On 17 June 2023, three classmates were honored at the In Memory program. The In Memory program honors those who returned home from Vietnam and later died. Information on the In Memory program can be found at this link where you can also find the form for nominating someone to be recognized.
The 2023 program started with the singing of Mansions of the Lord by the West Point Alumni Glee Club. A video of that performance can be seen at this link.
The three classmates honored at the ceremony were Dick Kramer, Lowry West, and Dick Coleman. A video of the reading of their names by Terry Ryan can be seen at this link
We have many more classmates who have joined the Ghostly Assemblage deserve to be recognized. Please consider nominating them by going to the nomination form at this link. The deadline for nominations to the 2024 In Memory program is 29 March 2024.
National Handball Tournament- USMA 1965
June 30, 2023
The tournament was held over the Memorial Day weekend. Our own Jim Stephenson and his partner Gary Rohrer lost in the finals of the 80 year + US Handball National Championships doubles division. Jim also competed in the 80+ Singles Division losing to the eventual Champion.
L-R: Jim Stephenson, Gay Rohrer
Jim deserves a hand!
Jim Stephenson shared that he credits West Point with the need to pursue "lifelong" sports activities.
The list of "lifelong" sports included golf, tennis, skiing, hiking, squash, racquetball, swimming and others.
The list has since grown to include bocce and pickleball.
Handball was also further down on the list somewhere.
Jim took the lesson to heart and stuck with handball.
The only breaks from handball in "lifelong" were overseas deployments, injuries and COVID.
Jim and his partner Gary Rohrer lost in the finals of the 80 year + US Handball National Championships doubles division.
Jim also competed in the 80+ Singles Division losing to the eventual Champion.
The tournament was held over the Memorial Day weekend.
Minnesota Strong.
Fred Smith
Bob Bradley provided this additional comment
My West Point handball partner John Knowles and I thought we were hot shot players, so in 1964 I decided to challenge the New York Athletic Club to a handball match. We were warming up at the NYAC when a player from the club came in the court and said, without warming up, he was ready to start the game. He proceeded to put only one handball glove on, not two, and told us to serve. We were incredulous that he had the audacity to play us hot shots one-handed by himself.
He was ahead 15-0 when we finally got our first point, ultimately losing 21-1. Turned out he was Oscar Obert, one of NYAC's national handball champions.
The NYAC hosted a wonderful dinner for us after the thrashing and couldn't have been nicer to a bunch of clueless cadets.
Looking back, it was kind of like an 18 handicapper challenging Tiger Woods to a golf match.
