From Denny Coll,

Cathy & I with daughter Shannon ‘95 & husband Paul as well as their 2 youngest: Toby and Abby USAFA ‘24. Since many of the Class know Shannon (she ran Admissions Field Force for many years), I am happy to report that her colon cancer surgery appears to have been successful and she is now at home in Naples (where we visited them) starting chemo mid-April still on Active Duty.

Before seeing Shannon, we had brunch, also in Naples with Cathy Kulbacki and her daughter Pam. The pic shows my Cathy and me with Cathy K outside her Club. They are awaiting the final OK from AOG to hold Walt’s Memorial Service @ WP in Sep.

After spending the long Easter weekend in Venice with Cathy’s sisters and their families in Venice, we stopped @ The Villages ostensibly to have lunch wit Jerry & Peggy Merges and my old buddies Jack & Judy Grubbs ‘64. Surprise, surprise - new Villages residents Jim & Julie McEleice joined us also (see picture). Lots of laughs.

All,

Denny and Cathy just finished a road trip to Florida. Below are photos of the highlights with captions below the photos:

Since many of the Class know Shannon (she ran Admissions Field Force for many years), I am happy to report that her colon cancer surgery appears to have been successful and she is now at home in Naples (where we visited them) starting chemo mid-April still on Active Duty.

Before seeing Shannon, we had brunch, also in Naples with Cathy Kulbacki and her daughter Pam. The pic shows my Cathy and me with Cathy K outside her Club. They are awaiting the final OK from AOG to hold Walt’s Memorial Service @ WP in Sep.

After spending the long Easter weekend in Venice with Cathy’s sisters and their families in Venice, we stopped @ The Villages ostensibly to have lunch with Jerry & Peggy Merges and my old buddies Jack & Judy Grubbs ‘64. Surprise, surprise - new Villages residents Jim & Julie McEleice joined us also. Lots of laughs.

Denny Coll

All,

Jim Stephenson provided a photo of his handball doubles team.

The Class of ’65 contingent are shown in the photos below. The funeral started with a downpour as the procession proceeded to the Catholic Chapel. The service was over an hour later and ended with some photos outside the chapel. We proceeded to the burial site which is just to the left of the Old Cadet Chapel. Following the burial, we attended a reception at the Thayer Hotel. The Class Flag was displayed at the back of the Catholic Chapel.

Attached is COL Oleh Koropey’s obituary, which highlights his amazing career accomplishments, which were summarized by the priest at the services.

Bob Wolff ’65
Strength and Drive

Dan the Marine Pultz was one of my best friends, even before we attended kindergarten. He was a Marine Infantry Officer, serving in Viet Nam in 1967. Dan’s experienced his first combat during the iconic Battle of Getlin’s Corner; Dan and the company’s forward observer, Butch Neal, who later became a 4 Star General and Assistant Commandant of the Marine Corps, were the only officers left standing at the conclusion of the eight-hour battle, all others dead or wounded. Dan was awarded the Bronze Star Medal for Valor. Dan attended over 25 Army-Navy games with me, and, although a Marine is always a Marine, Dan was awarded the distinction of being an honorary member of the West Point Class of 1965 by Clair Gill, Class President. A GREAT guy— and a lifelong best friend. Classmate Jay Stewart was in attendance as well, traveling from Florida. Dan dedicated himself to helping veterans, serving alongside Major General Jones USMC (ret) for almost twenty years at sessions of Semper Fi Odyssey, located in the Laurel Highlands in Somerset County. Dan dedicated 15,000 hours helping veterans struggling with PTSD and other war-related issues. He was loved and respected by anyone and everyone he encountered. He will be missed by countless individuals, such as me and Jay Stewart and Jim Tomaswick, both of whom were best men along with Dan in 1999 at my wedding. Dan, Jay, and I were friends since Kindergarten. Eulogy and program attached, regarding the Celebration of Life which took place in Pittsburgh on the 14th of April; over 200 family and friends were in attendance. Many of those in attendance were veterans that Dan had helped. Many from the class of ’65 became close friends as well. He will be sorely missed, especially by me; we were indeed FAMILY! Lifelong blood!! A life well done, Dan the Marine. Be thou at peace. See you later, God willing. A piece of me goes with you.

Thomas "Abe" Abraham

All,

Clair Gill reports that eight Classmates gathered in St James, North Carolina, Sunday April 28, 2024, for Bloody Marys, lunch, and a whole lot of camaraderie. Featured “guest” was the ever ebullient (I looked it up ... means "spirited") Bob Radcliffe whose son, Gregg drove him up from Ocean Isle Beach, NC and assisted. Of course we had the ladies. Pictures follow . . .

Those who don't know, will likely be shocked to see Bob in the process of being fitted with a prosthetic lower left leg. His misfortune started months ago with a foot infection which was resistant to treatment. Regrettably, the infection led to eventual substantial surgical intervention which required removal of his leg just above the knee.

Bob is a war horse, though. He seems to be managing well and will be attending the Greenbriar spring golf outing (becoming a mini-reunion) which he organized early this year. He has been organizing golf outings each year for years.

Pat Kenny added his version to the report.

Eight classmates met at the Reserve Club on St. James Plantation, very close to Southport, North Carolina for a luncheon on Sunday, April 28 th . The outing was organized by Carol and George Bell. Prior to the luncheon Sherry and Clair Gill hosted a gathering at their house for snacks and Bloody Marys. A good time was had by all.

Folks,

A week ago, on the afternoon of Sunday, April 21, 2024, I and several of my fellow Las Vegas USO volunteers welcomed back twenty-three (23) LV Honor Flight veterans-WWII, Korean and Vietnam. The oldest WWII Vet was 100 years young. Pictured left, we escorted them through the LV airport with hundreds of LV folks cheering them on.

The typical Honor Flight starts from many US locations on a Friday morning and arrives in Washington, DC for a dinner gathering. The next day, Saturday, is a busy day which includes visits to the WWII, Korean and Vietnam memorials; Arlington National Cemetery; laying a wreath at the Tomb of The Unknown Soldier; and, concludes with dinner. On the final day, Sunday, after an early breakfast they fly back to Vegas aboard a SW flight arriving mid afternoon.

The Honor Flight Foundation pays for the veterans’ airfare, hotel, dinners and tour buses. I was approached about signing up for the October Honor Flight as a Vietnam veteran. I will sign up for that flight and commemorate that trip to my Dad when we visited all three memorial years ago.

Skip O'Donnell

John Madia commented,

Skip I was invited to an Honor Flight from Wichita a few years ago. There were many memorable events: being cheered by fellow American as our plane load of vets walked through the airport terminals upon both departure and return; being celebrated by a band of Native Americans in full tribal dress; and most importantly, getting to place the wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. Perhaps an honor I’ll never forget.

Gerry,

Photo of Classmate, Ross Wollen, shown today recovering at home on Roosevelt Island after in-patient stays at the VA hospital in Manhattan. He is being well cared for by life companion Myrita Pindar.

For Class distribution please Boo,

Roger

Our E-1 Classmate Lorin "Craig" Albright passed away on December 17, 2023. A Memorial Service for Craig was held at the West Point Old Cadet Chapel on Monday, 13 May. He was preceded in death by his older brother Alan Keith. Craig is survived by Heather Margaret Albright, his wife of over 55 years; his youngest brother, Hugh Douglas; and by a number of Nieces and Nephews.

Craig was born in Medina, New York and graduated from Albion High School where he excelled on the football and wrestling teams, and was a member of the National Honor Society.

At West Point a plebe year shoulder injury truncated his football aspirations, but in addition to the slate of intramural sports, he was on the pistol team for two years, and participated in outdoors activities throughout his Academy time. Upon graduation, Craig was commissioned into the Armor branch and completed both the Airborne and Ranger courses. He resigned in 1970 following an Armored Cavalry company command assignment along the Korean DMZ.

After active military service, Craig had a career with IBM starting with the Federal Systems Division. Heather also had an IBM career as a programmer/analyst. Their IBM paths included contract support for government agencies with several years in the DC area working at Langley.

Craig resumed interest in shooting sports and achieved both North Carolina state, and national High Power Rifle recognition. This included tying a national individual record. His club also focused on safety and proficiency training for Boy Scouts and other young shooters. Craig was very active in that endeavor right up to the time of his passing.

Heather reported that the skies cleared up on Monday and that she, Craig's extended family, and friends at his West Point Memorial Service had a beautiful afternoon. After the service including full Military honors, the group toured permissible areas and were back at Trophy Point during the flag lowering ceremony. Heather felt that closed the day most appropriately.

From Dave Hopkins:

When we had lunch with Jim and Margie in November, Jim was still at home. He’s now in an assisted living facility in Fredericksburg. He has limited mobility stemming from a hip replacement years ago, and he has a very rare type of cognitive impairment / Alzheimer’s which his doctor believes must have been caused by exposure to Agent Orange.

Margie spends every afternoon with Jim, and Darlene and I spent about an hour and a half with them there Tuesday afternoon—a joyful, laughter-filled time. Jim was his usual easy going, light-hearted self. As when any old grads get together, we told stories about our cadet days, Ranger school, etc., with stories thrown in about life in retirement, family and more.

Classmates can send email to Jim at Margie’s email address, margiemberry@gmail.com, and cards and letters to Jim at their home address:

10109 Colechester St.
Fredericksburg, VA 22408-9564

Craig's wife, Heather writes:

Craig is now at rest and hopefully at peace at the Old Cadet Chapel at West Point, niche 1-40-A-BL. The skies cleared up and Monday, May 13th, was a beautiful day. He received an 18-gun salute (3 rounds of 6 rifles) and 3 of the shell cases are wrapped in his flag representing: Duty Honor Country. The group toured the permissible areas after and finished at Trophy Point where there was, at the flag lowering for the day, a bugle call and they fired a cannon. That closed the day nicely and seemed almost like a part of the ceremony.

Below are photographs of Craig and Heather in Hawaii:

Attached is a brief memorial prepared by Heather for Emory Pylant who served as POC for Craig.

Two of your fellow members of the LT celebrated last night in Bethany Beach DE. Once again, Fred and Mary Ellen chose an excellent place to dine. It was a wonderful time except for the conversation of John Howell’s passing. Fred and Mary Ellen recounted the many times that John was present in their lives along with John’s children. It was a bittersweet remembrance. Fred also noted that both Arlington National Cemetery and the West Point Cemetery have been mentioned as John’s final resting place. I am certain Clair, in his role as POC, will clear this up.

All,

On May 12th and 13th, Jim Kelly, Anita and I, and Tad Ono celebrated Bill Sherrell’s life at a reception at the Sherrell’s home, paid tribute at Bill’s internment at the Tahoma National Cemetery and at a reception held at a local VFW Hall.

Many of you may have seen Tad’s cemetery tribute on his Facebook post. For those who didn’t, here is an extract:

Drove up today to the Tahoma National Cemetery to attend the memorial svc/burial of a classmate and good friend Bill Sherrell. …Classmate and good friend Grant Fredricks and Anita were also in attendance. Bill was a West Point football player and an all around great guy. He was gentle, modest, friendly and determined but even more, he was a thoughtful, thinking man and a very intelligent one. Our paths crossed a number of times-at CGSC at Ft Leavenworth, Korea in the 2nd ID, Hawaii, where he came to play golf with his friends and at their beautiful home in Spanaway, WA, with a gorgeous unobstructed view of Mt Rainier. His daughter, Meredith, gave a really heartfelt, warm and humorous eulogy for her dad that moved everyone to tears. Others spoke as well. It was clear that Bill was a very special kind of guy. I’m honored to have been a friend. Well done, Bill, very well done!

Tad Ono

Some photos to remember Bill by . . .

Echoing Tad's comments, we were shocked when he passed and we'll really miss him.

By Grant Fredricks

Kay and Bob Cato traveled to Hawaii in May and spent almost a week being entertained by Dave and Sandy Bangert on the isle of Oahu.

Kay and Bob Cato on the left and Sandy and Dave Bangert on the right during one of our nightly excursions.

Although Dave is somewhat mobility limited, he gets out and about quite well. He and Sandy are always ready for drinks, good food and great discussions!

From Bob Cato

Folks,

My son, Chip, USMA’92 who is at West Point sent me the photo below from his escaping the 109 temp and 90% humidity to 70 degrees in the photo below yesterday-yikes.

When I was an Army brat at Highland Falls in the middle 1950s and as a cadet in the mid 1960s, we never had this heat index. Also the NY state schools still end their school year each year next week.

Skip OD

On June 15th the West Point Alumni Glee Club (WPAGC) performed at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund reading of new names to be added to the Memorial Book. Terry Ryan and Larry Smith were part of the Glee Club performing at the ceremony. Russ Campbell was attending with some of his Vietnam homies for the Event. WPAGC was proud to sing for a crowd of over two thousand.

Our family participated in the honoring of Duke Wheeler, and many other patriots at the "In Memory" program June 15th and 16th, Father's Day weekend. Perhaps there were other classmates as well. Thank you for sharing this information last year.

Gratefully,
Sally Wheeler

All,

The Central VA group met on Jun 24 in Richmond for our quarterly (sometimes semiannual) luncheon. As always, we had another great time of fellowship, with conversations on many subjects, e.g., updates on many classmates, the 60th reunion, the Army-Navy game, Army and post-Army careers, travel, kids and grandkids and a first great-grandson in the Hopkins clan, cadet times, home repairs for some and upcoming retirement community (no home repairs) for others. As expected for an 80-ish crowd, we recounted tales of health issues, surviving trips to the ER, Tricare, etc.

To show we’re keeping up with our techie grandkids, we talked about all the digital devices keeping us going: Apple Watch and Kardia Mobile EKG readers, a continuous glucose monitor, hearing aids, and a pacemaker-defibrillator.

Bob and Phyllis Wolff, who’ve been trying to make it to one of our luncheons for 2 yr., finally had an opening in their calendar for this one and were able to join us. Because they, Jim and June Harvey, Darlene and I were together at Stanford in the early 70s for grad school, we retold some stories about those good times.

Jim Harvey is arranging our next luncheon, probably in September in Williamsburg.

By Dave Hopkins, 804-690-6541 mobile, dvdrhop@comcast.net

An update on Jim Berry from Dave Hopkins:

When Darlene and I had lunch with Jim and Margie this past November, Jim was still at home. Now he's in an assisted living facility in Fredericksburg. He has limited mobility stemming from a hip replacement years ago, and a very rare type of cognitive impairment / Alzheimer’s which his doctor believes must have been caused by exposure to Agent Orange.

Margie spends every afternoon with Jim. Recently, on the afternoon of May 21, Darlene and I spent about an hour and a half with them -- a joyful, laughter-filled time. Jim was his usual easy going, light-hearted self. As when any old grads get together, we told stories about our cadet days, Ranger school, etc., with stories thrown in about life in retirement, family and more.

Classmates can send email to Jim at Margie’s email address, margiemberry@gmail.com, and cards and letters to Jim at their home address:
   10109 Colechester St.
   Fredericksburg, VA 22408-9564

Thanks,
Dave