This past Saturday Skip O'Donnell went to the Orleans Casino to celebrate with about one hundred fellow Vietnam vets.

The first picture shows Skip with Barney Wintermute, USMA69. They were hotel roommates on our Honor Flight weekend trip to Washington, DC to see most of the military monuments there.

The second picture shows Skip with two Vietnamese vets. There were six airborne and artillery Vietnamese vets. Most of them were in southern South Vietnam but a few were in the Central Highlands like me.

The last pic shows one of the many Las Vegas local big-bands and singers. The Orleans Casino donated a ballroom space for the event. Some of our class might remember I sponsored our 2008 mini-reunion there.

All

I gave out my 3rd annual “memorial” scholarships to Kaua’i High School yesterday at the Wrestling Awards banquet. This time I gave one for the boy and one for the girl who, by vote of the coaches, demonstrated outstanding qualities in the sport, academics, and leadership. Both recipients were very deserving of the honor.

While this is a small amount compared to the tuitions of many colleges these days, previous recipients have found it very useful at community colleges or state institutions, e.g., Grand Canyon University, Kaua’i Community College, which have lower costs.

I can say this is very rewarding to me and contributes to the overall West Point AOG program of supporting student achievements in Hawai’i and elsewhere.

Tommy Thompson

On April 11th, Tom and Marilyn Kovach attended the inurnment service for George and Elaine Beams at the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific which is located in the Punchbowl Crater in Honolulu, Hawaii. George was an Army veteran - SP5 Medical - of the Vietnam era. After his service, he spent many years as a civilian in the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. Tad Ono probably remembers George from the years that they worked together in the Los Angeles District of the Corps of Engineers. Elaine was Marilyn's dearest lifelong friend - the two having met in elementary school. Pete Cahill may have a very vague recollection of Elaine. Pete and I picked up Elaine and Marilyn on a desolate street corner in a distant suburb of Philadelphia on a cold, snowy evening - the evening prior to the 1963 Army-Navy football game. For Pete, it was a one-time meeting with Elaine; for me, it was the beginning of a 61-year (and still counting) relationship with Marilyn. I am forever grateful for Elaine's efforts to encourage Marilyn to continue our relationship after that initial meeting.

Tom Kovach

This from Mary Jo Ammon

Fred Smith, Steve’s roommate-for-life (from M2 to years of golf outings) organized a visit to catch up with Steve and Bob Harter, who were unable to attend the reunion. We were happy to be joined by Bob Frank, a recent transplant to NoVA. We met for lunch Tuesday 29 April in Reston, VA and had a delightful time hearing about reunion highlights and (of course) telling war stories. Cherished memories.

Mary Jo

Dear Classmates,

Recently, four of us from the Class of ’65 joined others for a powerful screening of “Bob Arvin: Where the Brave Dare to Tread”. Thanks to the tireless efforts of Emmy-nominated producer/director Brian Kruger—and a remarkable cast of contributors—the showing drew an enthusiastic audience of 135 community members, including both graduates and non-graduates. It was a stirring reminder of the strength of our West Point community and the enduring power of Bob Arvin’s story to move and inspire.

Our classmate Walt Oehrlein opened the evening with heartfelt remarks, recalling his very first day at West Point on July 5, 1961—when he met Bob as part of their eight-cadet squad. From that moment on, Bob’s leadership and character were unmistakable. Walt also took time to acknowledge several individuals who have been instrumental in preserving Bob’s legacy over the years:

• Tino Lambros, Bob’s high school wrestling teammate and a driving force behind the Arvin Scholarship Program
• Bill Nickels, who has carried the torch through the Ypsilanti Historical Museum
• John T. Johnson, our West Point classmate who accompanied Bob’s remains home from Vietnam and wrote a deeply moving invocation. Though John has since passed on, Walt read his beautiful words at the gathering—an eloquent tribute that reflected both John’s reverence for Bob and the solemn honor of that final journey.

Bob’s widow, Lynnsie, and his brother, David, remain deeply touched and grateful for this ongoing remembrance.

This film is more than a historical documentary—it’s a timeless portrait of leadership, humility, courage, and service. Though Bob’s roots are in Ypsilanti, his story reaches far beyond Michigan. At a time when fewer students—especially in our home state—are considering service academies like ours, Bob’s life offers something essential: a personal, compelling example of what Duty, Honor, Country truly means.

Efforts are now underway to make the film available via streaming, allowing students, educators, and families nationwide to learn from Bob’s example. A link to the documentary is provided below. I hope you’ll take the time to watch it—and share it with others.

Watch the film:

https://vimeo.com/briankruger/wherethebravedaretotread

With strength and drive,
Joe Anderson, Walt Oehrlein, Glenn Nenninger, and Mitch Bonnett
West Point Class of 1965

The viewing and funeral Mass for Michael Lawrence Viani were held at Good Shepherd Catholic Church, Alexandria, VA on May 12, 2025, attended by family, friends and members of the Class of 1965. Internment is scheduled Sep 8th, 9:00 AM at Arlington National Cemetery, Arlington, VA.

The funeral Mass was beautiful and inspiring. Mike’s daughter, Laura Viani Jackson, shared memories of Mike’s poor childhood, his appointment to West Point, and his stellar military career. She spoke of his being a loving husband, a very supportive dad, and an amazingly fun grandpa. The pastor, referring to Jesus’ washing of the Apostles’ feet in John 13 as a call to serve one another, spoke of Mike’s years of dedicated service in the Army, ensuring our freedom and allowing us to gather for religious services such as Mike’s funeral.

In attendance were family, friends and classmates Jim (& June) Harvey, Bob Wolff, Frank (& Doré) Skidmore, Jim Murphy, and Dave (& Darlene) Hopkins. Unfortunately, Mike’s wife Cheryl was unable to attend because of health limitations.

At the reception following the service, classmates and family members shared stories about Mike, including his attending high school with classmate Kent Brown. A family member talked about Mike, shortly after completing Ranger school, awakening in the dark of night, jumping up out of bed and looking for the two luminous stripes on the back of the hat of the Ranger walking in front of him.

Jim Harvey, Bob Wolff, Frank Skidmore, and Dave Hopkins attended grad school at Stanford with Mike. Jim told of a time when about 10 protestors attempted to block the entry door to the Engineering Building in which Mike and other military students were to attend a class. Determined that nothing was going to threaten their completing required class attendance and getting their degrees on time, Mike and friends opened the door, “moving the protesters out of the way,” and went to class.

The funeral Mass for James Lawrence Berry was held on May 15, 2025 at St. Matthew Catholic Church in Spotsylvania, VA, following visitation at Covenant Funeral Services in Fredericksburg, VA the previous evening. His burial committal service was held on May 16, 2025 at Quantico National Cemetery in Triangle, VA.

The visitation began with remarks from Deacon John Hubbarth, who knew Jim for over 20 years. He spoke of Jim’s many years of work with the food pantry and similar ministries, noting his keen insight into people’s needs. He remarked on Jim always wearing his characteristic smile, no matter how much pain he was in, in his later years. He closed by saying that Jim’s message to us all would be to “Carry on,” to do whatever we can do to show the love of Jesus to others. And he said that Jim’s life was a gift to us.

The funeral Mass was attended by family, dozens of Jim’s friends, and Jim’s classmates and their wives.

Officiating at the service was the pastor, Rev. Paul Eversole. Among the readings was John 14:1-6, including the verse that was the basis of the song “Mansions of the Lord,” which the West Point Glee Club sang at the end of the movie “We Were Soldiers.” (King James: “In my Father’s house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you.”) This song was sung for the Memorial Service at the 55+1 reunion by the West Point Alumni Glee Club and at the 60th reunion by the Strength & Drive Singers.

Jim and Margie’s daughter Barbara Storen delivered the eulogy. Describing his character and personality, she spoke, among other things, of his integrity, trustworthiness, personal frugality but generosity to charities and causes, high expectations for himself and his children ("Whatever It Takes”), reserved and humble demeanor, joyful and happy disposition, and great dedication to his family. After retirement, his time with the Knights of Columbus, food pantry, and SHARE became a “huge part” of his life. One of Barbara’s memorable remarks: “As I watched him take his final breath, I pictured God welcoming him to heaven saying, ‘Well done, my good and faithful servant.’”

After the Mass a reception and luncheon were held in the parish hall. During the luncheon Jim Harvey presented Margie a DOD Certificate of Honor recognizing her sacrifice as a spouse of a Vietnam veteran, along with a Vietnam War 50th Anniversary commemorative pin. He also presented Vietnam Veteran Family Member pins to Jim and Margie’s son Thomas Berry and daughters Donna Bloom and Barbara Storen.

NOTES

1. Jim’s obituary: https://www.covenantfuneralservice.com/obituaries/james-lawrence-Berry?obId=42370416
2. Barbara Storen’s eulogy: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1pnPxrx-Nk60Y_pbmiq9xi_4j_Tbqf5KOQLVRH5ngmMQ/edit?usp=sharing
3. Donations in Jim’s honor can be mailed to: Society of St. Vincent de Paul - Fredericksburg P .O. Box 1493 College Station Fredericksburg, VA 22402
4. Thanks to multiple photographers for photos of the visitation, funeral Mass, and luncheon/reception. (Three photos are slightly edited.).
5. Special thanks to Jim Murphy for transporting the class flag to the Quantico committal service and for providing photos of the service.

Larry Neal wrote a poem titled, "That Was the Week That Was - From Sixty Years or so Ago" to commerate our graduation from West Point. You can read it by clicking HERE.

Comment on the poem by Johnny Wells

Thanks for the update on Larry’s poem. You might also want to mention that CWO Roman Smith is Fred Smith’s father.

Great pic of 5 Cadets greeting a 102 years-young veteran of the D-Day landings on the front page of the Wall Street Journal today! The Cadets look as interested in him as he is in them.

Hooah!

A note from Bruce Clark concerning the hats and visors he ordered for those who requested them.

The hats I ordered should be enroute before the end of this week

If my math is correct I should have 7 hats and 7 visors in reserve for anyone who still wants to add to their collection.

I haven't determined shipping costs yet, but my estimate is that total cost for a visor will be about $20 and a hat about $26, which is cheaper than the original hats that the golfers were given.

I thank everyone for their patience.

Strength and Drive
Bruce B. G. Clarke
785 550 8653

Nice pic of Tom Abraham visiting Chuck Heindrichs at Chuck’s home in Avon Lake, a western suburb of Cleveland. Tom was there for a graduation party for his friend’s (a neighbor of Chuck’s) granddaughter.

I also had the pleasure of spending some time with my old roomie Chuck & Loretta in April after the Reunion.

Cathy & I have had the pleasure of getting to know an outstanding young man (see pic right) here in Chicago for the last 2 years, after meeting he and his family in Church. Ben Kenopka (6’3’ 280lbs) was recruited as a junior to play for Army. He reports to the man/woman in the red sash in a few weeks with the Class 0f ’29.

He reminds me a lot of another large fellow, a ’66 Yuk in my squad by the name of George Crocker. Oodles of leadership potential. LTG (Ret) George was kind enough to send Ben a note of well wishes for Ben’s graduation party Saturday.

We are off to my old stomping grounds of Western PA for The Open @ Oakmont C.C., courtesy of my son Brian (and serious golfer) & his lovely wife Carolina. Should be fun!

Maralee and I were privileged to attend the funeral of Mary Harter today. We were joined by several classmates and wives. The service was held at the Nativity Catholic Church in Burke, VA, where Bob’s son Bob and his daughter Kathleen poignantly reflected on the role Mary played in their lives and the lives of their children. Anyone who met Mary saw her as a lovely, caring person. While Bob and Kathleen acknowledged the sweetness of their Mom, they also emphasized the quiet strength she brought to her family. They both stressed her Christian commitment that informed every aspect of her life.

The service was followed by a reception at the Springfield Country Club. At the gathering of over 100 friends and family, Bob Sr. took the mic and recounted stories (more like adventures) with Mary. It was a fitting way to end a special day for a special woman.

Attending the funeral, but absent in the photo are Nancy and Terry Ryan, Dave Hurley, and Bob Frank