Look alive with Seventy-Five!

Dear ’mates: 

Now here this … now here this … LOW GOUGE ALARM in the Class of ’75 column.  I say again, LOW GOUGE ALARM in the Class of ’75 column.  All hands man your keyboards.  Away the duty wordsmith.  This is not a drill! 

I sure am glad we still have some of our stalwart classmates on active duty … because the admirals club provided the only material for our column this month.  Jim Beebe just retired in early October with Kirk Donald as the guest speaker.  Kirk’s writer asked the class for some good dirt on Jim before the event.  I don’t know what he got (or if it was suitable for general audiences) but I’m betting it was a wonderful and memorable event.

<photo 75#1:  “Dave Gove prior to an underway demonstration on the Pearl River”>

Chris “CJ” Hall sent me a bit of news and the above photo from Stennis Space Center in Mississippi.  Dave Gove, new Oceanographer and Navigator of the Navy, visited the Naval Meteorology and Oceanography Command, Naval Oceanographic Office, and other Navy activities at Stennis Space Center, MS in early August. In the photo Dave’s being briefed by CDR Brian Connon, CO of the Fleet Survey Team. This was Dave's first visit to the METOC establishment at Stennis since taking over as Oceanographer.

[Scribe’s note:  I know for certain that even Rear Admirals don’t have control over their travel schedule.  Dave’s Deputy Oceanographer (CAPT Jeff Best ’80) undoubtedly warned him that August is NOT the month to make your first trip to south Mississippi.  Maybe the admiral just wanted to show the troops that if they could take the Gulf South heat – so could he.

Dave, please make sure you attend a retirement or Change of Command at Stennis during your tour.  Chris Hall and Bruce Northridge ’76 team up to sing the most outstanding performance of the National Anthem you will ever witness.  If the right person ever hears them, they’ll be performing in the Super Bowl Pregame show.]

There is a rather sizable Class of ’75 enclave at the Naval Observatory in Washington.   Dave Gove not only has his offices in the main Observatory building, he lives in Quarters A.  Also residing on the grounds are Jon Greenert and Steve Stanley.  John Stufflebeem is in-bound from Sixth Fleet.  That’s more Flower Children in a one nautical-mile diameter circle than anywhere else on the planet.  [Once again, thanks to Bestie for the gouge.  We’ll see you and Julie in Italy!]

Jean and Steve Stanley hosted a 10^th company get together at their quarters in September.  Hopefully the skies were clear so they could take advantage of the cool Naval Observatory telescopes.

At this point in the column, your scribe hopefully refreshes his in box … on the off chance that 1000 words and a couple of pictures have arrived in the last 30 minutes.  Alas, it is not to be.  Now secure from LOW GOUGE.  The column may be short – but it’s done!

Gooooo NAVY!   ---  ’75 Sir!  Larry

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Last modified: December 22, 2009