Look alive with Seventy-Five!

Dear ’mates: 

Thirty-plus years ago our class column often began with the latest Fleet Hometown News Releases.  In 2007, we get our share of Flag Officer announcements to help keep the rest of us up-to-date with our active duty leaders.

As I mentioned last month, Jon Greenert was selected for a fourth star and command of U.S. Fleet Forces Command in Norfolk.  Jon relieved Gary Roughead ’73 on 29 September and Gary became the new CNO.  Bravo Zulu to both super officers.

Bernie McCullough was promoted to Vice Admiral and moved up to the position of Deputy CNO for Integration of Capabilities and Resources (N8).

Rick Tryon, the Commanding General of the Marine Recruiting Command, was promoted to Major General by General Peter Pace, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs.

Gary Jones gave a great presentation on the current state of Navy training to the Pensacola Alumni Association chapter at our October luncheon meeting.  Gary is Commander of the Naval Education and Training Command.

Jim Ducharme joined several of his Saginaw High School classmates at a surprise awards ceremony on 3 November.  Their school newspaper advisor, C. Marshall Matlock, was inducted into the University of Central Michigan Journalism Hall of Fame.  Thanks to Cindy Zieve for tracking down Jim and other Saginaw grads.

<photo #1:  “Rich and Theresa Luke at Daughter Olivia’s graduation and commissioning day.”>

OK, now to some more good stuff from a first-time writer and two of our regular correspondents.  Rich Luke hasn’t written a letter to the Shipmate column in … ohhh … well, ever.  But now we welcome Rich to our page.

I retired from active duty in 2001 and continue to work for the Navy as the COMNAVSEA Rep at Portsmouth Naval Shipyard.  Theresa and I are well settled on the Maine/NH Seacoast—having lived here now for ten years. We are about through the college years with first daughter, Kristen, (GWU 2004) living in Newport Beach, CA and working in Finance.  Olivia, a May graduate from UC-Berkeley, is an Ensign working at Naval Reactors.  Our third, Tori, is a Junior at UCLA.

<photo #2:  “Second Lieutenant Brian Curdy, USMC.  Annapolis, Summer 1975”>

<photo #3:  “Curdy men”>

Swiss correspondent Brian Curdy was looking through family photos and sent along several interesting ones.  Along with pictures of his dad from the 1930s and WWII, he found the two published above.  Here’s Brian’s description of the bottom one:

The last picture is of the three proverbial Swiss, chowing down in a "mess-hall, somewhere in this big lovely world of ours."  To port is LCDR Vinet I. Curdy USNR-Ret, SOPA at age 98. In the center (standing for want of room) is Lieutenant Curdy USMC-Ret (showing off a reasonably healthy appetite, despite my permanent service-connected disabilities). Big guy to starboard is not Santa Claus in civvies, but rather my 53 year-old kid brother, Dan, doing his best to support the troops with my dear sister-in-law's wonderful cooking. A word on that fine brother of mine who could have been a credit to '76 had not fate wished otherwise: Dan is the proud father of a 23 year-old National Guard MP Sergeant named Gary who served a tour in Afghanistan (where he got to visit Germany as a WIA) and another tour in Louisiana. Gary is now serving in Iraq.  I do hope we all have the time for a few prayers and thoughts for young Gary and others out there in harm’s way.

<photo #4: “75 with the Guv”>

<photo #5:  “Plechashes with Governor Pawlenty”>

The Upper Midwest Chapter of USNAAA sponsored a luncheon at which Alex Plechash had invited the Governor of Minnesota, Tim Pawlenty, to be the keynote speaker.  Governor Pawlenty talked about the tremendous commitment and contributions of our active military, veterans and families.  Invited to the event were members of the other service academy alumni groups, Parents Clubs and Navy League.  Thirty USNA grads were in attendance including four from ’75.  Pictured from left to right are:  Alex Plechash, Governor Tim Pawlenty, Neil Tollefsrud, John Ginn and Mike Stephenson.  The second picture is of Denise and Alex with the Governor.

Thanks Rich, Brian, and Alex for taking the time to contribute to our class column.  That leaves about 750 of you who are now officially overdue for your turn in the limelight!

                ---  ’75 Sir!  Larry

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Last modified: December 22, 2009