50-Year History Book

   The 50-Year History Book will contain a section called Class Awards and Citations, based on a USNA AA generated list. The list needs to be updated and Don Kellerman has agreed to coordinate this effort, working with the Alumni Association and Classmates. Awards of Silver Star and above will be considered. A dedicated individual is needed to handle photos for the book—to include being recipient of photos, organize, track, manipulate, lay-out, coordinate, etc. As reported in USNA55 Class Funds, $2,500 has been budgeted for the 50th History Book to date. Action: Hartley Holte will solicit for a photo person volunteer.

50th Reunion

   Advanced planning has commenced. Tentative dates are 7, 8, 9, 10, and 11 September 2005. It will not be a Homecoming weekend, and the football game is with Stanford (tentatively). Reunion headquarters will be at the Waterfront Marriott. One hundred twenty-five rooms have been blocked out for our use at the Marriott, with more rooms reserved at the Best Western as well. Events being discussed are: Picnic—Crown Center, Reception—New Soccer Facility, short Lite Lunch Cruise and/or Motor Yacht Cruise to St. Michael's, Class Golf/Tennis, Welcome Party—Alumni House, Class Gift Presentation—Tent by Crypt, Memorial Service—Chapel (preferably on Friday), Class Meeting and address by Superintendent—Mahan Hall, Gala Banquet—Main Floor, Alumni Hall (preferably on Friday night), Catered Tailgate—'53 Pavilion (possible tour to DC/Baltimore during tailgate/game), Company parties on Saturday night, and Brunch/Farewell gathering on Sunday. The possibility of contracting out for the manning of the hospitality suite was discussed. A really nice memento as part of the memorabilia package is being looked at. Action: Denny Sullivan, Class president, and Tom Stallman, Annapolis representative, will head up the effort (assisted by many other local Classmates, as usual). Further planning by a reunion committee will be conducted next year; plans firmed by August '04, and first letter to Class by November '04. Comments, suggestions, and recommendations from Classmates are welcomed and desired.

   From Hartley "Oli" Holte:

   Work continues in both planning and initial text material preparation for our 50-Year History Book. The response of offers to help has been terrific and we have already set-up some specific task area assignments in support of our core management team. Don Kellerman will coordinate a major section on aviation (USN, USAF, and USMC); Tom Stallman and Mal MacKinnon will be doing sections on CEC and EDO respectively, and Denny Sullivan is preparing a section on our "Legacy" projects. Other areas underway include re-structuring the In-Memorium section, organizing for later biography update requests, and identification of material desired for a section devoted to those who received the highest honors for valor. We are grateful to B.J. Straub for loaning us the citation for Ed Straub's Silver Star, and for the insightful material provided by Lu Gregg on his experiences and observations as an early African-American graduate. The overwhelming response to our questionnaire was for us to prepare a hard cover volume. We are, however, looking into producing a supplemental computer diskette. We also expect to issue, early next year, an email/snail mail request for funding commitments for 2005 book purchases and "memorial" inputs/contributions. More to follow!