Pres: LCDR Dennis Sullivan, USN (Ret.)
Sec’y: CAPT Thomas G. Kiefaber, USN (Ret.)
11814 Triple Crown Road, Reston, VA 20191

From the Prez:

   There are some important Class activities coming up which will help to define our own memories of the Academy and to influence the way the Class is remembered.

   The first is our 50th Reunion, which is scheduled for 7-11 September 2005. We have the Waterfront Marriott as our main hotel and have priority and seniority for most venues and events in the yard. We begin serious planning this spring and will have most details firmed and scheduled by December 2004. To do this requires a Reunion Committee of about 20 Washington area Classmates and lots of ideas and inputs from all. So give your thoughts to me or Tom Stallman or any of the Class officers.

   The second is our Class gift to the Academy which has two main components—renovation, and enhancement of the John Paul Jones Crypt, as well as a contribution to the renovation of Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium. Ted Parker is managing the crypt effort which will recognize John Paul Jones' role as the Navy's first great fighting hero. John Adams leads the stadium effort—we will be recognized there on one of the stadium's memorial arches. Fred Tolleson is the chief fundraiser for both components. (See Ted's message below.)

   Hartley Holte and his committee are hard at work on a Class history to be published in the same time frame as the 50th Reunion. It will be similar to our 30th Reunion Book and will give a comprehensive and complete account of Classmates and significant Class events, before and after graduation. He needs a lot of assistance in this, so please respond if asked to help or contribute. (See Don Kellerman's message below.)

   A final endeavor is the program to bond with members of the Class of 2005. Termed "Link in the Chain," its aim is to introduce members of '05 to senior, 50-year graduates in an informal and relaxed atmosphere. A few events are on the calendar this year as '05 completes its Youngster Year and the pace picks up in their next two years. Ray Hine and I are working on this together and will keep you advised of coming events. There will be a chance for all to participate.

Mid Term Reunion (MTR) For The USNA Class of 1955

   (Some of you have received a version of this from Ned Floyd via email.)

   Our MTR is scheduled for 30 April to 4 May in San Diego. Registration must be accompanied with your checks. Please submit to Ned Floyd by 14 April.

   Hotel—Our reunion hotel is the Shelter Pointe Hotel (formerly the Kona Kai Club), www.shelterpointe.com, on Shelter Island on Point Loma, which in turn is in San Diego. We have reserved a block of rooms there at our group rate ($129 plus tax). You are responsible for securing your hotel room/accommodations. Be sure to ask for the Naval Academy Class of 1955 group rate. Telephone number is 619-221-8000. Our contact at the hotel is Mike Rayburn, sales manager. There will be a hospitality room. You will also be able to enjoy a continental breakfast there. The hospitality room will be secured during all Class functions.

   Transportation—There will be no bus service. This saves us a lot. There should be a sufficient number of cars available to get us to all events. The Shelter Pointe Inn provides complimentary van service to the airport. Otherwise, there is jitney service from the airport. For Thursday's events and Saturday's ship visit, those without military ID cards need to be sponsored by a Classmate with such. Preferably, we can all double-up to go to these events in cars with appropriate military decals. This will also ease parking.

   RVs and Marina—The Shelter Point Hotel has a marina. I can recommend two upscale RV parks: (1) Chula Vista RV Resort and Marina, 800-770-2879, www.chulavistrv.com, on San Diego Bay in Chula Vista about 15 miles south of Shelter Point Hotel (I believe that Margo and Gary Snyder stayed there in 1997 for our Mini Reunion); (2) De Anza Harbor Resorts, 800-924-7529, in Mission Bay about 8 miles north of Shelter Point Inn.

   Uniform Of The Day—California casual. Weather permitting, I shall be wearing aloha shirts. Be comfortable, but good taste.

   Annotated Schedule Of Functions:

   Wednesday, 30 April, daytime—golf and tennis. Golf will be at ADM Baker Field. Our anticipated numbers do not support a tournament. Rather, we shall get tee times for an appropriate number of foursomes. You are responsible for your green fees, which are reasonable and depend upon your status (military or civilian). Rental clubs and carts can be reasonably rented also. Tennis will be coordinated by Tom Shine. Evening—dinner at ADM Baker Clubhouse near Grantville section of San Diego.

   Thursday, 1 May, afternoon—picnic at Ballast Point on the submarine base. On Point Loma evening—cocktail party with heavy pupus at Ocean View Terrace, Ballast Point. We did this at our Mini-Reunion in 1997.

   Friday, 2 May, morning—Tour and luncheon at Wild Animal Park (about an hour northeast). I chose the Wild Animal Park over the San Diego Zoo after surveying those Classmates who attended the November Class Luncheon in the Washington, DC area. Evening—dinner Cruise on San Diego Bay. Board at the Embarcadero.

   Saturday, 3 May, morning—tour a Navy ship. We anticipate that we shall have lunch aboard. Afternoon—4 p.m. Class meeting in hospitality room. Followed by taking reunion group photos. Evening—reunion banquet at Shelter Pointe Hotel.

   Sunday, 4 May, morning—brunch on a catch-as-catch-can basis at Shelter Point Hotel (unorganized function). Afterwards, "Carry out
duties assigned."

   I have scheduled only one daytime function per day so that everyone has time to socialize. The particular functions were chosen to accommodate socializing. Any surplus funds will be donated to the 50th Reunion Class Gift to USNA. Maps of the venue locations for our functions will be available in the hospitality room. Obtain registration form from Ned Floyd (floyd@san.rr.com), 10 Jamaica Village Road, Coronado, CA 92118-3208; 619-423-2870.

   Don Kellerman (DKellerman@aol.com) informs that the Class of '55 intends to incorporate into the 50th Anniversary Class Book, a section to capture for posterity, some of the most memorable and exciting experiences of our Class aviators (all-brands). This may be the last chance to preserve for history some of these events as told on a firsthand basis by the participants.

   What is wanted from you is a description of one or two of your most memorable flying events. We are looking for "hairy" or not; but real life, first hand vignettes told in your style and language (printable). For example, I may write up a particularly bad night trap on a straight deck carrier when my hook broke off. You may recall that SA-2 that you outpulled, or the MIG 21 you put a "winder" into. If a citation resulted, mention that, too.

   It's okay to use the terminology and expressions of those times. Any pictures of you and your aircraft are welcomed. Remember, this may be our last time to compile such material in printed form for your ancestors to enjoy. We have reached the age where we better get to work recording our history. Please submit your inputs to Don at his email address above. His phone is 703-768-2442; in the event you wish to contact him that way. For mailing photo material, please include a brief description of what the photo contains along with the photo.

Metro Area Social Calendar For 2003 (Changes to schedule published in last column)

   23 April—Metro/Tidewater Luncheon Northern Neck (B. Fountain, POC)

   21 May—Golf (Challenge with '57) Renditions GC (R. Hine, POC)

   12 June—Luncheon/USNA Museum Tour (wives) USNA (T. Parker, POC)

   17 June—Golf ANCC Fairfax (Tony Bracken, POC)

   19 July—Severn Crab Party Crownsville (W. Saunders, Host)

   18 August—Class of '05 Commitment Dinner USNA (R. Hine, POC)

   17 September—Golf Annapolis GC (Hartley Holte, POC)

   From Ted Parker:

   A number of Classmates have asked me about the Class project to restore the crypt of John Paul Jones at the Naval Academy for our 50th Anniversary Gift to the Academy. This attempts to provide a rationale for and description of the project so you will have sufficient information to contribute when Class fundraising begins again in the near future. You will also have an opportunity to contribute to another project that is part of the renovation at the football stadium that will be described separately. Denny Sullivan, Class officers, and Fred Tolleson are working hard to hash out the details of how the fundraising will be conducted, and when that is done, will be sending a letter to the Class about how to proceed. This information is sent in the hope that when you receive the letter you can respond promptly, as we need to get going on the design and construction soon so as to have it completed by the Centennial of Jones' remains to the United States from France where he died, and our 50th, which occur in the same year.

   The objective of our gift is to honor John Paul Jones and assist the Academy in executing its responsibility to care for his remains and the crypt in which they repose. The crypt is the nation's monument to John Paul Jones. It is the place where Midshipmen and other visitors can be inspired by the example John Paul Jones provides of indomitable will, courage, and ferocity in the face of close range enemy fire, attributes our nation's armed forces need now and will need in the future. Jones was a tireless advocate to the Congress of the need for officer training and education, so it is most appropriate that his crypt be located at the primary institution for teaching Midshipmen how to be officers.

   Our project will restore the crypt to condition of somber splendor appropriate to the memory and example of John Paul Jones. If fundraising proceeds speedily, our 50th Anniversary Gift will be completed in time to provide the Naval Academy with a restored crypt to display to our countrymen. This will demonstrate the importance to the Navy and the nation of the fighting spirit of our first seagoing combat hero.

   Our project will repair and clean the stone structure, sarcophagus, decorative bronze fixtures, and the marble floor so that they will be in like-new condition, highlighted with modern lighting and protected by environmental controls. The corrosion removal and the repolishing the damaged marble of the sarcophagus are expensive, as is the establishment of humidity control to prevent further damage and conducting work in a national historic site. Based on proposals in hand, we estimate the cost of the project to be in the vicinity of $800,000, a more exact figure to be available when the design work is completed. If sufficient funds are obtained, a separate effort will restore the museum artifacts kept in the crypt to good condition and they will be displayed in the most advantageous way. We also plan to purchase an excellent model of BONHOMME RICHARD to replace the less realistic model now there.

   I will be happy to provide further information to those who want to know more. A lot of effort has gone into getting this project to this point, and gaining the enthusiastic support of the USNA Superintendent. Now is the time to make our gift become a fact, as we did with our mural.

Potpourri

   A gathering of '55ers, spouses, and friends met at Anne and Ted Parker's home following the Navy-Colgate basketball game on 26 January. It was a potluck dinner featuring great conversation, good eats, and Super Bowl watching. Seen at the Navy Football Banquet on 8 February were: Debbie and John Adams, Roz and Mal MacKinnon, Anne and Ted Parker, Ursula and Tom Kiefaber, and Fred Tolleson. At their meeting on 12 February 2003, the Northern Virginia Council, Navy League of the United States (NOVA/NLUS) elected and installed John R. Camp as a director, secretary, and vice president, administration for the Council. John already serves as a Navy League national director and as secretary of the Navy League's National Public Relations Committee. John attached a photo of him and his wife, Shirley, celebrating their 40th wedding anniversary at Waterloo House in Bermuda. The Washington area '55 luncheon on 12 February was well attended (Denny Sullivan, Steve Ruth, Ray Hine, Tom Kiefaber, Tom McIsaac, John Camp, John Adams, Mal MacKinnon, Dick Peterson, Don Alderson, Hartley Holte, Mort Rubenstein, Otto Zipf, Don Conners, Don Kellerman, Fred Tolleson, Derek Wilson, Ted Parker, Tony Bracken, and Tom Stallman) and included Tom K.'s summary of his recent trip to Madrid, Spain (Naval Museum there is a "don't miss"), and information about the Learning in Retirement Institute offering daytime academic courses, special events, and cultural activities in Northern Virginia. It was great seeing Don Conner at the luncheon following his recent physical setbacks.