Judging from the many positive returns received, the Class of 1955 45th
Reunion was a big success. The events were significant and well planned, and
the arrangements were thoughtful and complete. BRAVO ZULU to Denny Sullivan
and his gang of organizers! So far, it appears that the consensus for the
50th Reunion parameters is as follows: In Annapolis; over a non-homecoming
football weekend; banquet/dinner dance in the Yard; rebook the Marriott;
tentative date: September 17, 2005. And how about a mini in San Diego, in say
2002?

The first event on Thursday was the Class Picnic/YP mini-cruises held at the
Crown Sailing Center. About 220 folks showed up. The weather could have been
a little kinder - the fog caused about a 1½ hour delay in getting the cruises
underway. That evening, we had a gala Welcome Party in Alumni Hall, attended
by 300, that included a sumptuous buffet and light musical entertainment..
Organized by Ted Parker and Bill Smith, it was a real highlight. On Friday
morning, a Class Golf Tournament and Tennis Round Robin matches were held
followed by a Class Meeting and P-rade in the afternoon. As part of the Class
Meeting, the Superintendent spoke to a slide show about changes at USNA since
our days, and he answered a few questions. That evening, 390 of us gathered
at the Marriot's ballroom for a magnificent dinner dance. Ray Hine handled
his MC duties with aplomb and many folks hit the floor to the strains of a
great dance combo. The catered Tailgate Party was held at the '53 Pavilion on
Saturday, and was attended by about 385 people; and that evening, various
groupings got together to party and have dinner. Sunday's Class Chapel
Service in memory of deceased classmates was another highlight (see Denny's
comments below) - unfortunately, attendance wasn't up to the other events
because of travel conflicts and such. The 8th Company had the largest
contingent - 18; while the 18th Company had the smallest - 3. (PHOTO #1,
"20th Company Reunioners"; PHOTO #2, "Lucius Gregg, Don Martin, Al Kozischek
and Jerry Nay"; PHOTO #3, "John Raster, Ed McHale, Al Kozischek and Ace
Davis"; PHOTO #4, "The Kenningtons and the Wilhelms"; PHOTO #5, "The Masalins
and the Powers"; PHOTO #6, "Mal MacKinnon, Bill Turcotte, and Ted Hyman";
PHOTO #7, "The Grozens and the Ellers"; PHOTO #8, "Football heros Dick
Dutnell, Joe Gattuso, John Weaver, Bill Hepworth and Al Kozischek"; PHOTO #9,
"The three Toms"; PHOTO #10, "Bill Lavallee and Don Kellerman")

Note from the Prez. We just finished what was probably our best reunion ever
- 217 classmates at the Marriott on the Annapolis waterfront. Please send
your pictures and thoughts to Tom Kiefaber so they can be put into Shipmate
and shared with everyone. We had more than 30 classmates working on various
aspects of the reunion and they are responsible for its success. But special
thanks are due to Cal Weaver who collected and disbursed all the money and
kept track of who was doing what when; and to Tom Kiefaber who worked
tirelessly to get our Directory and other reunion publications correct; and
to Ted Parker, Bruce Newell, and Don Sturtz who gave us a truly meaningful
and unforgettable Memorial Service. But it takes great classmates and friends
to make a great reunion and we had a lot of those. We have many extra Class
and Email Directories - if you did not get one, please contact me and I will
mail you one. And lastly, I am honored and privileged to have been re-elected
as class president. It is a great responsibility and I will do my best for
the Class and the Academy during the next five years.

Don Sturtz's poignant remarks at the Class Memorial Service bear repeating:

Classmates, family and friends, it is a blessing and a privilege to gather
here today to recall friends and times gone by. To paraphrase Sir Winston
Churchill, "A thoughtful look back can encourage and inspire us to look
forward." The opportunity to pay honor and respect to those who have gone
before is one of the gracious compensations of age.

In the summer of 1951, we came here from all over the United States and some
foreign countries. Immediately we began to learn lessons in leadership,
service and how function effectively in a team environment. For most of us
our exposure to the Navy, the Marine Corps and in fact all matters military
began on the parade fields, in the whaleboats, on the rifle range and in the
knockabouts. We arrived with different family backgrounds, different
educational experiences, different talents and intellect, and different value
systems. We saw signs of personal excellence in our class and in our leaders.
Our growth and education here included strong moral, ethical and spiritual
components. We came to realize, that how we live our lives does matter.

Four years on the Severn made their mark on each of us. The shared
experiences led to bonds of friendship and a commitment to God, family, and
country. This has been evidenced by the contributions of our class in many
fields of endeavor - military and civilian. Many of these achievements
resulted in deserved personal recognition. In many other instances, quiet
heroes among us performed acts of courage, dedication, service, and personal
sacrifice done out of a love of God, and country, and a sense of duty to
their fellow man.

We get our bearings from those around us. On these grounds and in these
buildings we shared experiences which in turn were painful, challenging,
stressful, hilarious, absurd, colorful, inspiring, adventuresome, patriotic,
serious, ridiculous, heartwarming, maturing, and joyful. Through them all we
came to appreciate the enduring values of the United States Naval Academy.

Printed in our Baccalaureate Service bulletin dated 29 May 1955 were the
words of Rudyard Kipling. Their meaning has become more apparent with the
passage of the years. Let me recall them for us now.

God of our fathers, known of old--
Lord of our far flung battle line-
Beneath whose awful hand we hold
Dominion over palm and pine-
Lord God of hosts, be with us yet,
Lest we forget- lest we forget!

The tumult and the shouting dies--
The Captains and the Kings depart-
Still stands Thine ancient sacrifice,
An humble and a contrite heart.
Lord God of Hosts, be with us yet,
Lest we forget - lest we forget!

Far-called our navies melt away--
On dune and headlands sinks the fire-
Lo, all our pomp of yesterday
Is one with Nineveh and Tyre!
Judge of the Nations, spare us yet.
Lest we forget - lest we forget.

We spend these few moments today to remember that time and those classmates
who have melted away.

Graduation day arrived - and then we scattered - some of us not to see others
of us for years and sometimes decades. We served in all branches, warfare
specialties, line and staff, all around the world. The bonds of class
persisted and unexpected reunions with one or more classmates were highlights
of the military life. We had improbable experiences with the dedicated men
and women serving our country.

Those were times to appreciate what we had learned here and to develop a mind
set to meet the challenges of life. We came to appreciate even more the
meaning of character and integrity. We were fortunate to have around us
shining examples of classmates and leaders who exhibited both qualities.
Always there were those who kept bringing as back to basic simple principles
we first had ingrained here at the Naval Academy.

We were among those who helped win the Cold War as portrayed in our class
mural. We served during a time of amazing technological triumphs.
Counterbalancing these events were signs of a social and moral recession in
our nation. To restore and maintain the ethical principles on which our
country was founded we need to think clearly, to recognize right from wrong,
to write and speak in an organized fashion on important issues, and to remain
loyal to the lessons we learned here. The scriptures tell us "Do not to be
weary in well-doing for in due season we shall reap if we faint not" It has
been encouraging to hear of the newly developed courses in leadership, core
values, and ethics attended by today's Brigade.

Each year since graduation our numbers have decreased. We have experienced
resignation, retirements, and the death of classmates and their spouses. Let
us not long dwell on their loss, but let as remember their impact on our
lives and the times we shared seeking common goals.

On this day can we not say, "It has been a blessing to have known each other
since the days we were impressionable young midshipmen", and can't we take
courage from the words of Isaiah we heard read today!

In Ecclesiastes we read, "To everything there is a season, and a time to
every purpose under the heaven a time to weep and a time to laugh a time to
mourn and a time to dance."

When our deceased classmates names are read we will mourn their loss, but let
us also honor them for their service, and give thanks for their memories..

We can do this by remaining committed to those principles of duty, service
and witness we share as the Class of 1955.

Strength of character, the will to do what we know is right, and the courage
of our convictions are all part of our heritage, and an attitude that took
form in these surroundings, in this place. That attitude is all important. It
is the one thing that we can control in every situation.

One ship sails east
One ship sails west
Regardless of how the winds blow,
It is the set of the sail
and not the gale,
That determines the way we go.

Now, as the names of our departed classmates are read, let our silent prayers
fill our hearts and this chapel with a feeling of thanksgiving and a sense of
love for them and their memory.
 

As reported in an earlier episode, Bill Anders was one of five distinguished
graduating leaders to be honored at the Alumni Association's Second Annual
Distinguished Graduate Awards held during Homecoming weekend. The enclosed
picture of Bill and his wife Valerie was taken after the ceremony. (PHOTO
#11, "Bill and Valerie Anders")

Otto Zipf sent in some fascinating stuff about their latest overseas
adventure:

In September Peggy and I traveled to Australia to attend six separate Olympic
2000 events in Sydney. It was indeed the trip of a lifetime! Our travel group
was all Zipf family members, and included three children, two spouses, two
grandchildren (10 months and 3 months), Peggy and me. We included a
pre-Olympic trip before arriving in Sydney. This gave us one day in
Melbourne, and two days in Hobart on the island of Tasmania. This sort of
permitted us to see some areas on south Australia, in the eastern part of the
country. Then we went to Sydney. For Peggy and me, this was our second visit
to Sydney this year. We were certainly glad we had been to Sydney prior to
the city's huge Olympic hype. Our Olympic visit was between the opening and
closing ceremonies, and permitted us to see six different Olympic events at
five different venues. Our selected events were: Beach Volleyball, Tennis,
Swimming & Diving, Track & Field, and Gymnastics. The real highlight of our
Olympic adventure was the setting of two world swimming records (and two gold
medals) by two U.S. relay teams that took place in the Aquatic Center. It was
an emotional high that just can't be described. The teams were the U.S.
Women's 4x100 Medley Relay Team and the U.S. Men's 4x100 Medley relay Team.
What a day! The photo shows Peggy and Otto showing their support for the
victorious U.S. teams on this most memorable day (In 1992, Otto and his son
David were at the Barcelona Olympics and witnessed the U.S. Women's 4x100
Medley Relay Team set a world's record then). The Australians, especially in
Sydney, showed the world just how a good host nation can prepare for and
execute their responsibilities to hold Summer Olympics. The people and their
attitude, the transportation networks, the venues, you name it, and they
covered it as a friendly host, and with a smile in style. The major site was
the Olympic Park at Homebush Bay, which had venues for about 17 different
sports, plus warm up and training facilities. Access to the site was
primarily by rail from Sydney Central Rail Station. When all venues were
being used on a single day, including the stadium which seats 110,000
spectators, there were about 500,000 people in Olympic Park. Then about
mid-day, a lot of these people would leave, only to be replaced by new
arrivals for the afternoon events. It all happened without a hitch, and
essentially zero frustrations. Without a doubt, Sydney would get my vote to
become the permanent site for all future Summer Olympics. (PHOTO #12, "The
Zipfs at the Olympics")

After our stay in Sydney, we all traveled up to Cairns, located in the
tropical northeastern corner of the country. It is easy to mistake this area
for Hawaii. It is the access to the Great Barrier Reef, and the Coral Sea of
WW II naval battle fame. All of us spent one day on a cruise out to a site at
the Reef that had been set up as a permanent mooring and visitation location.
While there we were able to swim, snorkel, scuba and investigate the coral
reef from a semi-submersible. Truly a great and memorable trip!

On Friday, 20 October in conjunction with Homecoming festivities, the USNA
varsity squash team hosted the alumni members of teams from the 50s, 60s,
70s, 80s and 90s. Robin Pirie, the newly sworn in Under Secretary of the Navy
and Elton "Buddy" Parker were representatives from the "most" mature
category. That evening, LCDR (Sel) Elton Parker III (91) played in the
varsity vs. alumni water polo match for a most unusual family athletic
double. (PHOTO #13, "Buddy Parker and Robin Pirie")

Bill McCarron writes:

At our recent 45th reunion a number of classmates were interested in
screening for heart disease, which is a major part of my cardiology practice.
In addition to a very thorough complete history and physical exam by your
doctor on a regular basis, a relatively new screen for cardiac disease, which
is the best predictor for future cardiac events, is the Ultra Fast CT Scan of
the heart. The Imatron Ultra Fast Scanner has the edge for most precise
results on its competitors at this time. There are many scanners about the
country, usually 1 to 4 in major cities. For about $400, a non-invasive,
painless 10-15 minute test is done; a 3 or 4 page report about the volume of
plaques in the coronary arteries will be given to you to discuss with your
doctor. You and your spouse may self-refer to have this scan. An excellent
score on this test is zero. There is a lot of information about this test on
the www.
 

Class Membership in Alumni Association: Annual - 34%, Life - 35%.
 
 

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