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It looks as though the upcoming Navy football season will be an exciting one.  I watched the Spring Game, and while the running game looked OK, either passing has improved or pass defense is as bad as it was last year.  The home season begins with Georgia Tech on September 4th and Boston College on September 18th.  On October 9th, we visit Jack Kent Cooke Stadium to play Air Force.  Homecoming is on the weekend of October 23rd when we play Akron, and the home games end with Tulane on November 13th.  All games are scheduled to begin at noon to accomodate possible TV appearances on network or local stations.  These times can change, so if you plan to attend, check with a local classmate or with the Academy athletic office (1-800-US4-NAVY).  The Class plans to tailgate for each game in the usual place (Area 3) starting about 10 AM.  For the Air Force game, the tailgate will be in the JKC Stadium parking lot in a section to be determined later.  After the Homecoming game on October 23rd, we will have our annual party at Busch's Chesapeake House on Route 50.  The Alumni Association schedule for Homecoming will be published in Shipmate.

'55 DC area Class Luncheons for the Fall will be on August 26th, October 21st, and December 2nd, all at Portofino, beginning at 1130. Out-of-town classmates are always most welcome.  Our semi-annual Ladies' Luncheon drew a select group on May 6th as can be seen by the accompanying pics taken with MG Buchanan's camera. (PHOTO #3, "Lunch at Portofino's Annex"; PHOTO #4, "Steve Ruth with the Kellermans", PHOTO #5, "Fred Koester, Mal MacKinnon, Norm Harper & Steve Ruth")

Planning for the 45th reunion in October 2000 continues.  Briefly, we will begin with a Chesapeake Bay cruise (probably to Baltimore) on Thursday, October 26th and a welcoming reception somewhere in the Yard that evening.  On Friday night we will have our big dinner dance at the reunion hotel - The Marriott Waterfront Hotel.  On Saturday, we will tailgate in the Class of '53 Pavilion before the football game with Toledo.  That evening a relaxed, informal cocktail party will be held at the hotel.  On Sunday, October 29th, we'll start with a brunch at the Officers' club and a memorial service in the main chapel.  We plan to send a detailed letter to each classmate this Fall.

After some years of effort, the Alumni Association has established a formal organization for Class Presidents.  Briefly, classes are organized into 10-year groups, e.g., 40's and 50's, with an elected representative from each group.  These representatives will form a Council of Class Presidents and will eventually become a member of the Alumni Association Board of Trustees.  By the year 2002, there will be seven class presidents on the Board.  The representative from the 50's decade is Roy Snyder '50, RADM USN (Ret).  What this major change means to each member of the Class is that we now have a means of delivering opinions, recommendations and complaints directly to the Board.  This should make the Alumni Association more responsive to alumni needs and desires.  There will be more on this as we get organized and gain actual seats on the Board.

Gary Snyder (01) submitted a comprehensive summary of their recent trip to Florida:
 

Our 57 day, 4,612 mile escape from the cold ended in late May.  We returned to find the weather greatly improved over that when we left in late January but not nearly as nice as it was in Florida.  It truly is a joy to miss the winter weather here in Pennsylvania.  Both Margo and I are grateful that we are able to leave for two months.

Our first stop in Florida was just a few days at Homestead from which we visited the Everglades and Biscayne National Park.  If anyone is wondering, the mosquitoes are alive and well at Flamingo.  Our first significant stop was in the Homosassa Springs area in Florida.  We were able to swim with the Manatees and otherwise watch their behavior.  We had our new Zodiac with us and put it in the water for the first time there. It was pretty interesting watching the Manatees in their natural environment, more so than looking at those in the wildlife refuge. Key West was next.  We met up with two couples who belong to the same gourmet group and had a very pleasant visit.  There is a lot of history associated with Key West, and even though we have been there several times before, we always enjoy the "history trail." We were on Duval Street the evening of Fat Tuesday.  Quite interesting and very noisy.  It is hard to believe that so many of those gorgeous women in the parade were men.  It is quite startling when one of them speaks in a deep male voice. We next stayed at John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park for 8 days.  A lovely place.  Lots of time in the boat prowling through the mangroves looking at the wildlife.  Snorkeling out on the reef was a joy.  Water was cold.  Thank goodness for wet suits.  John Pennekamp is a super place. Next was a brief stop in St. Augustine.  Had a very pleasant evening with Gail Blythe, widow of our classmate Russ Blythe (02).  She has a lovely home.  Her dad was spending the winter with her.  Very smart, I would say, considering he lives in North Dakota. Next was Sanibel Island.  That is one of our favorite places.  We also have friends in Fort Myer whom we visited.  When we arrived there was a surprise.  A couple from here, long time friends who recently went into full-time Rving, were there to meet us. They knew our schedule and dropped in for a few days to visit. From there we went to Disney World.  We always like to stay there for a bit.  Both the high tech attractions and the animal/nature attractions appeal to us.  The Animal Kingdom just opened recently.  I recommend it highly.  We were told it was eight years in the making. One evening we went to Winter Haven and had dinner with Sheryl and Carl Strang (16).  Tom Davis (19) was supposed to show up, too, but did not.  Carl’s estate on the lake, at least I think it is a lake, is a sight to behold.  We had never met Sheryl before.  Lovely person. From there we began to go north.  We stopped for awhile in Southern Shores, NC and visited with Pat & Paul Sutherland (07), Lyn and Dan Shields (16), and Don Aven (01).  It was pleasant to see everyone.  A year had passed since our last visit.  It was quite interesting getting caught up on Paul’s involvement in the community. Southern Shores is fortunate to have people like Paul and Dan participate in the affairs of local government. We spent the following weekend in Fairfax, VA, visiting out son, Glenn, and his family.  Glenn is a CDR in the Ballistic Missile Development Office.  Then on to Pottstown and home. Found 553 pieces of mail awaiting us.  It was nice to get our e-mail nearly every day while away.

The enclosed photo shows those Classmates who thoroughly enjoyed a wonderful seven day cruise to Bermuda in early May. (PHOTO #6, "Cruising to Bermuda")  The Celebrity Line cruise ship, MV HORIZON made a one week round trip from Newport News, VA to Bermuda.  In Bermuda, the ship visited two ports, King's Wharf at the Naval Dockyard, and Hamilton.  Betty and Bill Lavallee (08) came from the Dallas, TX area.  Pat and Paul Sutherland came up from the Outer Banks of NC.  Peggy and Otto Zipf (15) drove down from Manassas, VA.  The rest (Dolly & Brent Streit (10), Julia & Bill Stevens (10), and Carol & Carl Vogel (08)) came from the Tidewater area.  Otto says: "Peggy & I will certainly look forward to a future opportunity to cruise with such a congenial group of Classmates and mates."

Vern Carlson (08) made another input from his coffee plantation in Costa Rica:
 

The photo is of local USNA grads at a recent chapter luncheon here. (PHOTO #7, "Costa Rican Alumni Chapter Meeting")  It was held at the Union Club, a very british, colonialist sort of place, wood paneling and all the rest.  Shown in the front row are, from left to right: Claudio Pacheco '64, Vern Carlson, Julio Andrade '54, and Jorge Brealey '73.  In the rear row standing are: Jorge Rodriquez '84, Javier Montero '79, Ed Pratt '49, and Jim Baldi '84 West Point . Claudio Pacheco, the chapter president, gave an update on Costa Rica's efforts to interdict drugs on its two oceans.  Julio Andrade spoke, at length, on drug interdiction, drawing on his experience as Chief of Operations of the Ecuadorian Navy.  He further opined that "the fisheries problem needs alot of work."  Julio is in close contact with the Cousteau Institute and other international organizations, striving to ensure that fishing vessels in Costa Rican waters follow mandatory dolphin-friendly fishing techniques.

My plans are to return to La Jolla 17 May for about a month, then fly to France to witness the wedding of my son, Lars, a plastic surgeon practicing in Norway.  The union of Norse genes with French ones will take place at Azay le Rideau in the Loire Valley on 17 June.  It promises to be a memorable event lasting 3 days, with the new in-laws hosting.  My daughter, Jeanne and grand daughter Jessica, plan to accompany me to France for the ceremony.

Binnacle List.  An update on Greg Lyden (14) from Joe Clarkson (08).  He was discharged last year from the Wood Mill Convalescent Center and transferred to the Mass area VA Hospital for treatment.  He has since been sent to another rehab center in Lowell MA.  Wife Jackie is reputed to be very ill or deceased.  Last known living with one of her children in Florida - name unknown. Current address: Raymond G. Lyden, Glenwood Nursing & Rehab Center, 557 Varnum Ave, Lowell MA 01854-2137, Tel: 978-454-5444.  The staff at the Wood Mill Home remember the visits of several of Greg's classmates to see him a couple of years ago.  The occasion was a memorable highlight for both the staff and Greg.  By inference, it appears he has little or no contact with family.

John Haynes (09) reports on the latest USNAA goings-on:
 

At the Spring meeting of the Alumni Association Class Presidents, Chapter Presidents, and Trustees, '55 was amply represented by Denny Sullivan (13), Susan & Bill Rentz (09), and me.  Barry Bowen (04) was reputedly present also, but none of us saw him.  Valerie & Bill Anders (22) were there, too, visiting with Jack Lengyel about other matters.  The 'diggers and fillers' are still at it, renovating Bancroft Hall, one wing at a time.  The Supe gave an extensive brief on the status of the ongoing facilities recapitalization, and unfortunately, it is an expensive business.  I was impressed by his emphasis on maintaining the Academy's purpose in training midshipmen to become WARRIORS!   I was installed as a Trustee, and requested to be assigned to the Bylaws Committee.  As you may recall, I was on the Governance Study Committee that developed major changes to the way the Alumni Association Board of Trustees is organized.  Those changes required almost a complete rewriting of the Bylaws, and I thought it would be a good idea for me to participate in that rewrite.

For classmates who are looking for economical lodgings in Annapolis, try the Navy Lodge at the Naval Station.  It is brand new, and available to military (and Federal Service) retirees.  For information, call 1-800-NAVY INN (628-9466).

Nineteen classmates with wives (and friends) enjoyed a wonderful Saturday afternoon on 8 May at Fran & Ken Highfill's mountain top home near Santa Ysabel in east San Diego County.  Present and accounted for were: Nancy & Paul Abernathy (06), Rita & Dan Butterfield (05), Jo & Roger Coffey (21), Lynne & Ned Floyd (18), Fran & Ken Highfill (03), Al Kozischek (02), Mary Ann & Scott McCauley (10), Celina & Ed McHale (03), Mary & Bob Price (06), and Tom Shine (21) with his friend Pat Curley. Ken and Fran wowed the group with a tour of their palace which was eight years in the building.  Ken led an inspection tour of their power plant (they are isolated; local power company wanted too much for running lines with $100K upfront installation fee followed by ten years of long-line fees).  Ken designed and built a solar station with back-up propane powered generator.  Ken's plant passed his Classmates' inspection with flying colors.  (Obviously, Ken paid attention in all our skinny labs and nuclear school.)  All enjoyed margaritas and bloody marys while retelling old sea stories - many of which were about Jimmy Jackson (01) and Eddie Turner (14).  Barbecued chicken and ribs were served for dinner. (PHOTO #8, "On Highfill's Mountain"; PHOTO #9, "Koz & the McHales"; PHOTO #10, "Jo & Roger Coffey"; PHOTO #11, "Rita & Dan Butterfield"; & PHOTO #12, "The Host(s) with the Most")

Myles "Mick" Fladager (10) has retired from litigating and is set up for recreating:
 

After falling through the cracks with the Alumni Association, I have finally got matters squared away and am looking forward to the half year's worth of copies of Shipmate they are sending me. Last year, Phyllis reminded me of the promise I made to her forty years ago to one day return to the islands to live. Given the typical great Navy wife that she was, I felt I couldn't ignore this designation of a debt as due and payable - and here we are on Kauai. Our address is 1831 Poipu Rd. #321, Koloa, Hawaii 96756; Tel #: 808-742-9166.

On another matter regarding a Classmate. For about ten years I have travelled to Southern California to play as Larry Baldauf's (17) partner in his club's annual member-guest golf tournament. This is a big deal at his club and draws many fine low handicap younger golfers, as well as many accomplished "sandbaggers". We always had great fun, and won a little money in "skins" games and "shootouts", but the thought never occurred to me that we would ever win the thing. Well, the impossible happened! We two old guys actually won the two-day tournament, although we both had to shoot scores in the 70's to do it . Larry, given his competitive nature, now expects me to repeat this performance. I am content be satisfied with a one-time miracle.

Last Call.  Leslie R. Holland Jr. (03), Maj USAF (Ret) died at home of heart failure on May 13, 1999.  He would have been 72 in July.  He is survived by his wife, Carolyn living at: 5300 Hill Road, Boise, ID 83703, Tel #: 208-336-0826.  Joe Clarkson and Don May (05) both "operated" with Les and were admirers of him as a Classmate, officer and fighter pilot.  According to Joe, "Les was a turn back to our class, graduated and became a very good combat fighter pilot. Even more important he remains a living legend in the F-111 community for his combat missions over Vietnam when the name "Whispering Death" was enunciated by Hanoi, not us.  Khadafi was to understand the same phenomena while asleep in the Libyan Desert (circa 1986) thanks in many ways to Les Holland and his pioneering efforts in conducting effective interdiction operations at night and bad weather."  Another "lost soul" has been found.  In March of this year, David Milnor '54 informed me that his brother Eric Milnor (13) had passed away.  (PHOTO #13, "Eric Milnor")  Eric left the Navy after four years (mostly in UDT) and pursued a career in the aerospace industry. He lived in San Rafael near San Francisco at the time of his death in 1990. He is buried at the National Cemetery in the Presidio of San Francisco.

E.B. Caraway Jr. (09) has come through with the latest from Muskegon, MI:
 

It seems that approximately once each decade I feel the siren's call from Canoe U. and decide to write, so here's my latest.  Last year I attempted to really retire but, unlike military retirement, I have no suitable relief.  Such is often the case with a sole proprietorship.  I have, therefore, reduced my activity to about 20 hours a week and vacations whenever I desire (smile). These sailing orders please me, my clientele and, most of all - my EXEC, Babs!

Last year I, too, was particularly saddened to learn of the demise of my company-mate, Don Bourke (09).  He was a special friend.  Often he and I supported and encouraged one another in our pursuit of the varsity "N". For so adequately eulogizing our shipmate, I say to you, Bob Vollum (09): "Well Done."

Since both of our children are still unmarried, we have adopted some grandchildren who blessedly fulfill that very important part of our elderly yearnings.  Our son, Andy (Capt, USAF), completed his Masters Degree at U. of Colorado last December, and is now stationed at Wright Patterson where he is an active member of the YF 22 engineering team.  Thoroughly satisfied with his job, it now appears that he is heading for a career as a support jock.  Daughter Cathy continues her medical duties as a certified Physicians Assistant in Nashville.  She never fails to watch "the game" and wants to know why we have lost so often in recent years.  Oh well, what can I say?  Any suggestions?

For many years I have held membership in the Navy League and recently was approached to organize a chapter here in Muskegon, MI.  The request probably came as a result of my 10-year commitment to the USS SILVERSIDES (SS-236) and Maritime Museum.  Every year during Memorial Day weekend, we host the Tolling of the Bell Ceremony aboard Silversides which honors the submariners lost in WW II.  Last year I had the pleasure, and good fortune, to secure as our speaker, Ed "Ned" Beach '39, Capt USN (Ret).  I had met "Ned" while serving on the staff of COMSUBLANT when he was skipper of the nuclear sub, TRITON. (PHOTO #14, "Robert Morin, Capt Ned Beach & EB Caraway")

Approximately one year ago, Babs and I sojourned to the National Archives in D.C. and spent an extremely busy week (9 hrs./day) researching material for our museum.  On our way there, we did stop for an overnight with my former sub (ENTEMEDOR, SS-340) skipper and spouse, Flo & Bill Nicklas '46. Our research also included, besides the Silversides, the LST 393 (last LST in the U.S. and one of only two remaining in the world; the other is in Greece) and the Cost Guard Cutter M.C. LANE (WMEC 146).  Both of these ships are berthed here in Muskegon.  The LST 393 took part in the landings in North Africa, Anzio, and Normandy, while the M.C. LANE was purported to have sunk a Japanese sub near Ketchikan, AK.  These ships are both capable of ops; however, we have yet to arrange for any such activity (matter of crews, insurance, etc.).  A notice for my shipmates:  we will be in the D.C. area again this Fall (more research) and hopefully will be able to see some of you.

Most of our activities today - discounting my business avocation - center around our church where Babs and I joyfully shepherd one of our small homegroups and sing on the worship team.  Time is also given in service to our Finance Committee while Babs ministers at our city Rescue Mission and volunteers as one of our church secretaries weekly.  As if that were not enough, she also works part-time as Assistant Medical Librarian of our largest hospital.  Yes, we do take time for cruising (Alaska, Europe, Caribbean, etc.), touring our great state of Michigan, attending local and national theater, and participating in several choral groups.  And, next year, we hope to attend our 45th!

Finally, we thank God for the rich and rewarding memories we share with the Class of 1955!!  There is within those ranks men of integrity and honesty; diligence and dedication; nobility and a respect for God; all character traits so woefully in short supply in our culture today.  Just remember: stay close to God and He will stay close to you.  Maybe this sounds a little like a pep talk.  Well.... this is ol' HOOPLA talking! Blessings and ... BEAT ARMY (in anything)!

Potpourri.  At a reunion of USS JOHN R. PIERCE (DD-753) shipmates in Jacksonville, FL in October of last year, Classmate John "Jack" T. Pierce (21), Capt USN (Ret), son of Commander John R. Pierce, whom the ship was named after, played Amazing Grace on the bagpipes for the memorial service for departed shipmates. Jack's first assignment after graduation was to the JOHN R.  Recently, Lynne and Ned Floyd went to the annual Coronado Flower Show. And there on display was Tom Boucher's (07) rose with a First Place Award.  This was not Tom's first blue ribbon.  Bob Boyd  (21) recently got back from Mexico after a long and enjoyable RV caravan trip. "There were 23 rigs  including two Navy couples we'd been stationed with in San Diego and Guam, made a lot of other great friends.  The country is surely one of contrasts, we traveled from McCallen, TX to the Yucatan, Belize & back.  At first along the Gulf of Mexico, then back along the Sierra Madres and the colonial cities including Mexico City-world's largest at 24 million souls.  Many side tours by bus from our RV park.  Many of us have only visited a few hundred miles inside the border towns, but we surely saw much of the variety of life from many views. Took lots of videos to remember it all."  Mary & Bob Price plan to go to Hawaii in November with the USNA President's Circle. "I went to that last year in Annapolis for the first time. It was good to see our classmate,Wave Graham  (08) there too. Quite a few changes from "The Old Navy". After that I visited with Gretchen  & Wally Greene (06) for 3 days: we went to several Civil War battlefields in northen Virginia. I also spent some very interesting time w/ Wally's father, Wallace Greene '30, Gen USMC (Ret) (Commandant of USMC during Viet Nam War from '63-'67). Hope to see some '55 classmates in Hawaii in Nov."  New members of our '55 Listserv are: Mick Fladager at ufdakaui@aloha.net, and Tom Lapham (20) at tomandjulia@erols.com.

Conceptual planning for the 45th Reunion: The dates of our 45th Reunion have changed.  It will now take place on October 26-29, 2000, an "off-Homecoming" weekend.  However, nothing else has changed.  We still have booked the waterfront Marriott Hotel in Annapolis as well as the Days Inn on Route 50.  And Washington area Classmates are still planning a great program.  More details will be provided later in Shipmate, via letter, and on the '55 Net. We still have a long way to go - if you have any ideas, put them on our Listserv or call Tom Kiefaber at (703) 759-7743 or another Washington area Classmate.

Class Membership for December 1998 is 63 Percent........... Are you a member of the Naval Academy Alumni Association (15 non-graduates are!)? You can sign up by calling (410) 263-4448 x112 or 117. Annual dues are $30.00 or $410.00 for lifetime membership (paid in quarterly installments). Or indicate your interest to me and I'll have USNAAA send you an application. You'll find SHIPMATE has vastly improved. Tom K. Note:  Please contact USNA Alumni Services office at 410-263-4448 x112 or achamber@arctic.nadn.navy.mil to update your address if you are a member of the USNAAA and not getting Shipmate. If you are not a Naval Academy alumnus, but would like to subscribe to Shipmate, please contact the phone number/email address above or click on Subscription Form. Your Webmaster

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All editorial matter, inquiries concerning memberships or subscriptions and change of address of members and subscribers should be addressed to: U. S. Naval Academy Alumni Assoc. 247 King George Street Annapolis, MD 21402-5068 Phone: (410) 263-4448 Internet: alumni@artic.nadn.navy.mil