|
|
Class Notes from the June 2003
|
Did you miss last month's class notes? Visit the Shipmate Archive (on the class Web site) or go to the Alumni Only page if you are a current member of the USNAAA. If not a current member, refer to bottom of this page. http://www.usna.com/classes/1955 |
|
55
|
Annual Membership: 18% Life Membership: 40% |
Pres: LCDR Dennis Sullivan, USN (Ret.)
Sec’y: CAPT Thomas G. Kiefaber, USN (Ret.)
11814 Triple Crown Road, Reston, VA 20191
On Saturday, 5 April 2003, Peggy and Otto Zipf with Pat and Kent Drummond attended the annual Blessing of the Fleet at the U.S. Navy Memorial Foundation and Naval Heritage Center. The Navy chaplain led prayers before and during the ceremony.
Under a light gray sky with the damp of a sea morning, the United States Navy Ceremonial Guard presented the colors, then the ceremonial band fills the air with our national anthem as part of this touching ceremony. U.S. Navy Memorial Foundation CEO and President RADM Henry C. McKinney, USN (Ret.), made opening remarks and introduced the keynote speaker, commander of the Military Sealift Command, VADM David Brewer III, USN. Following was the traditional "charging" of the memorial fountains. Water from "the seven seas" was poured into the four fountains by ceremonial guard sailors. The fountains were then turned on, initiating another busy summer season of events.
After the ceremony, all of the
visitors were treated to Navy bean soup. The soup was served by the
White House dining staff. Next, the
visitors were treated to a Navy movie called At Sea, a great
film about aircraft carrier launch teamwork.
We have had a number of Classmates
who have indicated that they did not receive a copy of either the 15
or 30 Year Anniversary Books, or lost them through move, fire,
flood, etc. We feel now that it is appropriate to offer replacements,
and will do so for those interested. The copies will not be of the same
quality as the originals; they will be standard copy paper (Kinkos)
without the hard cover, but spiral bound. We can do this for $20
including shipping for the 15 Year Book, and $27 for the larger
30 Year Book. Please contact Hartley Holte (hartleyholte@
hotmail.com) at 410-280-9799 to express your interest, or for questions.
The Class of 2005's Second Class Commitment Dinner will be held in King Hall on Monday evening, 18 August (the night before the first day of fall classes). Members of the Class of 2005 will make their commitment to the Naval Academy for the final two years. During the dinner, they will stand and reaffirm their obligation to the Naval service and the USNA honor concept. We will be invited to share in the event and will sit among the Midshipmen at their tables. ADM William D. Smith '55, USN (Ret.), has been invited to speak. Events like these give us tremendous access to the Midshipmen and what they are doing at the Academy today. Classmates interesting in attending, please let this be known to either Ray Hine (Hine Ray@aol.com 703-860-0691) or Denny Sullivan (DSull55@aol.com; 703-683-0733).
A few more pictures of merry revelers at the Dark Ages party in early March are included. "But still when two or three shall meet, and old tales be retold…"
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 $40.00 or $330.00 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 click here 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, you can contact the phone number above or click on Subscription Form. Your Webmaster |