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

   As they do every year, Ann and Wes Saunders hosted a marvelous picnic in July at their lovely home on the Severn, featuring crab, shrimp, chicken, and many more goodies and cool libations. The weather was kind and the turn out great. Enjoying themselves immensely were: Denny Sullivan, Jackie and Mort Rubenstein, Nancy and Don Kellerman, Syd and Fred Tolleson, Sally and Hartley Holte, Peggy and Otto Zipf, Joan Connolly and Tom Mclsaac, Rita and Butterfield, Mary Gale Buchanan, Dick Peterson, Margot and Gary Snyder, Joanie and Dick Morgan, Ginny and Don Conner, Ted Parker, Tom Davis, Sheila and Cal Weaver, Karen and Pat Taylor, Sabra and Bill Kennington, Ursula and Tom Kiefaber, Shirley and Steve Lowe, Jean and Darrel Westbrook, Patricia and Kent Drummond, Diana and Steve Ruth, Bumpsy and Ace Davis, and Betsy and John Thune.

   Tom Emery writes that Sara and Larry Frost moved from Norfolk to Palmyra, VA, (nine miles east of Charlottesville) into an historic home with 50 acres of land giving them plenty to do since both are now in retirement. They graciously hosted a Ninth Company mini-reunion in their presently beautiful renovated home. Those present are shown in the enclosed picture: Front row, left to right, Joe Kronzer, Cully Kronzer, Lynn Thearle, Sara Frost, Sis Martin, Gale Emery, and Nancy Saunders. Back row, left to right, Bill Martin, Larry Frost, Jim Thearle, Glen Bates, Tom Emery, and Lee Saunders. The Martins are now living in Hot Springs, AR. They were visiting the Kronzers living at Lake Anna, VA. The Thearles drove from Norfolk, Glen Bates (Pat had a previous commitment) from Locust Grove, VA, the Emerys came from Charlottesville, and the Saunders were enroute from Florida to Cape Cod. They had a sumptuous luncheon, and a time filled with wonderful memories. It is hoped that this may become an annual affair with more Ninth Company attendees!

   The Class golf program continues to rock along during the hot summer months with a match played at Worthington Manor in the Urbana Maryland area hosted by Joe Chmelik in June and a match at Patuxent River Naval Air Station during July, which was hosted by Dick Morgan. After both events the hosts invited everyone over for dinner and cocktails, which was much appreciated. The culinary expertise shown by both Pat Chmelik and Joanie Morgan was superb. Their homes are a tribute to the fine tastes of each with Joe's post and beam home a testimonial to the efforts of many family members and artisans from Maine. It truly is a lovely and large home in every sense of the word. The Morgan's home is wonderfully situated in the hinterlands of southern Maryland—an area steeped in the history of the 1812 raid on Washington where the British went ashore from the Paxtuxent River, not too far from the Morgan's home which sits above one of the river creeks. Joanie had an opportunity to show the area to a number of ladies who accompanied the men to the course, but who elected to eat, roam, and be entertained by Joanie rather than be frustrated on the warm but breezy day playing golf. Having visited both residences, it is apparent why both Joe and Dick earn the award each year for the longest drive—by auto rather than golf club. These events at courses close to their home were a means of saying thanks for their continual support and attendance during the Class golf year. Joe Chmelik provided three of his sons to participate in the Worthington Manor event and each can drive the golf ball a mile. The senior citizens enjoyed hitting shorter irons to the pin as the format on both days was the utilization of best drive and then everyone played their own ball thru the green. Exceptions were the par threes where everyone had to play their own ball. Winning teams were Dick Morgan, Tony Bracken, and Tom Chmelik at Worthington Manor and Lucy Mustin, Tom Schultz, and Ray Hine at Pax River. The last was settled by a review of cards with a team tied in score that included a first time golfer with the Class—Ted Parker. Ted claims to have enjoyed himself so much that he intends to participate in future events.

   Tom McIsaac (Amcisaac@aol.com) has a request:

   I have been trying to recruit Company representatives from each Company to help with the collection of bios, sea stories, vignettes or whatever from each and every living Classmate or from the widows for our Fifty-Year Book. We missed a few submissions in both the Fifteen-Year and Thirty-Year books and would like to improve on that. So far I have been unable to find a volunteer from the following companies: 3, 5, 7,10, 11, 17, 18, and 24. I have put out some queries but gotten no response from Classmates in these Companies. If any of you out there can help, let me know via email. It won't require too much of your time and you have a chance to renew acquaintances with some of your Classmates. We will give you all the information we have regarding last location. We just need the personal touch to convince the non-participants to participate. The timing of this activity will be in the fall of 2003.

Potpourri

   Ray Hine, Pat and Paul Sutherland, Lyn and Dan Shields, and Genie and Joe Walter got together on the Outer Banks recently. Paul reports that they had a great time talking about old times. They all tried to convince Ray to move down to the promised land but they were unable to close the sale. Hank Mustin sent in another photo of MUSTIN christening bash. It shows the grand line-up of attending '55 celebrants: Tom Emery, John Adams, Debbie Adams, Hank Mustin, Lucy Mustin, Tom Kiefaber, Ursula Kiefaber, Hugh Webster, and Peggy Webster. Al Kozischek submitted a snapshot taken on the occasion of Ed "Sea Breeze" McHale's 70th birthday at the McHale residence in Camarillo, CA. Seventy guests celebrated the occasion with a catered party in the garden. Besides '55ers, many of Ed's navy squadronmates and business associates attended.

Taps

   I regret to inform the Class that Lauren Anthony Johnson (24) died on 22 July 2002 in Richmond, VA, following a long illness. Lauren retired from active service in June of 1975 as a lieutenant commander. He obtained his master's degree in oceanography from Old Dominion University and began employment with Dominion Virginia Power at the Surry Nuclear Power Station in July of 1975. He remained with Dominion Virginia Power until his death. He was an avid pilot. Lauren is survived by his son, Richard L. Johnson of Charlotte, NC; his daughter, Elizabeth J. MacNair of Mechanicsville; his stepsons, Reid Kuder of Flemington, NJ, and Keith Kuder of Roanoke; his stepdaughter, Christine Merritt of Virginia Beach; and ten grandchildren.

Communications Channels

   The easiest and fastest method of getting the word out to Classmates is by email. At the present time, I have the email address for 317 Classmates (53% of living '55 graduates). Regarding contact channels, another 111 receive Shipmate and an additional 153 can be reached by snail mail only. Eleven Classmates are "lost." They are James W. Ellstrom (24), John J. Flynn Jr. (11), Leroy F. Gayle (11), Larry Heisel (18), Aaron B. Jacobs (21), Michael D. Kandra (18), Delbert V. Keener (24), Ronald D. Miller (03), Thomas E. O'Brien (10), William R. Young (15), and Donald L. Zuckerman (16). Besides the '55 listserve, which allows for an open exchange of information, I maintain several email address groups for the purpose of disseminating information that I think would be of particular interest to particular Classmates, e.g. get-together announcements, meetings, and USN/USNA special events, sent to non-listserve Classmates as well. The purpose of this message is to improve on the existing '55 communications channels. To accomplish this, I have a three-fold request. First, for those 111 Classmates who receive Shipmate and haven't been hearing from me via email, and who have access, please send your email address to me at kief55@aol.com with instructions for its use. For example, use for Class/USNA announcements only, or more generally, for inclusion on the '55 listserve. Second, for all within range of this message, encourage every Classmate you are in contact with to "sign up." Third, for all again, to inform me if you know the whereabouts or status of any of the "lost" listed above. Your cooperation is greatly appreciated. The intent is to inform, not intrude.