The purpose of this memo is to update members of the Class of 1959 about the current situation regarding our Class Project. As many of you already know, progress on our Class Project, stalled about a year ago. We had received all necessary environmental approvals and had completed preliminary engineering/design work. Unfortunately, approval from the Maryland State Historic Trust was not granted. We (the class) had been led to believe that this approval would be a routine matter, especially since the design had be submitted for preliminary review a year before and no objections were raised at that time.
The Naval Academy is a National Historic Site. Therefore, all changes to the site must meet historic trust standards. The Federal reviewing agency is the National Park Service. They seceded their oversight to the Maryland State Historic Trust (MSHT). Unfortunately, for us, the person who had the preliminary assessment left MSHT in the intervening period. When we submitted our enhancement design in April 2008, we encountered considerable objection to our proposal. The MSHT’s approval was not required in the 1970’s when the Columbarium was originally constructed. After the fact, they are opposed to the Columbarium in general. Their adverse finding was based on “visual objections,” especially the size, design and height the gazebo at the back of the project and the project’s predominant feature.
For the next seven months, the Class, the Naval Academy Alumni Association, and USNA administration and Public Works, attempted to work with the MSHT. We made a series of modifications to the project to satisfy the reviewers’ problems. After each set of meetings the reviewer would agree to the changes and then later respond that “they weren’t enough.” Finally in November 2008, further engineering/design work was stopped and the Class informed NAAA of its withdrawal of support to the project unless ours most recent modified design was accepted by MSHT in lieu of a design they said was “acceptable.”
The Secretary of the Navy has the authority to overrule the MSHT’s decision for “the good of the Naval Service.” We informed the NAAA and USNA authorities that we were prepared to go through this difficult and time consuming process in order to get an appropriate design for our project. We requested the USNA end negotiations with MSHT and formally submit our design, anticipating disapproval of our design. In early February we met with the new president of NAAA, Byron Marchant, and the Superintendent regarding our position and they agreed to support us. The design was submitted with MSHT’s knowledge that the USNA intended to appeal any adverse decision. MSHT had a month to decide and on April 4, exactly 30 days later, they approved the design of our project.
There is some goods news in this process. Our project’s funds were placed in short term securities (anticipating the need to begin expenditures) in the summer of 2008 and we experience no stock market losses on our contributions. As we proceed with final engineering, design, and construction, the current economic climate in Annapolis is favorable with respect to construction costs and we expect finalization of engineering, design and the competitive bidding process is will take 90-120 days. So, hopefully by August, some site preparation and procurement of the granite for the project can begin. Current estimates are for a completed project by late spring/early summer of 2010.
We regret that the project will not be completed by our 50th reunion, but we know you’ll be proud of the completed project. We plan on holding an appropriate ground breaking ceremony during our reunion.
Frank Donovan 1959 Class President
Jerry Garbacz Chair, 1959 Class Executive Committee
I am Jerry Garbacz and I have the privilege of Chairing your Class of 1959 Executive Committee.
The Class of 1959 welcomes you to this ceremony, in which we will make our
50th Reunion Gift to the United States Naval Academy. Eight years ago, a Class
Committee, Chaired by Captain Marty Finerty, met with senior officials of the
Alumni Association to review possible gifts our class reunion. Of the possibilities,
the one we best felt would be an enduring tribute to the Academy, was the
enhancement of the Academy’s Columbarium.
Since current space restrictions prevent many Alumni from being buried in
the Academy Cemetery, they are inurned in the Columbarium. Today, the
Columbarium site lacks an ambience of dignity and respect to the many heroes,
dedicated career officers and their families in this final resting place. Thus began a
journey which we expected to be completed by this afternoon. Unfortunately, we,
nor the Naval Academy, never anticipated the many bureaucratic obstructions and
hurdles which would be thrown in our path. With the help, guidance, and support of
four Superintendents; Admirals Ryan, Naughton, Rempt, and Fowler, we have
made significant progress towards our goal.
Until last week, I would have said we are now in a position to realize our
goal. Regretfully, I can no longer say that. Last week, when final bids were obtained,
they were almost double the previous detailed government engineering studies we
had obtained. The major cause of the overrun, costing well over $1 million, is the
need to massively reinforce the hillside behind the Columbarium. Not only does this
impediment affect our project, but it prevents any future expansion of the
Columbarium itself. Therefore, until that reinforcement can be funded, hopefully
with government funds, today we will be dedicating only the first phase of our
project: the construction of the granite Class of 1959 Oratory and worship site,
which can be completed with our existing funds within a year. Your Class
leadership, the Superintendent, and our Alumni Association are collectively and
individually absolutely committed to completing the final stages of our plan as soon
as feasible.
Admiral Rempt called our project “the Naval Academy’s Ninth Wing”
others have labeled it, “Our Home of Hero’s”. Today, thirteen classmates or their
wives are inurned here; hopefully, our gift will make their and future 59ers’ rest
more peaceful.
I would now like to introduce our Class’s Lifetime President, Vice Admiral
Frank Donovan, Chair of the Council of Class Presidents, and Naval Academy
Foundation Trustee who will present our gift.
This certificate is to acknowledge the exceptional contributions made by the men who formed
the U. S. Naval Academy Class of 1959. Your service aboard our nation’s warships, submarines
and aircraft at sea and on land during some of our most critical years is to be remembered with the
deepest gratitude. Particularly, during the Vietnam War, you fought with courage, determination,
and selfless duty with many giving the most precious sacrifice of their lives. From your graduation
day on, the hallmarks of 1959 have clearly been service and leadership.
Marking a half-century of service to our nation and to the United States Navy, Marine
Corps, Air Force, and Naval Academy, the Class of 1959 has provided the military and civilian
leadership that we recognize today. You entered into our nation’s service during challenging times,
and you responded by enriching, strengthening, defending, and sustaining our nation with your
extraordinary spirit and patriotism. You taught us leadership by example – leadership reflecting
the daily actions of honor, commitment, integrity and dedication to the defense of our country. We
acknowledge your accomplishments and achievements in the highest levels of government, industry,
science, law, and medicine, guaranteeing a safer and better world for all of us.
Your generous contributions have included support to restore the Chancel area in the Naval
Academy Main Church, along with the construction of a permanent cover for the Columbarium,
Alumni Hall Plaza project, the Character Development Display in the Visitors Center,
Thresher/Scorpion Memorial participant, 19th Company sponsor, 100 Chairs in Alumni Hall in
memory of lost classmates; as well, your support of the Class of 2009 over the course of their four
year Naval Academy journey through the Another Link in the Chain program is to be commended.
The very history and traditions of the Naval Academy are founded on the experiences and
service of individuals like those from the Class of 1959. New generations of midshipmen and our
future Naval and Marine Corps officers will continue to be inspired by the rich heritage of service
you have passed down to them.
_______________________
Steve Abbot
Admiral, USN (Ret.)
Chairman of the Board
USNA Alumni Association
_____________________
Byron F. Marchant
President