10 June, 2008

Dear Classmates and Widows of the class of 1952:

Once again, it’s time for the President’s annual "State of the Union" letter to the class membership. I will organize its contents into categories for ease of reading. This year’s version is a little longer than usual because there is so much to tell…so please bear with me.

FINANCIAL STATUS.

As most of you know, our long term Class Treasurer, Jim Troutman, passed on 2007. Jim was a class stalwart and kept our financial ship of state on course for well over 10 years. His position as treasurer was filled by Dick Denfeld. Characteristic both of the man and our class ethos, Dick agreed to step in without hesitation. He gave the annual treasurer’s report to the Executive Committee and the members of the Washington-Annapolis Chapter during our recent Annual Business Meeting. Since nothing is more boring than the recitation of financial figures, I will not include the full text of Dick’s report. Here, in my view, are the important questions and their answers:

1. Are we solvent, and do we have enough money to handle our modest financial obligations? YES

2. What are our financial prospects, i.e., are our financial fortunes increasing or decreasing? INCREASING. We actually made money last year on our 55^th reunion….not much, but enough to mean that we don’t have to ask you for dues this year. We will, of course, accept your fifty dollars, but it is not a necessary contribution. If you wish to contribute, send your check payable to the Class of 1952 to Dick at 11717 Tuxworth Trail, Bumpass, VA 23024. Incidentally, Dick also sold most of the residual inventory of items left over from past reunions for more than their book value. The end result is that our "not-for-profit" made a modest profit…hence the suggestion from our new treasurer is to keep your wallet in your pocket for this year

In keeping with our "mature" status as a class, we have again refrained from entering into any new financial obligations for projects. However this does NOT apply to those of us who are obligated to meet previous pledges for one or more class-sponsored projects. Such pledges are booked as assets by the Alumni Association, and we are responsible for meeting them. We continue our sponsorship of the 17^th company and other continuing projects such as the annual Christmas tree lighting at the Alumni House.

COMMUNICATION WITH CLASSMATES AND WIDOWS

The Executive Committee consists of the Class officers and the Vice Presidents who are Heads of the Five Chapters of our Class Association. You will find them listed on the side-bar of the first page of this letter. You are encouraged to get in touch with any member of the committee if you wish to call our attention to any issue or if you have a question regarding our policy or approach to any matter.

NOTABLE CLASS EVENTS

The 55^th Reunion, by all accounts, was a huge success. Doug Payne and his team produced a great event which was enjoyed by all who attended. Surprisingly, the cost was below estimates…an unusual outcome and a tribute to Doug’s stewardship. The Memorial Service, held in the chapel, the Banquet in the lovely new facility at the Stadium, and all the events turned out exceptionally well…except for the outcome of the football game. The only other drawback was the gradually diminishing number of attendees, in most instances due to death or illness.

THE ACADEMY

Sports

The class of 2008 became, by most accounts, the most successful class in modern Navy sports history. They defeated both Army and Air Force in football each of their four years, were selected for bowl participation each year, and FINALLY beat fabled Notre Dame after 34 years. A broader look at the sports record for the past year reveals that the roughly 30 varsity teams…men and women…won 70% of all their sports events. Not bad for a school of less than 5,000 student athletes who actually have to pass their courses and obtain degrees in four years. Some of the credit, I suspect, should go to the Athletic Director who was just given a contract extension through 2015…and a great deal goes to our departed football coach, Paul Johnson…but midshipmen played and won the games.

The Yard

I wrote last year that you would be shocked at the increases and improvements in the physical plant at the Academy The Brigade Sports Complex (ice hockey, indoor tennis, gold facilities and clubhouse, restaurant, etc.) is complete and in full use at the North Severn Facility across from the old Golf Clubhouse. The new Wesley Brown Field house dwarfs the old Halsey Field house….it has a running track that can be hydraulically banked, and it is so large that indoor football and baseball can be played inside. I understand that it is the finest in the world... They have just finished renovating King Hall (we called it the mess hall). It is now completely modernized and air-conditioned, and they will place it in full use when the plebes arrive in early July. Renovation of the Museum is now in full swing (we’re paying for some of the work with our contributions and pledges). The next total rehab project is fabled Hubbard Hall, once home of the finest crew the country has ever produced…the Naval Academy 1952 Olympic Crew, aptly named "The Great Eight". What a tribute…the finest crew in American sports history!

Actually, there have been so many other improvements since we last marched down Stribling Walk. I’ve just hit the highlights.

The Administration

The new Superintendent, VADM Jeffrey Fowler, has now had one year at the helm. He apparently entered the position with an objective similar to that of our own VADM Harry Hill. Consequently there were a number of changes instituted to take a couple of "round turns" to reemphasize the true nature of a military academy. Most of the changes affected the lives of the midshipmen …more study, and much less liberty. A number of moms, dads, townspeople and midshipmen were not particularly pleased with these changes, and the local print news media enjoyed a rousing round of stories and articles. Things seem to have toned down a bit because we no longer hear screams from within the walls. Those of us who observe have concluded that a natural state of accommodation has now been reached between the hammer and the nail. One outcome, however, is worthy of mention. The entire brigade was ordered to eat all their meals in King Hall five whole days a week. This increase in the number of meals served without a concomitant increase in the allowed food budget…coupled with the overall rise in food prices that we have all witnessed…resulted in a real problem, both in quantity and character of the meals served the brigade. It would appear that the difference between the statutory limitation of $7.00 per head per day, and the actual $12.00 cost of meals served, had been partially financed by midshipmen dining out in restaurants during the previous liberal liberty era. This was not a planned augmentation, just a fortunate windfall resulting from the former liberal liberty policy. When last seen, the heads of each of the service academies were on the way to Capitol Hill for much needed budgetary relief.

ALUMNI ASSOCIATION

Much has been written, publicized, discussed and argued about the suit against the Alumni Association’s Board of Trustees…far too much for most of us. I now report that the court has ruled against the suit and upheld the trustee’s position. Regardless of your position or thoughts on this matter, I’m sure that you will agree that it was an unpleasant year for alumni, and we’re glad it’s over. I attended the Board of Trustees meeting, as well as the meeting of the Council of Class Presidents, and I can attest to the fact that the issues were thoroughly discussed, and all sides were carefully examined.

There is one outcome with which you should be made aware. Recognizing that a ballot containing but one choice is not a choice at all (or a ballot, for that matter), the Board of Trustees passed a change to the bylaws whereby future Chairmen of the Board of Trustees will be chosen by the membership of the Board itself …a process used by similar governing groups which choose their own chairman, and a practice followed by this Association in the past as exemplified by the one name ballot. We will, of course, continue to elect the other members of the board by the normal multi-slate election process. In addition, members are entitled to submit proposed names to the nominating committee of the Board of Trustees for consideration for the position of Chairman.

THE CLASS

Our number continues to decrease at a greater rate than before, but the fidelity and loyalty among us grows stronger with time. We truly need each other…to relive old times, to support those of us in need, to support our widows, and to retell the old tales. Somehow the stories get better and better with each retelling.

Our Sponsorship Program for widows is a hallmark of the aforementioned fidelity which characterizes our class. As I mentioned in last year’s letter, a Sponsor assumes responsibility for assisting his assigned widow with the numerous administrative tasks she must deal with during her difficult period of adjustment. The sponsor further agrees to try to respond to any subsequent needs for help and to insure that she is made aware of class events. This is our legacy to each other…a pledge that we will not abandon one of our own. We are also emphasizing the inclusion of widows in all of our events, including Chapter events, and we are working on our communications network to insure they are never excluded and given the same consideration they their spouse would have been given.

One other powerful characteristic of our class…we don’t forget our classmates. I was privileged to attend the beautiful memorial service for Wally Numbers in Poway, California, early this year…was moved by the fact that there were twelve classmates in attendance…moved even more when Fox Johnson, at the end of his eulogy, nodded to Earl Chinn who then led us all in NAVY BLUE AND GOLD. Sounds melodramatic when I write it…was beautiful when I witnessed it. Trust me when I say that there is nothing better that you can do…for your fallen classmate, his widow, his family, for the class, and for yourself… than be present at the final act to honor a classmate.

Class Officers

I mentioned earlier that we have a new Treasurer and a new Secretary. Jerry Rapkin has agreed to become the Annapolis Area Representative, a position filled so well by Charlie McDonald for so many years. Doug Payne has stepped in for the At-large vacancy created by Dick Denfeld’s move to the Treasurer position. Jim Nunneley was unanimously elected as Vice President of the Pennsylvania Chapter, and Fred Adair was chosen as Vice President of the Northwestern Chapter. We hope you are pleased with our revamped Executive Committee. If not, please let us know and you will be promptly rewarded, I’m sure, with one of our time consuming positions with absolutely no financial reward.

Honorary Classmate

The Memorial Service at out 55^th reunion was given extraordinary meaning by the words we heard from the presiding minister, CDR Kimberly Sawatsky. Many of us were moved by her tribute… not only to our fallen, but to our families, and to us as well (I have attached a copy of her remarks). The Executive Committee was petitioned to make CDR Sawatsky an honorary member of our class…so moved, and unanimously carried. We now have our First Sister among our Band of Brothers!

So this ends another year in the life of our class…still, and always, the Greatest… and with the Toughest Shoes to Fill.

With warm regards to all,

Bill Ryan

Class President