Hi Classmates:
GREETINGS!
AOG AWARDS:
It is that time of the year to begin thinking about the Thayer & Distinguished Graduate Awards (DGA). I also recommend we change our DGA policy to attempt to get more Classmates nominated in the future. I will post the LINKS for both to allow you to review them and then comment on our current policy and then discuss changes.
Click here: West Point Association of Graduates Then click LINKS for Thayer and DGA
The nomination and selection process is outlined for both and self-explanatory. A difference between the two is that any Classes, Societies, and individual Regular Members of the Association may submit nominations for the Thayer Award while only Societies or Classes, not individuals, may nominate candidates for the Distinguished Graduate Award. It is recommended that all recommendations come through the Class. There is no limit on Thayer nominations, but the Class can ONLY nominate two for the DGA. Currently and in the past we have only had one nomination at a time. Once nominated the nomination is valid for a total of 3 years and that has prevented more to be nominated. If two are nominated they have to be ranked. Our nomination for last year, Charlie Getz is still valid for this year and will be valid again in 2012. It may be time to increase our nominations to two.
We accept nominations from any in the Class. It is recommended to contact the potential nominee, insure they want to be nominated and agree to attend the award ceremony, and then work with them to come up with a 3-page nomination and send to Jim Walsh. He will send it along with any others to the Class Committee for comments and final preparation for my nomination to the AOG. Nominations are due in early November so it is not too soon to begin the process.
CLASS GATHERINGS:
Judi and I, along with many Classmates had an outstanding time at the "Monterey Mini." The Monterey Mini Committee – BREEN, MULLEN, and VAN LOBEN SELS – did an excellent job and organized a most enjoyable and memorable Reunion.
I am pleased that our Class was able to have representation at all our recent funerals this spring. It was good to see Classmates turn out across the country and bid a fond farewell to our Class brothers. May they "Rest In Peace."
Our Class "Band of Brothers" continues to do a superb job of assisting the families of our deceased Classmates, and arranging appropriate Class participation at each of their services. We continue to present the families with our distinctive Class of 1959 Flag Case as a small token of our regard and esteem.
CLASS CALENDAR:
Howard Stiles has organized another Maine Summer Gathering (MSG) again this year (15-17 July) and with hosts (DeMonts, Fitzgeralds, and Manzos) help, I am sure will have another excellent weekend..
There are two other items to put on your calendar for this fall!
17 SEPTEMBER: Bob Novogratz inducted into the Army Sports Hall of Fame this September 16/17 at West Point. (ARMY hosts Northwestern on Saturday, September 17th!) + the Dedication of the '58 Undefeated Team Memorial Room at the Hotel Thayer.
For more information on the Class of 1958 Room and the Room Dedication Program
Click here: Room Dedication Program at the Thayer Hotel
30 NOVEMBER ?: Service for Mike Nash at the Old Chapel, Ft. Myer followed by internment Arlington National Cemetery. NOTE: This date is to be confirmed sometime in July, at which time the official date will be announced. POC: Jim Walsh or 301/582-0495
AOG COMMUNICATIONS:
As already reported, the AOG is in the process of undertaking a DRAMATIC change in the form and substance of its publications. A new publication, West Point magazine, along with ASSEMBLY, was sent out this past January. As I understand it, the AOG's plan is to continue to publish a hard copy of the new West Point magazine, and send it to all graduates on a quarterly basis free of charge. It should be self evident, therefore, that it behooves all of us to make sure we have our current address on file with the AOG! BTW, the new magazine, West Point, is going to focus much more on cadets, faculty, the institution and its traditions, than on the graduates. In addition, Class Notes, and TAPS, after the third quarter of this year, will go to an online format, and ASSEMBLY will become the former alumni magazine, with the last issue being published this summer.
In keeping with this anticipated change, our Class Scribe, Hank Larsen, prepared the FINAL Class Notes as we know them for ASSEMBLY, and sent them in on 10 April. He wants to continue to gather submissions with the deadline for the first Class Notes to be published on line to be September 15th.
CLASS OF 1959 PUBLICATIONS:
As the AOG is moving further into cyberspace for more of its communications, our Class is also making plans to use cyberspace much more than we have in the past. More on that to follow in the months to come!
The editorial staff of our Class History, FIFTY YEARS IN REVIEW, finalized a multi-page supplement, UP-DATE TO CLASS HISTORY, which was distribution and mailed at the California Mini along with a DVD of our 50th Reunion Fifty Years in Review - 50th Reunion 30 April-3 May 2009.
CLASS WEBSITE:
If you have not checked our new Class Web Site, please do so now!
Click here: West Point Class of 1959 Home Page
Charlie Tennant is doing an excellent job and welcomes your information and pictures to post to our web site for everyone's information.
CLASS LISTSERV's & ROSTERS:
In addition, Charlie Tennant has generously taken over from Frank Campbell the responsibility for maintaining our Class LISTSERV's. As a reminder, we have three major LISTSERV's:
- usma1959-official@west-point.org 455 Subscribers Official Net. Restricted to Class Officers only. Very low volume: (1 – 4 messages per month.)
- usma1959@west-point.org 221 Subscribers Semi-Official Net. For messages dealing with the Army, West Point, Social Security & Medical Medium volume (Weekly)
- usma1959-forum@west-point.org Forum. Open to all topics. Volume very high (Multiple messages per day.)
In addition to the three major LISTSERV's, we have three specialized LIST SERV's:
- womenofclass-1959@west-point.org 85 Subscribers Messages sent about 1 every 10 days. It is open to all female "members" of the Class of '59. Sue Breen also maintains a current widow list, and welcomes these women to subscribe to womenofclass in order to keep up with class activities and news from her perspective. (Join WOC by contacting Sue at msbreen08@gmail.com.
- 59ski@West-Point.org 58 Subscribers Contains information for and about our class Skiers, and is monitored by Gary Beech. (Join the Ski team by contacting Gary at gbeech@ch2m.com.)
- usma1959-pc@West-Point.org 57 Subscribers A clearing house for information about prostate cancer. It is monitored by Tim Plummer (timswims@erols.com.)
To get added to any of these LISTSERV's send your request to the LIST monitor, or to Charlie Tennant at cetennant@roadrunner.com.
Our Class Roster with address and phone number information is being maintained by Kevin O'Neill. Please let Kevin know if you move or change any contact information. apokjo@suddenlink.net
Best wishes,
Pete |
