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Charlie Tennant
For some interesting statistics on Classmates and their families please
APPOINTMENT TO WEST POINT Today I went to the Renaissance Arts High School in downtown LA to present an appointment to West Point to Grace Ko. Grace, who graduated first in her class, is the daughter of Korean immigrants. Her father served in the 82d airborne, and her big brother (also an airborne soldier) currently serves in the California National Guard. God i love this job!!!!
ANNIVERSARARY
BREEN/TENNANT BREAKFAST Bill and Sue Breen were on the final leg of a three week automobile trip to the east coast. During the trip they visited family attended the Judi Dawkins memorial anda the A1 and Frionds annual picnic, and just enjoyed the country side and they traveled. They took a short detour off of US 101 to have breakfast with Charlie and Mary Jo Tennant at Brent's Deli in Westlake Village. Over the food and too many cups of coffee they renewed old friendships, and caught up on old times. After a pleasant hour and a half, Sue and Bill hit the 101 for the final theee hour push to their home in Monterrey.
On the left Bill and Sue Breen. On the right Mary Jo and Charlie Tennant and friiend enjoying breakfast at Brent's Deli.
MEMORIAL DAY CEREMONY AT THE ROCKY VERSACE PLAZA On a beautiful, sunny May 29, 2017, the annual Memorial Day ceremony was held in the plaza surrounding the imposing statue of our classmate, Rocky Versace, in Alexandria, Virginia. Kevin Rue again organized an impressive program that included remembrance, not only of Rocky, but also of the 67 Alexandrians who gave their lives in the Vietnam War memorialized on the plaza. The ceremonies included music by the Old Guard Fife and Drum Corp, and the beautiful singing of the National Anthem and “God Bless America” by Alice Gyamfi, Miss Northern Virginia. Art Bair’s son, COL Dave Bair, introduced Chief Master Sergeant William A. Tippins, and provided a stirring account of Sergeant Tippins impressive World War II service including grievous wounds, capture, escape, and survival. Virginia Assembly Delegate Mark Levine presented a framed copy of the “Virginia Resolution to Commemorate the Life and Legacy of Captain Versace” to Mrs. Curtis Versace, widow of Rocky’s brother Steve. Mary Gurr and son Brian Gurr were present. Mary was cited as the widow of John Gurr who played such a key role in bringing about Rocky’s award of the Medal of Honor. Other key players from the Friends of Rocky Versace were our honorary classmates, Mike Faber and Duane Frederic. Joanne Hutton also was recognized in memory of our classmate and her brother, Jim Ray. Members of the West Point Class of 1959 assembled for the wreath laying ceremony. In addition to Mike Faber and Duane Frederic, classmates included: Art Bair, Jack Bohman and grandson Grant Holmes, Tom Boyle, Dave Cotts, Phil Gibbs and Rosa, Mike Gillette, Art Griffin, Powell Hutton and Joanne, Charlie Lymn and Marianne, Jay Madden, Al Phillips, and Bob Weekley.
Left: Members of the class saluting Rocky's Statue. Right: Classmates in attendance at the ceremony. Thanks to Bob Weekly for the article and pictures about the ceremony.
VISITATION FOR FREIDA FULLER Charlene and Al Rushton attended a visitation for Freida Fuller, widow of our classmate Dwight Fuller, on13 May 2017. Dwight died in 2011. Gigi Goodpasture, widow of classmate Al Goodpasture (who died in 2016) drove down from Topeka to attend. Four of the five Fuller children were in attendance. The family says that plans are for Frieda to join Dwight in the Arlington National Cemetery later in the year.
Shown in the picture are Charlene and Gigi standing next to Dwight and Freida's wedding picture.
THE MILE HIGH CLUB MEETING The mile High Club, the Band Of Brothers Group in Denver CO., held a meeting on May 10th. The meeting was a smashing success, even though Carol and Sandy Beach, (visiting from Houston), Diane and Bob Beale, Gary Beech and Lou Schroeder were the only attendees. The picture below shows Gary Beech, Lou Schroeder, Sandy & Carol Beach, Diane & Bob Beale.
Pedro and his daughter wee stopped in Castle Rock for lunch and returned home. It is springtime in the Rockies. Sandy told us that the class will be receiving proposals for changing our operational and organizational setup. We just past the 1/3 mark in deceased classmates and need to be prepared as the rated will only be decreasing in coming years. Vice Fernanmdez is incapacitated due to recent shoulder surgery but sent hard copies of the power point presentation update of his Pikes Peak National Cemetery. I will be located just east of Colorado Springs and as been a longs involved labor of love for Vic for several years, We most respectfully ad appreciatively salute Vic on behalf of all veterans for fighting through the unimaginably over bureaucratically complicated process. Thank you Vic!!! If as he has threatened to do, Pete Dawkins comes to the AO with sufficient notice, we will try to get together again soon, possibly in the late summer or fall time frame.
A1 AND FRIENDS ANNUAL PICNIC The twenty-first anniversary of the A1 and Friends Picnic was celebrated on Saturday, 20 May. Bill and Butch Rowe lead the hospitality effort with great support from granddaughter, Callan. The Rowe's and Hilliard's hold the attendance record for the annual event, of course, having been part of the host triumvirate over many years. The third couple that shared hospitality duties, Jim and Phyllis Walsh, was much on the minds of this year's attendees. Jay Walsh called during the picnic to inform Bill Rowe that Jim and Phyllis would be laid to rest at West Point on July 20th. As a preview to the Picnic, early arrivals met at Momma Spriggs Restaurant on Friday evening to get a head start on story telling. Best news flash – Frieda Borland bought her own Mother’s Day present, a chain saw. Everyone found their way through the Pennsylvania countryside to their lodgings for the night. Saturday was quite cool, so proceedings were moved indoors. This was perfectly suitable, since the primary activities were eating and cleaning up, then eating, etc. Resulting calories were burned by watching the Preakness and picking the wrong horses to win. Announcements were made, describing how the Class officers and committee would be organized and a reminder that our 60th Reunion is almost upon us. Bill Rowe capped the proceedings with a reading of Reunion, written by Mark Hamilton. The crowd slowly thinned in the early evening with promises to stay in touch and to gather again at every opportunity. Some fun facts from the A1 Picnic: Classmates and wives present: Ray/ Jan Beurket, Tom/Frieda Borland, Jim/Gundrun Burwell, Bill/Susan Breen, Mike/Judy Duggan, Ray/Mandy Fisher, Jim/Betsy Hanlon, John/Kathy Harkins, Monk/Betsy Hilliard, Charlie/Marianne Lymn, Jay/Kathie Madden, Bob/Barbara Novogratz, Bill/Butch Rowe, Tom/Karen Seybold. Widows: Fran Elias, Terri Enright and Jeri Baldwin. Visiting dignitaries: Bill Graf, class of ’58 as well as Gary Steele, Class of ‘70 & wife.
Given the choice, I will show pictures of the wives instead of the husbands. Why you may Ask? Because the wives are better looking than the husbands. Its too bad there was not enough food to feed the guests.
JUDI DAWKINS CELEBRATION OF LIFE
The life of Judi Dawkins was celebrated over two days at West Point. An evening reception on the 11th allowed early arrivals to offer best wishes to the Dawkins family and meet with old friends who had also been among Judi’s many, many “best friends.” Pete and Judi’s daughter, Noel Miahlow, orchestrated this event, and all that followed. Everything ran with the utmost smoothness. The Celebration of Life Memorial was held on the afternoon of the 12th at the Cadet Chapel. There were more than 400 attendees, including about 40 classmates and wives. Names are provided at the end of this report. During the celebration, six people from various phases of Judi’s highly varied life, testified to her many contributions to the individuals and institutions she touched. Our representative, Mike Gillette, did an outstanding job of recounting some little-known adventures with Pete and Judi during their days at Oxford. No one provided a more comprehensive, or moving, tribute than Pete. Fortunately, his message was printed as part of the program. Pete’s words:
Over the course of a notable life, the Dawkins’ came to know many public persons. Some of those in attendance at the Celebration of Life were; Tom Brokaw, Geraldo Rivera, Dan Rather, Ross Perot, former SECDEF William Cohen, and USMA Superintendent, LTG Caslen. No doubt there were others of similar status who went unrecognized. As noted above, members and wives of the Class were on hand in large numbers: (In the interest of brevity, only last names are given.) Bair, Breen, Fitzgerald, Hutton, Joh, Kanarowski, Keogh, Knebel, Malek, Moellering, Novogratz, Bill O’Meara, Jack O’Brien, Rowe, Satterwhite, Shapiro, Simroe, Stiles, Will Weber, Weekley and Werbel. (Apologies to anyone I may have missed.) BE THOU AT PEACE JUDI DAWKINS
BILL BARRY ATTENDS FIGHTER PILOT CONVENTION Bill Barry recently attended a reunion of the Super Sabre Society in Las Vegas. The Society is for those who flew the F-100 during their careers, but many of the members also flew a wide variety of other aircraft. There were a number of old pilots there that overlapped with the Mercury & Gemini Astronaut programs. Every reunion is great fun, getting to know guys who have flown just about everything in the AF Inventory. Bill has been flyinsg half the time that humans have taken to the air. His career has propelled him to all seven continent. He has piloted 88 different types of aircraft and has logged over 10,000 hours in the cockpit. He even hit Mach 3 in an SR-71!
At 78 years old, he received the Wright Brothers Master Pilot Award. This certificate is given only to pilots who have flown safely for 50 years or more. Bill is the first Pilot-Physician in the state of Georgia to receive this award.
After retirement from the Air Force, Bill went to medical school and subsequently practiced medicine for 22 years in Athens GA. This included a tour as the Chief of Staff of the Athens Regional Medical Center.
An impressive career indeed.
FRED FRANKS HONORED AT WASHINGTON HALL DINNER The Corps of Cadets honored the service of retired Gen. Fred Franks Nov. 1 at Washington Hall. After graduating from the U.S. Military Academy in 1959, Franks served for 35 and a half years and later became the Chair and visiting scholar of the Simon Center for Professional Military Ethic. On the first of November, Franks’ 80th birthday, his career came full circle as he bid a Soldier’s farewell to the Corps. “Gen. Fred Franks has done more to advance the Army profession than anyone I know,” Superintendent Lt. Gen. Robert L. Caslen Jr. said during Franks’ farewell dinner. “His drive, his commitment to excellence, and his passion for our Army has never faltered… He is, above all, a Soldier.” Throughout the introduction, Caslen commended Franks’ accolades from his early assignments with the 11th Armored Cavalry in Germany as a platoon leader and troop commander to coming back to West Point as an instructor in the Department of English. Franks also served valiantly in Vietnam where he received the Silver Star, Distinguished Flying Cross, Bronze Star with the Combat V device, 43 Air medals and two Purple Hearts. Caslen also spoke of Franks’ time in Cambodia where he was severely wounded by a grenade, eventually resulting in the amputation of his left leg. “When we talk about the character development experience, we understand that character is shaped, in part, by how we respond to adversity,” Caslen started. “Rather than his injury stopping him in his tracks, it stoked like a flame a renewed passion for excellence and a renewed commitment to serving his country. That, combined with the strong character already within him, led him to the realization that all he ever wanted to really do was to be a Soldier.” This instance exemplifies Franks’ desire to devote his life to serving his country. “After retiring as a four-star general, he could have gone on to make millions of dollars in the private sector, or just take it easy, play a little golf and enjoy retired life,” Caslen suggested. “Instead, he committed his post active duty life toward contributing to the profession and mentoring future leaders.” In 1999, Franks became the visiting Chair at the SCPME where he established the Mission Command Conference and created the Battle Command course which became the basis for MX-400. He also began staff rides in 2005 to Gettysburg as part of his elective and has become an integral part of the Cadet Chain of Command staff rides in Gettysburg. “Sir, our Academy, our Army and yes, our nation, are better because of your dedicated service and leadership… You epitomize selfless service and you truly embody our ideals of Duty, Honor and Country,” Caslen said to Franks before he took the stage. Throughout his speech, Franks addressed the Corps about their future as Army officers, advising them that fulfilling trust with their Soldiers is one of the most crucial things an officer can do.
He shared personal stories about his experience leading troops. The first, when he was a major in Valley Forge General Hospital after being wounded in Cambodia in the early 1970’s. His fellow wounded Warrior Soldiers, discouraged by the media, had asked him why the American people had been insulting them for defending their country, for going and doing what their country had asked them to do. “It was devastating,” Franks said. “I had no real answer and in that moment, for me personally, it lit a hot, blue flame inside of me that burns to this day, see to it that that trust was never fractured again. My own motivation to continue to serve came from there.” Franks lived by his word, to never fracture the trust of his Soldiers again. Years later in 1991, Franks was in Iraq speaking to a group of Soldiers from the 3rd Armored Division. Mid-sentence, a Non-Commissioned Officer, stopped him mid-sentence and said, “Don’t worry General, we trust you.” “In an instant, that NCO captured the essence of what we’re trying to do as leaders… earning and maintaining that trust,” Franks stated. “My throat closed over with emotion as I determined then to redouble my own efforts to do whatever I could do as Corps commander to fulfill that trust.” Franks strongly believes that “to lead is to serve,” and after retirement, he continued to serve as a leader. He has treasured his time as a visiting chair for SCPME, noting that he was gratified to give back to his alma mater than had given him so much. In fact, when he was teaching Battle Command, the course that would eventually evolve into MX 400 the Superintendent’s Capstone Course on Officership, he would travel to West Point from Virginia or Florida an average of two or three times a month. “I was thrilled at the opportunity to do my part, within the Academy team, to see to it we did everything possible to help cadets transform to be officers and fulfill the trust of the American people,” Franks said. Upon the completion of his speech, Franks received a standing ovation from the Corps. First Captain Hugh McConnell presented him with a plaque crafted with wood from Pershing Barracks and granite from Davis barracks on behalf of the Corps of Cadets. Finally, the entire hall celebrated Franks’ 80th by singing him “Happy Birthday.” What’s next for Franks? Be sure he will continue his life of service in other ways. He will continue to help wounded veterans and those with post-traumatic stress and traumatic brain injuries. He also plans to look back on his life of service as well as spend some time with Denise, his wife of 57 years whom he married on June 6, 1959 in the Cadet Chapel. I’d like to do a little reflecting and maybe do a little writing about the opportunities I’ve had here, the people I’ve met, and what West Point means to our nation and our Army, and of course the extraordinary talent and selflessness I’ve seen in the cadets all these years,” Franks suggested. “I plan to continue to serve where I can and occasionally come back here, I will miss this. I love West Point and what it stands for.” As he steps down from his position, Franks feels assured about the state of the Corps and the Army going forward. He told the Corps during his speech that “sometime after graduation and commissioning and I cannot predict when, our nation will look to you to accomplish a mission of extreme difficulty and importance, and one that only you and your Soldiers can do… you will fulfill that trust. I know you will. “As I now take your leave I want you to go and lead with the confidence and with the boldness that comes from earning the trust of your Soldiers and that comes with having the depth of character to support and defend the Constitution of the United States and to bear true faith and allegiance to the same. That you will do that I have every confidence. I trust you,” Franks concluded.
JOHN BRYER
Classmate John Bryer died on Octiober 21. Len Einbinder attended the funeral mass and burial of John in Montclair, NJ on October 24. John's wife had predeceased him and at the luncheon following the service, John's sons, daughter and grand children expressed interest in having John's Class Flag Case. Len was kind enough to volunteer to receive the Flag Case and present it to the family. Above is a picture of Len presenting the Class Flag Case to John Bryer III son of John. Thanks Len for representing the Class is such an outstanding manner.
LIVING LEGEND AWARD - PETE DAWKINS A dozen of our Classmates had a most enjoyable evening at the Army Heritage Center in Carlisle,PA two weeks ago. The evening started with a tour through the entire complex: individual museum displays devoted to every significant military campaign of our history; an enormous library including virtually every published book on the U.S. Army; vast holdings of reference materials of every conceivable sort; senior officers’ memoirs; and fascinating artifacts – an example being the original “hand receipt” for the fissionable material in the atomic bomb exploded over Hiroshima. All in all, a very impressive institution. The majority of our 12 Classmates were accompanied by their wives and Fran Elias – Paul’s widow – made the trip from Northern Virginia, solo, to be there!
The purpose of the gathering was to attend the Army Heritage Center annual Awards Dinner which was an upbeat, positive affair which drew 250 people for the purpose, primarily, of endorsing The goal of the Center: "To Tell the Army story: one soldier at a time", and to present the 2016 Annual Awards. As you may recall, a couple of months ago it was announced that Pete Dawkins had been selected to receive the Army Heritage Center's "Living Legend" award for his achievements in Sports, the Military, and the World of Business. He is the 9th recipient of this award which numbers among it's awardees a Command Sergeant Major with 39 years of Active Duty service, the first female General Officer, two battle-tested Army Rangers, Secretary of the Army John Marsh, and a recipient of the Medal of Honor. With the characteristic modesty we've become accustomed to, Pete spoke briefly, but powerfully, about each of the 3 realms his award paid tribute to. He noted that there was an interesting "symmetry" to his life, observing that he had been active in each realm for roughly "a quarter of a century" - and musing lightheartedly that, what is perhaps suggested, was that he must be getting to be very old! By the way, the award itself is a very handsome one, crafted uniquely for Pete out of a solid cube of leaded crystal, with symbols of sport, the military, and business etched into it. The truth is, of course, we are ALL in the process of getting to be "very old". But - as Pete, himself, reminded us - age is not so much a chronological calculation, as it is a frame of mind. And as those of you who know him can attest, he actually believes it!
CASSIUS J. MULLEN It has been said that as a person dies their life flashes before them. At Cass Mullen’s funeral, I was flooded by memories of my associations with Cass during the two years we had been roommates in I-2 sixty years ago. Before we were assigned to I-2, Cass had been my partner during the Beast Barracks dance lessons. His interest in cars and his subscription to Motor Trends added to my automotive understanding and mechanical skills. When I was late getting back to the room after home games, he always made sure my card was marked. He was my gunnery instructor in the Artillery Career Course after my tour as an instructor at West Point and before he returned there as an instructor. We were in different offices in the Pentagon, but we always made contact at the annual Artillery Ball in the Washington area. I’m sure similar memories flooded the other attendees at his funeral in Georgetown, Texas on 7 November, 2016. I-2 attendees were Craig (and Barbara) Bertolett, Mike Ferris, Stan Bacon (’58 I-2), and me (Bill Murry). Other ‘59ers were Jack (and Nancy) Neal, Don Eckelbarger, and KJ O’Neill. (Picture below.) Betty, Cass’s wife of 54 years, was accompanied by his two sons (and wives), a grandson, and three granddaughters. A group of about a hundred other neighbors and associates were also at the Masonic funeral service in Georgetown, Texas. The family, Mike Ferris and I, and a number of the other funeral attendees then went to the Central Texas Veterans Cemetery near Fort Hood in Killeen, Texas, for the Military Honors and internment service. A black leather clad motorcycle honor guard led the procession from the cemetery gate to the burial pavilion, and stood by with the numerous national flags throughout the honors and service. In March of this year, Cass had felt weak and went to the doctor. He was diagnosed with Stage 4 Melanoma. Cass and his family have requested that donations in memoriam be made to the American Cancer Society, or the Austin Chapter of the West Point Society of Central Texas.
BE THOU AT PEACE CASS.
VETERANS DAY AT THE VERSACE MEMORIAL, NOVEMBER 11, 2016 Ten of us gathered again at the Rocky Versace Plaza in Alexandria, Virginia to mark Veterans Day. This has become a regular and well-attended event, honoring the 67 Alexandrians lost in Vietnam, as well as those in subsequent conflicts. It is matched by a similar gathering over Memorial Day, so those of us who live nearby can mark the occasion twice a year to share our stories and strengthen our bonds. Colonel Kevin Rue, USMA 1977, was organizing host and Master of Ceremonies. Representatives of the Old Guard’s Fife and Drum Corps highlighted a number of musical selections. Cub Scouts and American Heritage Girls took part, as well as chapter leaders of the Daughters of the American Revolution who presented commemorative certificates of the Vietnam War. In his talk, Kevin recounted Rocky’s story, including reading from Nick Rowe’s stirring account, and telling of John Gurr’s central role in transforming the plaza into a memorial for Rocky and the fallen. Following Kevin’s comments, our class members present, joined by the DAR, together laid wreaths at Rocky’s statue. The bugle sounded “Taps” and we sang “God Bless America”, closing out the ceremony. To our veterans who have left us, be thou at peace.
L-R: Allison Silberberg (Mayor of Alexandria); Dave Cotts; Al Phillips; Powell Hutton; Ray Beurkett; Mike Faber; Mart Lidy; Art Bair; Jack Bowman; Rex Rhein; Tom Boyle; Christina Drapkin (Singer of National Anthem)
BILL McDANIEL Following is the obituary for our classmate Bill McDaniel which appeared in the Griffen GA Daily News. During the August 23d meeting of the Marine Corps league at the First Assembly of God Church (Griffin, GA), ceremony was held to present the United States flag in an engraved case to Barclay McDaniel in honor of his father, William S. McDaniel who died on 20 May 2016. William McDaniel was a 1959 graduate of the United States Military Academy at West Point. He served honorably in the US Air Force before returning to Griffin where he was successful in the insurance business. It is a tradition of the Class of 1959 to present an engraved case for the flag to the next of kin. Through efforts of Mike Dayton, past Post Commander of VFW Post 5448, an American Flag was procured. The Stephen W. Pless Detachment 1196 (MOH) Marine Corps League Honor Guard performed the military folding of the flag. Presentation of the encased flag to Barclay McDaniel was made by LTC (Ret.) George Harrison, classmate of Bill McDaniel.
BE THOU AT PEACE BILL.
JUDY MAGNUSSEN On Wednesday, 10 August 2016, Judith Towne Magnussen joined the quiet patriots at Arlington National Cemetery. Numerous friends and family were with Mark, her husband, in that final farewell to his wonderful wife, Judy. On the previous day, a solemn Christian Mass was held celebrating the life of Judy at All Saints Catholic Church in Manassas, Va. Of particular note was the marvelous remembrance of her mother by her daughter Christina. (No dry eyes there . . . .) Later, Mark hosted an exceptional lunch for the assembled throng of friends, associates and relatives. We were fortunate to have many classmates, friends and wives: Joyce and Art Griffin, Genie and Bill McCoy, Dave Cotts, Mark, Margee Hanford and Tim Plummer, Audrey and Steve Hurley, and Arlene and Jack Bohman, and George Kleb (not pictured).
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