USMA
Class of 1961
“Second to None”
CLASS COMMITTEE MEETING
6 March 2002
MINUTES
|
Class Committee
President Vice President Treasurer Secretary Historian Scribe |
1. Bob Glass convened the meeting at 1920 hours at his house. Members present were Bob, Dick Buckner, Ed Brown, and Bill Heiberg. Marty Ganderson was not able to attend. Glen Adams participated by speaker phone. 2. The agenda is at Enclosure 1. 3. Old Business: a. Minutes of the 17 December 2001 meeting: The minutes of the 17 December 2001 meeting were approved. b.
40th Reunion: (1) The goal for having the after action report completed by the end of January 2002 has not been met; however, Bob will encourage those who still need to provide reports – Dick Buckner (financial), Webb Kremer (dedication ceremony), John Solomon (Black, Gold, and Gray Dinner), and himself (chairman) – to complete them as soon as possible. (2) Ed reported that all 45 class pins, 19 of the 33 class ties, and 29 of the 43 boxes of note cards have been sold. Receipts for selling the items totaled $1,373.48 while expenses – including cost of the item, shipping envelopes, and postage – totaled $1,379.30. c. Bicentennial Celebration: Bob reported that our class filled all quotas assigned for the AOG sponsored Bicentennial activities – the concert at Carnegie Hall and Founders Day dinner in Washington Hall. d. Distinguished Graduate Award: Bob reported that George Joulwan has been selected as one of the 2002 Distinguished Graduates by the AOG. Bob announced that the award would be presented at a Cadet review on 28 May – the Tuesday following Memorial Day. Bob recognized the efforts of Ron Hannon and his subcommittee in developing the justification package for this prestigious honor for both George and our class. e. Assembly Ad: Ed reported that the final version of the class ad that will appear in the March/April edition of Assembly has been accepted. The cost of this ad – $450 – will be deducted from the class admin fund. f. 2003 Cruise: Bob provided copies of the flyer that John Solomon passed out at the 3 March DC area brunch (Enclosure 2). As noted, John will prepare a “heads-up” e-mail that Ed will send to the class. Worldtek Travel will follow that with a detailed brochure and reservation form that will be sent to all classmates (graduates and non-graduates) and widows. Ed will provide Worldtek Travel with mailing labels. In order to execute the contract, a refundable deposit of $1,500 (subsequently increased to $2,000) must be made with Worldtek Travel. The committee approved using funds from the Class Admin account for this purpose. The contract will block 100-110 rooms for our class. These rooms will be held until sometime in August 2002. g. Presentation of Stivers Painting: Glen reported that he had called Jack Hammack and Seth Hudgins concerning donation of the Stivers painting to the AOG. Both agreed that the AOG would be pleased to accept the painting and would most likely hang it permanently in the Board of Trustees meeting room. Ed provided two alternatives for a brass plaque to be attached to the frame of the painting and a write-up that explains the painting which will be framed and hung in proximity to the painting (Enclosure 3). The committee agreed that Paul DeVries should coordinate all aspects of the presentation and that June 17, 2002 should be investigated as the date for presentation. Ed agreed to contact him. The committee agreed that class funds should be used to cover the expenses of having Don and Bev Stivers attend the presentation. 4. New Business: a. Treasurer’s Report: Dick Buckner provided the following status of funds (Enclosure 4): (1) Class Gift Fund: Current balance is $31,267.10. Even though Dick requested the AOG to repay Mick Maus’s $10,000 loan on 7 Jan, it has not yet done so. (2) Class Admin Fund: Current balance is $34,883.32. $24,224.18, including the $19,525 from the sale of the Stivers print, is in the reunion portion of the account; $10,659.14 is in the admin portion of the account. The committee decided it would not solicit dues from the class at this time. b.
2003 Distinguished Graduate Award nominations: Bob reported on his
conversation with Seth Hudgins concerning nominations for the
Distinguished Graduate Award. From this, it was learned that each
nomination is based on its merits and that nominations of members of one
class in successive years do not prejudice such nominations. Ed provided
each committee member a copy of information concerning the Distinguished
Graduate Award from the AOG web site (Enclosure 5). Dick mentioned
a conversation he had with Aaron Sherman, Class of 1951, of the West Point
Society of Southern Arizona concerning nomination of Jim Nicholson. Bob
agreed to discuss this with Jim during the Bicentennial activities at West
Point. If Jim agrees to accept the award at c. AOG Board of Trustee Nominations: Bob discussed the makeup of the AOG Board of Trustees and the under-representation of our class (Enclosure 6). He highlighted that our class has only one elected member of the board (Dick Behrenhausen) and one member emeritus (Jay McCann) while the classes of 1958, 1959, 1960, 1962, 1963, and 1964 have multiple elected members. He also discussed the AOG’s nomination policy (Enclosure 7). The responsibilities of trustees was also highlighted (Enclosure 8). Each committee member agreed to identify classmates who would be suitable for nomination with the goal to have at least one member on each annually elected board. Ed agreed to identify current and past presidents of West Point societies for consideration by the committee. Dick suggested that the committee needs a policy and procedures statement for identifying and recommending classmates for the Board of Trustees and for Distinguished Graduate Awards. Ed agreed to draft the document for committee comment and approval. d. Class Notification: Marty had contacted Ed concerning when the committee should take the initiative and responsibility of notifying the class of a classmate’s life threatening medical condition. The committee agreed that any such notification should be made only with the approval of the next-of-kin; however, the committee endorsed the position that it would encourage the next-of-kin to grant such approval since support by classmates has proved to be a source of strength and a comforting factor to those who have received it in the past. e. Other: (1) Reconciliation Plaza: Ed reported he had contacted Bob Lenz concerning planting of ground cover at our class gift site in accordance with the final plans. Bob stated DHPW groundskeepers still have it on their agenda to come in this Spring and replace the dead mums with the ground cover. Ed, in conjunction with Webb Kremer, will ensure this is done. (2) Dick discussed a call he received concerning the condition of Warren Watson. Glen agreed to contact Jack Campbell and Dick Knoblock and ask that they get classmates from L-2 to get in touch with Warren. 5. The committee agreed to schedule the next meeting for 5 June. The meeting adjourned at 2130.
Respectfully submitted,
Ed Brown
Enclosures |
USMA
Class of 1961
“Second to None”
CLASS COMMITTEE MEETING
6 March 2002
AGENDA
1. Old Business
a.
Minutes
of 17 Dec 01 meeting
b.
40th
Reunion
(1)
After Action Report
(2)
Status of sale items – pins, ties, note cards
c.
Bicentennial
Celebration
d.
Distinguished
Graduate Award
e.
Assembly Ad
f.
2003 Cruise
g.
Presentation
of Stivers Painting
2. New Business
a.
Treasurer’s
Report
b.
2003
Distinguished Graduate Award Nominations
c.
AOG
Board of Trustees Nominations
d.
Class
Notifications
e. Other
3.
Next
Meeting
WEST POINT
CLASS OF 1961 40 ½ REUNION CRUISE
Cruise Line: Celebrity
Cruises
Ship: Millennium
Sailing Date: January
26, 2003
Itinerary: The Eastern Caribbean – San Juan,
Puerto Rico – Catalina Island, Dominican Republic – St. Thomas, US Virgin
Islands – Nassau, Bahamas
This is a seven-night cruise
which operates Sunday to Sunday and departs from/to Fort Lauderdale, Florida.
Cabins Blocked: Category 2B: Outside
Private Balcony $1,401.02 per person *
Category
07: Outside $1,201.40 per person *
Category
09: Inside $1,071.40 per person *
*
Prices are per person based on double occupancy. Prices include seven-night cruise, port fees,
taxes, and transfers.
Once
we have a feel for the size of the group, more detailed cruise planning will be
made.
Airfares
will be available. More to follow.
Look
for a “heads up” e-mail soon followed by a detailed brochure and reservations
form within another month or so.
For
pictures and detailed information on the cruise, destinations, shore
excursions, etc., go on line at www.celebritycruises.com.
Travel
Agency Worldtek Travel www.worldtek.com
See you “On the Water!”
Alternative 1
Alternative 2
"One Flag, One Country, One Destiny”
The
Confederate Graduates Return To West Point, June 17, 1875
BY DON STIVERS
On June 17, 1875, 112 members of
the Association of Graduates (AOG) of the United States Military Academy,
virtually all of them Civil War veterans, came together at West Point to
commemorate the anniversary of the Battle of Bunker Hill, 100 years earlier at
Boston, Massachusetts. The AOG had been
founded in 1869 by five graduates “to cherish the memories of our Alma Mater,
and to promote the social intercourse and fraternal fellowship of its
graduates.” Significantly, the
constitution specified that the AOG would include all graduates. Sylvanus Thayer was named the first President
of the Association, but because of ill health, could not attend any of the
AOG’s annual meetings. In his absence,
Professor Charles Davies ’15, was elected permanent chairman and thus presided
over five of the first six annual meetings.
As the presiding officer of the meetings, Davies made it clear that the
purpose of the meetings was one of reunification, after the Civil War had
divided the Academy’s graduates.
At first, only a few Southern
graduates, who had embraced the Confederacy, joined the AOG. But, as each year passed and the desire for
reconciliation grew, more and more graduates who had served in the Confederate
Army, joined the Association. At the
annual meeting in 1874, Professor Davies initiated a campaign to encourage all
graduates to return to West Point for the 1875 reunion. Davies’ efforts paid off and the 1875 AOG
meeting was the largest up to that time.
Seven of the twelve former Confederate AOG members attended the reunion. These were Francis Hennies Smith ’33; Robert
Ransom, Jr. ’50; James Longstreet ’42; Sewall L. Fremont ’41; Joseph R.
Anderson, ’36; Eugene McLean ’42; and Richard C. Tilghman ’28.
In the morning of June 17, 1875,
the Corps of Cadets honored the returning alumni. The Cadets took their position in front of
the Superintendent’s house. The
returning alumni then marched onto the Plain led by the Superintendent, Colonel
Thomas H. Ruger ’54, and the Commandant of Cadets, Lieutenant Colonel Emory
Upton May ’61, to the tune of “When Johnny Comes Marching Home.” The Alumni formation halted in front of the
cadet formation. After honors had
been rendered, Colonel Ruger welcomed all of the returning graduates to their
“West Point Home.” He then suggested
that the returning graduates greet each other openly as a gesture of
comradeship and reconciliation. Without
hesitation, James Longstreet ’42, took the initiative and grasped the hand of
Horace Porter ’60, who had fought against him at Chickamauga and won the Medal
of Honor there.
As was the established
procedure, the annual AOG meeting was held after the returning graduates had
dinner together. That night, after the
meal was concluded, Professor Charles Davies ’15, addressed the AOG. While his theme was the commemoration of the
100th Anniversary of the Battle of bunker Hill, he began by welcoming his
fellow graduates and acknowledging their sacrifices during the Civil War. Reminding them of their common heritage as
West Point graduates, he concluded his remarks by pronouncing, “henceforth and
forever, we have one flag, one country,
one destiny.”
Note: Present on June 17 were Tasker H. Bliss ’75,
future Army Chief of Staff; James G. Sturgis ’75, KIA at the Little Big Horn in
1876; James Parker ’76, Medal of Honor winner, Philippine Insurrection in 1899;
Oscar F. Long ’76, Medal of Honor winner, Indian Wars in 1877; Hugh L. Scott ’76,
Superintendent USMA 1906–1910 and Army Chief of Staff 1914–1917; Ernest A.
Garlington ’76, Medal of Honor winner, Indian Wars in 1890; John C. Gresham
’76, Medal of Honor winner, Indian Wars in 1890; Wilber E. Wilder ’77, Medal of
Honor winner, Indian Wars in 1890; Henry O. Flipper ’77, first African-American
graduate from USMA; Alexander M. Patch ’77, father of Alexander M. Patch ’13,
WWII 7th Army Commander; Thomas H. Barry ’77, Superintendent USMA 1910–1912;
Robert T. Emmet ’77, Medal of Honor winner, Indian Wars in 1879; Matthias W.
Day ’77, Medal of Honor winner, Indian Wars in 1879; James L. Lusk ’78, who
built the USMA Engineer Academic Building, Cullum Hall, and Battle Monument;
and James F. Bell ’78, Medal of Honor winner, Philippine Insurrection in 1899.
Pictured
in the painting are: Robert Ransom, Jr.
’50 MG CSA; Francis H. Smith ’33 MG CSA; Joseph Hooker ’37 MG USA; James Longstreet ’42 LTG CSA; LTC Emory Upton May ’61 Commandant
of Cadets USMA; Horace Porter ’60 Bvt BG
USA; and COL Thomas H. Ruger ’54
Superintendent USMA.
Treasurer’s
Report6 March 2002
All entries are current as of 28 Feb 2002. AOG indicated that balances shown have not been audited.
Class
Gift Fund:
Balance in Gift Account $
31,267.10
Class Administrative Fund:
Balance in Reunion/Admin Account $ 24,224.18
Balance in Admin/Admin Account $ 10,659.18
(signed)
RICHARD A. BUCKNER
Class Treasurer
Distinguished
Graduate Award
The
DISTINGUISHED GRADUATE AWARD is to be given to graduates of the United States
Military Academy whose character, distinguished service, and stature draw
wholesome comparison to the qualities that West Point strives for, in keeping
with its motto: “Duty, Honor, Country.”
With the purpose of identifying to the public and the Corps of Cadets
the broad national significance of West Point as one of America’s cherished
institutions, candidates for the Distinguished Graduate Award will be graduates
of the United States Military Academy who have demonstrated a strong interest
in supporting West Point throughout their lifetime.
Nominations
for the Award will normally be provided by Presidents of West Point Societies
or Class Presidents. Nominees need not
necessarily be a member of the Society or Class forwarding the nomination. The nomination must be accompanied by a
narrative detailing the nominee’s contributions and distinguished service,
justifying selection as the recipient of the Distinguished Graduate Award.
The
Award will not be given to individuals who occupy, or are candidates for,
elective office, or who are still on active duty. The individuals selected for the
Distinguished Graduate Award must agree to accept the Award at West Point
whenever possible.
Enclosure 5
AOG Board of Trustees
Number by Class
|
Class |
To serve until 31 Dec 02 |
To serve until 31 Dec 03 |
To serve until 31 Dec 04 |
Total 02-04 |
To serve until 31 Dec 05 |
Total 03-05 |
|
50 |
1 |
|
|
1 |
|
|
|
52 |
|
1 |
|
1 |
|
1 |
|
54 |
|
1 |
|
1 |
|
1 |
|
55 |
|
|
1 |
1 |
|
1 |
|
57 |
1 |
|
|
1 |
|
|
|
58 |
1 |
1 |
|
2 |
1 |
2 |
|
59 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
3 |
1 |
3 |
|
60 |
|
2 |
|
2 |
1 |
3 |
|
61 |
|
|
1 |
1 |
|
1 |
|
62 |
2 |
1 |
|
3 |
2 |
3 |
|
63 |
1 |
|
1 |
2 |
1 |
2 |
|
64 |
|
|
2 |
2 |
1 |
3 |
|
65 |
1 |
|
|
1 |
|
|
|
66 |
1 |
1 |
|
2 |
|
1 |
|
67 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
3 |
1 |
3 |
|
69 |
|
|
1 |
1 |
|
1 |
|
70 |
|
1 |
|
1 |
|
1 |
|
71 |
1 |
|
1 |
2 |
1 |
2 |
|
73 |
|
|
1 |
1 |
|
1 |
|
74 |
|
|
1 |
1 |
|
1 |
|
78 |
|
1 |
|
1 |
|
1 |
|
80 |
|
|
|
|
1 |
1 |
|
82 |
1 |
|
1 |
2 |
1 |
2 |
|
86 |
|
1 |
|
1 |
|
1 |
|
94 |
|
|
|
|
1 |
1 |
|
|
12 |
12 |
12 |
36 |
12 |
36 |
1.
Classes in bold have
multiple trustees.