» WEARING THE CLASS RING

Class constitutions as early as the 1980s contain language relating to the class ring. The language, in part, that has been used is as follows:

“The retention and wear of the Class Ring shall be governed by the tradition of the United States Military Academy as follows:

Cadets who have purchased the Class Ring and subsequently resign, or are separated prior to graduation or are turned back to a subsequent class, will be required to return their ring . . . to the manufacturer for reimbursement in accordance with the procedures established by the United States Military Academy. . . . ”

The wearing of the class ring of a graduated class of the United States Military Academy has long held a special significance to those who wear it. It is the symbol of the common and special bond among the graduates of the United States Military Academy and the “Long Gray Line.”

» RECOGNITION OF THE CLASS RING

With the significance that the Class Ring has to the thousands who have worn and are wearing it, in its variety of adaptations of a common theme, the Class of ’86 donated a USMA Class Ring case to the Corps of Cadets. The case is housed in the USMA Library.  See the collection.

With the gift of this new ring case there is a desire to fill the gaps that now exist for certain years of graduations. The following classes do not currently have a ring in the display.

All women’s rings from 1980 until present (except the Class of 1992) are also needed.

To donate a ring for your class, contact the USMA Library at 845 938-3833.

» REPLACING YOUR CLASS RING

Over the years, a number of different companies have provided Class Rings. Following are the names and addresses of the companies and the years for which they were the vendor:
 

Company	Year (s)
Bailey, Banks & Biddle Attn.: Margaret Keifer 1096 Willow Grove Park 2500 Westmoreland Road Willow Grove, PA 19090-4002 215 657-9208 215 657-9253 (fax) maggiekeifer@aol.com	1909, 1910, 1913, 1916, 1922–1924, 1936, 1938–1942, Jun 1943**, 1956, 1964 (Miniatures also are available for Classes 1922–1924, 1930–1936, 1938–1947, 1949, 1951–1960, 1964.)
Tiffany & Co. Attn.: Abbie Shoobs 2 E 57th Street New York, NY 10022 212 605-4504 212 605-4046 Ashoobs@Tiffany.com	1931, 1932, 1933, 1934, 1940–1942*, Jan 1943 (Rings for the classes of 1925, 1926, 1928–1930, 1933, 1934, 1938, and 1939 were also made, but molds are no longer available to make copies.)   (Miniatures also are available for Classes 1920, 1928, 1935, 1936, and 1938.)
Caldwell	1924
Herff Jones (Merged with Deiges & Clust) Attn.: Tom Greene or Debi Graham-Leard 226 Public Street Providence, RI 02905 800 451-3304 (ext. 1147 or 1174) tvgreene@herff-jones.com dgleard@herff-jones.com	Jan 1943**, 1944, 1945–1948**, 1950–1951**, 1954–1956**, 1957, 1959, 1960**, 1967, 1974, 1978, 1980, 1983, 1987, 1990–1994, 1998, 2001, 2002 (Miniatures also are available for Classes 1957, 1959, 1967, 1974, 1978, 1980, 1983, 1987, 1990–1994, 1998, 2001, 2002.)
Jostens, Inc. Attn.: Sara Deming College-University Business Unit 148 E. Broadway Owatonna, MN 55060 800 603-0925 (ask for Sara, Marjean Myers or Mary Knutson) 507 455-6174 (fax) aps@jostens.com	1949, 1972, 1973, 1989, 1995–1997, 2000, 2007 (Miniatures also are available for Classes 1995–1997.)
L. G. Balfour NA Attn.: Jayne Roland or Lisa Swatek P.O. Box 259 320 Kinderkamack Road Oradell, NJ 07649 1-800-996-8636 201 262-8800 balfourna@optoline.net	1952, 1953, 1958, 1961–1966, 1968–1971, 1975–1977, 1979, 1981, 1982, 1984–1986, 1988, 1999, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006 (Also available are miniatures for the Classes of 1943 up to and including the Class of 1990 and A-pins and other jewelry from 1943 through 2000.)
*  Bailey, Banks & Biddle also provided rings for this class. ** Balfour has the molds.

» CLASS RING MEMORIAL PROGRAM

The May/June 1999 issue of ASSEMBLY magazine contained an article by Ron Turner ’58 entitled “A Memorial Class Ring Program.” The article contained a suggestion “We, as graduates of West Point, should establish such a ‘Memorial Ring Program.’ Basically, we need a program whereby graduates may bequeath (or graduates’ descendants may donate) West Point class rings for the specific purpose of incorporating the gold into the class rings of future graduates. . .” Based on the suggestion in the article, a Class Ring Memorial Program was initiated in 1999. The program will be inaugurated in 2002 when that Bicentennial Class receiveds their class rings.

Rings required to initiate the program were solicited through November 2000, and twenty-nine rings (and portions of two others) were melted into a large “Hershey’s kiss” shape which was held until it was mixed with new gold which was used to make the Class of 2002 rings. A portion of this initial melt will be held to be mixed with the melting of new rings each year so that each new cadet ring from 2002 forward will have a small portion of each ring that is ever donated to the program. A complete background and update on the program can be found at:

www.aogusma.org/Class/crmp/classringmemprog.htm

Precious stones, which the owner wishes to retain, should be removed before the ring is sent, for rings being offered for the continuation of this program. If stones are left intact in the ring, we will have them removed. If any are precious stones, we will sell them, if possible, and use the proceeds to support this program and/or toward reducing the cost of the rings to the cadets. The AOG is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, which may make the donation tax deductible. Questions about tax deductibility are a matter between the donor and their tax attorney. Any questions about the program can be directed to the Director, Class Support. Rings donated should be mailed to the Director at the Association of Graduates.

» CLASS RING RECOVERY PROGRAM

Over the past several years, there have been articles in various publications relating success stories related to returning class rings to their owners. It has been gratifying that a large number of rings have been returned by a variety of people who have been able to act as agents for the returns. About fifteen to twenty rings have been returned through the operation of our Class Support Program.

The current West Point Ring Recovery Fund operated by Bill O’Neill ’92 was established sometime in 1999–2000 after a Class of ’54 ring was offered for sale on e-bay. The sale came to the attention of members of the West Point Forum and several joined together to purchase the ring. A number of subscribers commented that it was a shame to see a WP ring being offered for sale. Bill responded that if they wanted to collect money and bid for the ring, he would put up the first $20. The group asked Bill to collect the funds and submit the bid for the ring, and contributions came in steadily. What began as a one-time enterprise has recovered 32 lost or stolen rings through 2002. Several others have become involved with ring recovery. Bill’s primary assistants now are LTC (Ret.) David McClellan (father of an ’01 grad) who previously served on the faculty at West Point and LTC Mike McGurk ’85.

This is an “out of pocket” operation relying on contributions from classes or individual graduates who want to help keep the program going. Reimbursement from the owner is never required, but will always be accepted. On several occasions, rings have been returned to a widow or other family member.  If you are interested in donating to support their efforts go to the Ring Recovery Web site.

The listserver of the Ring Recovery Program is up and running and started with 60 initial subscribers. “Ring_Recovery” will be a forum for disseminating information, promoting discussion, and providing reports pertaining to the recovery of Military Academy rings and their return to the Academy community. If any member of a class is interested in the recovery of Military Academy rings, they can complete the “Subscribe Now” form at www.west-point.org/wp/ring_recovery/join.cgi or write to owner-ring_recovery@west-point.org.

» IF YOUR RING IS STOLEN

The following advice is offered by Jack Price ’64, who has spent thirty years in the wholesale diamond and jewelry business and worked with refiners, pawn shops, and jewelry buyers to recover these rings before there was a formal ring recovery program.

1. Speed DOES count, especially in theft. Often stolen goods are sold immediately for cash. Most jurisdictions require all jewelry or precious metal buyers, pawnshops, and refiners to file buy slips with their local police. These slips require ID from the seller, a description, and amount paid. There is usually a 30- to 60-day hold period before the buyer can sell or convert the goods. The better photograph and description provided, the better chance of recovery. A police report should be filed ASAP, along with a copy of an appraisal and close-up photos of the ring and engraving, showing size, weight in grams, etc.

2. Distribute flyers. West-Point.org is working on a sample. Once available, you will be able to quickly edit the flyer to include text fields and photos by contacting diwelle@west-point.org. Start by calling the local PD Pawn Detail to get their suggestions on where you can hand carry quick copies of the flyer and/or call phone book listings and solicit e-mail addresses to where you can send the flyer.

3. Now, two suggestions: Although you are not required to reimburse the buyer, it is recommended. It is recommended that you offer to give them full gold value, which is usually more than they would get from a refiner, or you can offer a reward for the same amount. Most small diamonds in these rings get no more than $1 a point (1/100 of a carat). Next, don’t concentrate on the back path of how it got to the buyer, that’s the police department’s job. Don't press the stolen issue.