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Class Ring Memorial Program |
[ This service of the AOG is made possible by funding from the Long Gray Line Endowment. Tax-deductible donations to the Endowment can be made at www.aogusma.org/wpf or by calling 1-800-232-4723 ext. 1658. ] |
BACKGROUND
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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 and
correspondence with Ron, I have been moving forward with what we are calling
the Class Ring Memorial Program. |
Because of the special regard in which a West Point class ring is held and the
strong sentimental value it has for graduates, their widows/widowers and other family members, We
have been moving slowly and cautiously with the program. There have also
been several hurdles that had to be overcome. Would most graduates share
Ron’s idea? Would they or their descendants be willing give up a ring for
the program? Do the cadets want to participate? Would the Academy leadership
agree to the concept and cadet involvement? Would the ring companies who
might get the bid for the rings be willing and able to make it happen? |
These questions were worked one by one and to date we are batting 1000!
Our first attempt to get a sense of participation in such a program was
sending a letter (actually, an e-mail message) to the graduated class leadership.
The results were overwhelmingly positive. Informal discussion with potential
ring vendors resulted in a “we can do it” response. A paper was staffed to the Commandant of Cadets. An informal meeting was held with the cadet leadership for the Class of 2002 to brief them and to get a sense of their willingness to participate in the program. The official response and approval from the Commandant contained a tab from the Cadet Class leadership stating: “The members of the Class of 2002 Executive Committee, as elected representatives of the Class of 2002, enthusiastically
support the proposed Class Ring Memorial Program and are honored to participate
as the inaugural class in this historic undertaking.” |
Because of the emotional ties to the class ring that graduates, widows/widowers and family
members have, as mentioned earlier, it was thought best to have the initial
call for rings come from the graduated class leadership through their normal
lines of communications with classmates and widows. That resulted in
a few rings being received for the program. With rings in hand, we met with Paul Paradis and
other members of the Herff-Jones company in late August 2000. They were the
successful bidder for the Class of 2002 ring. There was confidence after that
meeting that we were in a “go” position. |
PROGRAM EXECUTION
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On Friday, August 24, 2001, at 1700 hours, I had the privilege to be part of the official party for the Ring Presentation Ceremony, as the Association of Graduates Representative. We sat in the band shell at Trophy Point facing the Class of 2002 who stood poised to receive their class rings containing gold from the rings of 31 graduates who had attended a similar ceremony dating back to 1903. Cadet Jackie Lawson, Chairman of the 2002 Ring and Crest Committee; BG Eric T. Olson ’72, Commandant of Cadets; and COL (Ret.) and Astronaut Bill McArthur ’73 each made remarks about the significance of the class ring and the special significance of the Class of 2002 ring because of the tangible part of those 31 members of the Long Gray Line that were part of those rings. |
On the following evening, LTG William J. Lennox, Jr. ’71 delivered a moving address about that tangible link to the 31 former graduates that the Class of 2002 has with their rings. He said, in part: |
“2002 — this class ring symbolizes many things, but among them, commitment is key. Your ring commits you, for example to pride, for you will always be known by your chosen motto ‘Pride in all we do.’ It is emblazoned on your ring on the class crest that you will wear closest to your heart for the next year. Live that pride! It commits you to the ideals of this Academy — after graduation you’ll turn the ring over to the Academy crest — ‘Duty, Honor, Country’ — committing yourselves even deeper to the values of the profession of arms: integrity, selfless service, duty, and courage. Rings do symbolize commitment — commitment to sacrifice for the greater good, whether it is sacrifice in peacetime, or sacrifice of personal safety for the welfare of the country in war. Rings also symbolize the powerful hold of a class — symbolized by that class crest on the ring. At one of your future reunions — your 10th, 20th, your 30th — there will be a hand from a classmate long forgotten — reaching out for yours. Rings commit. The ring (as symbolized by the Academy crest) also binds you to other classes. At those reunions or other meetings, other hands from older grads will reach out — that ‘grip of a far off hold.’ And you will reach out for younger classes, as you assume ‘old grad’ status. These rings reach across time and across generations.
That unity with those who have gone before is certainly felt tonight. As you look at your ring, keep those earlier classes in mind — the metal from your ring is made from the metal of the rings of 31 members of the Long Gray Line. Their rings literally meld with yours. When you feel the weight of the world on your shoulders, look at your ring and feel their strength, their ‘grip of a far off hold.’. . . ”
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It was an honor and a privilege once again to be in the midst of this wonderful celebration representing the Association of Graduates and hearing my name linked with this magnificent program. |
CURRENT STATUS
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On Monday, March 6, 2006, we held the sixth ring melt ceremony, adding the 12 rings offered for the Class of 2007. To date, the gold from 103 rings (worn by 106 graduates) have been offered to this program. The ceremony was conducted at the Pease & Curren refinery in Warwick, Rhode Island, hosted by Keith Edwards ’85, with about 40 individuals in attendance. Among those attending were two living donors, COL (Ret.) John DiGrazia ’50 and COL (Ret.) Paul F. Parks ’55. In addition, Mrs. Deborah Drum English, daughter of COL James Drum ’37, and her dauther; Professor Alfred Hero III, and David and Barbara Hero, children of Dr. Alfred Hero, Jr., ’45; Mrs. Marianne Burhans, widow of LTC Edmund Burhans ’56, and six other family members were all in attendance. They had traveled from Reno, Nevada, El Paso, Texas, Vero Beach, Florida, Ann Arbor, Michigan, and Woodstock, NY, in order to attend. The West Point contingent, in addition to Tony Ferraiuolo, Director of Class Support, AOG, included COL (Ret.) John Calabro ’68, Vice President for Alumni Support, AOG; Cadet Tim O'Connor, ’07 Class Vice President; Cadet Tim Allen ’07, Chair of the Ring and Crest Committee; LTC Tom Macdonald, Class Advisor; and CPT Mike McCoy ’97, Class OIC. Currently there are three rings that have been donated for the Class of 2008; one is being held for the Class of 2009; and an additional eight are pending decision. I also have written commitment from thirteen graduates indicating that they will donate their rings upon their death. |
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If any rings donated have stones that the owner wishes to retain, they should be removed before sending the ring. If the stones are left intact in the ring, we will have them removed and offer them to cadets or use any proceeds to support this program. Questions about tax deductibility are a matter between the donor and his or her tax attorney. The AOG is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. For your assistance, you may use this form to document your desire to leave your class ring to the Class Ring Memorial Program. |
Any questions about the program can be
directed to Joel Jebb, Director, Class Support Program. You can call him at 800 232-4723, ext. 1563, or send an e-mail to joel.jebb@usma.edu. Rings should be mailed to the following address: |
Director, Class Support Program
Association of Graduates
698 Mills Road
West Point, NY 10996-1607 |
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