1940
Mel
Rosen
3415
Arnold Lane
Falls
Church, VA 22042-3505
703
560-5557 (H)
MelvinHRosen@aol.com
classof40@aog.usma.edu/class/1940
Please note above that we have a new scribe. We regret
very much that Sully had to resign from that position because of health
reasons. He was a dedicated servant to the class and we all appreciated getting
his reports in ASSEMBLY. But more than that we are saddened to know that he is
ailing to the extent that he was forced to resign a job we know he liked to
perform for the class. We wish him the very best in his struggle. Thanks,
Sully.
And we want to thank Mel Rosen for taking
on the position of class secretary that includes the title of scribe. It’s a
most important function and service to the class. Before agreeing to take the
position, he wondered about having to get a computer, but he did, and now he is
on-line with the address shown above, and will be doing the column for the next
ASSEMBLY.
The job of keeping the roster and whereabouts of our
members up to date will continue to be done by Geo Mayo. That’s a
job involving a great amount of detail and good database skill on the computer
that obviously Geo possesses. We’re all appreciative of the years of service
that Geo has given to us in this area. All are urged to keep him informed of
your, or any other known member’s, location, or other stats.
Geo also maintains a roster of our class widows, and works with the AOG
in this regard. Widows are members of the class family, and are encouraged to
participate in our class activities as much as ever before. We want to maintain
good contact with you. Betty Parker has agreed to take on a job
we call the distaff coordinator. Her role is to promote contact with and
participation of widows in class activities. We thank her for taking on this
job. She is a ready point of contact for widows who wish to contact her.
For coming class events, look for
the announcement and sign-up notice for our next big event, the Cocoa Beach
mini-reunion, 12–16 November. Jack Dibble has been working on
this for nigh on a year and it should be a very interesting visit and enjoyable
reunion, and a good time to get together. Let’s do it.
In the last issue of ASSEMBLY, it was announced that we
would have a mini-reunion at Palm Springs, CA, in 2002. Bill Porte
was to be the host for that event but we will now have to review that event for
sponsorship and will let you know later about its status. The DC contingent
will have its annual fall luncheon at the Belle Haven Country Club on 9
December of this year. In addition, we may have a dining-out night in September
to celebrate the tax rebate.
Then there is the matter of the inauguration of the WWII
Memorial on the Mall in Washington. Now that Congress voted overwhelmingly to
support the project and get on with it, it would appear that completion date
would be in 2004. The statistic used to measure the passing of WWII veterans
has been estimated at 1,000 per day. A recent statement now says 1,500 per day.
That’s a lot, but the Class of ’40 certainly will improve the estimates because
of our exceptional genes and clean living. How about a mini-reunion for that
occasion? Andy d’Elia already has committed to attend. We should
do it.
Due to the transition of scribes, there has been little
input from classmates for this issue—sorry about that. From Jack Dibble,
we did get a photo of Army Aviation pioneer Bob Williams
receiving the Gold Order of Saint Michael at the Army Aviation Annual
Convention. Jack describes the award as the Aviation Association’s highest
recognition. Congratulations, Bob.
Taps. We regret to announce the following deaths of classmates
and family members that have occurred since the last publication of ASSEMBLY.
Our sympathies go out to their spouses and families. William L. Porte
died on 22 May 01 in Shalon Sur Saone, France. William F. Lewis
died on 6 May 01 in Carlisle, PA. And Betty Bennett died on 18
Jun 01 in Ashville, NC. Burial will be at West Point when Don Bennett
is laid to rest.
You all take care and enjoy the status of being part of
the “Greatest Generation.”
—K. Dyke