1940

Mel Rosen

3415 Arnold Lane

Falls Church, VA 22042-3505

703 560-5557 (H)

MelvinHRosen@aol.com

classof40@aogusma.org

Subscribers: 108

The mini-reunion in Cocoa Beach, FL, has come and gone, and it was a great one! Jack & Bev Dibble, ably assisted by Priscilla & Scottie Case did such a wonderful job that not even the daily rain could dampen our spirits. Thanks also to Ray Clock for picking up the not insignificant bar tab for the group at the At Ease Club. The Cases were particularly brave to have a sopping-wet crowd into their lovely home for drinks and hors d’oeuvres. There were 53 classmates, families, and friends in attendance. Jack Dibble did a great job taking photos and has sent about 57 of them. Unfortunately, ASSEMBLY has a limit of seven photos per set of “Class Notes.” I am hoping they will bend a little under the circumstances. At any rate, in order not to push the envelope too far, I shall try to share these shots in installments.

Again, it appears that if we have another mini-reunion before the dedication of the WWII Memorial, it will probably be in conjunction with an AOG-sponsored cruise somewhere.

Thad & Jean Nosek visited the Vatican in October 2001 and met with Pope John Paul II. Thad reports that, although the Pope appeared very frail and was seated—on previous visits he stood—his eyes and whole attention was concentrated on them as he greeted and blessed them. You may recall from an earlier ASSEMBLY that Thad is a former president of the Friends of John Paul II. He was awarded the medal of Commander of the Papal Order of St. Sylvester by the Vatican in 1995 for his efforts on behalf of the Roman Catholic Church.

Bart Barton reports “it’s a small world.” In October 2001, Grace & Ed Verner hosted a lunch for Kay Gebhart from Albuquerque, NM, where she works at one of the hospitals. Kay is the daughter of our classmate, Jerry Toth, who was killed in the Philippines in 1942. Kay, who never knew or saw her father, is very much interested in learning anything about him. Knowing that she was going to meet some of his classmates, she had brought with her all she had in the way of photos, albums, clippings, and whatnots she had garnered from her mother. Bart continues: “About a couple of years ago, a retired Naval officer found Jerry’s HOWITZER in a Boston used bookstore. He apparently recognized it for what it was and wondered if Jerry or some relative might be interested in reclaiming it. He thereupon decided to try tracing any such individual.” Eventually he seems to have been referred to George Mayo, who referred him to Les Schockner in San Antonio. Les was able to guide the man to Jerry’s brother, Alfred ’43. When Alfred got the HOWITZER, he gave it to Jerry’s widow, who gave it to her daughter, Kay. Bart continues: “Kay had a friend named Linda, who also worked at the same hospital. One day when the two ladies were having dinner together, Kay mentioned that her dad, who she never knew, had been a West Pointer, and that she was so pleased to have recently gotten possession of his HOWITZER with his photo in it. Linda expressed pleasant surprise and informed Kay that Linda’s stepfather also was a West Pointer, and, in looking through the HOWITZER with Kay, pointed out her stepfather’s photo. It turned out that Linda is Grace Verner’s daughter, and Ed and Jerry were Class of ’40 classmates—hence the lunch for Kay.” Bart goes on with these further coincidences. Ed and Jerry were roommates at the Ft. Totten Army prep school. When the course was over, Ed had three appointments from which to choose. He chose a Congressional, leaving his Army appointment for Jerry. Ed and Jerry both were from New Jersey. Jerry and Les Schockner were roommates at West Point for four years. Les and Jerry were not only both from New Jersey but were from the same town. Morry Shoss, who also was at the lunch, and Jerry had both gone in for boxing. They both were (as was I) in the Philippines fighting the Japanese at the start of WWII. Bart himself also is from New Jersey.

Last winter, Beth & Woodie Vaughan took their fifth cruise to the Caribbean. Woodie says that he thinks it is probably their last cruise there. He believes they have seen all the islands, and “one time around ought to be enough.” Their main interest was to compare the Panama Canal now to how it was left by Dave Parker as he left his post as governor of the Canal Zone. Woodie reports to Betty and Dave, “It ain’t the same!” Woodie also found that the customs and immigration system in Miami was built for the young in mind and body. They decided to make a trip through the Baltic Sea and the countries that border it in the summer. It was their first time in that area, and Woodie says it was worth it. “In fact,” he says, “next time around, we will move it up on the agenda. Finland and Estonia are at the top. Saint Petersburg is at the bottom even though it could be at the very top, but their system just won’t let it happen.”

I looked for classmates at the Army–Navy game and saw only one, Dixie Lederman. The weather was perfect (especially compared to last year in Baltimore), the tailgate party was great, and so was the game.

Taps. In August 2001, Lanny Witt reported that Ruth Crocker had passed away on 14 August at Williamsburg, VA. She apparently had fallen and broken her hip, and an infection set in. She passed away shortly thereafter and was buried on 20 August at West Point with Dave. Ruth’s daughter-in-law, Jolinda Crocker, sang “Amazing Grace” a cappella at the service. Despite Lanny’s timely notification, my filing system—or lack thereof—resulted in my missing this one.

Dick Abbey died of pulmonary fibrosis on 2 Dec 01 at his home in Galesville, MD. Dick was interred in Arlington National Cemetery with full military honors on 13 December. The class was well represented by many of the Washington contingent. A reception at the Belle Haven Country Club followed the interment services.

Wendell Coats died on 12 Nov 01 in Colorado Springs, CO. Wendell had suffered for several years from Parkinson’s disease and then suffered a stroke. He recently had broken a leg, as did Benny Lee. Wendell was buried at Colorado Springs.

—Mel