CLASS OF '40 - NEWS PAGE!!

Col (Ret) Francis R Sullivan
2662 SE Gowin Dr
Port St Lucie, FL 34952-5576
800-GRAND40(Recorder)  -  My home phone: (561) 337-1626
e-mail: franksul@aol.com
Class e-mail address: classof40@aog.usma.edu
Class Home Page on the web: http://www.aogusma.org/class/1940/

      All photos of the 60th interspersed below are by courtesy of Pete Kramer, John McLean, Andy d'Elia and the Abbeys. Other photos received later may be usable in future issues of Notes. In sending photos please do not write on photo backs; use a post it or similar means for names of those pictured. Our 60th Reunion is history, but enough of you have expressed unequivocal satisfaction with the affair that suggests that's the consensus of the class. Our new president's words quoted below from his e-mail to the class summarizes the events. .(Insert photo #1 here)

     "The 60th fullfilled all my expectations for a great WP reunion, primary of which is to go back to revive old memories of proud experiences, to renew cherished acquaintances, and maybe get updated on the new world. It was great, and we are indebted to Jean & Thad Nosek for all the planning, arranging of many details, and months of work that were involved in setting things up. And Ray & Lucille Renola worked extremely hard in running a busy and popular Hospitality Suite, which was really our Hq. Staying on post at the Thayer added to the homecoming atmosphere.(Insert photo # 2 here)

     "The AOG pictures forwarded (to those on class net) by Steve Morrissey capture the beautiful scene on the Plain. The parade ground and barracks don't look exactly like they did in our days, but it's still a beautiful sight to see the Cadet companies come out through the sally ports and onto the Plain. Although the parade is organized a bit differently these days, with two regiments, it is very colorful and the music inspires one to stand a bit straighter. Not all things are the same as we knew them in the good old days. The soprano command to the Corps to pass in review was distinctly different, as was the singing of the Corps by the Glee Club. (Insert photo # 3 here)

     " The Class of 40 had arrived as we stood at the head of the line at the ceremony at Thayer Monument. The Classes of '30 and '35 were in front of us, but there were not many of them, so we were right up front behind the Supe. (Insert photo # 4 here)

     " The after-parade luncheon in the Mess Hall was most enjoyable. We happened to have a table under the painting of Superintendent Don Bennett. The speeches given by the Supe and Astronaut Buzz Aldren were outstanding and inspirational. I, along with Rass Hoss Milton, had the good fortune of sitting next to our Cadet table commandant. She was a charming Lt. and enthusiastic about her future. Even though plebes don't brace at the table anymore, one could almost imagine sitting at her table as the water corporal asked what she would like to have to drink! She wants to be a surgeon and will go to U Texas for four years and then to the Armed Forces Med School for one additional year. Then she will have to serve 9 years in the Army. I noted that the meal was quite good and asked if they eat that well all the time. She said 'rarely'. I also asked if it were true that they did not have to attend meals in the Mess Hall. She said that they can only skip dinners, but that very few cadets do that. I remarked that I saw a pizza delivery service on post and asked if they could get pizzas delivered to their room if they didn't go to dinner. She said that one would have to go down to the street to pick up the pizza. She confirmed my curiosity about the number of phones in each room. Each Cadet has his own. They are also on the Internet and have E-mail.(Insert photo # 5 here)

     "The ceremony at the old Chapel provided the opportunity to visit the graves of our classmates. We were given a list of classmates buried there; little American flags were posted at their grave sites so that we could easily spot them. It was nicely arranged.

     "Leaving the reunion and passing through Highland Falls sort of revived the memory of a new 2LT driving a new car and heading into the real world. But times have changed. Firsties have their cars for the entire first class year. But my 1940 car cost $750 which today would run about $23,000. Also there was no McDonalds in Highland Falls then.

     "Hey! It was a most enjoyable experience. Kerm" (Insert photo # 6 here)

     Thanks to Steve Morrissey the following lists the 70 classmates (or widows) by their cadet companies:

     A: Bennett. Harriet Davis, JR Knight, Kramer, McLean, Christine Sleeper,Vaughn
     B. Case, Dyke, Milton, Betty Parker, Vanderhoef, White, Witt.
     C. Aubrey, Elliot, Guy, Hoover, Krisberg, Morrissey.
     D. Lemley, Loofburrow, Maxwell, Moore, Rauk, JackWright.
     E. Abbey, Devlin, Lewis, Maedler, Mayo, Sullivan, BobWilliams.
     F. Castillo, Cibotti, d'Elia, Donahue, Epley, Jung. Klunk, LaBreche, Lederman, Watrous.
     G. Barry, Burfening, Fritter, Peppy Millican, Ann Shanahan, Shoss.
     H. Arnold, Cagwin, Ann Colacicco, Patten, Harrison.
     I.  Nosek, Oseth, Renola, Rosen, Stirling.
     K. McFarland, Mary Edith Fruedendorf.
     L. Dibble, Verner, Webster.
     M. Beaudry, Gillem, Green, Knapp, Kuziv, Monroe.

     With. the above persons we add accompanied spouses, children and grand children to make a total attendance of almost 150! Not bad for our 6oth! (Insert photo # 7 here) This last photo was taken 11 June 00 at a party hosted by the Abbeys to celebrate our 1940 Graduation and the June 1940 marriages of the six couples pictured!

     ADDRESS CHANGES: WB Wright, 6463 Seaboard Ave, Jacksonville, FL 32244; Richard L Belt, 5502 Patriots Colony DR, Williamsburg, VA 23188, Tel (757) 564-1553

     TAPS: BG Wallace L Clement, DOD 11 June 00 of coronary artery disease, Memorial Mass at StBedes Church, Williamsburg, 14 June, burial at Arlington Nat Cem, 30 June 00; Robert P Knapp, Jr, DOD 14 June 00 At Redding CT, burial at Redding, CT with memorial service at Christ Church, Rt 58 Redding Ridge, CT; Eddie Noble (wife of Chas C Noble DOD19May 00, burial Mass at Fort Myer Post Chapel and internment in Arlington Nat Cem 31 May 00 ll for now, Frank, your Scribe.

Best, to all for now, Frank, your Scribe.

If you have something to be placed on this page, please send an E-mail message to Steve Morrissey

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