1940

Mel Rosen

3415 Arnold Lane

Falls Church, VA 22042-3505

703 560-5557 (H)

MelvinHRosen@aol.com

classof40@aog.usma.edu/class/1940

Subscribers:

I assume the duties of your scribe with some apprehension and much humility knowing how well my predecessors have served you. Very recently, my daughter who got tired of downloading, printing, and delivering my e-mail has dragged me kicking and screaming into the computer age. The only thing I can guarantee at this point is that I shall give it my best. In this respect, as you know, the “Class Notes” can only be successful if the class participates and sends in news for our other classmates to read.

In its instructions in the June 2001 Scribe Guidelines to class scribes, ASSEMBLY tells us, “you must redouble your efforts to reach prodigal (sic) classmates for news”. Please help by asking those classmates with whom you are in contact to contribute to the “Class Notes.” The AOG also points out that “ASSEMBLY is not just another alumni magazine. It is the glue that binds the widely scattered members of West Point classes together.” The only way to reach those classmates who are not subscribers is for those of us who are in contact with them to convince them to stay in touch with our class by subscribing to ASSEMBLY.

The 800 GRAND40 number has been transferred to our class president, Kermit Dyke. This will be an easy, no cost to you way to call him for whatever. You can still reach me with news items and photos by e-mail, fax, “snail mail,” or telephone. Please do!

Let me put on another hat for a moment. I urge all classmates who have not already done so to write their own obituaries. This will help your NOK immensely. If you are squeamish about this or cannot for some other reason, at least fill out the AOG form entitled “Information to be used for Memorial Article (Self Written).” Frank Sullivan wrote about how to get this form West Point in the March/April issue. If you have any problem getting them from the AOG, I have a supply and will be glad to mail one to you.

On 30 June, George & Marge Mayo celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary surrounded by family, classmates, and other friends. There has been a lot of class e-mail chitchat about “fixed opinions.” I give it as my fixed opinion that George Mayo, ably assisted by Marge, has held this class together through many years and is, in fact, “Mr. Class of ’40.” From all of us, “Thanks, George & Marge!” Representing the class at an anniversary cocktail party were Betty Parker, Margaret Milner, the Renolas, Vaughans, McLeans, Dykes, and Rosens. Photos are by “Photography by OLIVE.” You are getting two workers for the price of one! Olive also teaches photography classes twice a week at the Smithsonian Institution.

Photos #1,#2,#3,#4

Jack & Beverly Dibble report that they were at the Army’s 226th birthday party at Indian River Colony Club’s Colony Hall with Milt & Glennie Barnard. Jack, I must confess that I always sing the words to the Caisson Song. Look forward to seeing you both at your mini-reunion.

Photo#5

Mary Edith Freudendorf writes that she still is going strong. She attended the graduation of her granddaughter, Mary Edith Smith, from the Air Force Academy. Lieutenant Smith is at flight school in Pensacola. Grandson, LT Travis B. Smith is stationed in Macedonia with the 101st Division. Mary Edith forwarded a lovely photo of her granddaughter in uniform; unfortunately, we cannot print it. For the information of all, the AOG in its Scribe Guidelines, June 2001, states, “Each photo should have in it a graduate or spouse; offspring by themselves are not accepted.”

Our class veep, Freddie White, tells of a recent, surprising coincidence. On a June visit to his birthplace in Spokane, WA, to visit family graves and cousins, he was playing golf at the city club. As he was about to tee off, he saw a familiar figure in the foursome just ahead of his. It was none other than our classmate and Freddie’s close West Point friend, Reggie Clizbe. Freddie had followed Reggie’s brilliant career in the USAF all the way to major general. Freddie visited the Clizbe’s beautiful home, met Margie, and enjoyed lunch at a resort area. While swapping war stories, Freddie learned that during the African invasion, the great war correspondent, Ernie Pyle, lived with Reggie, and they became good friends. Pyle later was killed by a Japanese sniper in the Pacific.

Photo#6

Class president, Kermit Dyke, reports on a call from Jack Wright. Jack stated that he could find no one out west to take on the task of running the Palm Desert mini-reunion that was tentatively scheduled for next year; he has canceled the room reservations that Bill Porte had set up at the local hotel. The Cocoa Beach mini-reunion is still on. By the time you read this, each class member should have received a reservation form for attendance. Kerm also suggested that we look into having a mini-reunion in the Washington, DC, area at the time of the opening of the WWII Memorial currently scheduled around September 2004. It has also been suggested that for the period between these events, we look into AOG-sponsored trips and perhaps include a get-together on one of them.

Taps. Joe Ruebel died on 14 Jul 01 at his home in Carlsbad, CA. A memorial service was held at Rancho Carlsbad Country Club on 30 July and interment at Episcopal All Saints Cemetery, Oceanside, CA.

Dick Free died on 15 Jul 01 at the Mount Vernon Nursing Center in Fairfax, VA. A memorial service was at Ft. Myer and interment at Arlington National Cemetery on 30 July.

Rebecca Holmes (Becky) Hazeltine died on 17 Jul 01 at Penobscot Shore, Belfast, ME.

Mike Bavaro died on 22 Jul 01 at Los Robles Hospital in Thousand Oaks, CA. A memorial service was held on 26 July in Westlake Village, CA, and interment at West Point Cemetery on 27 July.