Introduction

The Class of 1965 celebrated its 40th Reunion on 8-11 September 2005. The schedule included a golf outing, a class meeting, a rededication of the Arvin Center, an alumni parade, a memorial service, tours of new facilities, and two dinners at the Hotel Thayer. The weather was amazing with its warm days, cloudless skies, and cool, starlit nights. But, despite its beauty, the weather took a back seat to the warmth of the fellowship that characterized our time together. It was a weekend that even our somewhat faulty memories will not soon forget. Over 450 people attended the Reunion, including several widows and family members of deceased classmates. For many of our classmates this was their first reunion and for everyone this was a fantastic fortieth.

Thursday, 8 September

Golf Tournament: 0900 –1400. The West Point Golf Course experienced some hard times with its greens this summer due to a contractor applying what was supposed to be fertilizer but turned out to be a toxic solution. Because it ruined half the greens, we played our Reunion Golf Scramble with nine temporary greens. It mattered little, however, as over 60 classmates and wives enjoyed the beautiful setting, managed a few good shots, and rekindled the ’65 spirit that would characterize the rest of the weekend.

Reception at the Hotel Thayer: 1700 – 2100. Most of the attendees arrived Thursday afternoon. The Reunion Committee had its stuff together and distributed name tags, tote bags with ’65 logo items, and reunion schedules and information. The reception in the evening brought everyone together and it was apparent from the outset that this would be a special weekend. The spans of time that separated meetings between many who attended could be measured in decades. Yet those years seem to melt away as we rediscovered one another and caught up quickly on our families and our lives. Although the Honor Code may have been slightly tested with remarks like “you haven’t changed a bit,” there was a real sense in which we as a class had not changed, a point to which the next two days would provide ample evidence.

Friday, 9 September

Class Meeting: 0830 – 1130. Neither the boring title of “Class Meeting” nor the early start time of 0830 was sufficient to keep most of us away from the Class Meeting at Eisenhower Hall. And the class officers did not disappoint those who attended. Denny Coll introduced the widows and members of the families of deceased classmates and encouraged everyone to greet these special guests throughout the weekend. Harry Dermody and Joe Sanchez gave concise summaries of the financial situation for both the Administrative Account and Class Gift Accounts. Joe also presented the new Class of ’65 flag and reminded us of the annual gathering at the Army/Navy game. Dave Kuhn, the Chair of the Nominating Committee, then presented the Committee’s recommended slate of officers, which included:

President                  Clair Gill
Vice President           Bob Harter
Vice President           Harry Dermody
Secretary                 Denny Coll
Treasurer                 Joe Sanchez
Historian                  Ross Wollen

After the slate was approved by acclamation, Clair Gill spoke briefly to the class and expressed both his gratitude for the honor of being its President and his commitment to maintaining its strong reputation in the Long Gray Line.

Terry Ryan gave an update on the Jefferson Library, which is being built directly across from the old library (at the location of the old tennis courts). Our 1965 Forum will sit immediately between the two buildings and because it will be adjacent to the construction site, we want to be sure that it is protected. Terry described how he has met with the various officials (contractor, Corps of Engineers representative, AOG representative, USMA liaison) and how the contractor is required by contract to protect the Forum during construction. Terry will be the class point man and will ensure that the contractor meets the obligations of the contract.

Bob Doughty summarized the work of the Arvin Committee and gave a preview of the celebration that would take place later at the Arvin Center. He explained that the foyer of the Arvin Center is finished, but that his Committee is still working to complete the design of the alcove off to the side of the foyer. He displayed a draft of a mural that is being considered for one of the walls of the alcove.

Art Hester then presented the Last Man Standing Award to Larry Isakson, who will be retiring from the Air Force on October 1, 2005. Larry had left the Army in the 1970s and was later invited to don the uniform again – this time with the Air Force. Art created a clever plaque for Larry, our last man in uniform, in the form of a tree with one leaf dangling from the branch. Art called attention to the trunk of the tree, which was labeled Class of ’65. He reminded the audience that, although there would soon be no leaves on the tree, it was still strong and ready for the next generation of growth.

John Calabro, the Vice President of the AOG, gave a short talk about the mission and functions of the AOG and reminded the audience of the many ways in which the AOG serves the Long Gray Line. Fred Laughlin emphasized the key role that the AOG is playing in building excellence into all aspects of academy life and in keeping the Long Gray Line informed and connected.

LtGen Lennox, the Superintendent, then gave an interesting summary of what is going on at USMA to include the quality of the current classes, the changes in the training and the curriculum that have taken place as a result of the war on terrorism, and the many improvements of the physical plant at the academy. The Supe fielded questions from the audience and then thanked the class for its numerous contributions to West Point.

The meeting concluded with a 30 minute video entitled “Sons of the Greatest Generation,” which tracks the Class of ’65 from 5 July 1961 to the present and emphasizes its enormous influence on the US Army, West Point, and one another. Each classmate received a copy of the video at the dinner Friday evening and there were extra copies available for a small donation to the Class Administrative Fund.

Dedication of Class Gift to the Arvin Center: 1300 –1330. Following lunch at Ike Hall, the class moved to the Arvin Physical Development Center for a ceremony commemorating the completion of the Arvin Center, especially the entryway to the Center that has been so beautifully upgraded thanks to the funds provided by the Class of ’65. Speakers at the ceremony included:

Dan Christman, who as Superintendent conceived and eventually sold the decision to renovate the Arvin Center, gave a behind-the-scenes account of the political environment surrounding the decision.

Bob Doughty, the Chair of the Arvin Center Design Committee, outlined the steps taken by the Committee in preparing the design of the entryway and bringing it in on time and under budget.

Colonel Greg Daniels, the present Master of the Sword, pointed out that two classes had just gone through their four years at West Point without adequate PE facilities and that the cadets are thrilled with new Center. He thanked the class for its contributions and emphasized that the “first impression” of a visitor to the Center is our beautiful foyer.

Chuck Moseley, who planned and led the ceremony, told of his friendship with Bob Arvin and how we as his classmates are pleased to see him honored with such an extraordinary building. Chuck stressed Bob’s strength of character that accompanied his physical strength and his mental acumen. By the end of the ceremony, all agreed that it took a building as magnificent as the Arvin Center to justify putting Bob’s name on it.

Hudson River Cruise: 1400 – 1600. About half of the reunion attendees took a lovely cruise along the Hudson. The weather was spectacular and the time relaxing.

Parade: 1630 – 1800. As the sun continued to bathe the Plain, the Class of ’65 took its place in front of a regiment of the Corps as it passed in review. The band even gave us h “The Thumper” as we stood tall in our uniforms of blue blazers and khaki trousers. Following the parade, we assembled in the bleachers for a class photo.

Dinner/Dance: 1900 – 2400. Back to the Hotel Thayer, we regrouped for cocktails and were entertained by ’65 Glee Club members who were honoring some special guests, namely Mrs. Bill Schempf and her daughter Ruthanne, the widow and daughter of Col Bill Schempf, our OC of the Glee Club, and Dr. Jack Davis, our Protestant Chapel Choir Director. After offering a clever rendition of Benny Havens (complete with lyrics recognizing Col Schempf and Dr. Davis), our Glee Clubers led us all in singing Army Blue. It was a fitting beginning to a lovely dinner and a raucous time on the dance floor. In fact, after about the third song, the dancers completely filled the floor and spilled out onto the carpet. It had been a long day, but there were several in our number who also made it a long night.

Saturday, 10 September

Memorial Service and Cemetery Tour: 0900 – 1030. With the Memorial Service being outside in the cemetery, there was a particularly high premium put on the weather, which again did not disappoint. As the sun flickered through the trees and reflected off the granite of the gravestones, we stood together and remembered those 55 classmates who have joined the shadows of Long Gray Line. Rev. Ryan Laughlin, Fred’s son and a member of the USMA Class of ’95, is the Assistant Pastor of McLean Presbyterian Church in McLean, VA. He gave a brief homily about our need to remember and to be remembered. He chose his theme from Psalm 8, a psalm of David, who expresses amazement that with the majesty of His creation God would consider man at all. Ryan reminded us that just as He remembers us individually, so we remember each of our departed classmates and dwell fondly on our thoughts of these friends. Following Ryan’s remarks, Dave Hopkins, who planned the Memorial Ceremony, led us in the Roll Call of our deceased classmates. One by one, a classmate from each of our 24 companies came forward and read the name(s) of those from the company who have passed away. Perhaps the most moving of the Roll Call was when the representatives from Companies D-1 and K-2 each announced that their membership was “Present or Accounted For.” Although the service itself was only 30 minutes, its intimacy was extended for another hour as most of us strolled though the cemetery past of the gravesites of our classmates and others who meant so much to us. Two members of ’65, who wish to remain anonymous, had fresh flowers delivered to the ’65 gravesites that morning. The colorful arrangements not only made it easy to identify the gravestones of our classmates, they also served as a symbol of our respect as we passed slowly in review. Later Bob Doughty gave a formal tour of the cemetery and offered special insight into the significance of those who are buried there.

Tour of the Kimsey Center and lunch: 1100 – 1230. The new facilities at Michie Stadium are sensational. The Kimsey Center, the new Press Box, the new turf on the field, and several other enhancements have placed Michie Stadium among the top sports venues in the country. We sat in the new Kimsey Center and listened to Dan Christman give us an interesting account of how this transformation came about. Dan played the key role in recruiting help from the private sector and leveraging those contributions to get government funds to supplement the effort. The result truly speaks for itself – magnificent.

Free time: 1230 – 1830. Most of us stayed at the Kimsey Center, where the Army-Boston College game was being televised. Unfortunately for us, the game quickly degenerated into a BC rout as their size and speed were too much for our guys. There was also plenty of time for visits to the Cadet Store, the AOG Gift Shop, perhaps a nap, or visits to some old haunts.