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USNA Class of 1963 |
photos courtesy: USS WASP (LHD 1) |
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USNA Class of 1963 |
photos courtesy: USS WASP (LHD 1) |
Hot News
Classmate Robert Abate has been dedicated to preserving the memories of WWII Vets.Click Here
Dear Classmates, Friends and Members of the Class of 1963 Family,Saturday is Homecoming. Navy plays Tulane in Navy-Marine Corps Stadium. With five wins and one loss for the season, if successful in beating Tulane, Navy will be eligible for a post season bowl game. It promises to be a well contested game, one you don't want to miss. If you do not have tickets, I have four tickets from Jim DeFrancia that he cannot use. I will have them with me at the tailgate if you need some. Following the game Mario and Susan Fiori are hosting the annual homecoming party as detailed in the last Irish Pennants. The party is catered so a contribution of $15.00 per head is requested. If you have not already done so, please RSVP to mariof3609@aol.com if you are coming.
Ken Buell Our classmate LCDR Ken Buell was the bombardeir/navigator on an A-6 night mission over North Vietnam in 1973 when he was shot down along with his pilot, Verne Donnelly. Ken's remains were never recovered, although Verne Donnelly's were from the crash site. There is some reason to believe that Ken's remains may be co-mingled with Verne's. Verne's children have agreed to opening the gravesite at the Fort Rosecrans National Cemetery, San Diego, Calif. and examining the remains therein in conjunction with the internment of Verne's widow, Maxine, on December 2nd. There are uncompensated costs involved for the DNA testing and a new casket for Verne's remains. Finding any of Ken's remains will at long last bring closure to his family. Ken's son, newly retired Navy Commander Richard "Rick "Buell, has opened a Go Fund Me account to raise funds for the reamains testing and a casket to rebury Verne's Donnelly's remains. If you would like to contribute, please go to www.gofundme.com/mia-lcdr-ken-buell-you-are-not-forgotten.
See you at homecoming on Saturday.
Beat Tulane on the way to Army!!
Quality '63
Spencer
CDR Ken Buell - A Chance to Help ID a Vietnam MIA.My father, LCDR Kenneth R Buell, USN, has been MIA since his A-6A Intruder was shot down on September 17, 1972 during a solo night time attack mission near Hai Duong, Vietnam. The pilot seated next to him, CDR Verne Donnelly, was also lost and declared MIA until remains repatriated.
To contribute go to https://www.gofundme.com/f/mia-lcdr-ken-buell-you-are-not-forgotten
Bob Forster has two tickets (from Jim Ring).
Jim DeFrancia has four to donate.
jdefrancia@lowe-re.com
Tom O'Brien sent me a brochure about how the Jacksonville Aviation Authority has redeveloped Cecil Field since the Navy shut it down in 1999. It's too long to publish here, but for you who flew there as Mids or Naval Aviators you can check out their website Click Here
Dear Classmates, Friends, and FamilyHomecoming Party. The e-mail address for Mario Fiori to RSVP attendance should read mariof3609@aol.com.
Army-Navy If you are not going to the game but are in or around Annapolis on game day, 14 December 2019 please consider joining classmates at the West-End Sports Bar and Grille to have lunch and watch Navy sink Army together. The WestEnd Sports Bar and Grille is at the junction of West Street and Solomons Island Road. Mark your calendar now.
Quality63,
Spencer Johnson
Dear Classmates, Family andFriends of the Class of 1963Football season is well underway. With two wins and one loss (Memphis) the Navy team faces Air Force on Saturday here in Annapolis. This will be the first contest that will decide who wins the Commander-in-Chief's trophy this year . The game is reportedly sold out. Al Sherman has two tickets and a parking pass that he cannot use. If anyone is interested, contact Al at SHERMANA@EROLS.COM as soon as possible.
Tailgating. Our class tailgate is seeing an average of fifty classmates and wives for home games and another dozen or so from the class of 2013. We will continue our practice of bringing something to share with other attendees--there is never a shortage of food, beer, wine or soft drinks. The one exception will be our last home game,23 November against Southern Methodist University (SMU). This tailgate will be catered at a cost of $15.00 per attendee, payable at the game or mailed to WS Johnson, 1604 Trawler Lane, Annapolis,MD 21409. Please make all checks to "the Class of 1963".
Homecoming. The homecoming game against Tulane is scheduled for 26 October. Mario and Susan Fiori will host our annual homecoming get-together and dinner after the game at their house at 1652 Trawler Lane, Annapolis, MD.21409. The dinner will be catered at a cost of $15.00 per person payable in advance to Mario or at the door. Drinks of beer, wine and other beverages will be supplied by the hosts. Mario and Susan live on a narrow cul-de-sac so it is suggested that you park before or after going around the small circle that defines their end of the street. They will need a count for the caterers by 20 October so please let them know if you are coming by emailing them at Mario3609@aol.com or Susbf@aol.com. We always have a great turnout. Please mark your calendar now.
Sad News Our classmate Richard C. Jones , Captain, USMC, will be laid to rest on Monday 7 October in the Columbarium here at the Naval Academy. He will join his wife Kay and their firstborn child Brian whom they lost in 1971. A service in the Chapel will be held at 1100 followed by a reception in the Naval Academy Club.
On 8 November at 1030 there will be a memorial service for George Singer in St. Andrews Chapel followed by inurnment in the columbarium.
Commander ChesterBen Cole will be laid to rest in Arlington Cemetery on Thursday 21 November. Company mates (23rd company) will gather here in Annapolis for a reunion dinner on the 22nd and will attend the SMU game on the 23rd.
Chet Gladchuck. I ran into Chet Gladchuck, the Director of Navy Athletics and the head of the Physical Education Department, last week at the Naval Academy. Among other things, he told me that there are now 1300 varsity athletes in the Brigade--currently not one of them is ineligible to play because of academic deficiency. Chet largely credits the 63CAE for the fact that no varsity athlete cannot suit up for a game because of academic problems. Well done, Classmates !!
ZAP the ZOOMIES
Quality '63,
Spencer Johnson
Fellow Warriors of USNA 1963,Thanks to the fine offices of Jack Colyer, we will hold our annual Christmas Luncheon at the Union League Club of New York on 10 December 2019. The festivities will begin at 12:00 noon. The Union League Club is located at 38 East 37th Street on the corner of Park Avenue. Note that Spencer Johnson will again join us as Andrea has coerced him into a NYC Christmas shopping excursion. I have also copied a couple of my correspondents in the DC area to see if they might take AMTRAK to the Big Apple for a visit. If you know of any other classmates of guests who might join us, please invite them and let me know.
Looking forward to another enjoyable get-together!
See you on the tenth.
Please RSVP at msk7736@optimum.net
Steve Leisge has two tickets. Parking is next to ’63 tailgate - $10. Tickets $60..Regards,
Steve Leisge
703-820-5204
sleisge@comcast.net
Dear Classmates, Friends and Members of the Class of 1963 Family,Special Announcement.
On the 5th of September dozen or so classmates gathered at the Sparks Steak House in New York City. Present was as Ron Terwilliger who used the occasion to announce his commitment to a $27.5 million dollar bequest from his estate to endow the 63CAE. In addition, any near term shortfalls in funding for 63CAE current and projected annual operations were agreed be shared equally by Ron and the class. Once the Terwilliger endowment is activated, any funding shortfalls should be a moot point. Ron has ensured the financial viability of the 63CAE in perpetuity. Our name on the door will ensure the memorialization of our class and classmates long after we are gone. Ron Terwilliger is truly a Distinguished Graduate and a most esteem ed classmate.I know I speak for the whole class when I say, "You have our salute, Ron. Well Done, Classmate !!"
Your continuing contributions, gifts, memorial funding, and estate bequests are all still needed and much appreciated as we continue touch the midshipmen of the Brigade each and every day through the services of the 63CAE. Well Done, Classmates!
See you at the football games. We are off to a good start with the opening victory over Holy Cross. Army lost to Michigan in double overtime on Saturday a portent of things tyo come.
Quality 63
Spencer Johnson
From Steve Leisge:Ben Cole will be interned at Arlington National Cemetery at 1100, 21 November, 2019. All who knew Ben are invited to attend. The 23rd Company will gather at the Holiday Inn Rosslyn on Wednesday/20th.
We will have a hospitality suite beginning 1200 Wed/20th until we depart on the bus for Arlington Cemetery at 0930 Thursday. You are welcome to join us in the hospitality suite and/or ride the bus with us to the cemetery and then to the Ft. Myer O' Club for a luncheon and then back to the Holiday Inn. If you go to the cemetery on your own, we all need to be at the admin building, next to the parking lot, NLT 1000; we will then drive/bus part of the way and walk the rest with the honor guard to the grave site. The 23rd is going to Annapolis Thursday afternoon for a mini reunion and attend the game vs. SMU.
Do not call the hotel or send money at this time. I will provide the name of the room block in a week or two to those interested. Below are the prices for the hotel room, hospitality suite and bus. Please call or write if you intend to attend, even if going to the cemetery on your own, and if you will attend the luncheon.
Regards,
Steve Leisge
703-820-5204
sleisge@comcast.net
Dear Classmates, Members and Friends of the Class of 1963,The weather here in Annapolis is fall like after a week of ninety plus temperatures The Brigade is back and "reformed" as the present lingo has it. The Plebe Class of 2023 is integrated into their companies.Classes started last Monday.
Next Saturday starts the 2019 twelve game football season with six home games this year. The first home game is against Holy Cross here in Navy-Marine Corps Stadium next Saturday the 31st. Our tented tailgate will be up and running at our usual spot( 12A) on the Blue side of the field close to the "porta=potties" and backing on Farragut Road. We hope to see members of the Class of 2013, our Link in the Chain Class. join us there. As usual, please bring something to share at the tailgate. The money jar will be on the table for donations to help defray the costs of stadium space rental, tent erection and storage between games and the tables and chairs. Please be generous as prices go up from year to year and we have six home games rather than the usual five this year.
See you at the game.
Quality--'63
Spencer Johnson
Susan Stoldt Dunn, 76, peacefully passed from this life on July 25, 2019, surrounded by her family. The cause was a cerebral hemorrhage. Susan was born in Teaneck, New Jersey, and spent the majority of her years as an active citizen of Washington, DC, and Potomac, Maryland. She had enthusiastic affection for her family of origin, the Stoldt family, with whom she always relished time spent on vacations or at other family events and gatherings. She is predeceased by her parents, Sydney and Evelyn; her brothers, Sydney and Bill; and her sister Ellen. She is survived by her husband Mike; her children, Mike Junior and Kathy Dunn Cornwell; her sister, Nancy Stoldt Walsh; and her grandchildren, Eleanor and Eamon (Dunn) and Hang and Lily (Nguyen Cornwell); as well as a legion of beloved cousins, nieces, nephews, great-nieces, and great-nephews. In October 1960, Susan met her lifelong love and husband of 56 years, Mike Dunn, at an afternoon tea dance in the basement of St. Mary's Church in Annapolis, Maryland. At the time, Susan was an undergraduate at Trinity College and Mike was a midshipman at the US Naval Academy. They married in June 1963, and built a life filled with love, faith, family, and adventures big and small. Susan was a loving, compassionate mother, and she joyfully welcomed the additions of daughter-in-law April Wright Dunn and son-in-law David Cornwell, and delighted in her role as "Granny," hosting fun family dinners, making special birthday cakes for her grandchildren, and lavishing them with love and attention. Susan and Mike took care of Mike's nieces after their parents passed away in the 1980's. These three nieces (Dorris Dajani Cornwell, Barbara Dajani Gregg, and Susan Dajani Speckman) saw their dear Aunt Susan as a parent figure who provided love and guidance at a critical time and for many years to follow. Susan graduated from Academy of the Holy Angels high school in New Jersey. She received her undergraduate degree from George Washington University. She earned two master's degrees: a Master's in Library Science from the University of Maryland and a Master's of Theological Studies from Washington Theological Union. Susan also became certified by the Shalem Institute to practice as a spiritual director. Susan used her education and skills to do so many things: she was a primary school teacher; librarian at Gonzaga College High School; vice chair of the Hope Ball; team leader and sponsor for Holy Trinity parish's RCIA program; retreat leader (Ignatian spirituality, Susan's passion); Director of Lay Formation at Washington Theological Union; and a one-on-one spiritual director. Susan was kind, accepting of others, compassionate, and most of all, loving. She had an infectious laugh that would at times dissolve into a laugh-cry, which became all the more hilarious. She created community wherever she was, from each neighborhood she lived in, to her workout classes. In her manner of living and loving, Susan was a model for her children, grandchildren, relatives, and friends. A funeral mass will be held on Tuesday, October 1, at 10:30 a.m. at Holy Trinity Catholic Church, 3513 N St. NW, Washington, DC 20007. There will be visitation in the church for one hour prior to the mass and a reception following the mass. In lieu of flowers, gifts in memory of Susan may be made in support of the Ignatian Spirituality Program at Holy Trinity Catholic Church, 3513 N St. NW, Washington, DC 20007. Checks, payable to Holy Trinity, should include a reference to Susan Dunn and Ignatian Spirituality. In lieu of flowers, gifts in memory of Susan may be made in support of the Ignatian Spirituality Program at Holy Trinity Catholic Church, 3513 N St. NW, Washington, DC 20007. Checks, payable to Holy Trinity, should include a reference to Susan Dunn and Ignatian Spirituality.Published in The Washington Post on Aug. 16, 2019
Services are scheduled for Friday, 8 November 2019 at the Naval Academy's St. Andrews Chapel at 10:30am.
Jan and I will be out of town for the the first home game, Holy Cross. I have two tickets, and a parking pass. Any classmate want them? pjrooney@cox.netCiao
Phil
Dear Classmates and Members of the Class of 1963 Family,Summer is arriving here in Annapolis, but, so far, without the blistering heat we all remember so well. Two weeks ago the Class of 2019 graduated on a beautiful day here. In a few weeks the Class of 2023 will be inducted as midshipmen, another Link in the Chain to be forged over the next four years.
The Superintendent, VADM Ted Carter pronounced the graduating class the "Best Class Ever" with 89.9% of those entering the Academy four years ago graduating. The Class of 2019 had the highest collective GPA ever. Eighty-one will go on immediately to graduate school.
The 63 Center for Academic Excellance (63CAE). We can all take some pride in the academic achievements of the Class of 2019 and the Brigade as a whole. Academic attrition is now just below one percent. The 63CAE scored a record 50,602 total visits during the past academic year, an increase of 5,502 over academic year (AY) 2018. The numbers of 63CAE usage for AY19 at are:
3147 unique students which is 70.6 % of the Brigade of Midshipman
1,488 visits per week
1150 4/C students which is 97% of the class
932 3/C students which is 81% of the class
657 2C students which is 63% of the class
408 1/C students which is 38% of the Class
79% of students with a 4.0 QPR visited on an average of 61 visits per week
2,370 visits Week 6 of AY19 Fall semester1851 visits during finals week
4,400 visits to the Writing Center (130 visits per week or an average of 26 visits per day
This is a 26% increase in 63CAE usage in two years time.
The 63 CAE is stretched to its limits and need several more professors and perhaps an administrator to handle demand. But, the results are worth the investment as the Class of 2019 has demonstrated.Perilous Times. Our class is now living in a perilous phase of our lives because of our advancing age which bring many infirmaties and eventual demise. Every day seems to bring more news of a classmate or spouse passing. Now is the time to put your affairs in order for efficient handling of last remains and your estate. Collect insurance policies, your DD 214 discharge paper and other relevant documents in one place for easy access to your survivors. Inurnment at the Naval Academy Columbarium for you and your spouse is one option to consider. Flag officers can request burial in the cemetery. We now have over 30 classmates in the Columbarium, which I understand the midshipmen refer to as "Alumni Hall". For me this option will be like coming home in many ways. Your DD 214 is the key to military honors. If you can't find yours a copy can be requested on line. For complete information on burial;/inurnment at the Naval Academy go to www.usna.edu/ccemetery/ or to the link at the bottom of the "Last Call" section of our class website. I am also available to help as needed tel 410-626-7934.
Continuing Support Our classmates continue to give generously to support the efforts of the 63CAE. Thanks to major gifts from Ken Metviner and Paul Revere our class has donated another $470,000 or so this past calender year. Making a gift from your estate is a great way to support the future of the Class of 2963 CAE, and for many of us offers the best opportunity to make our biggest gift. The USNA Foundation is making it easier to updateyour estate plans and benefit both your family and the Naval Academy by offering its Personal Estate Planning Course. One of the easiest and most tax wise methods of making an estate gift is to make the Foundation a beneficiary of your IRA--please be certain to use correct name United States Naval Academy Foundation {shorten to USNA Foundation if space is limited }. Once you've set plans for your future gift, contact Patti Bender, patti.bender#usna.com or 410-295-4187 to have your gift counted in Called to Serve, Daring to Lead: the Naval Academy Campaign which has a June 30, 2020 deadline.
Thanks to all who participated in the recent Service Academy Challenge. The Naval Academy Foundation raised over one million dollars in the short fund raising effort based on participation of its alumni.
In closing, we can all take great pride in what our class has accomplished and continues to do. More news soon. in the meantime I hope your summer is off to a good start.
Quality '63,
Spencer Johnson
Items of Ongoing
Interest
A Great Opportunity for Classmates
Click Here for the letter to the Class from Mario regarding Bill's situation and the status of his clemency effort. MS Word required.
The basic colors are blue and gold for the colors of the Naval Academy. We also added red for the Marine Corps, pale blue (sock-bag blue) for the Air Force and a small black stripe between the red and pale blue for the Army. This was done to recognize members of the Class of 1963 who upon commissioning served in the sister branches of the armed services. The main blue and gold stripes are six units wide and each of the three smaller stripes is one unit wide. That way you get a combination of 6 and 3, for the Class of 1963. There is then a 12-unit drop in Navy blue and the pattern repeats itself.
Class ties, both four-in-hand and bow, are available as well as scarves and cummerbunds. The price of each item is $63 or if you order any three items the discounted price is $163 and if you order all four the price is $200.
Orders can be placed with Ms. Jessi Crawford, % Lowe Enterprises, PO Box 12393, Aspen, CO 81812.
Here are photos of Cynthia DeFrancia and June and Chuck
modeling the items.
I added a brief note concerning the death of classmate Dick Bryant who died in an accident prior to graduation. Click here.
If you look at Last Call you'll note that we have no obituary or other remembrance for over half of our deceased classmates.
If you have any formal information for any of these classmates or just want to express your memories of them drop me a line at Steve C. and I'll publish a page for them.
It is a good time to check your entry for accuracy and to update it in the "My Profile" section. Also remember to keep Mike Shelley and Steve Coester informed of any changes >
- Put on a catered meal on weekday or weekend.. They will provide a room and tables. The rest is provided by the party putting on the catered meal including silverware. They would invite family members. Could be for 30 wounded and family members.
- Provide funds
Semper Fi Fund. Provides every family with money to help them while here. Designated for Marines and NavyCorpsman. http://www.SemperFiFund.org
Yellow Ribbon Fund - Provides family members free taxis, rental cars. http://www.yellowribbonfund.com/yellowribbonfund/
- USO - USO hires caterers to provide catered meals. http://www.uso.org/
- Armed Forces Foundation - Meets the family members when they arrive in town. http://www.armedforcesfoundation.org/
- Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society - Pay bills of family members while here. http://www.nmcrs.org/index.html
I have had two types of cancer presumed to have been caused by Agent Orange from my in-country service in Vietnam. It would appear that the VA is now honoring claims for compensation from veterans who also served at sea in the areas near Vietnam. For example, the claim is successfully being made that water sprayed with the poison made its way into the ship's purification systems and into the drinking water.
Based on clinical research, the following diseases are on VA's Agent Orange list of presumptive disabilities: chloracne, Hodgkin's disease, multiple myeloma, non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, porphyria cutanea tarda, respiratory cancers (lung, bronchus, larynx and trachea), soft-tissue sarcoma, acute and subacute peripheral neuropathy, and prostate cancer. A regulation is being developed to add diabetes mellitus.
In addition, monetary benefits, health care, and vocational rehabilitation services are provided to Vietnam veterans' offspring with spina bifida, a congenital birth defect of the spine. A new law authorizes health care and monetary benefits to children of female veterans who served in Vietnam for certain additional birth defects.
My advice, if you contract one of these diseases, is to work with an outside service organization, such as the American Legion. They will help with the paperwork and get you your compensation. Be patient - it takes forever. . The VA needs proof of service in Vietnam (DD214, etc) and proof that you have one of these diseases from your doctor or medical facility. My claim for the prostate cancer took six months. My claim for lung cancer was submitted in December and as of the end of March was just approved. I still have another hearing in June before it is considered permanent.
Be sure to also take advantage of the VA health care system. Although I have used my civilian doctors for the major procedures (more for convenience only), the VA doctors are real pro's and the benefit of zero co-pay for prescriptions is worth a lot. For example, after my latest surgery I was still losing weight. My doctor was concerned and told me to drink two cans of Ensure daily, costing about $2 per day. I called the VA and I now receive Ensure at no cost.
Regards,
From Mike Cronin:
Until recently it was true that VA compensation was used as an offset to military retired pay. A retired vet who later received VA disability compensation had his military retired pay reduced by the amount of the VA compensation. Since VA compensation is not taxed, the veteran did receive a tax benefit, but the dollar amount of monthly income before taxes did not change.
That has now changed. Several years ago Congress agreed to phase out that offset provision over ten years. Bottom line: if you have any disability that might be service connected you should apply to the VA and let them decide if you are entitled to compensation. If they decide you are at least partially disabled you will come out dollars ahead even before taxes are considered. Apply now. Compensation is dated from the day you apply even though the VA decision process can take years.
One final note. Military retirees can use VA medical facilities without risking their military retired health care (Tricare) benefits.
From Ken Sanger:
Some who receive disability compensation can double dip.
The following is from the VA website at http://www.dod.mil/prhome/mppcrsc.html
"The Department of Defense has two programs designed to reduce the reduction in retired pay due to receipt of Veteran Administration compensation, for certain disabled retirees.
Concurrent Retirement and Disability Payments (CRDP) provides a 10-year phase-out of the offset to military retired pay due to receipt of VA disability compensation for members whose combined disability rating is 50% or greater . Members retired under disability provisions must have 20 years of service.
Combat-Related Special Compensation (CRSC) pays added benefits to retirees who receive VA disability compensation for combat-related disabilities and have 20 years of service ."
And this from a 2006 document found on the above site:
"The Department of Defense is currently receiving and processing applications for the Combat-Related Special Compensation (CRSC) program. The CRSC program became effective May 31, 2003, for qualified retirees with combat-related disabilities. Payments are retroactive to June 1, 2003, for otherwise qualified members. The criteria of eligibility to receive CRSC payments have been expanded effective January 1, 2004, to include members with any percentage combat-related disability compensated by the VA.C"
Irish
Pennants
Irish Pennants are loose threads
that
invite attention, or may need to be tied up or cut off. For the
purpose
of this web site, they represent miscellaneous thoughts, threads
of discussion and points of view by classmates and colleagues. To
submit [or respond] to Irish Pennants, just send an e-mail to webmaster@usna63.org
without objection from the Class Secretary, they will be published on
this
site, invite rebuttal or response, and eventually [perhaps] fade
away.
Carry
On!
Class of 1963 facts and lore, Cannonball
recipe, satire, humor
Humorous Thoughts for the 40th
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