William Spencer Johnson IV

Captain, U.S. Navy (Retired)

1604 Trawler Lane

Annapolis, Maryland, 21409

410-626-7934

21 June 2006

Dear Classmates,

Summer has arrived in Annapolis, bringing warm days with a haze of humidity hanging in the air. All seems quiet in the Yard, but in a week’s time the class of 2010 will assemble in Tecumseh Court and take the oath that will start them on their four years of shared experience at the Naval Academy and their service to the nation. It hardly seems forty-seven years have passed since we took our places in Tecumseh Court, raised our right hands and repeated after Captain Bringle those transforming words that changed us all.

Like the induction ceremony, some things do not change. The “diggers and fillers” are hard at work, except now they have larger shovels and backhoes. It is still hard to determine who is winning, but the “diggers” appear to be ahead at the moment. The gate 1 area adjacent to the field house is being extensively modified for a new gate. Ground will soon be broken for the construction of a new field house on the landfill area seaward of the seventh wing, and an 18 month renovation and reroofing of the mess hall (now known as King Hall although the food is not reported as more elegant than in our time) is underway. The midshipman will be taking their meals in Dahlgren Hall in the interim with Dahlgren becoming a midshipman recreation and student center once the new mess hall facilities are completed. Over at the Naval Station a new building is planned that will house indoor tennis, ice hockey and a golf pro-shop.

As mentioned in Class Foundation newsletter, the Class of 1963 Center for Academic Excellence is providing greater than expected dividends for the midshipmen who utilize its services and the for the nation as a whole. The Superintendent, VADM Rempt, recently told the Council of Class Presidents that the number of midshipmen appearing before the Academic Board with failing grades has been halved, due largely to the focused efforts of the Center for Academic Excellence. David Puckett, Larry Marsh, Jim Ring and I have visited Dean Bill Miller (USNA 62) on several occasions to ask how we may in future years further the efforts we have already made in support of the Academic Center and the Naval Academy is hard at work framing a response for all of us to consider. We can all take genuine pride in the fact that we are leaving an indelible mark on the Naval Academy and the fleet, one that is inscribed in the midshipmen themselves and on the Brigade.

That said, the sacrifices and generosity of our classmates are also well represented in Memorial Hall, the cemetery and Columbarium, the Levy Center, Alumni Hall, and the Stadium.

The class has purchased a large tent for use at home football games. It will make its début at the first game this fall. The exact site for our tail gate tent has not been finalized yet, but I have asked the NAAA to place us between the sites now occupied by the Class of 60 and the Class of 64 so that there can be more interaction with those who roamed the halls of Bancroft with us and were with us in the fleet. As soon as our site location is finalized, we will get the word out. Most importantly, we hope to see you at as many home games as possible, cheering on what promises to be another memorable football team and a winning season.

Preparations continue for our scheduled 45^th reunion here in Annapolis 24, 25, 26 and 27 April 2008. Hotel rooms have been reserved in Annapolis hotels and space has been reserved for a huge cocktail party with very heavy hors d’oerves for Friday the 25^th in lieu of a sit down dinner. The Navy-Johns Hopkins lacrosse game, always a spell binder, should take place on Saturday in the great weather that late April usually affords. Mark your calendars now. More details will be forthcoming in the months ahead.

I am always pleased to read and hear about class gatherings around the country for various events and occasions. Keep up the great work. Let your class officers know how they can help in any way

Sadly, I have attended three memorial services for classmates here in Annapolis and at Arlington in recent weeks. Three more are scheduled in the months ahead that I am aware of. I am very gratified that at each service a significant number of classmates were in attendance. I can tell you that it means a great deal to the immediate families to have a group of classmates there to remember the wonderful years that we all shared together and to pay our respects as a class. If you can attend the funeral services for a classmate or spouse, I urge you to do so. It means so much to so many.

That’s about all the news from the banks of the Severn. Please keep you thoughts and ideas coming. Stay in touch.

Quality 63

Spencer Johnson