Link Announcement # 6

Another element, borrowed from a West Point tradition, has recently been added to the Link program. The classes of 57 and 58 have conducted this activity and 59 will be the third class to participate. The activity is called "Bonds of Gold" and involves class rings or miniatures donated by the 50 year senior class (us) to be melted down and mixed into the gold used to make the rings of the junior class (2009). The process creates a bond of gold between the classes and allows every new ring to have some molecules of gold from the senior class. When the class of 2009 is the senior class for the class of 2059, the process will continue and the class of 1959 will be assoicated with our 100 year junior class - a true living memorial to those who participate.

Generalities that apply to the process are:

1. The call for rings and miniatures can be made at any time, but must begin in about September 2006 to make the time line realistic.

2. A turnover ceremony will be held at USNA in the Spring of 2007. Donators are invited to participate along with class of 59 reps.

3. Any number of rings can be included - of course one (1) is the minimum.

4. Class reps including all donors are invited to the ring dance to observe the rings being dipped into the water collected from the sevens seas just as we did at our ring dance.

5. A commemorative card telling the story of each ring donated is given to each midshipman when they receive their ring.

6. Appropriate write-ups and photographs will be published by USNA and the Alumni Assocaition.

7. There is no cost to the class of 1959.

Write-ups that tell the story of each of the ring owners will forever remain a part of the "Bonds of Gold" history and tradition. Some samples are:

Captain Charles P. "Nick" Boyle, USAF (Ret) served in the US Air Force until 1969. During his career, Captail Boyle served as Range Security Officer at Cape Canaveral, FL at the time the Saturn and Gemini Space programs were occurring. Captain Boyle also served in SAC in California. Captain Boyle's ring was donated by his his wife, Janice Boyle, in memory of her husband, his military career and his years at the Academy.

Lieutenant Henry A. Darius, JR, USN (Ret) is a particularly significant addition to the rings donated. While attending USNA, he was involved in the design of the class of 1958 ring and crest. Darius's wife, Jo, who donated the ring along with her miniature in his memory, was certain that he would have been happy to know that his ring was a part of this special activity, and that his name would live on in the class of 2008.

I don't know who collects the rings, what happens to the stone, and a few other specific details. I will learn all that information over the next few months before we make our official call for donors. I will be happy to collect questions to present to the USNA and Alumni Association reps during our upcoming meetings that will begin in August should anyone care to pose them.

Marty Finerty, 59 Link coordinator, tel: 410-849-2502, email: mjfna59@comcast.net