Link in the Chain report August 2005

Our support to the class of 09 is off and running. Events to date included a picnic on June 29, Induction Day, a reception at the Supe's quarters and the swearing-in oath of office ceremony. Attendees were; Bob Beaton, Linda and Norm Bednarek, Ruth and Jack Brons, Betty and Terry Camilleri, Joan and Marty Finerty, Mary and Patty Ford, Ruth and Mickey Garverick, Jim Harden, John Heighes, Joceille and Bruce Nordwall, Joanne Palmer, Brenda and Don Smith, Sally and George Simmons, and Ona and Dan Truax. On July 15, the first parade was held with Frank Donovan serving as the reviewing officer; a 15 gun salute was rendered in recognition of his 3 star status. Attendees included: Martha Donovan, Ted Alexander, Robin Battaglini, Linda and Norm Bednarek, Joyce and Bill Clautice, Betty and Hayden Leon, Greg Nolan and Walt Szczpinski. A reception in Alumni Hall followed the parade. Classmate participation in these events was sparse and a disappointment. August brought Parents weekend and a good turnout of 59ers. The initial activity was a breakfast at the Supe's quarters followed by a parade. At the 0900 march-off, the temperature was about 90 degrees with high humidity- just like the weather 50 years ago when we paraded on Parents weekend. Next a "honors oath" and reaffirmation of the "oath of office" ceremony in Alumni Hall was conducted. We provided speakers of Gerry Garbacz and J. Guy Reynolds for the ceremony. Also, 15 classmates passed out "honor coins" to each member of the class of 09. This activity permitted our classmates to talk directly with and congratulate the 09 folks on their achievements to date. Attendees and coin presenters were: Gerry Garbacz, Jan and J. Guy Reynolds, Bob Beaton, Linda and Norm Bednarek, Ruth and Jack Brons, Joyce and Bill Clautice, Joan and Marty Finerty, Mary and Patty Ford, Ruth and Mickey Garverick, Linda and Griff Hamilton, Rod Johnston, Jim Lowe who traveled from Bellevue, WA to participate, Greg Nolan, Joceille and Bruce Nordwall, Charlie Pease, Tim Tinsley, Ona and Dan Truax, and Pete Van Nort who came from San Antonio, TX for the weekend events. The coin showed 59 and 09 connected by a link of chain with the inscription "an honorable link in a tradition of friendship". Each presenter got a coin and a copy of the 09 Reef Points. The closing event for the weekend was a dinner in King Hall (mess hall to us) at which Pete Van Nort spoke with a closing that had him take off his shirt and indicate "59 would give the shirt off our backs to support 09"; his skivy shirt was a 09 shirt with the names of each mid printed on the back. Needless to say, the house came down! Many classmates from earlier weekend events attended the dinner and were joined by Cathy and Geoff Cant, Betsy and Charlie Dobbs, Sally and Bill Garrett, Beverly Johnston, Jonda and Bud McFarlane, Eileen Nolan, Linda and Dave Osburn, and Caroline and Walt Szczpinski. This event permitted classmates to talk directly with the 09 members and from feedback received, the new plebes are an impressive group. The next events occur in mid-May 06 in what is a new activity - a plebe recognition week. Three days of events are planned including a recognition ceremony at which a member of our class will be the featured speaker. For the out of town folks, this would be a good time to try to attend as multi-day activities will take place. Exact dates will be announced via SHIPMATE and our class web page. Our finances to support the program are improving with about 65 percent of the needed revenues in hand. We still lack about $4,500 to fund the entire program; anyone desiring to support the effort can make a tax deductible donation directly to the USNA Foundatioin for the Class of 59 Link in the Chain project. Thanks to everyone who has made a donation already. Classmates who have participated to date have had positive comments and experiences and look forward to future events. We could use some more and new faces at the Spring events.