Our classmate, Glenn Laury, died this past November. His widow, Debbie, has arranged for his inurnment at the Naval Academy Columbarium at 1400 on Wednesday, 24 April of this year (coming up!!).

Following the ceremony, Debbie plans to have a catered reception for those of attending at the Hilton Garden Inn on West Street.

Obviously, a headcount for Debbie is desirable so that she can plan properly. Any who will attend, or who are a "maybe," let Debbie know? Debbie's phone number is: (386) 503-9161; and her email account is: DEBBIELAURY@gmail.com.

The next Class '63 luncheon will be March 7th at 12:00pm in the Grill Room at the Army Navy Country Club.

We will order off the menu and reimburse Jim at the end of the luncheon.

Please RSVP to Bob bforster5@verizon.net or Jim at jep.ring@gmail.com.

Mike Blackledge further suggests thew following to prepare your survivors of your demise.

Index to the Turnover Notebook

A-Beneficiaries
Provides philosophy of how one disburses as- sets after death; details are provided elsewhere under Financial and Home.

B-Christmas Card List
From last year.

C-Charitable Efforts
Favorite charities, if any.

D-Credit Cards
List all credit cards owned.

E-Entertainment
Include usernames and passwords for Box office accounts & such.

F-Financial
1) Spreadsheet detailing everything
2) Include usernames and passwords for: Bank accounts; Securities accounts. Some assets such as houses and vehicles have Transfer on Death registration. Others, like IRAs and 401Ks have lists of beneficiaries.

G-Genealogy
What records should be maintained; who to noti- fy; FamilyTree, DNA or other usernames and passwords to such as DAR, SAR, Rootsweb; Ancestry.com.

H-Home
Maintenance, HVAC records for home

I-Instructions
Last Instructions for family, friends, executor

I-Insurance
Current policies such as Life Insurance, Home- owner's Insurance, Auto Insurance.

I-Individual Retirement Accounts
IRAs -- Traditional/Roth information with banks.

I-Internet Services
Usernames and passwords for each.

L-Legal
Will, Right to Die, Five Wishes, powers of attor- ney, health directive, etc.

L-Locks
Locks and keys to vehicles, house doors, and information on other locks like safe deposit box.

M-Marriage License
Certified.

M-Medical
Names/phone numbers of doctors/dentists etc.

M-Medicare
MyMedicare.gov username and password.

M-Military Records
1) Certified copy of DD form 214 i.e. Retirement separation
2) Defense Finance (DFAS) Retiree Account Statement and allotment

O-Obituary
On computer--here is a recent copy.

P-Photographs
Historic family photos--all identified, ha!

S-Social Security
Contact the Social Security Administration as soon as possible.

S-Societies
Other interests, clubs, professional associations and the like.

S-Subscriptions
Include usernames and passwords for: Newspa- pers; Netflix; Facebook; Internet service; Email accounts; Software and hardware accounts; Cell phones; Websites with automatic fund transfers.

T-Taxes
Recent tax return copies; IRS and state tax pay- ment usernames and passwords.

T-Tickets
Season tickets.

T-Travel
Passports; Global Entry card username and password; Airline accounts usernames and passwords.

U-Utilities
Any and all arrangements for automatic utility or telephone payments.

V-Vehicles
1) Maintenance including name of mechanic.
2) Registration, including emissions testing.
3) Other accounts such as tire purchases.

Dave Moore has pointed out that many obituaries are inaccurate and incorrect being written by loved ones after the death without good knowledge of the career and accomplishments of the deceased. If you want yours to be complete the best thing to do is write it yourself, now, before you pass. You can then provide it to your survivors which is one less task they need to do. Dave also suggests adding it or at least the details of your life to your Current Bio on our class webpage. Steve Coester (webmaster) will be happy to add whatever you want. Send to scoester@cfl.rr.com.

Another good idea is to specify for your survivors your post death desires for the funeral, memorial service, etc being as detailed as you want from no services to the full affair. Provide this information to your survivors.

Hope you all had a peaceful Holiday season.

Our first luncheon for 2024 is Tuesday, January16th at the Army Navy Country Club at 11:30am. The cost will be $40.00 which includes tax, coffee and water. Drinks (wine, beer, sodas) are extra.

Hope you can attend. We closed out 2023 with 15 attendees at the November luncheon.

Please RSVP to Bob. bforster5@verizon.net or Jim at jep.ring@gmail.com.

Hope to see you there.

Bob

Dear Classmates, Family, and Friends of the Class of 1963,

It is crisp and cold here in Annapolis. This being the shortest day of the year, it is dark as well. The Messiah has been sung. The many items on the Giving Tree donated by the Brigade have been distributed. Exams are over and the Brigade has melted away for Christmas leave. The yard is quiet but well lit with decorations of the season.

Superintendents: VADM Yvette Davids has been confirmed by the Senate as has VADM Kacher, the acting Superintendent, who is destined to take command of the Seventh Fleet. No date for the change of command as yet.

Football: The Army-Navy game went right down to the wire as was expected with Navy poised with inches to go for a winning touchdown as the game ended 17--11 Army. Preparations are already underway for next year. An assistant coach has departed for a head coaching position at another college and the offensive coordinator has not had his contract renewed. Now for a quarterback to replace those graduating.

60th Reunion: We had a great reunion here in Annapolis 19-21 October. Special thanks go to Bill Earner, our reunion chairman: Steve Duncan our Memorial Service coordinator and speaker; Jim Lloyd, our class golf game coordinator; and Bob Forster who coordinated football tickets and the tailgate catering services at the stadium. We had a great turnout with 391 seats filled at our class dinner, including spouses, and adult children.

I would like to give a shout out to Steve Coester. He and his wife, Yvonne, could not attend the reunion, but he gives all of us a reunion every day by maintaining and running our magnificent class website, which is the envy of everyone who looks at it. Thank you and BZ, Steve.

At our reunion, the Superintendent gave us an excellent briefing on the current state of affairs at the Naval Academy, including measures being taken to counter rising waters here in the Chesapeake Bay. The Terwilliger Class of 1963 Center for Academic Excellence was cited as the major reason for the better than 91% graduation rate, and the recent finding by the Princeton Review that the Naval Academy is the top school in the country for student academic support and counseling services. Well done, classmates.

I presented the Superintendent with a facsimile check for seventy-two million dollars { $72 million} which represented the lifetime giving by our class to our alma mater. We are credited by the Naval Academy Foundation as the "givingest" class in Naval Academy history. The $72 million cited includes a $27.5 million bequest pledged by Ron Terwilliger for the '63CAE. It does not include the tens of millions of dollars given by Ron through the Naval Academy Athletic Association for such things as rebuilding the baseball stadium and field; and improvements to Navy-Marine Corps stadium such as an electronic scoreboard, box seats, and other needed additions. Ron also endowed the 25,000 square foot Ron Terwilliger Center for Student Athletes at Ricketts Hall which tells the story of Navy athletics through artifacts, memorabilia, and inter-active video displays. Ron Terwilliger, through his business dealings, is responsible for the creation of more median and low-cost housing than any other man in America. In addition, he worked through Habitat for Humanity to create low cost, affordable housing throughout the world serving as International Chairman of Habitat for Humanity. Ron Terwilliger has given all of us much to be proud of. You have our salute and gratitude, Ron.

Finally, at the reunion dinner ,we inducted two new honorary members of our class: Dr. Andrew T. Phillips, former Dean and Provost of the Naval Academy, and Dr. Bruce Bukowski who is the Director of the 63 Center of Academic Excellence. Both expressed their gratitude and thanks for what they consider a great honor. Bruce Bukowski wrote " ....thank you for the honor of being a 63 classmate . I have received many honors in my 46 years of education and coaching, but I think this one is the most meaningful to me. It is an honor to represent your class for the CAE. It is part of the culture here and I am proud of our staff and how big it has become. 63 deserves much of the credit because, without you, none of this would have happened." As a side note, adding these two new honorary classmates collectively lowers our average age and increases our IQ.

That's all the news from Annapolis. The fire is burning. The welcome sign is hung out. The lifetime of memories you have provided us are more than enough to keep us warm this winter. From our house to yours, best wishes for a wonderful holiday season and a joyous, healthy, and prosperous New Year,

Quality '63

Andrea and Spencer Johnson '63

Jerry Jordan has two tickets in the '63 Section. Two for the price of one!
jordajw1@gmail.com

4 tickets in the 63 Class Section on the Class web site. Jack McDonald (17th Co) is having to cancel his attendance at the 60th Reunion.

jackusna63@gmail.com

Dear Classmates, Family and Friends of the Class of 1963,

We are now just hours from our 60th reunion. It is crisp and Fall like here in Annapolis so be prepared to dress warmly. If you are traveling please be careful, no matter your mode of transportation.

On Wednesday 18 October at 1400 we will lay Lee Pekary to rest in the Columbarium. On Monday 23 October at 1030 we will likewise lay Bob Maier to rest in the Columbarium. Please join us if you can to bid fair winds and following sea to our classmates as they embark on their last voyage. The Columbarium is easily accessable. From gate 8 proceed straight ahead. The Columbarium will be on your left just before you hit the College Creek bridge. Tell the gate guard that you are going to a funeral and that should gain you admittance to the yard.

Last Minute Reunion Gouge

1. Gate 3 (Maryland Ave) will be open to foot traffic on Friday 0900-1500. You will need to show a photo ID.

2. To shop at the Mid Store, be sure to have your reunion name tag, issued at registration. There is also a coffee shop now in the Mid Store.

3. With 3 reunions this weekend (1963, 1978 and 2008) parking on the Yard will be nearly impossible. Please use transportation provided.

5. Our class will have a reserved seating section for the Parade.

6. There is no reserved seating for the Superintendent's brief - you may sit wherever you wish.

7. Drydock restaurant is currently under renovation, but The Alley (Naval Academy Club) is open as well as coffee shops near Gate 3 and in the Mid Store.

8. We are welcome all over the Yard, but please respect the academic buildings and don't enter classrooms.

9. At this weekend's game against Air Force, there will be a special event where the mids will attempt to break the Guinness record for most push-ups, currently held by Air Force. The reunion classes are welcome to participate if they wish, by doing push-ups on the walkway in front of the scoreboard before kick-off. This is not recommended unless your cardiologist is close at hand.

See you soon!

Quality '63

Spencer Johnson

Two seats, $80 each, Section C, Row 3, edge of 23rd Company block. 1 SRO, $50. PayPal, Zelle, or check. If you don't attend the tailgate, enter any entrance to stadium and walk the concourse to north end.

Beat AF!
Steve Leisge
sleisge@comcast.net

Tim's family is thankful for those who have contributed but I thing we can do better than five contributers! Just think what $63 from most of us would do to help? Please consider it.---Steve C.

Our 1963 classmate Tim Harvey and his wife Tamara are having extreme health, financial, and housing difficulties.

Tim's son Ross has explained the situation. Click Here for the updated details in the PDF file.

1. If anyone has a solution for the housing crisis please contact Ross at harvey.technical@gmail.com or by phone at (757)237-3003.

2. Cash donations will be greatly appreciated. Ross has set up a GoFundMe account for this purpose at https://gofund.me/18bb9362.Ross can also accept money using Zelle or Paypal at harvey.technical@gmail.com. Or if you prefer old-fashioned checks, email Ross for directions.

Dear Classmates, Family and Friends,

It is cool and rainy here in Annapolis. I hope the sun is shining wherever you are.

Reunion Gouge of Importance. Mobility Assistance.

For classmates or theirs seeking some mobility asiostance during our reunion the following is germane:

Call Annapolis Healthcare Supplies at 410-295-7300 and ask for Sharon. The firm has wheel chairs and walkers for rent. Each person can discuss price. Annapolis Healthcare will deliver the appliance to the Doubletree hotel on Wednesday, October 18 and pick it up on Sunday, October 22. Other dates are negotiable. They will want a credit card number. It is recommended strongly that reservations for items be made as soon as possible. They expect a lot of requests on the weekend of the Air Force game

Around the Yard

I have heard that if there is a government shut down, civilian professors and staff will not come to work. They will also go unpaid. Military staff will report for duty although they may also go unpaid. There is a big adjustment in store as to how a government shut down will be dealt with. At least, six weeks tests have just been administered so there is a natural pause stop academically if that happens.

The Superintendent's quarters, Buchanan House as we knew it, has been renamed Farragut House. "Damn the torpedoes".

Navy is a four point favorite against Southern Florida University here at home on Saturday. Our class tent will be up and running as it will for the North Texas game the following weekend. Our class tent will not be erected for the Air Force game since we will all be at the class tailgate inside the stadium grounds. More news as it happens.

I am off to get my COVID19 shot. I hope you have already had yours.

See you at the reunion now less than a month away

Quality '63

Spencer Johnson '63

Bob Maier passed away on August 31st, 2023. His Inurement is scheduled for Monday, October 23rd at 10:30am at the USNA Columbarium.

So. Fla 30 Sep, upper blue 45-yard line; two tickets $50 each; park next ‘63 tailgate, $25.

Air Force – Reunion: two in class section, end zone, $80 each. One SRO, end zone, $50; park next ‘63 tailgate location, $25. If not attending class tailgate behind end zone seats, enter any gate and walk concourse to north end zone.

Buy through PayPal, Zelle or check.

Beat AF!
Steve Leisge
1515 Richmond Hwy, #1401
Arlington, VA 22202
703-820-5204
sleisge@comcast.net

Our 1963 classmate Tim Harvey and his wife Tamara are having extreme health, financial, and housing difficulties.

Tim's son Ross has explained the situation. Click Here for the details in the PDF file.

1. If anyone has a solution for the housing crisis please contact Ross at harvey.technical@gmail.com or by phone at (757)237-3003.

2. Cash donations will be greatly appreciated. Ross has set up a GoFundMe account for this purpose at https://gofund.me/18bb9362.Ross can also accept money using Zelle or Paypal at harvey.technical@gmail.com. Or if you prefer old-fashioned checks, email Ross for directions.

Dear Alumni,

Every year, on a crisp December morning, the United States Naval Academy in Annapolis Maryland comes alive with the spirit of remembrance. It's a day when thousands of fresh evergreen wreaths, each adorned with a scarlet bow, are lovingly placed on the graves of fallen heroes. This solemn event, known as Wreaths across America, carries immense significance, not only for our nation but also for individuals like myself. Allow me to share a personal story that highlights the profound impact of this cherished tradition, and why your support is crucial.

As a Navy wife I have known many lost in service to this country, their selflessness and commitment to defending our freedom left an indelible mark on my life. The Naval Academy ceremony is a powerful tribute to honor and remember those who made the ultimate sacrifice.

Walking among rows of gravestones, adorned with wreaths, I experienced an overwhelming sense of gratitude and respect for the fallen heroes. Each wreath represented a life lived, dreams unfulfilled, and a legacy that would forever endure. It was during that poignant moment that I realized the immense importance of supporting Wreaths across America.

Wreaths across America is an organization dedicated to ensuring that no grave at the Naval Academy remains bare during the annual ceremony. Their mission is to remember, honor, and teach - keeping alive the memory of those who fought for our freedom and inspiring younger generations to appreciate the sacrifices made on their behalf.

By donating to wreaths Across America, you become an essential part of the extraordinary endeavor. Your contribution directly impacts the number of wreaths available for placement, ensuring that every hero resting at the Naval Academy receives the recognition they deserve. Each wreath represents a tangible symbol of appreciation, a heartfelt tribute to those who have served our nation with valor.

Your support can help carry forward this tradition of honor as we collectively stand united to remember our fallen heroes. Consider the impact your donation can make, not only on the families and friends of the fallen but also on the generations to come. Together we can preserve the integrity of the Naval Academy ceremony and pay homage to those who gave everything to our country.

The Naval Academy ceremony, made possible through Wreaths Across America, hold a special place in the hearts of countless individual touched by the sacrifices of our brave servicemen and women. It is through our collective effort that we can ensure their memories live on and inspire future generations. Join us in the noble cause and let us demonstrate that the spirit of remembrance can heal hearts, forge connections, and honor the heroes who have shaped our nation's history.

To Donate go to www.wreathsacrossamerica.org/md0011
(cut and paste or you may have to hit the Ctrl key) By using the above link for every 2 wreaths purchased the cemetery will get a free one.

Many other options are available to send more, or less. If you have any issues, please contact me at the numbers listed below. Wreaths are $17 a wreath, when you purchase two the free one will be applied automatically by using the link above. You may not see this, but, I will, if you would like to confirm please contact me.

All are welcome to the wreath laying on Friday December 1, 2023 Time to be determined usually 08:30 or 09:00. You may sign up to volunteer for this event on that same link, by doing so you will get the latest information as to the time and parking.

Or mail check to: Wreaths Across America
PO Box 249
Columbia Falls, ME 04623
Place MD0011 on the memo line of your check for USNA to get credit.

Thank you for your help, we cannot accomplish this without your donations. If you are an organization that is looking to raise money for your organization this is a wonderful and easy fundraiser too. I would be glad to help you get started.

Carol Turman
Coordinator, Wreaths Across America USNA
2430 Kemper Rd
Crofton, MD 21114
c-443-336-6541
h-410-451-4490

Dear Classmates, Family, and Friends of the Class of 1963,

We are experiencing the last heat of the summer here in Annapolis. Every day this week is projected to be well more than 90 degrees. We will get through it.

Reunion Gouge: If you have not registered and paid for the reunion events you want to attend, chop to your computer as fast as you can and register at; SignUpNow.Events/USNA1963. This is very important. Within two weeks we must give hard numbers and money to caterers, transportation providers, and others that will service our reunion. There is a 20% surcharge on registration fees, so do it NOW. We will cut off any refunds by 10 October because we have committed the money and cannot afford last minute cancellations. This is an urgent requirement.

Please check out the Terwilliger and Class of 1963 CAE video posted on our website. Once again the '63 CAE has broken all records with over 1700 sign ups per week for the services offered. You will hear more about this in the days ahead, and at the reunion.

Doubletree. Lori Kate Pyle the widow of Gary Smith has a two queen bed bedroom at the discounted rate from Wed-Sun. If you need a room please contact her at :l lorikate29@gmail.com as soon as possible. Once released, the room will revert to open registration for anyone.

Class Dinner. Dress for the class dinner on Friday evening will be optional. You can wear a coat and tie, a coat and open collared shirt, shirt, and slacks with no coat. Please wear a collared shirt (no tee shirts), slacks (no jeans), and socks. Information as to rain gear will be put out later.

Company dinners on Thursday night. If your company does not have a place for a dinner get together on Thursday night, the Doubletree Hotel can accommodate company dinners. A table or tables will be provided and everyone orders off the menu as desired. If interested, please contact Wendy Ruhle at (410) 897 1012.

Lee Pekary You may want to get to Annapolis a day early .. Our classmate Lee Pekary will be laid to rest in the Columbarium at 1330 on Thursday the 18th of October.

Football:

This week we play Wagner at home on Saturday. Our class tailgate will be up in our usual spot and will be for all home games this season. However, this season will probably be our last in doing so. It costs well more than $3500.00 to put up and strike the tent for a season. Our collections from those attending do not meet the costs and there are fewer of us attending the tailgate and games. If you disagree with this intention, please let me know along with your ideas for raising more money.

Around the Yard: Rear Admiral Fred Kacher is the acting superintendent of the Naval Academy until he is promoted and assumes command of the Seventh Fleet. Hopefully, Rear Admiral Yvette Davids will soon be confirmed as a vice admiral and take up the reins as planned.

From the Crow's nest to the main deck, that's all the news.

See you at the reunion. Don't miss out, REGISTER NOW and pay your fees so there is a place for you.

Quality '63

Spencer Johnson

Abernathy United Methodist Church
960 Malcolm Blvd.
Connelly Springs, NC 28612

The service and inurnment will be in early Fall at the Naval Academy.

Dear Classmates, Family and Friends of the Class of 1963,

The summer weather here in Annapolis has been great and continues to be so. The days are warm but not humid. The sun has been in evidence almost every day. This is all evidence to show that we had the last real Plebe summer.

Reunion Gouge: There are 68 days remaining until we gather here in Annapolis for our 60th reunion. If you have not done so already, please go to the website SignUpNow.Events/USNA 1963, sign up for the events you plan to attend and pay for them now. This will greatly facilitate reunion planning here in Annapolis. On the registration website you will find a complete listing of events planned, their times and locations. Use the instructions you should have received in the mail or the video help button included to navigate the website. It is not hard.

Reunion Gear: Anchor Enterprises has opened a Class of 63 store with short sleeve denim shirts, long sleeve oxford shirts, base ball caps and other items. The class crest will be featured on all items purchased from the class store. The class store can be accessed directly at: usnaclasstore.com/63store.html.

Navy Football: The 2023 Navy football season is fast upon us. The opening game is August 26 against Notre Dame to be played in Aviva Stadium in Dublin, Ireland. This game is dubbed the Aer Lingus Classic. Both teams will wear Gaelic jerseys designed by UnderArmor. Navy's white jersey will feature a Carrick bend knot used to join two lines of differing circumference. Notre Dame's blue jerseys will include a Celtic knot like the one that decorates the Golden Dome in South Bend. Navy was a young team last year and has matured significantly. There are a number of returning veterans. The coaching staff promises other than triple option offensive play featured in recent years. Look for more passing than we have seen. The offensive and defensive lines, including line backers, will see a majority of returning players. Three quarter backs are vying for the starting position. Practice so far promises a strong, experienced, savvy team. The Dublin game will be televised at 1430 EDT. Check your local listings for the appropriate channel in your area.

Class Tailgate: Our '63 tailgate will be up and running at site 12A (near the water tower end of the field) for all our home games except the Air Force game when we will have the '63 reunion catered tailgate inside the stadium proper. This will be the last year for our class tailgate. We have a diminishing number attending and costs of site rental, tent erection, taking down and storage are considerable. When you see the glass jar passed, please be generous in donating to meeting those costs.

Around The Yard: The class of 2027 is enjoying parent's weekend after a six weeks (43days) Plebe Summer. The new Plebes look smart in their dress white uniforms worn for the first time this weekend. The Brigade returns over the next several days and classes start on Thursday. Time flies.

Who Is In Charge, Or Who's On First: The current Superintendent, VADM Sean Buck is technically retired but retained until sometime in September. VAM Buck is on a short list to become president of Florida Atlantic University. The arrival of VADM Yvette Davids is at the whim of Senator Tom Tuberville of Alabama who has long put a hold on Senate confirmation or promotion of senior military officers causing a severe problem for the leadership for all the services. The current Assistant Commandant of the Marine Corps is currently acting as Commandant until he can be confirmed in the post. The same holds true for the Army and will for the Air Force where the current vice chiefs are nominated to step up. The position of Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff may also go vacant until the Senate bottle neck is cleared.

Big Navy: The Navy will soon inaugurate its first female Chief of Naval Operations, ADM Lisa Franchetti, who is currently serving as the Vice Chief of Naval Operations. A surface warfare officer she has commanded a destroyer, a strike battle group and the Sixth Fleet where she supervised tomahawk missile strikes against Syrian poison gas facilities. She has also served as the J-5 (Plans, Policy, and Strategy) on the Joint Staff. Although not a Naval Academy graduate, she has all the right stuff to be our next CNO.

That's all the news from here in the Crow's Nest.

See you at the reunion!

Quality '63,

Spencer Johnson '63

July 5, 2023--Spencer Johnson Irish Pennants

Dear Classmates, Family and Friends of the Class of 1963,

Reunion Information

Reunion registration instructions due to be mailed out have hit a snag but should be arriving soon. We are employing the US Postal Service, Welles Fargo Stage Coach lines, and the Pony Express but even so....... Registration information to register on line can be found on our class website, thanks to Steve Coester. You are encouraged to register on line as soon as possible to facilitate reunion planning.

1. To register on line: (1) go to USNA63.org,our class website homepage

(2) Go to Class Reunions

(3) Click on Class of 1963 60th Reunion October 19-23, 2023

(4) Click on Registration. There you will find detailed instructions on registration and signing up for the events you and your guests will want to attend.

Again, please take a few minutes and register now.

Reunion Gear. Another source of reunion gear is Anchor Enterprises. The proprietor is Steve Phillips. For more information go to steve@anchorenterprises.com

Around the Yard. Summer, with all the humidity and thunder storms we all remember so well, has returned to Annapolis. So have the new Plebe Class, the Class of 2027, which gathered 1185 strong and was sworn in on 29 June They all have new "haircuts", initial uniform issues including "white works", and a 300 plus page copy of Reef Points. Some things never change.

Thats all the news from Annapolis.

REGISTER NOW. See you at the reunion.

Quality '63

Spencer Johnson

July 3, 2023--Save the Date -Correction-- Next Class DC Area '63 Luncheons are July 18 and September 13. We are scheduling a summer luncheon for the first time. We'll see how it goes.

June 26, 2023--Rick Kleinfeldt will be Inured at the USNA Columbarium at 10:30am on Thursday, July 13, 2023.

Please let Dave Bingemann (dmbr@aol.com) (Cell: 904-476-4534) know if you plan to attend.

June 16, 2023--Save the Date - Next Class DC Area '63 Luncheons are July 19 and September 20. We are scheduling a summer luncheon for the first time. We'll see how it goes.

June 7, 2023--Spencer Johnson Irish Pennants

Dear Classmates, Family and Friends of the Class of 1963,

Looking Back It was sixty years ago yesterday that, after having spent our last night in Bancroft Hall, we mustered and marched over to Halsey Fieldhouse in our service dress whites to receive our diplomas and commissions as newly minted graduates of the US Naval Academy. We listened impatiently to the graduation address presented by Vice President Lyndon Johnson. Those graduating in the top ten percent as honor graduates proceeded to the stage to receive their diplomas from the Vice President. The rest of us received our diplomas and commissions from the bundle that our company representative brought back to our seating area. After that we gave three cheers and threw our midshipman covers into the air to the applause of all assembled to witness the culmination of four years hard work and dogged persistence. It was a bitter sweet moment. On the one hand, we were glowing with the pride that only graduation could bestow on each and every one of us, and, on the other hand, we would never be all together again. From Halsey Field House we emerged as ensigns and second lieutenants scattered to the seven seas to win the nation's wars and wage the peace that was the "Cold War". Since then we have experienced almost all that life has to offer in uniform or out. We each took with us the ethos that we learned by precept and example at the Naval Academy. We have provided leadership and service where ever we found ourselves. We still do. Well Done Classmates!!!

Around the Yard

New Supeintendant. The President has named the next Superintendent of the Naval Academy. She is Rear Admiral Yvette David. She is awaiting Senate confirmation to promotion to Vice Admiral (along with about two hundred other flag and general officers). She will be the first female Superintendent of the Naval Academy. Her husband is a Navy Seal and, as a Rear Admiral, commands Navy Special Operations Command from Coronado, California They have twin boys aged twelve years old. If confirmed, the change of command will take place in early July. VADM Sean Buck, the current Superintendent will retire when relieved.

Ogle Hall The headquarters of the Alumni Association, named for the colonial governor who occupied the house, was recently sold for over $6 million and will be vacated this summer when the new Alumni headquarters (Fleugel Hall.) is ready for occupancy. The new owners of OGLE Hall plan to convert the building and its adjacent buildings into a 20 room bed and breakfast. Their further plan to establish a private club on the site has been put on hold by the City Council who are concerned with zoning prohibitions on nocturnal noise and other concerns of adjacent neighbors. Hendon The Class of 2027 completed their "sea trials" fourteen hour physically demanding ordeal the second week in May and climbed Herndon the next morning with a time of 2 hours and 33 minutes. 'Taint no mo' Plebes".

Spring Sports The Navy rugby team, in their first year as a varsity sport, won the rugby national championship. The Navy baseball team lost three out of four games against Army and lost any bid for the league championship thereby. Both women's and men's outdoor track and fielld teams swept to victory in all events including the league champoinships. Navy's javelin thrower is on his way to the national championship in the event, having thrown the javelin over 248 feet for a new personal best and record throw.

Graduation The Class of 2023 graduated in the Navy-Marine Corps Stadium on 26 May, adding over a thousand new officers to the fleet. Secretary of Defence Lloyd Austin was their speaker and did not let them forget that he is a West Point graduate. It was a beautiful day for the traditional Blue Angels fly over and graduation.

Reunion Gouge. Several items of note for our upcoming October reunion:

Expect a letter in your mail box before the end of the month that will include all the information for registration for the reunion. It is hoped that everyone will be registered as soon as possible to facilitate final arrangements fo the reunion events.

Game time for the Air Force game has been set for noon. This is to accommodate national television coverage of the game.

If you need reunion gear (shirts, jackets, etc.) go to Zancan Men (Zancan apparel.com) for a wide range of choices and colors. They will embroidery our class crest if desired and deliver to your front door.

More to come soon. Watch your mail box and this space.

With best wishes to all,

Quality '63

Spencer Johnson '63

June 4, 2023--Tomorrow June 5 marks 60 years since we graduated!

April 27, 2023--Save the Date - Next Class '63 Luncheon is Tuesday May 23, 2023 at the ANCC.

March 17, 2023--Joel Warshaw Interment at Arlington will be on Monday, April 3, 2023 at 11 AM.

From Bob Forster: If you plan on attending Joel Warshaw's funeral at Arlington and the luncheon at Ft Meyer, please let Mikaela Clark mikaela_rossman@hotmail.com know you will be there.

The funeral is on April 3rd at 11am at Arlington National Cemetery. Weather in this area can be extra unpredictable that time of year--it could be 30* or 90*. The ceremony date is also during the Cherry Blossom Festival, so expect traffic and parking to be extra challenging. ANC is accessible via the Metro on the Blue Line, Arlington Cemetery Stop.

https://www.arlingtoncemetery.mil/Funerals/Attending-a-Funeral/Order-of-Events

The lunch reception will be following the ceremony, at approximately 12:30pm, at Ft. Myer, Patton Hall. This is about a 20 minute walk or 10 minute drive from the cemetery. You will need to obtain base access to attend the reception. It is recommended that you follow the process for base access prior to the day of the reception, however it can be accomplished on the day of the event, but will require a wait time before you are able to enter the base. Details about base access are below.

https://jbmhh.armymwr.com/programs/patton-hall-community-club-and-conference-center

JBM-HH VISITOR PASS REQUEST PROCESS

ONLINE PASS REQUEST-

For one day access requests for events, or general access you may complete an online request through JBM-HH online website: https://pass.aie.army.mil/jbmhh. All requests should be submitted with as much advance notice as possible to ensure adequate processing and vetting time. Processing times will vary pending the number of requests in the queue. If practicable, requests should be submitted a minimum of four business days in advance of intended entry. Requests submitted less than four business days should be submitted as a short notice request; however, requests annotated as a short notice request does not guarantee processing in time for requested installation access. You must have a valid Driver's License and Social Security number to utilize this system. You may also have to take a photo.

*If you receive a NEGATIVE VETTING Result or No photo is displayed on your pass you must come to the JBM-HH VCC (Bldg. S507) to receive your pass.

PRE-VET EVENT PASS ACCESS REQUEST-

To acquire installation pass onto Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall (JBM-HH), for Event attendees, they must fill out the JBM-HH Installation Access Request Form 190-16x. Visitor applicants would need to complete questions 1-2-3-5-6a-6b-7-9-10-12 and 13 on the front page and numbers 1-2 and 3 on the reverse page. If any of your attendees possess DoD CAC ID or Military/Dependent ID cards, then as a result, they would not have to fill out the application. Also, if any of your attendees are under the age of 18, they would not have to fill out the application. All applications should be turned in to us 10 days prior to an event or emailed to usarmy.jbmhh.asa.mbx.visitor-control-center@mail.mil.

*This process is used to Pre-Vet applicants ONLY. This only clears applicants for entry and does not issue a pass. Individuals will still have to come inside the Visitor Control Center to receive their pass.

VISITOR PASS REQUEST-

Visitors to JBM-HH may report to the JBM-HH Visitor Control Center, Bldg. S507 located adjacent to Hatfield Gate or Bldg. 65 on Fort McNair. You will need to bring required Government Issued identification which will be presented to the VCC Staff for the Installation access vetting process. You will need to provide your Social Security Number onto a Keypad and (if required) you may need to have your photograph taken. If approved you will be given a temporary pass from 1 to 60 days. This process is very quick and can only take a couple of minutes (depending on number of events.

*If denied you will be provided a Memo and Waiver Packet. Reason for Denial is not authorized to be provided.

FOREIGN VISITOR PASS REQUEST

An individual who is a Non US Citizen requires additional checks. In Addition to the QH (Computerized Criminal History Check) and the QR (Individual Criminal Records Request).This additional check is the IAQ (Immigration Assessment Query). All individuals who request access to JBM-HH using a foreign Passport (without a VISA) will be required to fill out a JBM-HH Form 190-16x. It will be explained that they are not able to gain access onto the installation until results have been returned. This may take a while, as request is sent to other agency for response.

Fort Myer VCC Hours of Operation:

Monday through Friday, from 0600 to 1700
Saturday, from 1000 through 1500
(703) 696-0185

Fort McNair VCC Hours of Operation:
Monday-Friday, from 0800 to 1600.
(202) 685-7762

If attending the luncheon you will need a military ID (retired or dependent) card to get on base. Otherwise see the instructions at the end of this email to obtain a visitor's pass for Ft Meyer.

March 15, 2023--Ron Klemick's Inurnment at USNA from Watt Miles

Ron Klemick's Inurnment has been rescheduled for 1400 on Tuesday, 9 May at the Columbarium. There will be a reception at the O'Club following the ceremony, which Spence has graciously helped Sandy and son Matt coordinate. Also , Ben has arranged a discounted block of rooms ($149) at the DoubleTree by Hilton (our 60th Reunion hotel) just off Riva Road for the 8th and 9th of May; they are cancellable until 2 days prior and must be made by 30 days prior. Please make them ASAFeasible at this link:

https://www.hilton.com/en/attend-my-event/anpdtdt-zmk-f8aea6bb-016f-4a34-9060-f780e58932ba/ or call 1-800-222-TREE and use Group Code ZMK

Please let Watt know if you plan to attend... perrymiles@cox.net

March 2, 2023--Spencer Johnson Irish Pennants and IMPORTANT reunion info

Dear Classmates, Family and Friends of the Class of 1963,

Reunion Gouge.

Bill Earner, our reunion chairman has just passed the following information for dissemination to the class:

" Dear Classmates,

We have just been informed by the Naval Academy Athletic Association that we must have all tickets for the reunion game with Air Force purchased by May 1st. I recognize that this is a short timeline but since the game is undoubtedly going to be a sellout the NAAA wants to know just how many tickets are sold as soon as possible so as to give everyone who wants one a fair shot at getting one.

You may order tickets from the NAAA at the Navy Sports web site Navysports.com (go to Tickets Tab>Ticket Promo Codes, then ENTER PROMO Code 1963

We will use PROMO code 1963. It is very important that you use the PROMO code when ordering so that NAAA recognizes the class order and your tickets are in the Class of 1963 section. That way we can ask for more tickets if our initial block request is filling up ahead of the May 1st deadline. If you want to sit as a company group it is recommended to have one person order all the tickets for the group/company and the others pay that person. Still - remember to use the PROMO code: 1963.

The tickets for the Air Force game are eighty dollars each (e$80).

If you are planning to attend the Tailgate party ahead of the game you must have a football game ticket to enter the Tailgate area. If you are not interested in watching the game from a seat in the Class section, you may order a Standing Room Only (SRO) ticket. SRO tickets cost fifty dollars ($50). You will not be permitted into the stadium seating area with an SRO ticket but may easily watch from the end zone wall area. It is the current plan to hold the Tailgate under the large tent adjacent to the Class of '53 pavilion.

I recognize this is a major change from our past reunions in Annapolis but at this point in our journey I think we can make it happen and have a wonderful reunion.

Thanks for your support,

Bill Earner,

Chair, 60th Reunion, Class of 1963 "

Herndon

Word has just been received that the traditional Herndon climb for the Class of 2026 will be rescheduled from the beginning of graduation week to the final event of the grueling 15 or 16 hour "Sea Trials" now imposed on each Plebe Class at the end of the year. Sea Trials are meant to test individual stamina and strength, ingenuity, team building, coordination, and spirit. Events are held on both sides of the Severn, including crossing the river in rubber boats. The Herndon climb will be the final event of Sea Trials, testing class ability to coordinate and achieve the replacing of the Dixie cup at the top with a combination cover. Having seen the mud and sweat covered midshipmen at the end of Sea Trials, there may be no need to grease the Herndon monument. I predict slower times for the climb given the exhausted condition of the Plebes at the outset.

On completion of the Herndon climb and the switching of the headgear, the Plebes are promoted to Third Class Midshipmen, and the chant will truly be "T'aint No Plebes No More"

That's all the news for now, folks.

Quality '63

Spencer Johnson '63

March 1, 2023--Joel Warshaw Interment at Arlington will be on Monday, April 3, 2023 at 11 AM.

February 28, 2023--Save the Date - Next Class '63 Luncheon is Thursday March 23, 2023 at the ANCC.

January 4, 2023--Save the Date: Next Class '63 Luncheon - January 26th at the Army/Navy Country CC

February 18, 2023--Joel Warshaw Visitation and Reception

Joel's local visitation will be held Thursday the 23rd at 1000 at Vale-Hoskins Funeral Home (513 W Pike St., Morrow, OH 45152), followed by an open house at Hamilton Township Police Department (7780 S St Rt 48, Maineville, OH 45039.

January 4, 2023--Save the Date: Next Class '63 Luncheon - January 26th at the Army/Navy Country CC

December 24, 2022--Spencer's Christmas Irish Pennants

Dear Classmates, Family and Friends of the Class of 1963,

Exams are over. Bancroft Hall is all but deserted. The Brigade of Midshipmen is on Christmas leave. The weather is icy cold, with temperatures well below feezeing, and winds sufficient to halt all traffic on the Chesapeake Bay Bridge.

Navy Football. The season came to an end on december 10th with a heartbreaking loss to Army (20-17) in double overtime. Immediately following the outcome of the game, long time (15 year ) head coach, Ken Niamatalolo, was unceremoniously fired from his position for failure to meet expectations to win the Commander-in- Chief"s trophy, complete a winning season (6 games in the win column), and receive a bowl bid, in four of the past five years. There are many who think that Coach Niamatalolo should have been allowed to finish the last year of his current contract. Next year should be a much better season for Navy with 17 of 22 starters returning and three of the top competitors in the league withdrawing from the conference (Houston, University of Central Florida, and Cincinnati). Others think a change in football leadership is badly needed. The sports columnist John Feinstein wrote in the Washington Post that Navy will be hard pressed to find another coach with Ken Niamatalolo's qualities of coaching, leadership, character, integrity and devotion to developing future leaders as well as football players.

Defensive coordinater Brian Newberry has been named as interim head coach. Newberry has been the defensive coordinator for the past four years and is largely responsible for the nationally ranked performance of Navy's defensive platoon. He is a known quantity and highly respected by the team and Navy fans. The line backers coach has been moved up to defensive coordinator. A nation wide search is ongoing for assistant coaches and an offensive coordinator.

Kudos. The Superintendent in addressing the December meeting of the Council of Class President's, said that the Naval Academy has been named by US News and World Report the best public college in the country; number 4 in undergraduate engineering; and number 6 in liberal arts education. The Navy graduation rate is 91.2 percent (one of the highest in the nation---USMA 84%, USAFA 82.1%) with only 1.2 percent of those who fail to graduate due to academic failure, again leading the nation. The Terwilliger, Class of 1963 Academic Center for Excellance was singled out as a major contributor to this awesome achievement. Well done to all hands. Also of note, Navy has a total of 35 varsity sports and eight club sports, behind only Stanford University and Ohio State University which have 37 varsity sports. Plans are to add two more varsity sports to the Navy roster in the near term.

My Favorite Christmas Story. I apologize for retelling this story, but it comes to mind every Christmas. I came to the Naval Academy from Charleston, South Carolina. Our Plebe year the governor of South Carolina, Fritz Hollings, arranged to have a South Carolina Air National Guard "Flying Boxcar" come to Andrews Air Force Base to bring us home to South Carolina. All we had to do was get to Andrews. The night before we were released for Christmas leave it began to snow in Annapolis. By noon on Saturday, there were eight or ten or more inches of snow on the ground. Nothing was moving. Four or five of us found a taxi driver willing to attempt the trip to Andrews. When we arrived we found that nothing was flying due to the snow. The Air Force put us up in the Visiting Officers Quarters overnight. The next morning at 0600, before the sun was up, there was a knock at the door. An Air Force airman had arrived to take us to the flight line. He took one look at me in my bridge coat with eight big brass buttons and my cap with a slim gold chin strap, and said "Can I take yout bag, Sir?" That was the best Christmas present I ever got.

See you at our 60th reunion here in Annapolis 19-22 October 2023.

From our house here in Annapolis to yours, best wishes for a Happy Hanukkah, a Merry Christmas in the warmth of family and friends, and a Happy and Healthy New Year.

Quality '63
Spencer Johnson

December 12, 2022--Peter Browne inurnment at Arlington--from Bob Forster

There will be a reception after the ceremony at the Arlington Army Navy Country Club from about 2 to 4:00pm

December 9, 2022--Peter Browne inurnment at Arlington--from Bob Forster

Peter will be Inured in the Arlington National Cemetery (ANC) Columbarium with his son Josh on Tuesday, December 13th at 1:00 pm.

I apologize for the late notification. I have confirmed the date and time on the ANC website.

I believe that there is a reception following the service but I do not have the details; nor do I have POC info for his wife, Jacki.

Notes: ANC requests visitors arrive 45min to ½ hour ahead of time WITH vehicles. Vehicles will be needed for the service. Proceed to the security guards and notify them you are there for a service. ANC has implemented 100% ID checks at all entrances and requires all visitors to go through physical screening

Original documentation is required. Paper copies or cell phone photos of identification are not accepted.

§ Visitors 18 years of age and older must present a valid U.S. state or federal government-issued photo identification for entry.
§ Visitors 16 and 17 years old who do not have a U.S. state or federal government-issued photo identification may present an official school-issued photo identification for entry.
§ Persons who are not U.S. citizens must present a valid passport or U.S. State Department-issued photo identification for entry.

November 7, 2022--Spencer's Irish Pennants 3 November 2022

Dear Classmates, family, and Friends of the Class of 1963,

The weather is crisp and cool here in Annapolis. Wood smoke is in the air. This Sunday we turn our chronometers back an hour; a welcome addition to our now all too familiar long winter's nap.

Football The football season is fast advancing toward the season closer against Army on December 10 in Philadelphia.

Last Saturday's game was exciting against Temple. Entering the game 20 1/2 point favorites, Navy lost its starting quarterback to a season ending leg injury in the first quarter. His replacement, Xavier "X" Arline, frittered away a 13 point Navy lead, failing to spark the Navy offense. The game ended in a 20-20 tie. Going into overtime. Arline scored a touchdown on a 23 yard run to make the score 27-20 Navy. The defense prevented Temple scoring with a fourth down interception in the end zone to end the game at 27-20. The victory deprived Brigade went wild with joy, leaving the stadium winners.

There are no more home games here in Annapolis. Our tailgate tent has been folded and is now in storage until next season.

Three games against well ranked teams precede the Army game:

On 5 November, Navy meets the University of Cincinnati Bearcats in Cincinnati.

On 12 November the Midshipmen face the Fighting Irish of Notre Dame in Baltimore's Raven's Stadium. There are tickets still available:

--Al Sherman has two 45 yard line seats available (row 17 section 527). Price $80.00 apiece. Contact Al at 703-537-6089 if interested.

--Marion Alexander '64 has two 50 yard line tickets for $80.00 apiece. Contact Marion at 410-267-9241 if interested.

On 19 November Navy faces off against the University of Central Florida (UCF), another real powerhouse. For those classmates who will be in the Orlando area attending the game or otherwise, Ken Metviner and Bruce Webb have extended an invitation to join them at their club after the game. The Artisan Club is located at 1343 Celebration Avenue in Kissimmee, Florida. Please let Ken know if you are interested in coming. His e-mail is: kmetviner919@aol.com.

If you have recently moved or changed your e-mail address, please let me, Mike Shelley (nstar@comperium.net) or Steve Coester (Steve.Coester@1963.USNA.com) know so that we can update our class and alumni house rosters and keep you in the loop. Don't be one of the ten percent that never gets the word.

That's all the news that's fit to print.

Stay healthy and stay warm.

Quality '63 !

Spencer Johnson '63

October 15, 2022--Save the Date: Next Class '63 Luncheon - November 16th at the Army/Navy Country CC

October 11, 2022--Spencer's Irish Pennants 10 October 2022

Dear Classmates, Family, and Friends of the Class of 1963,

The weather has turned cool here in Annapolis. Fall has arrived. The Midshipmen, some for the first time, are in service dress blues. Football. After four lack luster games, the Navy offense took the field last Saturday to defeat the University of Tulsa 53 to 21. By all accounts, it was a "blow out" against a team that was favored by 6 points going into the game. Tulsa never had the lead at any point. The Navy defense sparkled throughout as in previous games. The offense did nothing but "click" in all four quarters. The season ahead looks a lot brighter begining with Southern Metodist University this Friday night at 1930 EST followed by Houston the following week here in Annapolis. While we narrowly lost to Air Force (23-20) at Colorado Springs, last weeks' win bodes well for a Navy win over Army on December 10th.

Ron Klemick. Wednesday's scheduled inurnment of Ron Klemick's remains in the Naval Academy Columbarium has been postponed until next Spring. Sandy Klemick was admitted to the hospital in North Carolina with blood clotting in both legs that required emergency surgery to alleviate. She is reported to be making a good recovery, including time in a rehab facility before going home. She has family in the immediate area.

Reunion Gauge. The Sixtieth Class Reunion is being planned for the weekend of 19-21 October 2023. Mark your calenders now. Navy will be playing Air Force at home.

We have blocked rooms at the Doubletree hotel off Riva Road in Annapolis. Rooms cannot be reserved before 24 October 2022 when a link will be sent for easy access to room reservations. The hotel has a big parking lot, easy access with few stairs and good elevators. We are planning a class dinner, class meeting , and casual get togethers at the Doubletree. We will begin the reunion with company events on Thursday evening.

On Friday October 20 there will be the traditional golf tournament chaired by Jim Lloyd. The Mid store will be open all day. We will hold a Class Memorial Service at 1100 in the Chapel. The Supe will speak to all alumni at about 1330 in Alumni Hall. There will be a P-rade at 1600 for which we will have a class block of seats. The day will conclude with a Class dinner at the Doubletreee.

Saturday will include a no host brunch and Class meeting followed by the stadium tailgate. Football kickoff time has yet to be determined. (TBD).

Post game events will be casual or as scheduled by companies.

A "no host" brunch will conclude the reunion on Sunday morning.

That's all the gauge for now. Sir, I am shoving off !!!

Beat SMU !

Quality '63

Spencer Johnson '63

September 24, 2022--The services for Ron Klemick, scheduled for October 12th, have been postponed until Spring 2023.

September 2, 2022--America’s Military Service Academies: An Outstanding Option For Undergraduate Education from Forbes

Click Here to read the article.

September 1, 2022--Spencer's September 2022 Irish Pennants

Dear Classmates, Family, and Friends of the Class of 1963,

Plebe Summer for the Class of 2026 ended on 18 August. The Brigade had since "reformed" for the new academic year with the class of 2026 fully integrated.

Football. The new season kicks off on Saturday with a home game against the University of Delaware. The Navy team is young and relatively inexperienced, but Coach Niamatalolo is quick to point out that this is the first time in two years that the team has fully coalesced and trained together over Spring and Summer training periods prior to the season opening. All positions are filled by highly competetive Navy players eager to prove themselves and their team. Delaware, by contrast, has the majority of first string players in their fifth or even sixth years in college. No matter how you slice it, Saturday's game should prove closely contested and a great start to the new season. Kick off time is 12 noon. The game will be carried on CBS channels.

The second game of the season is against the University od Memphis on 10 September, again here in Annapolis. Kickoff against Memphis is scheduled for 1530.

Our class tailgate is once again located at site 12A. The tent is up. Use Gate three (3) to access parking. Gate Three is located at the corner of Farragut Road and Cedar Park Road. Please bring brunch type foods to share since the game begins at noon this week. Next week, luncheon items are more appropriate since kickoff is at 1530.

Once again, you will find a glass jar for donations to cover the not inconsiderable costs of erecting, striking, and storing our class tent, and for the rental of tables and chairs for our events. Please be as generous as you can. Our class funds are not inexhaustible and will soon be needed for reunion planning expenses.

See you at the game!

Beat Delaware!

Quality '63

Spencer Johnson

September 1, 2022--Save the Date: Next Class '63 Luncheon - September 28th at the Army/Navy Country CC

August 11, 2022--Harlan Ullman Opinion piece,"Is America’s Historical Amnesia Curable?"

Published in thehill.com. Click Here to read the article.

August 8, 2022--Steve Leisge has Delaware Football tickets

Two seats in upper blue ’63 section. Parking next to tailgate. All electronic ticketing – I can transfer tix and parking pass to you. $50/ticket + $30 parking. 703-820-5204

August 5, 2022--Spencer's Irish Pennants

Dear Classmates, Family, and Friends of the Class of 1963,

The "dog days" of summer have arrived in Annapolis. Every day is well over 90 degrees. Showers and thunderstorms are welcomed as long as they bring cooler temperatures with them, Bancroft is air conditioned.

Around the Yard

The Class of 2026, 1175 strong, was sworn in at the end of June and embarked on their Plebe Summer. Parent's weekend is only a week away. as is the return of the Brigade for "reformation" immediately thereafter.

The football team began practice for the 2022 season yesterday afternoon. Navy was placed number nine out of ten (ahead only of Temple) in the AAC conference pre-season poll. Coach Niematalolo is unfazed. He said Navy would rather be the under dog. He is highly optimistic for a winning season. Although Navy is a young team with many vacancies to fill, Spring practice revealed great candidates to fill those vacancies. The season opens with the first of two home games against the University of Delaware on 3 September (1200 game time), followed by the University of Memphis on 10 September ( 1530 game time). September closes out with a game against the University of East Carolina on the 24th. Our class tailgate tent will be in our usual spot (12A) backing onto Farragut Road. Please bring refreshments for a potluck gathering as we have done in the past

Farewells:

Mel Bunnel went to his rest in Arlington cemetery on 11 July.

Tomorrow at 1030 we lay to rest our classmate Michael G. Colston in the Columbarium.

William Douglass Davidson will be inurned at the Columbarium at 1030 on 11 August. A young Marine captain from the Class of 2013 has volunteered to lead the Marine party rendering military honors and will present the flag to Charlsie, Doug's widow. A reception will follow at the Annapolis Yacht Club. If you have not already let me know if you plan to attend, please do so as soon as possible so we can get a good count of classmates attending.

Nancy Helsper, wife of Charlie Helsper will precede him in the Columbarium at 1030 on 16 September.

Ron Klemick will be laid to rest at 1400 on 12 October in the Columbarium. A reception will follow at the Officer's and Faculty Club. Again, please let me know if you plan to attend Ron's service and reception.

The Last Paladin. Peter Deuterman's latest novel of WWII in the Pacific is now published. In this book an Atlantic Fleet destroyer escort is transferred to the Pacific where it puts its ASW expertise gained on Atlantic convoy duty to good account against the Japanese. A stirring and realistic telling of war at sea as only Peter can tell it.

Beat everyone !!
Quality '63
Spencer Johnson

August 2, 2022--Mike Rubel has a YouTube channel

For those of you who have not seen my videos on YouTube channel "author rubel" please take a moment and visit the site. I posted another one to make it 4 letters from the edge and 4 about catharsis in writing. If you like them please forward to your friends and subscribe to the channel as well.

The latest is about a divorcée that retreats to a small town in the Sierra Nevada mountains to find peace. I have many more to post and will let you know when I do so. Some are funny some are sad but one or more will touch you in a way that will make you happy or sad but at least have some emotional impact.

The first 2 videos concern Catharsis in writing and a method used to relive people of deeply hidden traumas and enable them to deal with them in a conscious level. The first letter from the edge was based on Reed Farrington dying in Carmel CA. I have about 25 of them that I will post one every 10 days!

August 1, 2022--Bob Forster provided this summary of funeral services coming up soon

The following services for our Classmates are scheduled at the USNA Columbarium
Michael G. Colston Inurement at USNA Columbarium on Friday August 5th. No other info available

Doug Davidson Inurement at USNA Columbarium on August 11 at 10:30am followed by a reception at the Annapolis Yacht Club Sailing Center in Eastport on Severn Ave. On street parking. Notify Spencer Johnson if you plan to attend wsjohnson63@gmail.com

Nancy Helsper, wife of Charles Helsper, Inurement at USNA Columbarium on Friday, September 16th at 10:30am

Ron Klemick Inurement at USNA Columbarium on October12 at 2pm followed by a reception at the Officer’s/ Faculty Club. Contact Watt Miles by email (perrymiles@cox.net) or phone (757-423-7614) if you plan to attend the reception at the USNA O-Club following.

July 19, 2022--Military ID Cards

From Dave Emerson--Military Retirees and Dependents With ID Cards That Don’t Expire Need to Get Replacements Within 4 Years. See https://www.military.com/daily-news/2022/07/14/military-retirees-and-dependents-id-cards-dont-expire-need-get-replacements-within-4-years.html

July 12, 2022--Donald Reeeves funeral

Don will be laid to rest at the South Florida National Cemetery in Lake Worth Florida on August 15th at 3:00 pm.

June 19, 2022--Inurnment for Ron Klemick at USNA

The inurnment for Ron will be at the Naval Academy Columbarium on 12 October 2022 at 1400. A reception will follow at the O'Club.

June 6, 2022--Details on Services for Jack Dranttel

Jack Dranttel’s inurement in the USNA Columbarium will be at 10:30am on Wednesday, June 22nd. There will be a reception at the Academy Club after the service.

If you plan to attend the reception please RSVP to Jim Ring at jep.ring@gmail.com . He will notify the family.

June 6, 2022--Details on Funeral Services for Bob LaGassa from David LaGassa

Date: Monday June 13th at 11 am ET

Place: Arlington National Cemetery

Notes: ANC requests visitors arrive 45min ahead of time WITH vehicles. Vehicles will be needed for the service. Proceed to the security guards and notify them you are there for a service. ANC has implemented 100% ID checks at all entrances and requires all visitors to go through physical screening. Visitors 18 years of age and older must present a valid U.S. state or federal government issued photo identification for entry.

After the Service we will be going to Sequoia at 3000 K Street NW in Washington, DC 20007 (202-944-4200). Reservations are for 12:30. IF YOU ARE PLANNING ON ATTENDING, PLEASE EMAIL dave.lagassa@yahoo.com so we can get an accurate count and adjust accordingly. All are welcome.

Right now we are expecting Zoe, myself, Deb, AJ (USAFA '22), Matt (my middle son), Diane (Dad's oldest sister), Derek Simmons, Jim Penrod, and Jim Shull. Sam (my youngest son) will be away at NROTC Boot Camp at Great Lakes.

Weather: 10-day forecast looks good - partly sunny with temps 65-80F. But it is summer in DC so that could change.

If there are questions, email me at: dave.lagassa@yahoo.com

June 6, 2022--Save the Date: Next Class '63 Luncheon - June 29th at the Army/Navy Country CC

June 1, 2022--Bob Forster and Jim Ring provided this summary of funeral services coming up soon

The following services for our Classmates are scheduled at Arlington or USNA Columbarium

Bob LaGassa will be buried at Arlington on Monday, June 13th at 11AM.
No other info at this time

Jack Dranttel Inurement at USNA Columbarium on June 22.
There will be a reception at the Academy Club after Jack Dranttel’s service

Mel Bunnell's funeral is set at Arlington for Monday, July 11th at 11 AM. Please arrive at the Admin Building by 10:15am.
Following the ceremony, Mel and Marilyn's daughter Susan Mercer will host a reception at the Women's Memorial adjacent to the cemetery. For planning purposes, please let Susan or Ray Hoag know if you wish to attend. frauddetection2006@gmail.com, ray.hoag@1963.usna.com)

Doug Davidson Inurement at USNA Columbarium on August 13 at 10:30am followed by a reception at the Annapolis Yacht Club.
Notify Spencer Johnson if you plan to attend wsjohnson63@gmail.com

May 25, 2022--Mel Bunnell Burial at Arlington-From Ray Hoag

Mel will be buried with full honors alongside his first wife Marilyn on July 11 at Arlington National Cemetery. ANC requests attendees to arrive by 10:15 AM.

https://www.arlingtoncemetery.mil/Funerals/Attending-a-Funeral

Following the ceremony, Mel and Marilyn's daughter Susan Mercer will host a reception at the Women's Memorial adjacent to the cemetery. For planning purposes, please let Susan or I know if you wish to attend.

ray.hoag@1963.usna.com

May 9, 2022--Doug Davidson Memorial Notice - 21 May 3pm in Rehobeth Beach DE

Class of ‘63

Due to the outpouring of love for our father we are moving his memorial to a larger location in Dewey Beach. It is two miles south of the previous Rehoboth location.

The new location address is 136 Dagsworthy street, Dewey beach, DE, the event space is called Ivy.

If any of you are considering attending and require a hotel room, we have a block of rooms available at Canalside Inn in Rehoboth.

The link below will take you to their reservation site. They do require a two night minimum. In addition to the 4 queen rooms still available, I have control over a suite with two king bed options (sitting room with murphy bed and separate room with king bed) and a standard king room. Please reach out to me directly for those.

https://hotels.cloudbeds.com/reservation/ENQmpU#promo=william

The room code for the block is William.

Lacey Davidson
(202) 841-5486
laceyhmd@yahoo.com

May 9, 2022--Spencer's Irish Pennants for May 2022

Dear Classmates, Family, and Friends of the Class of 1963, Greetings from Annapolis. Spring is trying hard to make its presence felt here in Annapolis. Although the trees are in bloom, flowers evident in variety and color, the grass is growing at a phenomenal rate, and the Brigade of Midshipmen are now in summer whites, temperatures still retain a nip and some nights dip to freezing temperatures. It will take a week or more to say that winter is entirely over.

William Douglas Davidson. Our classmate Doug Davidson passed away on 25 April, 2022. Doug was one of the "few good men" to enter the Marine Corps on graduation. He served multiple tours in Vietnam including one as aide to the senior commanding Marine general in country followed by a tour at Headquarters Marine Corps at Eight and Eye Streets.

A Memorial Service and Celebration of Life gathering is planned for 3PM, Saturday, May 21st at the new location address is 136 Dagsworthy street, Dewey beach, DE, the event space is called Ivy.

Doug's remains will be inurned in the Naval Academy Columbarium 10:30 to 11:00 on 11 August, with lunch afterward at the Annapolis Yacht Club. If you can make either event. please let me know by return e-mail (wsjohnson63@gmail.com) so we can get a good estimate of the number attending.

Around the Yard. The current Superintendent, VADM Sean Buck, USN, will be relieved sometime this summer His replacement has not as yet been announced. The present superintendent has superbly met every challenge head on including flooding in the yard, a cheating scandal, and the corona virus pandemic in all its forms. He deserves a hearty well done from us and all those associated with the Naval Academy.

In a recent talk to the Council of Class Presidents, VADM Buck noted the following:

Flooding at the Academy. There were 40 floods at the Academy between the 40's and the 70's. There were 40 floods in the 90's. In the past year alone there were another 40 floods. The Naval Academy is developing a plan in conjunction with the City of Annapolis to control and mitigate these floods. The Federal Government will be resposnible for necessary funding. The Columbarium will run out of space in the next two years or so and has experienced flooding on several occasions. The current joke is that only qualified submariners are now being placed on the bottom row of niches. The current plan intends to move the Columbarium onto higher ground in the cemetery and increase its size to allow use for another five to six years. There is also consideration being given to planning for a permanent location that will allow for an even larger facility.

Cheating. The 80 Midshipmen (almost all Youngsters) who were involved in the physics exam cheating scandal in September have completed an extensive remediation program and have experienced no further difficulties.

Name Changes. The Federal Commission set up to determine what to do about changing names on Federal property of Confederate soldiers and sailors have completed their work, but have not released their results. At the Naval Academy there are three such renaming requirements : Buchanan House (the Superintendent's quarters), Buchanan Road (named for the first superintendent), and Maury Hall. As previously announced, the Naval Academy does not teach Critical Race Theory (CRT) and they have experienced no problems related to that.

The varsity sports teams have had a 95% graduation rate which is very high among colleges and universities. The Naval Academy ranks third among colleges and universities in the number of varsity sports offered. The men's and women's rugby teams were just added to that mix. The women's rugby team won the National Club championship. The captain of the team , Midn. Sarah Skinner, was awarded a Rhodes Scholarship and is a finalist for Woman Rugby Player of the Year. Prior to last weekend, Navy teams had a 20 to 2 win margin over Army. This past weekend, the women's lacrosse team beat number two seed Army to advance to the Patriot League lacrosse championships only to lose to Loyola.

Commissioning Week will soon be upon us. President Biden will address this year's graduating class on 27 May, and hand out diplomas and commissions.

I remember going on Youngster cruise sixty-two years ago next month. Along with about 300 classmates I found my way up the side of the USS Macon (CA32) for the summer. One bright morning at 0600, I found myself barefoot and manning my holy stone on the foredeck of the cruiser. I had the sleeves of my dungaree shirt rolled up. A very tall, immaculate, first class boatswain's mate with a perfect dixie cup and a large black braided and knotted lanyard for his bosn's pipe, appeared before me. He said, "You got any tattoos, son?" When I responded in the negative, he replied, "Then roll down your sleeves!"

That's All Folks! Stay safe. Covid is still with us,

Quality '63
Spencer Johnson '63

March 22, 2022--The DC area luncheon is scheduled for Thursday, April 7th at the Army Navy Country Club at 11:30am.

March 17, 2022--Addendum 2 to Spencer's March 2022 Irish Pennants

Dear Classmates, Family and Friends of the Class of 1963,

Reunion Up Date. Please amend my previous Irish Pennants as follows:

The block of rooms for our reunion 19-22 October 2023 will be open for reservations one year ( 365days) prior to our reunion date. You can reserve a room beginning 19 October 2022 , but not before. Attempts to reserve a block room before that date will not be successful. Room rates quoted may change in the months ahead so consider them notional for now.

More will be forthcoming as reunion plans shape up in the months ahead

Sports. All Spring sports are doing well. A first classman on the women's basketball team has been named to the Associated Press listing of All Americans. This is a first for Navy and only the third time a Patriot League player has been selected as an All American.

A very Happy St. Patrick's Day to one all whether, of Irish ancestry or not. Erin go Bragh.

Quality '63

Spencer Johnson '63

March 14, 2022--Mel Bunnell's funeral is set at Arlington for July 11 at 11 AM. Details to follow.

March 8, 2022--Addendum to Spencer's March 2022 Irish Pennants

Dear Classmates, Family and Friends of the Class of 1963,

Additional Information. Below is some more information tied to Tuesday's Irish Pennants.

For those who have contributed to the Go Fund Me fund for Yvette Coester-Miller a thousand thanks for extending a life-line at this time of need. The site is https://gofund.me/601d578f.

Reunion Hotel Rooms. We have reserved a block of 100 rooms at the Doubletree Hotel here in Annapolis for our sixtieth reunion 19-22 October 2023.Rooms are not available to be booked until 350 days prior to the reunion. That is rooms may be reserved no earlier than November of 2022. Room rates are $249.00 per day. "Shoulder rooms" are available two days before the reunion and for the nights of the 22nd and 23rd for $169.00 per night. More information will follow as we get closer to our reunion dates.

Board of Visitors. Some have asked about the Board of Visitors. There are fifteen members of the Board which meets three times a year. Six members are appointed be the President, others by the Vice President, the Speaker of the House, the Chairman of the House Armed Services Committee, and the Chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee. The list of the six new members sent Tuesday are all new Presidential appointees. I know that Trump appointee Sean Spicer was asked to resign and when he didn't was removed. The members of the Board of Visitors report to the Secretary of Defense. They receive no compensation except costs of transportation to the meetings and per diem expenses.

Basketball. Navy lost the Patriot League Championship game against Colgate last night. The score wasn't even close. Navy has lost all three of its games with Colgate this year and Colgate remains the Patriot League champion team. Navy foregoes a trip to the NCAA March Madness tournament, but finishes a great season for the year.

Quality '63
Spencer Johnson '63

March 8, 2022--Spencer's March 2022 Irish Pennants

Dear Classmates, Family and Friends of the Class of 1963,

The weather here in Annapolis is most unpredictable. It has been 70 degrees one day and thirty the next. Bright and sunny one day and sleet the next. The uniform order is "carry everything." Spring, however, is in the air.

Steve Coester has rendered a great service to us all in maintaining our class website these many years. His daughter, Yvette Coester-Miller herself a mother, is currently in a rehab facility after a more than sixty-day hospitalization that included several comas, time on a respirator and intubation among other things. Needless to say, hospital expenses have overwhelmed the family. Steve has set up a "Go Fund Me" site to help defray these costs. The site is https://gofund.me/601d578f. I encourage you to donate as generously as you can to this urgent need.

John Middleton'63 will be laid to rest here in the Columbarium at 10:30 on Friday, 8 April. Please mark your calendar and join the crowd if you can to pay last respects to John.

US Naval Academy Board of Visitors has six new members appointed by President Biden. Two of them are former commandants, all are Naval Academy graduates. The new members are:

Gen John R Allen, USMC (Ret)
Paul J. Angelo
Robert E. Clark, USN (Ret)
ADM Michelle J. Howard, USN (Ret)
Cmdr. John S. McCain, USN
Col. Amy McGrath, USMC

The new members replace those appointed by President Trump who were asked to resign after a review of all service academy board members conducted by the Secretary of Defense.

Byron Marchant, for the past thirteen years the President and CEO of the US Naval Academy Alumni Association, will step down at the end of this month. A search committee co-chaired by Ron Terwilliger '63 and ADM Mark Ferguson '78 is seeking his replacement now. We owe a great debt of thanks to Byron for all that he and the Alumni Association have accomplished under his inspired leadership over the past thirteen years. Generations of midshipmen and alumni are beneficiaries of Byron's great and tireless work. Well Done, Byron. Fair winds and following seas in all that lies ahead.

Craig Thrasher' 63 was honored on the 26th of February at a crew banquet in the N Room where a new annual award to the outstanding member of the crew team was announced. Certainly no one better emulates all the qualities of leadership, perseverance and dedication to winning than Craig does. His memory is now enshrined in this Naval Academy Athletic Association annual award.

Sports have gone extremely well, despite the restrictions covid has imposed.

Navy swept all but one Star competition against Army (women's basketball). Navy teams are now 13-1 against Army in the annual Star competition and are assured of winning the annual series competition no matter the outcome of games yet to be played. Navy prevailed in Rifle, indoor track, swimming and diving, men's basketball, and gymnastics. Navy wrestlers tied Army in knots this year.

The Brigade boxing championships, for the first time since 1963 when the Spadafora brothers fought on the same card, had two brothers contending for championship status. As this goes to press, the Navy men's basketball team is in the Patriot League championship playoffs for the first time in twenty years. Navy faces Colgate tomorrow night (CBS Sports 1930 EST) for the championship after defeating Boston University 85 to 80 in overtime play last night.

Sixtieth Reunion planning is underway. We will have the reunion here in Annapolis from 19 to 22 October 2023. We have reserved a block of rooms at the Double Tree Hotel , and will hold our class dinner in the same hotel. The football game will be against Air Force, with a catered class tailgate. More on the reunion planning will be forthcoming soon, but mark your calendars now for what will be a great weekend of "old tales be retold' and renewed camaraderie.

A dream I had the other night relates to our time together. You will recall that the Naval Academy barbershops were and still are one of the few places in the world where you get into the barber chair and never have to say a word, emerging pretty much as you were when you sat down. Upper class in my company had wooden chits for standing appointments every two weeks. Plebes went to the barber shop with the hope they could be squeezed in between appointments. In my dream, I had crossed my last river and was seated before the awesome Pearly Gates waiting for my entrance interview. The Gates swung ajar, and a very commanding voice was heard to say, "Next man without a chit". I knew that was me.

Ukraine. I ask your thoughts and prayers for all those fighting for their country, and/or are otherwise in peril in Ukraine. Their courage reminds us that freedom isn't free. We won the First Cold War and are now engaged in the Second, another reminder of why we have service academies.

Quality '63.

Spencer Johnson '63

March 4, 2022--From the Middleton family: We will be having the final resting place for John at the USNA columbarium on Friday April 8 at10:30

March 2, 2022--Save the Date - Next DC Class '63 Luncheon is Thursday April 7, 2022

February 2, 2022--USNA Crew’s Craig Thrasher Award (from Jim Fontana)

On February 26th, at the annual Navy Crew Banquet held at the Banquet Facility at the Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium, the Academy will unveil a new perpetual award in honor of our deceased classmate Craig Thrasher. The plaque shown below with the image of Craig taken from a 1962 issue of Sports Illustrated will be permanently mounted in Hubbard Hall. Craig's wife Peggy and her immediate family will be hosted there by Navy Crew. I know that she would appreciate seeing some of Craig's classmates there. So it would be great if we had some "63 representation. Info on the Banquet and a link to buy tickets can be found by Clicking Here .

January 20, 2022--Upcoming Memorial Ceremony for USNA '63 alumni Erwin Templin

I'm reaching to you to share news of an upcoming ceremony honoring a fallen USNA Class of 1963 graduate which I believe might be of interest to your alumni group. The USS Hornet Sea Air Space Museum in Alameda, CA recently completed an extensive restoration of a Grumman US-2B Tracker aircraft in their collection. To commemorate the ship's service during the Vietnam War and honor the sacrifices made by Hornet crewmembers, the museum has fittingly restored their Tracker in the markings of a Grumman S-2D Tracker from Anti-Submarine Squadron 35 (VS-35) that went missing, presumably due to hostile fire, in the Gulf of Tonkin early in the morning of 22 January 1966 while flying a surface reconnaissance mission from USS Hornet (CVS-12). Among the lost crewmen was LT(jg) Erwin B. Templin Jr. from the Class of 1963.

The museum is planning to hold a memorial service and dedication ceremony for the restored aircraft to take place at 1300 on January 22, 2022, the 56th anniversary of the loss incident. I wanted to pass along this Facebook page listing the details of the event in hopes that classmates from Class of '63 in the Northern California area or beyond might wish to attend.

Click Here for the Facebook details. Best regards - and Go Navy, Beat Army!

Matt Robins
USNA Class of 2004

January 19, 2022--Steve Coester's Daughter

The daughter of our classmate Steve Coester has encountered a serious medical problem and does not have financial resources to support her treatment and recovery. Please read and consider the GoFundMe effort described at this link: https://gofund.me/316908b0. Even a small donation will help reach the fundraising goal. And if you can't make a donation, it would be great if you could share the fundraiser with others to help spread the word. Thank you!

January 18, 2022--Bob LaGassa Arlington Funeral

Bob was approved for an Arlington burial. It is set for Monday, June 13th at 11AM

January 11, 2022--Next DC Area Class Luncheon

The next luncheon has been pushed to February 10, 2022 as a precaution due to the current increase in COVID 19 cases.

December 30, 2021--Class of 1963 Death Statistics

With the passing of Bob LaGassa on December 29 The class of 1963 has now lost exactly one-third or 292 of our graduate classmates. Two-thirds remain. We are doing better than the national average for people born in 1941 where approximately half are still alive.

December 24, 2021--Robert Kottke's Wife's Obituary

Jan Thorpe Kottke (1945 - 2021) On October 26, 2021 Janet Thorpe Kottke passed away in her home on Maui surrounded by loved ones. Jan was born September 24, 1945 in Long Beach, CA. As the daughter of a Naval officer, she and her older brother Bill moved frequently throughout their childhood. Jan graduated from Punahou high school on Oahu in 1963 and from Stanford University in 1967. In 1969 she met and married Bob Kottke and the two have built a beautiful life and a loving family through 52 years of marriage.

Together Jan and Bob raised three sons and built the Manor schools in Southeast Virginia. Jan's purpose in life was to teach, and over nearly four decades her schools taught more than 5,000 young minds how to read with the books she wrote and published herself. Over time, her students grew up and sent their own children to her schools to ensure they also fell in love with learning. Part of her legacy is this enduring institution that nurtures children and prepares them for the world.

Jan loved her golden retrievers and spoiled them unabashedly. She was an absolute snob about beaches and forced her children and ten grandchildren to experience some of the most beautiful places on Earth. Her love of cooking brought her family together for too many fabulous meals to count.

Jan was a force of nature. She set an expectation for her sons to learn, to live, and to leave the world a better place. As she has. We cherish the beautiful memories we have of her and will miss her dearly.

Jan is survived by her loving husband Robert Arthur Kottke Jr; three children Karl William (Tina) Kottke, Peter Arthur (Maggie) Kottke, Ben Thorpe Kottke; and her ten grandchildren BaeJin Alexander Kottke, BaeYoung Robert Kottke, Jackson Reese Kottke, Calvin DePaulo Kottke, Violet Amanda Kottke, Pearl Wilson Kottke, Maximillian Hengelbrok Kottke, Skylar Marie Kottke, Makena Belle Kottke, and Grayson Kai Kottke. She is preceded in death by her parents, William Lupo Thorpe Jr. and Kathleen Glancy Thorpe and her brother William Lupo Thorpe III.

Jan's family will hold a small private ceremony. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to a charitable organization of your choice or to the Children's Literacy Initiative (live-childrens-literacy-initiative.pantheonsite.io), a charity dedicated to early childhood reading. Furthermore, given the number of lives she touched, the family has made a memorial website available to collect stories, pictures, and reflections (www.kudoboard.com/boards/zyScbzvL).

Published by The Virginian-Pilot on Oct. 31, 2021.

December 21, 2021--Spencer's Christmas 2021 Irish Pennants

Dear Classmates, Family, and Friends of the Class of 1963,

The yule log is burning in the fireplace, the tree is up and the greenery hung. The air is cold, but the warmth of the Christmas season pervades everything, assisted by the glow following a great win over Army in the Meadowlands two weeks ago. Exams are over and the Brigade is now on leave at home with family and loved ones.

Christmas leave 1959. I remember how excited I was our Plebe year, after our win over Army, at the prospect of Christmas leave and going home for the first time since induction into the Brigade of Midshipmen and the Navy.. The Christmas tree in the Rotunda, the performance of the Messiah in the chapel, and Christmas dinner in the mess hall all served to deliver a warm anticipation of going home.

When I arrived in Charleston, South Carolina, I discovered that I was in great demand (really my uniform was in great demand) as an escort for the debutante season. "The Season" began a week before Christmas and ran until New Year's Day, with a break only for Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. I was to escort a different young lady each day of "the season". There were usually four events each day: the tea dance; the dinner; the ball; and the post- ball breakfast. The mothers of the debutantes spent a year planning the events and assuming responsibility for each of those events. Each mother bought three or so dresses for their daughter. During "The Season" they would congregate and trade dresses. This originated as a post Civil War economic measure that became a tradition, as well. I would call on Miss Suzie Q , whom I had never met before, as her escort for the evening only to discover when the door opened that the dress and I had been out together one or more times already. Only in Charleston!!

Christmas 2021. As we bask in the glow of family and friends, let us remember a horrifying pandemic year now drawing to a close with yet another wave of the pandemic upon us. Let us remember those who have left our ranks and now muster in a heavenly place They leave an empty place at the table and by the fire, but also leave great memories of their time with us as comrades- in- arms, husbands, fathers, and life long friends.

Let us also remember those at sea or in foreign climes who will not be home this Christmas. They stand the watch preserving freedom for us all.

From our house here in Annapolis, Andrea and I wish you and those in whose love you live a very happy holiday season and a joyous, healthy and prosperous New Year.

Stay safe. Stay well!

Quality '63

Spencer Johnson '63

December10, 2021--Spencer's Army-Navy Irish Pennants

Dear Classmates, Family, and Friends of the Class of 1963,

ARMY-NAVY. It is clear and crisp here in Annapolis. Tomorrow promises to be unseasonably warm for the 122nd meeting between Army and Navy to be played in the Meadowlands in New Jersey (opposite New York). Navy's record this year is 3-8 and Army's is 8-3. That said, Navy's schedule has been significantly more difficult than Army's, and including good showings against nationally ranked teams like Cincinati, Houston, and Notre Dame. Navy lost to Air Force and Army beat Air Force, which means that no matter who wins tomorrow, the Commander-in-Chief's trophy will remain at West Point at least until next year.

Two weeks ago, Army attempted to steal Bill the Goat. As luck would have it, they stole the wrong goat. They got a long retired 18 year old Bill who now has only one horn. That engendered a flurry of reminders about the solemn pact arrived at in 1992 after Navy stole several Army mules that this would not happen again. For Army, the lesson is that Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaisance (ISR) is everything to mission success.

No matter their respective records this season, tomorrow's game can be expected to go down to the last whistle. Game time is 1500 and can be seen on CBS stations. Go Navy!! Beat Army!!!

AROUND THE YARD. Last week our class Vice President, Jim Ring, attended the semi-annual Council of Class Presidents meeting here in Annapolis. Several take aways from the Superintendent's remarks to the group assembled include:

There is a Commission set up to review all the items on Federal property that are dedicated to Confederate soldiers and sailors and decide what to do with them . We have three; West Point has over one hundred. Buchanan House, the Superintendent's quarters, and Buchanan Road were established in the 1970s. The other is Maury Hall. The Commission has visited the Academy already and will present its findings in October 2022. The Pentagon has until early 2024 to implement the recommendations made.

The Columbarium will run out of space for new additions in about two years. This, combined with the flooding problems here, are soon to be addressed. In a recent flooding, the Superintendent found the niche containing his parent's remains was under water. This problem has a high priority for him. Additional space will be added to the Columbarium, or it may be moved to another drier location.

Critical Race Theory (CRT) is not taught at the Naval Academy and there are no plans for it to be taught. The Superintendent is against teaching it.

In 2001, the Service Academies changed from being places of attrition as we experienced them, to ones in which every student is built as a leader and expected to complete the course. This was in response to the intensive selection process for each student. Our 63 Center for Academic Excellence fit perfectly into this scenario.

In September 2020, about 100 Youngsters were accused of cheating on a physics online exam. These Youngsters had just returned to the Academy after it had shut down in the Spring due to the pandemic. All went before Midshipman Honor Boards. Four were found "not guilty." Of the rest, eight or nine were expelled, primarily because this was their second honor offense and/or they had bad conduct records. The rest have been counseled and given demerits, restrictions and other punishments. All received an F in leadership which will affect their class standings. All of these have signed their 2 for 7 commitment, which means they will stay at the Academy for their remaining two years until graduation and then spend at least five years in their commissioning services.The other choice open to them was to leave before starting the second-class year with no cost to them for their education to date. Each Service Academy has similar policies and counseling routines with regard to first-time honor offenses. Each case is reviewed separately and a decision arrived at as to the best course of action to be taken.

The new Terwilliger Center for Student Athletes is really a beautiful place and should be high on your list of places to visit the next time you are in Annapolis.

Thoughts and Prayers. I ask your thoughts and prayers for our classmate Bob LaGassa who is hospiced, suffering from a cancer induced by ionizing radiation to which Bob was exposed in his long service in nuclear submarines.

Captain Joseph B. Clancy, USMC. On Wednesday 15 December at 1400, we will lay to rest the remains of Joe Clancy in the Naval Academy Columbarium. Please join us if you can to give Joe a good send off.

Army-Navy Games Past The most memorable Army-Navy game I remember, aside our 42-7 win over Army our Plebe year, occurred in 1961. We were in Philadelphia in the old Franklin Field stadium. Army marched on first then we did only to stand in the cold waiting for the game to start. About ten minutes before the coin toss starting game activities, the "word" went around the crowd that the new president and his first lady were going to attend the game. About that time you could hear the sirens coming. The gates at one end of the field opened and two Philadelphia motorcycle policemen, with lights flashing and sirens blaring, drove through. They were followed by a long, black, stretch limousine with flags on the fenders and four secret service members trotting alongside, followed by two more Philadelphia motorcycle police with lights flashing and sirens blaring. They drove right onto the field and stopped on the fifty yard line. At that moment you could hear a pin drop in the packed stadium. Everyone was leaning forward expecting to see Jack and Jackie Kennedy step out of the limousine. When the door opened, out stepped Bill the Goat. AND - we won the game!

Stay well and keep safe.
BEAT ARMY!!!!!
Quality '63
Spencer Johnson 63

July 7, 2019--Sixty Years Ago We Entered the Naval Academy

June 12, 2019, 2019--Irish Pennants from Spencer Johnson

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

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Items of Ongoing Interest

October 6, 2008- From Dick Whalen

A Great Opportunity for Classmates

Obtain high quality near original archival replica "giclee" of the USS Fitzgerald. These are printed on canvas and Dick is offering a maximum edition size of 100, signed and numbered by Dick for $600 plus shipping, for approximately 24x36 size. Can produce larger canvases on request by separate quotation.... probably up to a maximum of around 42" x 52". They are of a much higher fidelity and quality than a lithograph and are state of the art for high quality replica paintings. Giclees are superior to traditional lithography in several ways. The colors are brighter, last longer, and are so high-resolution that they are virtually continuous tone, rather than tiny dots. The range, or "gamut" of color for giclees is far beyond that of lithography, and details are crisper.

What an opportunity to honor our classmate Bill Fitzgerald and to own an heirloom print of our Class's only ship.

Contact Dick Whalen at seamanseye@cox.net or
757-496-0274 See Dick's whole collection on our Traditions page Tradition

September 27, 2008- USNA--63 Roster and personal information--from Steve Coester--Remember that it is up to you to keep your information accurate on the class roster, your company map and your current bio. Just send me an email at scoester@cfl.rr.com with any address changes or bio updates. I'll make sure they get added to the appropriate pages on USNA63.org. While you are at it, be sure to notify the Alumni Association of address changes at http://www.usna.com/. You'll have to log on and click on "Profile". Or just give them a call at 410-295-4000.

September 10, 2008- Mario Fiori's letter to the Class about Bill Pawlyk.

Click Here for the letter to the Class from Mario regarding Bill's situation and the status of his clemency effort. MS Word required.

December 9, 2007--Army-Navy Weekend and Poinsettia Bowl Photos taken by classmates.
Mike Krause and More Mike Krause
Steve Hoy
Phil Rooney
Mike Blackledge's Trip Report
Steve Leisge

January 7, 2008--Provided by David Puckett, Foundation President--CLASS TIES, SCARVES, AND CUMMERBUNDS AVAILABLE BY CLASS FOUNDATION
Recently we have had some questions about the ties offered by the Class Foundation, their design and symbolism.

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.

From Steve Coester--I have submitted memorials with photos and a link to our Last Call for all of our Vietnam fallen to The Virtual Wall Website. They've done a fine job and they recommend that you classmates add to their memorials. At the top of each memorial page is a button to press to add to the memorial.

A note concerning Last Call and obituaries:

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.

November 2, 2004--I received a message from the Alumni Association concerning available 1963 Lucky Bags. Read on:

I wanted 1963 to know that we have an extra FIVE 1963 LUCKY BAGS here at the Association. Would you see if anyone needs a replacement (lost one) or if a relative (son/daughter/grandchild, etc) would desire to have one? There's no reason for a LUCKY BAG to sit here unused when someone out there will cherish having it in their possession.

We always hold extras here in our LUCKY BAG Locker as a service to replace missing Lucky Bags of Lifetime members; but we have additional '63's onhand already for that purpose.

Just let me know. We will mail from here with our funds (using a reasonable book rate for postage).

Andrea Campbell
U. S. Naval Academy Alumni Association
Classes / Chapters / Parents Clubs
Distinguished Graduate Award Program
(410) 263-4448, ext 214
andrea.campbell@usna.com

From Steve Coester--The Alumni Association page has expanded the "Alumni Lookup" section: You can now search for classmates based on city, state and zip code as well as class year. Handy for getting groups together. See USNAAA and click on Online Community in the left column.

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 >

USS Fitzgerald Memorabilia Price List and Ordering Information.

Alumni Association Current News Service
News items about USNA, USNA Alumni, and the Sea Services.  Newspaper and magazine articles, press releases, transcripts of broadcasts, etc.

June 20,2006-- From Steve Coester--I've created a new page on USNA63.org. It is a place to post your old photos from 1959-1963 and before and after. The page has subdivisions for each company and for plebe year, NAPS, our summers and after graduation. Right now the pages are empty except for an example under the 18th company guidon. Read the instructions on the page and send me your digital photos from yesteryear. See Old Photos

January 4, 2007-- I received this from Jim Ring. Contact Jim for further information at ringj@fhfb.gov : I spoke to LCOL. Worman, USMC, the liaison officer at Bethesda for the wounded and asked what we can do for them. His cell is (585) 752-5929.

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

March 29, 2007--From Mike Shelley--Our classmate Jeff Niss has supplied some information about Veterans Administration benefits for Vietnam veterans who contract diseases that may be connected to exposure to Agent Orange. Although this information comes from his own experience and cannot be considered authoritative, it may be useful should you consider making a claim.

Classmates Mike Cronin and Ken Sanger have supplied some additional information which appears after Jeff's letter below.
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Gents - I keep hearing about vets not aware of Agent Orange benefits. Here's an effort to get the word out.

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"

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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.

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Carry On!
Class of 1963 facts and lore, Cannonball recipe, satire, humor

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Humorous Thoughts for the 40th

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