|
CLASS OF
1963
Pres: CAPT W. Spencer Johnson IV, USN (Ret.)
Sec'y: Michael H. Shelley
164 Sweetwater Lane, Pisgah Forest, NC
28768
h: 828-862-4245 e: nstar@citcom.net
Web site: http://www.usna63.org.
|
|
|
|
|
Dick Omohundro, Craig Thrasher, and I linked up for a weekend of sculling at Dick's new home near Sarasota, FL, in early April. We spent two days dodging power boats and churning up the waters of the inland waterway. Craig's wife Peg, a championship rower, rounded out the crew of four ... and took this picture.
Fontana, Omohundro, and Thrasher
As you may recall, at the 50th Reunion Grant Telfer won the "Montecito Trip" raffle prize hosted by Sheila and Mike Bonsignore. He was one of three from the lucky Twelfth Company to win a prize! June and I were very fortunate to be invited by Grant to join him and his lady friend, Vickie, on the visit.
Grant and Vickie
What a memorable time it was. We traveled up from San Diego/Oceanside by Pacific Surf Liner (AMTRAK) to Santa Barbara on a perfect, March spring day where we were met by Mike and Sheila. Our gracious hosts had everything planned for our visit.
After unpacking and settling into our quarters, we were treated to a tour of "Las Cascadas," their spectacular home in Montecito overlooking the Pacific and Santa Barbara Channel Islands. Since it was near 1700 somewhere, it was time for cocktails and dinner. They served smoked salmon for hors d'oeuvre's and the best halibut I have ever tasted for dinner, both of which they had caught from their boat in the Pacific somewhere north of Seattle. It was a special and delicious evening with stimulating conversation and, of course, never ending sea stories.
Mike and Sheila Bonsignore
After a casual morning, we were treated to a scenic tour out from Santa Barbara which included the coast, the local mountains, the Santa Ynez Valley, a visit to the Danish village of Solvang (where we dared not try to keep the ladies out of the many shops), and Lake Cachuma (the public water reservoir for the entire Santa Barbara area, which sadly is below 37 percent capacity, reflecting the severe drought affecting the entire western U.S.). After a very full and enjoyable day, we were hosted for dinner at Lucky's, one of the local Montecito restaurants.
In Solvang, CA. Grant, Vickie, Sheila, June, Mike, and Chuck
The next morning, again after a leisurely start, we toured the City of Santa Barbara, including the Mission Santa Barbara (one of the 21 California coastal Missions founded by the Franciscans in the late 1700's and early 1800's). We had just enough time for lunch at the Santa Barbara Yacht Club before boarding our train back to San Diego County.
Sheila, Vickie, and June
Mike, Grant, and Chuck
Words don't adequately describe the quality of times like this shared with classmates, wives, and friends. It was very special and we were honored to have participated. Those of you who have had the opportunity to visit with Mike and Sheila know what we mean.
At our 50th, Butch asked me if I could find a Marine recipient for his Mameluke Sword. I had met then-Midshipman Paruso when I sat with 25th Company Mids at the Class of 2013 Service Assignment Dinner in King Hall, a "Link in the Chain" event for '63. At the time of our reunion, she was already in Basic School, so I asked her if she could identify an Academy classmate who would need a sword. After checking, she told me that virtually all those she spoke with already had their swords. She said she would be glad to accept it and would see if she could sell hers to someone in '14. So it was agreed, and Butch mailed me his sword from Texas. The presentation went well, Butch was happy with the legacy donation, and 2LT Paruso was absolutely delighted to be the recipient. Happy spectators included her mother and her boyfriend, 2LT Matt Kelly '13. He's going infantry and she's going to Marine Pilot training.It should be noted that Bruce is counted among those who donated swords to members of '13, having given his to Ensign Charlotte Hauser last year.
Bruce Webb presents Butch Whitworth's sword to Toni Paruso '13
I am sitting in my hospital room in early March, thinking I come as close as any classmate to being bionic. I had a right hip replacement two days ago which follows the left hip 14months ago. My left knee was replaced in 2008 following the right knee in 2000. Add to that two artificial eye lenses from cataract surgery plus several teeth in my partial. If anyone has more artificial parts they should let you know. Rest assured that when I fly it sounds like the 4th of July when I go through security.
As the self appointed class expert on joint replacement, I thought I would offer advice to the classmates who will be undergoing the surgery in the future, and there will be several of you. First and foremost, do not put it off. It is only going to get worse and the worse it gets the harder the recovery. Second, take your pain meds like they tell you to. You will not become addicted and will start cutting back in a couple of weeks. Pain is the great inhibitor to healing. Third, exercise, exercise, and more exercise. Knees require professional rehab; hips do not. Either way, work your butt off. The more you exercise, and that mostly means walking, the faster you will ditch that walker for a cane and then get rid of the cane. It gets old and hurts a little but the progress can be seen. Fourth, and the best part, stay rested. An afternoon nap and quitting early is very easy to adjust to. I am lucky since I have very long, indoor carpeted hallways, an elevator and a handicapped accessible house but anyone can take a few steps to make their place more rehab friendly. We have a trip with a group planned five weeks from Thursday for a Mississippi River boat cruise and I intend to make it, without walking aids. Any classmate can feel free to ask for tips at jack.hood@mchsi.com .
While investigating an out of the way attraction on Kauai called Spouting Horn, we ran into Evelyn and Frank Davey. 63 is everywhere!
The Spouting Horn
My father, Carl S. Kolon, died of leukemia when I was 14, when he was only 39. When I was 17, I got a call from one of his classmates who was part of the board of the USNA '63 Foundation, the existence of which I hadn't even been aware. He told me that the class of '63 had put together a fund meant to help the families of those members who died, whether in wartime or peacetime. They knew I was of college age and asked me if I needed help paying for school. Get that: Twenty years after they graduated, they thought about my dad, searched me out, and offered me help. And I needed it!As I was preparing this report, I received some additional background information from Jim Ring:
This began a multi-year relationship between USNA '63 and me, during which they helped me significantly with college tuition and a few other things. What class, what foresight, and what compassion. So when I ask myself if I really want my son to be the kind of person the USNA helps produce, this anecdote and fact remind me of the character, generosity, thoughtfulness, and quality of the people it puts out, and makes me know the answer is yes.
Our classmate Carl was President of the '63 Foundation in the early years of its existence. We traveled to New York for a meeting and met with Carl's family including his son, Matt, daughter, and his second wife, Jane, who died two years after him. I knew we had helped Matt and his sister, but often wondered what had happened to them
I spoke to Matt recently and he told me that Carl has accepted the nomination and will attend the Academy. He indicated Al Griggs met with Carl and the meeting was instrumental in his decision to go to the Academy. Al had taken Matt to USNA when he was younger to see his father's class ring on display in the library.
Here is a picture taken last summer when a group of us were guests of Grace and Pete Optekar at their wonderful home in Coeur d'Alene, ID, for fly fishing and camaraderie. Pictured are Pete, Vern Von Sydow, Steve Hoy, Pete Carrothers, and Ed Gill. Fred Stortz was there for most of the festivities but wasn't there for the picture taken after a hard day fly fishing on the river.
Fly fishers in Idaho
There have been a couple of recent events in San Diego that brought together some of our classmates.Having recently downsized from their lovely home in Coronado, Philip said that he and Martha are enjoying their new condo nearby.
A number of classmates joined the San Diego USNA Alumni Chapter at a recent Padres game in Petco Park. It was a lovely afternoon to watch the game and visit with old friends. The photo below shows Max Ricketts, Lew and Lynn Blackwell, me, Jerry and Rowena Harken, and Jim Fontana.
'63 contingent at a Padres game in San Diego
San Diego and Coronado classmates joined more than 4,000 spectators to commission the USS CORONADO (LCS-4) on a bright sunny morning in April. Joe Morra's wife, Maria Teresa, took these photos of Joe, me, and Clyde Van Arsdall. This picture of the ship shows that it looks like a Star Wars fighter -- more like flying a plane than piloting a ship!
Clyde Van Arsdall and Joe Morra
Marsden and Morra
USS CORONADO
Navigate to:  Shipmate Index |
 Wardroom |
 Site Map |
 USNA63 |