50 Year Affiliation March Back and Mini-Reunion is Less Than Six Months Away!

Classmate USMA 1970 Bill Trivette bill.trivette@gmail.com sends -

Our 50 Year Affiliation March Back and Mini-Reunion is less than six months away.  Those who have registered and paid for class activities are below.  I know more will come but you just haven't signed up.  If your name is not on below list, go to: https://secure.west-point.org/usma1970/marchback   

Complete Info Follows:

1.   50 Year Affiliation March Back and Mini-Reunion -  In August 1966 you finished Beast Barracks by marching from Lake Frederick back to the unknowns of Reorgy Week.  Join classmates Saturday, August 6 through Monday August 8 for our 50-Year Affiliation Marchback & Reunion.   Bring your spouse and guests - they can participate in every event except the actual march.   To see photos of last year’s Marchback, go to: 

https://www.flickr.com/photos/west_point/sets/72157656649671850  

2.   GO TO THIS CREDIT CARD WEBSITE TO REGISTER AND PAY FOR CLASS EVENTS:  https://secure.west-point.org/usma1970/marchback/

(NOTE: MARCHERS MUST ALSO REGISTER WITH DAA LATER THIS YEAR TO TAKE THE ACTUAL MARCH)(Note:  if you cannot register by credit card contact bill.trivette@gmail.com).

3.  USMA DIRECTORATE OF ACADEMY ADVANCEMENT (DAA).  The DAA runs Marchback. Probably in June, DAA will open its Marchback registration site where marchers register and pay for the following: whether you take 12 or 2 mile march; whether to attend the optional New Cadet Talent Show and dinner at Camp Buckner on Sunday afternoon; whether to attend the post-march luncheon at Ike Hall.  

GET DAA EMAIL NOTICES AND UPDATES.  The following will enroll you to receive DAA notices and updates, such as when its Marchback registration site will open.   Go to this website:   http://www.usma.edu/daa/SitePages/Graduate%20March%20Back.aspx

Scroll down to 2016 GRAD MARCH BACK. Scroll a bit further and click on:   Click here to receive updates on this event.  I will also keep you informed.

4.  EXPECTED TIMELINE AND EVENTS (subject to change).

Saturday, August 6:

0900.  Golf with classmates at West Point Golf Course.  POC is Gil Harper who is coordinating with the Golf Course.  You will pay at the golf course but notify bill.trivette@gmail.com that you will participate - we need the count.

1700.  Take a two-hour, low-frills Hudson cruise on Supe’s Ferry.  Wives & guests welcomed.  Hosted by Company C-3.  Cost is $12 per person.  Departure from South Dock at 1700; loading starts at 1630.  Limited to first 125 to register.  Beer, wine, soft drinks, snacks provided.   After cruise, plan to go to Thayer Hotel Zulu Lounge to meet other classmates.  Dress Casual.

1800 - Until.   Meet classmates at the Zulu Patio Lounge at Thayer Hotel. Hosted by Bill Knowlton and Company D-1.  Beautiful view of the Hudson; order your own food and drinks. Parking available at Buffalo Soldier Field.  Dress Casual.  For picture of Zulu go to: http://www.thethayerhotel.com/Dining/Zulu-Time-Rooftop-Bar-and-Lounge.  (Notify bill.trivette@gmail.com if you plan to attend so we have a rough count - there is no registration or fee for this event).

Sunday, August 7:

1200-1430.   Mandatory check-in at Herbert Hall for all marchers.  

1500.  Bus departs Herbert Hall for optional trip to Camp Buckner for briefing by Cadet Chain of Command, Bar-B-Q dinner in Barth Hall,  New Cadet Talent Show.  Good opportunity to meet Class of 2020.   Return bus to Herbert Hall after Talent Show.  Twelve-mile marchers have option to spend night at Barth Hall.  (You will pay for this trip when you register online with DAA later this year).  Dress - Grads wear Marchback uniform; guests casual.

Monday, August 8:

0300-0320.  Twelve-mile marchers board bus at Buffalo Soldier Field for ride to Camp Buckner. Hot breakfast at Barth Hall.  Dress - Marchback Uniform set by DAA.

0500.  Marchback begins; staggered company departures.  About 4-5 Grads assigned to each new cadet platoon.  One rest stop during march.  Companies stop at Ski Slope to await final 2-mile walk down Washington Road.  Coffee and food at Ski Lodge.

0800.  Two-mile marchers meet at Buffalo Soldier Field for bus trip to Ski Slope to link-up with 12-mile marchers.  Dress - Marchback Uniform set by DAA.

1000.  New Cadet Companies begin final 2-mile march down Washington Road to Supe’s House.  Grads in separate formation behind new cadet companies.  Class of 1970 will have separate formation at very end.  If you haven’t marched to a drum in 50 years you will be surprised how well we still march.  It is hard-wired unless you were corps squad and never went to a parade.  Washington Road will be full of parents, staff and faculty, military families living on post - a neat walk.  We will be in step and looking sharp.  I recommend spouses and guests congregate to watch near Supe’s House.  If your guests are driving on post, arrive early and park at or near Ike Hall where luncheon will be after march.  

1100.  Class of 1970 is “eyes right” as we pass in review before Supe and Official Party at Quarters 101.  Shower and change clothes at Gym, then to Ike Hall for lunch.  Don’t miss Ike Hall lunch with your spouse and guests.  Dress for luncheon is casual.

1730-2030.  Class of 1970 “We Did It” Reception at Haig Room atop Jefferson Library.  Best view on post.  Stay for this reception.  You will enjoy the comraderie and the venue.  Park  above Thayer Hall, along street, or in parking lots near Jefferson Library.  Dress casual or business casual.

5.  THE 2 OR 12 MILE MARCH?  Around June, marchers register with DAA for the Marchback and you select either the 2 or 12 mile march.  Our Class is limited to 50 slots for the 12 mile march but an unlimited number can take the 2 miles from the Ski Slope.   We want every classmate who wants the 12 miles to get a slot so don’t sign up for 12 unless it is important to you.  If you sign up for 12 and later cancel, the Class will lose your slot.  Feel good about taking the 2 miles, or if you have medical issues, don’t march at all – just come for the affiliation and reunion aspects of the weekend.   (If you plan to sign up for 12 miles notify bill.trivette@gmail.com even if you told me before).

6.  HOTELS.  Stay where you wish; here are some suggestions:

You might still be able to book a room at Thayer Hotel for Friday, Saturday, and Sunday nights but not on Monday night.  Thayer is more expensive but it is convenient and I expect most classmates will be there.  Book at Thayer now if you want it as it will continue to fill.  Go to: http://www.thethayerhotel.com/

The former Five Star Inn is now IHG Army Hotels Five Star Inn at West Point,  run by InterContinental Hotels Group.  Since you are in an unofficial status, you cannot register until you are within six months of check-in.  Go to:  https://www.ihg.com/armyhotels/hotels/us/en/reservation

Holiday Inn Express at Fort Montgomery.  Go to:  http://www.ihg.com/holidayinnexpress/hotels/us/en/fort-montgomery/ftmny/hoteldetail?cm_mmc=GoogleMaps-_-ex-_-USEN-_-ftmny

If you have a camper or RV, consider Round Pond. They open reservations on February 16 for military retirees.  The cost for full hook ups is only $27 per night.  To reserve, call 845-938-8811.

7.  For a complete explanation of what to expect on the actual Marchback, open this document.  It is the 2015 Marchback Information Sheet and the 2016 info should be the same.

8.  QUESTIONS:  email bill.trivette@gmail.com or call me at 336-580-2238.  Serve With Integrity.   Bill

Class Registration So Far

First Name	Last Name	Company	Golf	Cruise	Haig Reception	Spouse
Bill	Arcuri	D-1		1	1
John	Beasley	F-1	Golf	2	2	Karen
Joe	Boswell	A-4	Golf	2	2	Dee
Tom	Bradley	D-1
Bob	Brand	F-4	Golf	2		Debby
Tom	Brandtner	D-4		2	2	Jackie
Luke	Brennecke	C-3		2	2	Barbara
JB	Burns	F-4			5	Ruth Ann
Bill	Cater	C-1		1	1
Geoff	Charest	G-2	Golf	2	2	Katharina
Roger	Cross	F-4
Paul	Cunningham	F-1	Golf			Paulette
Phil	Doleac	H-1		1	1
Barney	Forsythe	C-1			2	Jane
Clif	Gidlund	C-2				Jean
Fritz	Goeth	F-4
Kim	Golden	A-4		2	2	Adriana
Phil	Harris	A-1		2	2	Audrey Ziebelman
Rolf	Knoll	F-4
Bill	Knowlton	D-1			1	Ruth Ann
Bill	Lane	C-4
Brad	Larsen	D-3		1	1
Tim	Lavelle	G-1
Kerry	Lawrence	I-4		2	2	Kathleen
Pete	Lilly	I-4		1	1
Mac	Love	A-4		2	2	Lydia
Victor	Madeja	D-3
Charlie	McGee	A-4		2	2	Patty
Frank	Monteith	A-1		2	2	Linda
Bob	Newman	D-1		2	2	Teresa
Bruce	Nolte	F-4		1	1
John	Norton	B-3		1	1
Jim	Price	B-2	Golf	1	1
Dale	Reagor	H-4		2	2	Cathy
Ralph	Rogers	C-2		1	1
Dave	Rosenblum	A-1	Golf	2	2	Jean
Craig	Rutler	C-3
Skip	Ryder	D-2		2		Fran
Pat	Sculley	I-2				Mary
Nick	Sebastian	E-1		1	1
Rich	St. Denis	A-4		2	2	Kathy
John	Stidd	D-1			1
Bill	Taylor	A-4		2	2	Teri
Rick	Thibodeau	I-2
Dave	Trammel	B-2
Bill	Trivette	C-3		2	2	Paula
Charlie	Velez	A-4		2	2	Marilyn
Bob	Werner	H-4		2		Luzhelena
Terry	Young	F-2	Golf	1	1

Mine Detection Dog (MDD) - A USMA Class of 1970 Initiative

FELLOW MEMBERS OF THE USMA CLASS OF ’70:

Last month, 6 USMA 1970 classmates met and committed to engage the Class of 70 to sponsor a life-saving mine detection dog (MDD) to represent our Class in detecting landmines, IED’s and other dangerous explosives that maim and kill hourly, paralyze communities and deny access to needed resources.  After rigorous training in Texas, our Class dog will serve 6-8 years in Iraqi Kurdistan, or some other war-torn country that we as a class would choose.

In 1997, classmates Perry Baltimore, Dan Layton and Joe Reeder, under the leadership of 32^nd Chief of Staff of the US Army and 2003 Sylvanus Thayer Awardee, General Gordon R. Sullivan, set up a non-profit (Marshall Legacy Institute (MLI)) that so far has trained 210 dogs that have worked extensively in clearing millions of acres of land in 12 severely contaminated countries. (For the past 19 years, Perry has devoted himself as full time MLI President). These 210 dogs have been sponsored by private Americans, foreign countries, and Members of Congress. The U.S. Department of State over the years has provided funding to train local handlers to employ the dogs safely and effectively abroad.  MLI, strongly endorsed by the Humane Society of the United States, has not lost a single dog in the line of duty.

The per dog cost to acquire, train, certify and deliver in country is $25,000.  The 6 of us have pledged $5,000 to jumpstart this, and very much welcome all classmates to help here, and add to the lives saved well into the 2020’s.  No contribution is too large or small. You can send cash or check (all tax-deductible) to the Marshall Legacy Institute, 2425 Wilson Boulevard, Suite 240, Arlington, VA 22025, or donate online at  www.marshall-legacy.org for the "USMA 70 MDD Campaign".  We tentatively liked the name Nam iho our 4 fallen classmates in Vietnam, but will defer to the donors, if there’s a better suggestion. 

On behalf of the families and children who, because of these dogs, can work and play without further fear of landmines, thank you for considering this appeal, and for helping us put Class of 70 "paws on the ground".  

If you have any questions or concerns, please contact John Marcello jjangler@aol.com;  or Greg Vuksich gvuksich@gmail.com

GO ARMY!

Perry Baltimore, Jim Crawford, John Marcello, Joe Reeder, Greg Vuksich, Jim Young

Here are some pictures of MDDs in action -


Again, no contribution is too small; nor is one too great! All  contributions for the dog  are fully tax-deductible. You may send cash or check to the Marshall Legacy Institute, 2425 Wilson Boulevard, Suite 240, Arlington, VA 22025.  You also may donate online at  http://www.marshall-legacy.org for the "USMA 70 MDD Campaign"

Thanks!