Class Notes: August 2021.
I look forward to serving the class as the next Class of 1970 Scribe/Historian.
Thanks to Earl Albright for all his years. Earl faced interesting times as Assembly ceased publishing and other forms of media and communications began. As one of our classmates recently told me, he got comfortable with receiving a magazine every few months in the mail. And then it stopped.
All the current media venues will continue with Facebook, “USMA 1970” page as the de-facto principal and fastest way to share and inform. With about half the class on Facebook, others deserve to read about and see class activities. I hope the Class Notes helps fill a void. I will work closely with Frank Monaco (the glue that holds us together) on this process. Frank and I (and Marty Knorr) started working together on 1 July 1966 as Beast Barracks roommates – so the circle of life continues. Together with Frank we will determine the medium for widespread distribution.
I also welcome any ideas and recommendations to aid in the communication amongst all of us. I encourage and welcome information that classmates would like to share – children and grandchildren accomplishments, gatherings, awards, and happenings.
A most poignant comment came from another Scribe who said he can only publish we what he receives. I encourage and welcome your information to enhance our class communications and engagement.
Looking forward to the ride.
Transitions:
Jim “Sully” Sullivan and Dave Brown smoothly transitioned class presidency. Sully has the commitment and dedication from Dave who now serves as class president emeritus to draw upon his years of experience and connections. Continuing in key roles are John Connors, Barney Forsythe, Bill Carter, Terry Young, Frank Monaco, Steve Strom.
Start-Up
Sully has commissioned several committees that are going through their initial start-up growing pains. The intent to continue and foster communications, inclusion, and engagement. Of note is Steve Wilson’s committee will focus on completing classmate memorials. Memorials defined as formal obituaries published through AOG in the TAPS magazine. Of the 95 deceased graduated classmates, about half remain for memorialization. Bob Werner is the front man for the process. Together with Steve and four regimental representatives (Bill Knowlton, Rich Rutledge, Bill Addy, and Dale Reagor) they will work the process. More on this will follow in the future.
Distinguished Graduate Award
On September 11, Bill Roedy will formally receive the DGA award. Scheduling formal presentation of the award which was announced nearly two years ago has been affected by the pandemic. Bill’s leadership and business acumen are success stories for the growth of MTV during his years as CEO of MTV International. Yet, more outstanding is his work started years ago to eradiate HIV/AIDs. A work that grew to attack other infectious disease worldwide. Throughout that journey he was always the humble, stoic, and focused individual we knew.
For a closer, personal view of Bill, the West Point Center for Oral History has an interview at:https://www.westpointcoh.org/interviews/from-air-defense-officer-to-entertainment-pioneer.
Sightings:
Dick Beahm is gearing up for his annual Multiple Sclerosis bike ride. He will participate in the Washington DC ride on August 29, 2021, in Reston Virginia with his “Weeda Beahm Team”. Dick has been riding in the MS Bike Ride since 1994 and personally raised over $371K. The “Weeda Beahm Team” raised $707K. Over the years his co-riders included many classmates and other service academics bikers. He even had his first detail Beast Squad leader on one of the training rides. Consider donating to this worth cause.
The URL for Dick’s personal page is:
https://mssociety.donordrive.com/participant/DickBeahm2021. The URL for the Team Page
is: https://mssociety.donordrive.com/team/WeedaBeahm2021
Les Sumner gave the OK to reprint his Facebook picture from atop the Sacks Fifth Avenue building by Rockefeller Center in New York City. With the NYC mayoral race underway, Les looks primed to throw his hat into the fray – but not that hat. It fits you too well.
Paul and Pat Franke recently journeyed down the New Jersey Turnpike and I-95 for an afternoon lunch with Jim and JoAnn Crawford at the Army-Navy club in Arlington, Virginia. Also locally, several dinners were also held during the pandemic with Jim and Pat Murray, Jim and Kathy Kee Jim and JoAnne Crawford, and Charlie and Patty McGee.
Steve and Vicky Wilson are “on the road again”. This summer he and Vicki traveled from Arizona to California to Nevada with a few weeks respite in Coeur D’Alene, Idaho. Continuing prospecting in Montana, prior to returning to Arizona before another sojourn and then to Oregon for the class golf tournament. Along the way he continued to work as a committee head for Sully.
Frank and Paulette Monaco broke away from the Hudson Valley and attended a granddaughter’s high school graduation in upstate New York. The Monaco’s continued their summer visits to Missouri and Illinois visiting children and grandchildren.
John Stidd is about to complete the first half of his Appalachian Trail journey in mid-August. After reaching the northern terminus in Maine, he will return to his starting point in Pennsylvania and head southbound. The journey began in mid-April and anticipated to end in October.
Bob Richardson on one of his trips to a local Virginia restaurant ran into the Supe at the ice cream counter.
During the planning for the original 50th Reunion the class officers approved Bricks from the AOG Brick/Paver program for our deceased classmates from Beirut and Vietnam. Shown here
Take care,
Charlie McGee
cbmA470@gmail.com
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