2011 Annual Meeting of the West Point Association of Graduates

Dear Members of the Long Gray Line,

I am writing to inform you that the 2011 Annual Meeting of the West Point Association of Graduates (WPAOG) will take place on 19 October at 1700 hrs Eastern Time in the Alumni Center at West Point. The business of the meeting will be to elect five members of our Board of Directors and six members of our Advisory Council. I hope that a large number of graduates will attend, but if you cannot be on hand, please take the time to submit your proxy via the Internet.

In order to fill out the proxy and vote, please click on the following link:
http://216.34.99.34/survey/387930/6699e84d/

To view the capsule biographies and photographs of each candidate, please Click Here and download the PDF document. When it comes time to fill out the proxy, you may vote for as few or as many of the candidates as you wish.

You may assign your proxy to John Calabro ’68, the Secretary of the Association, who will be present at the meeting to register your vote as you have specified it, or you can assign the proxy to another graduate.  One caution, however: if you choose to do the latter, be sure that this person will be attending the meeting, or your vote will not count. Last year, a significant number of votes went uncounted for just this reason; the proxy named a graduate who was not present at the meeting.

Again, I hope that you will be able to attend the Annual Meeting in person, but if not, I urge you to vote by proxy and participate in these WPAOG elections.

West Point, for Thee!

ROBERT L. McCLURE ‘76
Colonel, USA (Retired)
President and CEO

Ross Kelly's Wake

All,

Just a short note to send along a photo of the F-1 classmates who attended Ross Kelly's wake last evening at Ross's favorite pub in Great Falls.  It was without a doubt the most moving wake Janie and I have ever attended, and so very well organized and conducted by Susan and Ross' children.  You could just feel the love, respect and admiration for Ross from his many family members, friends and colleagues.  Janie and I were in tears as we watched his daughters perform truly professional quality Irish dancing and music as we have been watching them at Ross' annual St. Patrick's Day gatherings since they were very young girls.  It was a fine send off for our very special classmate who continued to serve after retirement and who was described as perhaps our most highly decorated classmate (although I have not tried to very that).

A few notes from Mike Murphy and John Beasley are attached below too.

Hank and Janie Zimon


Well said Mike -- just what we'd expect from an Irishman. It was indeed a celebration of Ross' life. And I agree that he would have give it a 3.0 -- several of which Ross actually got as long as numbers weren't involved.   John Beasley

All

Just a note to tell you that we had a "grand time" at the wake last evening.   It was a packed house, including many of Ross' work friends, neighbors, comrades-in-arms, and classmates.

The party mirrored the Kelly's annual St Patrick's day event with many Irish songs, Irish Dancing, and just a tad bit of alcohol consumption.

There were many fine tributes, eulogies, and Ross stories given at the podium.  Perhaps the most moving was the testimonial from a survivor of the Battle of An Loc who stated that he would not be here today if it were not for Ross' personal bravery.

F-1 was represented by Hank and Janie Zimon, John and Karen Beasley, Doug and Grace Alderman, and Mike and Pinky Murphy.  Tom and Sheila Rabaut (E-4) also knew Ross and were in attendance.

If anyone else who attended would like to comment to this group please do!  I'm sure you can improve on my summary.

Several of you who live outside the D.C. area had asked me by email to express your sympathies to Susan, and we did so.

Many thanks to Susan for inviting us, we really did enjoy celebrating his life.   I feel confident Ross would have graded the event at "3.0".

Mike Murphy

NCEA Update

Quick report on NCEA
 
So far 77 schools have registered for NCEA this year.   100 student delegates and 13 faculty delegates have been registered from 50 of the schools.  27 schools will name their delegates by September 25.  Another 40 ROTC delegates will be named on September 20.  Since we can only accommodate 160 delegates, we are going to pack the conference this year!  Thanks to the classmates who did the early recruiting this year.  It worked.
 
If you are interested in who the Keynote Speaker, the Plenary Speakers, and the Senior Leaders will be this year, check out http://www.usma.edu/uscc/scpme/ncea/conference.html.  It is an incredible line-up that will make you proud! 
 
This year 26 classmates will be participating and 8 wives.
 
If you would like more information, contact Pat Sculley at patsculley@q.com.
 

First Call

Click here

Phil Doleac Sends

September 2011

RE: USMA 1970's National Conference on Ethics in America

Dear Classmates,

You have undoubtedly been getting the recent emails soliciting your support for NCEA.  I'd like to give you my take on it.

After graduation, I didn't have much contact with West Point, aside from an occasional reunion, until Dave Brown asked me to be a Class Advisor to WPAOG about 5 years ago. This got me back to West Point 2-3 times a year for advisor meetings and reintroduced me to our alma mater and what has been going on there since we graduated.  I stumbled across this thing called NCEA (actually the Class of 1970's National Conference on Ethics in America) (See NCEA Tab top of the class webpage here) which I knew almost nothing about. I attended as an observer 3 years ago and have been back every year since.

I found about 20-30 of our classmates who, for the past 20 years, have dedicated themselves to making this the best conference put on at West Point. I encourage you to attend this year's conference (October 16-20).  Do it and you’ll feel the impact and see firsthand the difference the NCEA makes for these students. I think there’s a very strong probability that you will be like the rest of us who have "drank the kool-aid". This year, especially, we need our classmates to attend.  I hope to see you there. 

If you cannot attend, then please make a contribution.  We are striving for 100% class participation in our drive to fully endow NCEA by our 45th reunion. $19.70/month until the 45th comes in at just under $1000, but any contribution is welcome.  Our goal is 100% participation.

Thanks,

Phil Doleac

Army Scholarship Foundation News

Army Scholarship Foundation
News

Release date: 8 September 2011
For more information contact: Rose Gault 703-599-8029
or Rose.Gault@ArmyScholarshipFoundation.org

Army Scholarship Foundation Announces Scholarship Awards for 2011-2012 Academic Year

The Army Scholarship Foundation has announced the awarding of ten scholarships to children of United States Army soldiers and veterans and spouses of active duty enlisted soldiers. Scholarships for the upcoming 2011-2012 academic year were awarded to deserving Army family members as follows:

The Captain Jennifer Schafer-Odom Memorial Scholarship was awarded to to Mr Joseph Capparelli, Jr of Williamstown, NY. Mr Capparelli is the son of Mr & Mrs. Joseph Capparelli of Williamstown. Mr Capparelli served as a Specialist during Desert Shield/Storm. Joseph graduated from Altmar-Parish-Williamstown High School, and will major in Business Management at Hartwick College in Oneonta, NY. Jennifer Shafer Odom grew up on a dairy farm in Knoxville, Maryland. After graduating first in her class at Brunswick High School, she entered the U.S. Military Academy and graduated as a member of the Class of 1992. She became an Army aviator and served tours of duty in both the United States and Europe, where she supported both the Kurdish refugee and Bosnia missions. While serving with the 204th Military Intelligence Battalion at Fort Bliss, Texas in 1999, her aircraft was reported missing while flying intelligence and counter drug missions over Columbia, South American. She and her crew were lost.

The Lieutenant Scott Love Memorial Scholarship was awarded to Mr Trent Brock Fort Campbell, Kentucky, who is a junior at Western Kentucky University in Bowling Green, Kentucky. His father is Chief Warrant Officer Jonathan Brock who is assigned to the 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment at Ft Campbell. Trent is majoring in broadcasting and performance arts.

First Lieutenant Scott Love was killed in action in 2006 while serving in Campbell, KY enlisted in the US Army in 1999 as a military intelligence specialist. In 2003, he graduated from high school in Huntsville, AL. He graduated from Florida State University in 1996 and enlisted in the US Army in 1999 as a military intelligence specialist. He attended Officer Candidate School at Fort Benning, and was subsequently assigned as a platoon leader with 2nd Battalion, 6th Infantry stationed at Baumholder, Germany. His unit deployed to Kuwait in November 2005 with Scott's platoon assigned as part of Task Force 1-35 Armor when he was killed at Ar Ramadi, Iraq.

The Sergeant Andrew Topham Memorial Scholarship was awarded to Ms Zidisha Dambuza of Grovetown, Georgia. Zidisha is a sophomore at the University of Georgia studying Sociology and Fashion Merchandising. Her father is a single parent and widower, who retired from the Army as a First Sergeant in 2005. Sergeant Andrew Topham grew up in Randolph, Massachusetts near Boston. He was a highly decorated soldier, awarded the Bronze Star for service in Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan. In addition he earned the Army Commendation Medal, Achievement Medal, Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal, Iraq Campaign Medal, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Noncommissioned Officer Professional Development Ribbon, Army Service Ribbon and the Overseas Ribbon.

The Major Clifford M. Collins Memorial Scholarship was awarded to Ms Kimberly Cook of Coppell, TX. Kimberly is a senior at Austin College in Sherman, TX dual majoring in Biology and History. Her parents are both deceased, and her father retired as a Sergeant Major. Major Cliff Collins served for 20 years in the US Air Force, flying B-29s in combat in the Korean War, and later flying F-105s during the Vietnam War. Upon retirement from the Air Force he taught engineering at the University of Texas. He was a graduate of the University of Notre Dame and held a MS in Aerospace Management from the University of Southern California. He passed away in 1996.

The Lieutenant General Jack Costello Memorial Scholarship was awarded to Ms Victoria Inman of Vilseck, Germany. She is the daughter of Command Sergeant Major & Mrs Jeremiah Inman. CSM Inman is assigned to the 1st Squadron, 2nd Stryker Regiment in Vilseck. He is a veteran of numerous combat deployments to the Middle East. Victoria is a freshman at Furman University in Greenville, SC. LTG Jack Costello was born in Pottsville, PA and was commissioned in the Army upon graduation from the Citadel. He served in the 82d Airborne Division and in Vietnam. He commanded the 2d Battalion, 59th Air Defense Artillery, the 35th ADA Brigade, 32d Army Air Defense Command in Germany, the ADA School and Fort Bliss, Texas, and the US Army Space & Missile Defense Command. Upon retirement, he joined the Raytheon Company where he led Network Centric Systems Strategic Planning and Business Development operations and the company’s Improvised Explosive Device Defeat efforts.

The Brigadier General Anson Schulz Memorial Scholarship was awarded to Paige Simonis of Janesville, Wisconsin. She is the daughter of First Sergeant & Mrs Robert Simonis who is currently deployed with D Company, 1st Battalion, 147th Aviation Regiment in Iraq. Page will
enter North Dakota State University as a freshman this fall. Brigadier Anson General Schulz enlisted in the Army from Indiana and served for two years before being commissioned through Officer Candidate School. He deployed with the 8th Missile Battalion to Homestead AFB, FL during the Cuban Missile Crisis and subsequently served in Vietnam. During his career he was awarded the Bronze Star, Distinguished Service Medal and Legion of Merit. Following his retirement as the Chief of Staff of the Strategic Defense Initiative Organization, he enjoyed a distinguished civilian business career with Northrop-Grumman, Quantum Research, and RAM Incorporated.

The KBR Honorary Scholarship was awarded to Ms Nichole Wilson of Traverse City, Michigan. She is the wife of Specialist Mathew Wilson who is assigned to Delta Company, 125th Infantry and is an Iraq veteran. She is a senior at Baker College of Cadillac majoring in Health Care Administration. KBR is headquartered in Houston, Texas. KBR is a leading global engineering, construction, and services company supporting the government services, energy, petrochemicals, and civil infrastructure sectors. The company employs over 50,000 people worldwide in locations that include Australia, Africa, the UK, Asia and the Middle East. KBR has built a proud history and a leading market position in the government infrastructure (G&I) sector by being a low-cost, high-efficiency and absolutely reliable provider. Not only is KBR the largest contractor for the United States Army and a top-ten contractor for the U.S. Department of Defense, it is currently the world’s largest defense services provider.

The Hamilton Sundstrand Honorary Scholarship was awarded to Ms Melissa Contreras of Fort Polk, LA. Melissa is the wife of Sergeant Gerardo Contreras, who is assigned to 5th Battalion, 25th Field Artillery, and is deployed in Afghanistan with Task Force Patriot of the 10th Mountain Division. She is a sophomore at Central Texas College of Killeen, TX. Hamilton Sundstrand, a United Technologies Corporation, employs over 18, 000 people worldwide and is headquartered in Windsor Locks, Conn. Among the world's largest suppliers of technologically advanced aerospace and industrial products, the company designs, manufactures and services aerospace systems and provides integrated system solutions for commercial, regional, corporate and military aircraft. It also is a major supplier for international space programs. Hamilton Sundstrand is a strong supporter of Army Families and is proud to sponsor this annual scholarship for Army Family members.

The BAE Systems Honorary Scholarship was awarded to Mr Bradley Hernandez of Whitney, TX. His father retired from the Army as a Sergeant First Class. Bradley is a junior majoring in Criminal Justice at Stephen F. Austin State University in Nacogdoches, TX. BAE Systems is headquartered in Rockville, Maryland. The company provides support and service solutions for current and future defense, intelligence, and civilian systems, and designs, develops and manufactures a wide range of electronic systems and subsystems for both military and commercial applications. They also design, develop, produce, and provide service support of armored combat vehicles, artillery systems and intelligent munitions.

The Allied Associates International Honorary Scholarship was awarded to Mohammed U. Gilani of Charlotte, NC. He is the son of retired Sergeant First Class & Mrs Syed Gilani. M.U. is a junior at the University of South Carolina, majoring in International Business. Allied Associates International (A2I) is a Service Disabled Veteran Owned business providing professional engineering services and technology support to the Department of Defense, Homeland Security and other supporting agencies. With offices in Virginia, Colorado and Indiana as well as the United Kingdom, Allied Associates has a wide range of expertise in systems engineering, domestic and international acquisitions, technology and software development, testing and evaluation and program management.

The Army Scholarship Foundation was founded in 2001 by concerned Army veterans who desired to continue their service to the Nation and to support and assist families of Army soldiers. The Army Scholarship Foundation provides scholarships to deserving sons and daughters of US Army soldiers and Army veterans, as well as to spouses of serving active duty enlisted soldiers. The organization operates on an all-volunteer basis with a minimum of expenses. The Foundation is sustained by the generous donations of its supporters. Tax deductible donations can be sent to the Army Scholarship Foundation, 11700 Preston Road, Suite 660-301, Dallas, Texas 75230.

http://www.armyscholarshipfoundation.org/

The Army Scholarship Foundation Home Page
www.armyscholarshipfoundation.org
The Army Scholarship Foundation is no longer accepting scholarship applications for academic year 2011-2012. The deadline for scholarship applications for academic year 2012-2013 is May 1, 2012.

The Army Scholarship Foundation Home Page

www.armyscholarshipfoundation.org

The Army Scholarship Foundation is no longer accepting scholarship applications for academic year 2011-2012. The deadline for scholarship applications for academic year 2012-2013 is May 1, 2012.

NCEA Fund Update September 1, 2011

6 September 2011

Dear Classmates,

Enclosed you will find the most current status for the Class’ Fund Raising efforts in support of our designated 45th Reunion Gift to the Academy and the Nation, the National Conference on Ethics in America (NCEA). As you are aware, we are attempting to create a $4.1 Million Endowment to support the conference needs for the foreseeable future, which the class committee perceives as the remainder of our lives.

To date, thanks to the generous support of many of you (30% of the class), we are about ½way there. This is both encouraging and yet, at the same time, disappointing. Seventy (70) % of our class has remained on the sidelines. If you are someone who has given, thank you very much. If you have not as yet pledged your support, get up off the couch and get yourself onto the playing field. We want 100% of the class involved! No gift is too small. We need everyone to give something so the NCEA Endowment truly is a Gift from the entire Class of 70, not just a select few.

Also, I urge you get involved in the conference if you have the time or interest. Pat Sculley put out a call for volunteers a little over a week ago to help in the Admin & Planning of the NCEA. If you didn’t see Pat’s request, let us know and we’ll get you a copy. If you are interested in attending the NCEA (16-20 OCT @ USMA), please let Pat know so we can slot you in the work group of your choice.

Enclosed you will find the most current versions of:
1. The Giving Wall
2. A PPT summary including performance ranks of the Regiments, Top 10 Companies, and Bottom 5 Companies….for both $s contribution and % Classmates Participating.

I trust this finds you and your families happy, well, and enjoying the last days of summer.
SWI,
Gil