9/11/05

Vinnie forwarded this to me this week, our own Joe Schmitz is changing jobs:

Inspector General Announces Departure

Department of Defense Inspector General Joseph E. Schmitz announced he will leave his current position effective September 10, 2005, to accept a position in the private sector. Earlier this year, Mr. Schmitz informed Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld of his intent to depart. Mr.Schmitz officially informed Secretary Rumsfeld of his departure on Friday, August 26, 2005. Mr. Schmitz was nominated to be DoD Inspector General by President George W. Bush on June 18, 2001. He was confirmed by the U.S. Senate as DoD Inspector General on March 21, 2002, and sworn in on April 2, 2002. Since assuming office, Mr. Schmitz has succeeded in launching a number of first-ever leadership initiatives and has concluded a number of high profile investigations, inspections and audits. Accomplishments include: Guided the senior leadership team to strategically realign the goals, objectives and priorities of the OIG with the President’s Management Agenda and the top management priorities of the Department to include the Global War on Terror.   Created the Defense Council on Integrity and Efficiency (modeled on the President’s Council of Integrity & Efficiency) comprised of: the Service Inspectors General; the Service Auditor Generals; the leaders of the Military Criminal Investigative Organizations; the Inspectors General of the Defense Intelligence Agencies, and other key oversight officials.   Created an Office of Civilian Whistleblower Reprisal Investigations.   Promoted efforts within the Department to counter Human Trafficking.   Initiated a cost-effective Georgetown University Maters Program tailored to empower professionals better to satisfy IG Act duties while building “one professional team.”   Achieved an unqualified Audit Opinion on Financial Statement Audit of the OIG which is the highest possible Audit rating an organization can achieve.   Instituted the “Commander in Chief’s Challenge” approved by the President’s Council on Physical Fitness and Sports which encourage all employees to establish and to maintain a healthy and fit life style by participating in a regular program of physical fitness activity and to compliment such activities with a better diet and yearly physical.   After personally announcing his departure to OIG employees on Friday, August 26, 2005, the Inspector General on Tuesday, August 30, 2005, sent the following all-hands e-mail: "This past Friday I informed the Secretary of Defense that subject to the President accepting my resignation I have accepted a position in the private sector, and that my last official act as Inspector General will be to review the Dress Parade of the Brigade of Midshipmen at the United States Naval Academy (my alma mater) on the afternoon of Friday, 9 September 2005. "It has been an honor serving as your component head in this Office of Inspector General for the past three and a half years. Please accept my sincere appreciation for the professionalism, dedication, and courage each of you has exhibited not only individually to "choose the harder right instead of the easier wrong" on innumerable occasions, but also for your teamwork in transforming this Office into the "one professional team" that serves as a paradigm of integrity, transparent accountability, and intelligent risk-taking throughout the Department of Defense. "Over the past year I have conveyed to many of you guidance from the Chairman of the President's Council on Integrity & Efficiency on the four essential elements of organizational success: (1) clear definition of success; (2) clear plan of action; (3) clear accountability; and (4) 100% leadership support from top down. "I would leave each of you with my own supplement to the PCIE Chairman's guidance: always include in your definition of success at least one 'first thing,' along with your very important second things, the most typical second things being money and survival. See C.S. Lewis, Time and Tide, reprinted in God in the Dock (1942) ("You can't get second things by putting them first; you can get second things only by putting first things first. . . . The first and most practical [thing is] to have something to live for and to die for, lest we die."); Peter Kreeft, A Refutation of Moral Relativism: Interviews With An Absolutist, p. 133 (1999) ("[T]he society that believes in nothing worth surviving for beyond mere survival will not survive."). "May the Creator acknowledged in our Declaration of Independence who has endowed each of us with those unalienable rights that we as Americans consider 'first things,' continue to bless each of you in your personal lives and in your professional aspirations."

5/23/05

On, Thursday, June 2nd at 1400 in Memorial Hall, our own Joe Leidig will be relieved as 80th Commandant of Midshipman and subsequently promoted to Rear Admiral (lower half). Joe extends a welcome to all classmates who may be in the area to please attend. Joe's next assignment is as U.S. Pacific Command Representative, Guam/Commander, U.S. Naval Forces, Marianas, Apra, Guam. We'd like to thank Joe and Meg for their inspirational leadership of the Midshipman these past few years (as Deputy 'dant and then Commandant). They'll be truly missed by everyone around the Yard. With their daughters, they have been a shining example that Naval service is about family-- not only the dedication, devotion, love and support to and from our Naval family (one's crew, shipmates, squadron mates and troops) but most especially that of our spouses and children. Without them, how could we possibly do the things our nation calls us to do?

Lastly, thanks to Joe and Meg for being gracious hosts to many classmates affairs -- of both the red and green light variety. We wish you continued success, happiness and health and of course, we wish you fair winds and following seas.

Four years together by the Bay
Where Severn joins the tide,
Then by the Service called away,
We've scattered far and wide;
But still when two or three shall meet,
And old tales be retold,
From low to highest in the Fleet
Will pledge the Blue and Gold.

4/22/05

More Flag announcements - 

Navy Rear Adm. (lower half) Melvin G. Williams, Jr. has been nominated for appointment to the rank of rear admiral. Williams is currently serving as commander, Submarine Group NINE, Silverdale, Wash.

Navy Rear Adm. (lower half) Jeffrey L. Fowler has been nominated for appointment to the rank of rear admiral. Fowler is currently serving as commander, Navy Recruiting Command, Millington, Tenn.

BZ Gentlemen!

4/21/05

Here are our new Flag Officers - BZ to each and every one of you

Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Vern Clark announced the following flag officer assignment:

And of course, our Marine brothers:

My count takes us to a total of 24 flag officers now - Sounds like a good showing for the Class of '78 to me, but I am not sure - anyone know how that compares to other classes?

3/21/05

An email message from VADM Rodney Rempt

1/11/04 Happy New Year!

12/11/04 It is with a heavy heart that we inform our classmates of the death of the wife of our friend and Classmate CDR Rich Holzknecht (13th Co.), the current U.S. Naval attaché to Turkey. Jennifer Holzknecht died at the end of October after suffering a severe brain aneurysm just 7 weeks after giving birth to their fourth child. Jennifer's memorial service and burial was held on November 4 in Pensacola, Florida, where her parents reside. We understand the Navy approved a humanitarian reassignment for Rich and he has now completed the transition from the Naval Attaché's job in Ankara, Turkey, and has been assigned to the Chief of Naval Education and Training (CNET) at NAS Pensacola.

Jennifer is survived by Rich and their four young children -- sons Rich (age 5), Dan (3) and Nate (2); and daughter Savannah (7 weeks). If individual classmates would like to assist Rich as he makes this difficult transition without his wife, we have learned that The Joint Military Attaché school is taking up a collection to assist him with child care.

If you choose to make a contribution, please make your check payable to CDR Rich Holzknecht and mail them to:

Joint Military Attaché School

C/O: Teresa Babb or JP Sherkus

Building 6000

Bolling Air Force Base

Washington DC 20340

12/1/04 Emerald Bowl 2004 news! Blue and Gold Rush to the Golden Gate. Nearly 4,000 total tickets have been purchased through the Naval Academy Athletic Association. Click here for news.

11/28/04 Another thing worth mentioning: Fred Butterfield set the date for the next USNA '78 Washington, DC-Area Lunch. They will meet at the Pentagon City Mall "food court" (located above the Metro station) for an informal lunch at 12:00 noon on Thursday, December 9. This event remains intentionally low-tech and "low-maintenance": we stake out several tables together (in the vicinity of the "Sam Goody" music store), you buy your own chow (lots of good choices), and we all enjoy over the next hour or so. As always, Fred will shoot to be there a few minutes early holding my hard-to-miss Blue and Gold sign which says "USNA '78" on it, toward the "Panda Express" corner of the food court. All in the area are welcome.

11/28/04 Well, Turkey day is behind us, and the Army-Navy game is in front of us. And, how 'bout the Emerald Bowl? OK, here are the latest updates - yes, I know it has been a while - sorry... Here we go - lot's of email updates:

First, welcome aboard! to our new website shipmates:

Loren Divers checked in to our site for the first time - his info is  posted on the classmate page

John Hawk sent in new contact info, as did Mark Strasser, Jim Fee, and Mike Fralen.

Vince sent me the Nov. 2004 Shipmate article.

Complete updates from:

Bill Fell is Assistant Athletic Director for Physical Fitness and Club Sports at the United States Merchant Marine Academy. Other updates you should check out include: Nick Nickell, George Tyree, Jim Bland, David Bruce, Tim Rose, Jon Kutler (who also sent in new contact info as well as for his old roommate John Anderson), Kevin O'Keefe, Jim Fee, Dave Williams, Kim Tageson, and Drumm McNaughton.

Email updates from:

Steve Hincks' email address has changed to stephen.hincks@tritonsvc.com

Paul Mansfield's new email is pbmansf@nsa.gov

John Aclin's email is now jc_aclin@verizon.net

Mike Sears' email is now michael@reticle.com

Ray Kwong sent in a new email address: rkwong@1978.usna.com

And now, a word from our sponsor (just kidding, but if you are in the area, I am sure Mark would love you to stop in:

Taste Restaurant Now Open!
For those of you that are looking for a new place to eat (& drink), check out the groceries (& liquor) at Ann & Mark Nault's Taste Restaurant in Baltimore! They offer fine dining lunch & dinner, 175 seats, full bar (Oh yeah!!!), private dining, patio dining (warm months)! First time 78'ers get a free cold one (beer, not Moet...)! They are located at:
   Belvedere Square
   510 E. Belvedere Ave.
   Baltimore, MD 21212
   443-278-9001
   Email: mark@tasterestaurant.biz
   web: www.tasterestaurant.biz

Wow, I just realized we are about to go over 10,000 hits on our website... that's a milestone for us!

8/8/094 It is a beautiful day out, but I have to clean out the mail bag. Lot's to do, so here we go... First, for those who don't already know, Shipmate is going through some transformations, and it looks like they are cutting the length of each class news articles by 50%. They say it affects a very small percentage of the classes - but I have to believe it will crimp our own Vince Balderama (who, by the way, has left Sikorsky and is now with Lockheed Martin).

Updated Jack Christiansen's email on classmate page. Also updated bio's and contact info for the following classmates on the classmate page Dennis Reilly, John Klose, Ron McNeal, Bill Dietzler, Brian Kirk, Fred Shutt (actually, Cindy sent it - seems Fred can't write?). Added John Storvick, Chris May to classmates page - welcome aboard!

USNA '78's own Kurt Tidd is in the news in this article from July 6, New York Times.
Larry Gavin checks in and tell us that Charlie Hautau is now the CO of NAPS. He also tells me that Harry Harris is headed back to DC from Bahrain next month to take over as OPNAV N31 (Director of Navy Current Operations). And Harry's wife, CDR Bruni Bradley, USN (and USNA '84), is the CO of the Recruiting District headquartered in New York City.
 

For those of you that are looking for a new place to eat, check out the groceries at Ann & Mark Nault's Taste Restaurant Opening Soon! They offer fine dining, 175 seats, full bar, private dining, patio dining! He is located at:
   Belvedere Square
   510 E. Belvedere Ave.
   Baltimore, MD 21212
   Email: chef-ann@earthlink.net

John F. Young was named president of Exelon Generation the end of July. Here is the story. Congrats John!

7/27/04 There are changes coming with the look and feel of Shipmate magazine. Read about them here. Here is a letter from Bernie Maguire with further amplification on the changes.

6/5/04

Deputy Commander for Ship Design, Integration and Engineering

Naval Sea Systems Command
requests the pleasure of your company at the
Retirement Ceremony of
Captain Steven W. Petri, United States Navy
on Thursday, the tenth of June, two thousand four
at ten o’clock

Building 60 Atrium

Naval Surface Warfare Center, Carderock Division
9500 MacArthur Boulevard, West Bethesda, Maryland

A reception will immediately follow the ceremony.

R.S.V.P. by 7 June                                                                      Uniform: Summer White

301-227-1165 or 4313 (DSN 287)                                                 Civilian: Business Attire
email: zookdg@nswccd.navy.mil

6/4/04 First, BZ to Sam Tangretti - seems he was awarded " The Alfred Thayer Mahan award for Literary Achievement!! Congrats Sam. Looks like he is also the prospective Defense Attache to Greece.  Caught up on my updates in the classmate section - check them out-  Jack Christensen, Rob Blandford, Ron Uglow, Vince Balderama (got a new job), Several sent in requests to update only your email address: Tim Stark, John Hueseman, Kevin D'Amour, Alex Callas (but wait, that is all there is up there you say, I know, I am trying to get him to tell us of all the great things he is doing, patience),  . New to the website, welcome aboard to Glen Beyer, 

by Adriana Zulueta

'Twas the night before finals and all through the Yard,

The students were praying and studying hard.

The dress blues were hung for inspection at dawn,

In hopes that the lint and the fuzz would be gone.

The Plebes were exhausted but none touched their racks,

While visions of essays loomed at their backs.

My roommate was desperate, her nose in her books.

Any comments to her drew a few dirty looks.

I drained all the coffee and brewed a new pot,

No longer caring that my nerves were all shot.

Out in the taverns a few were still drinking,

Hoping that liquor would loosen their thinking.

Up in my room I was busily pacing,

And dreading exams I soon would be facing.

I stared at my notes but my thoughts were all muddy.

My vision was blurry. I just couldn't study.

The moon on the breast of the new fallen snow

Looked like formal parade was passing below.

When all of a sudden our door opened wide

And Midshipman Captain came in with one stride.

She carried a sextant, a compass, and bell.

What her intent was we just couldn't tell.

She turned on her heel and threw books to the floor!

She opened our lockers, to the pile added more!

To our horror thoughts of inspection did rise,

Our Naval career passed in front of our eyes!

Why would she torment us with so much at stake?

A Plebe in this place just can't catch a break!

She got in my face and started to yell,

She held up the sextant and rang the brass bell.

Her spirit was fearless; her dress whites were sharp,

I though I was done for, she started to bark:

What kind of student did we make of you?

Just give back to teachers what they've given you!

No Cliff Notes! No crib sheets! No cheats up sleeves!

Just Duty and Honor and Loyalty please!

I spoke not a word but went straight to my work.

I picked up my cover, my rifle, my shirt,

Stacked all of the books, squared my locker away.

We had to move fast, we were racing the day.

The stars were still out and I knew we could do it.

We'd been rated before and always got though it.

I ran to my desk and I scanned all my notes,

My knowledge and honor had bolstered my hopes.

I turned to report to the Midshipman Captain

On all we had done and on all that had happened.

But like spinnakers before the wild hurricane fly

She was gone from our sight in the blink of an eye.

Her message delivered, she left us to rest.

Secure in our ability to pass every test.

But as she marched off we thought we could hear,

Happy testing to all, just wait 'til next year!

West Point (NY) December 2, 2003 -- Army football practice was delayed nearly two hours yesterday after a player reported finding an unknown white powdery substance on the practice field. New head coach, John Mumford, immediately suspended practice while police and federal investigators were called to investigate.

11/2/03 Letter from Class President (Glen Woods) regarding USS Porter DDG78

11/02/03 Another '78 Admiral! Navy Capt. Timothy J. McGee has been nominated for appointment to the rank of rear admiral (lower half).  McGee is currently serving as vice commander, Chief of Naval Research, Arlington, Va.

Updated Memorial Page with info gathered from the reunion.

Big News! Congrats are in order: Flag Officer Announcement Secretary of Defense Donald H. Rumsfeld announced today that the President has made the following nominations:

Navy Rear Adm. (lower half) Anthony L. Winns has been nominated for appointment to the rank of rear admiral. Winns is currently serving as deputy director, Air Warfare Division, N78B, Office of the Chief of Naval Operations, Washington, D.C.

10/22/03 The Navy football team is looking for patches from different squadrons/units to wear for the Army-Navy game. If you have one please send it to:

     Greg Morgenthaler

     Navy Equipment Manager

     566 Brownson Road

     Annapolis, MD 21402

10/12/03 Way past due on some of these updates... In the classmate pages, updated personal contact info on Guido Manzo, Don Kuntz, Lee Gard, Randall Masters, Pete Flynn, Mark Nault, Jim Degree, Rick Roustio, Kevin Olsen, Michael Dinn, Matt Leavitt, Dave Babcock, John O'Dwyer, Chris Cobb, Bill Hession, Randy Kahn, and Ron Uglow.

On the Command page, updated Dave Guza.

On the Photos page, a picture from our first class year.

Sent in from Kevin Liddy: There is an effort to raise over a million dollars to construct, at the site of the attack, a Pentagon Memorial Park, honoring those lost on 9-11 at the Pentagon. Donations are needed to finance final design costs and to begin construction of the memorial. Only contributed funds will be used to build the Pentagon Memorial; no taxpayer funds will be used. If you want more info, the web site is: https://private.ref.whs.mil/pentagonmemorial/

9/23/03 Two reunion updates. First, a letter from the Supe on the Academy cleanup from Isabel. Second, a letter from outgoing Class President - Bob Novak. If you did not see thw flood waters at the Reunion, you can go to www.usna.com site where they post newspaper and other media accounts in the "What's New" feature. More to follow.

9/16/03 -- Reunion update...It is still on

9/9/03 Just updated the  - lots of new gouge on the reunion plans.

9/7/03 Registration for our 25th reunion absolutely, positively closes 1700 (5:00 pm for us civilians), Monday, Sept 8.

9/4/03 The 25th Reunion registration is being extended... we have now removed some of the duplicates (folks that had problems registering) and have a FEW more seats for the Dinner/Dance too... But, we are near capacity for the facility so hurry and sign up if you want to come. If you still want to join us for the Tailgater, please go to the reunion page and register also.

9/2/03 See who has registered for the 25th Reunion

8/29/03 New Commandant of Midshipmen - JOE LEIDIG '78!!!!! to take over Sept 17, 2003... read the release here...

The reunion committee has not arranged for any clothing items as "give-aways" this year. So, if you need or want Class of '78 branded clothing, you need to purchase them from our Class Store.  To guarantee delivery in time for the reunion, you must place your order by August 8th Date extended for ordering to August 13th.

8/23/03 Updated Classmates page with info on Jim DeGree, Al "Blues" Baker, Tom Bond and Will Krammer.

8/20/03 Updated status on Skip Bayes. If you have not heard, Skip suffered a heart attack (MI-myocardial Infarction) last Thursday, Aug. 14. He had a 5-way bypass on Monday. I know he and his wife appreciate the email, cards and letters - so keep them coming. Click here for more details.

8/13/03 If you have not voted for your new class officers (did not fax in the form you received in the mail), click here to do so... again, the deadline is Sept 1. NEW FEATURE - you can now search the entire site. Use the Search Site link on the menu bar on the left.

8/11/2003 As a reminder, September 1 is the last day to register for the reunion - don't put it off any longer! Bounce to the Reunion page now! Received a great pic from Will Pearce from the 20th reunion - those suave couples from 5th company can be seen on the Photos page. Updated info on Warren Krull on the classmates page. Retired the Iraqi Freedom page.

8/7/2003 Lots of updates - guess it is the upcoming reunion... updated contact info on Richard Lowell, Mike White, Chip Walston, Ray Kwong, Clarke Orzalli, Rudy Escher, Doug Meyer, Mark Boensel, Mark Koljesky, Will Pearce, Mike Duncan,  Doug Wight, and Mike Patton.

Also updated command info on Don Aiken, Rudy Escher, Clarke Orzalli, Brian Roby.

7/23/03 The reunion committee has not arranged for any clothing items as "give-aways" this year. So, if you need or want Class of '78 branded clothing, you need to purchase them from our Class Store.  To guarantee delivery in time for the reunion, you must place your order by August 8th.

7/16/2003 Added some info on Babysitting services for the reunion...

7/14/2003 Updated the registration for Non Alumni Association Members

7/12/2003 I had a death in the family, so I have been behind in posting your updates and news... catching up today. My mailbag is now empty. Have updated news or contact info for: Todd Lesh, Ken Colby, John Woodward, Martin Drake, Dana Sales, Scott Darling, Dave Mercer and Duffy Dyer.

7/12/2003 Even more reason to take advantage of the Special Membership Price being offered by the Alumni Association for our reunion - click here to see why

"

7/10/2003 FLAG OFFICER ANNOUNCEMENT - Secretary of Defense Donald H. Rumsfeld announced that the president has nominated Navy Rear Adm. Rodney P. Rempt for appointment to the rank of vice admiral and with assignment as superintendent, U.S. Naval Academy, Annapolis, Md. Rempt is currently serving as president, Naval War College, Newport, R.I. RADM Rempt's nomination requires Senate confirmation.

6/18/2003 Well, it is that time again, class elections. You can either go to the webpage and print the page by clicking here or, you can download the word file by clicking here

Vince's July/August Shipmate article is posted on the Shipmate page, Added new contact information for Bill Countryman, Chuck Miller and John Klose on the classmates page

6/16/2003 Job Opportunity from our classmate John Hancock - if you need a job, check it out... if you have a job to let us know about, send us an email...

6/13/03 Time to get caught up, and there are a raft of them... appears the upcoming reunion is helping. Updates made to the following pages::

Classmates Page: Chris Wright, Charlie Love, Dave Williams, Kevin Olsen, JD Oliver, Scott Stoner, Mike Moore, Chuck Stephenson, Keith Haar, Scott Burns, Dan Cannan, Tom Trudell, Fred Shutt, Chris Nichols, and Nick Nickell

Command Page updates: Marc Fisk, Dan Cannan

Photos Page - appears John Hollyer was in 8th company - my sources were bad - guess I need to check them better next time. Anyway, updated the caption...

Class News Page: Update from Fred Butterfield, USNA Sup't Steps Down,

6/1/03 I am a little behind on my posting of email I have received, and I am going to a week long class and will not have the right tools with me to do any updates. So, if you have sent things to me in past couple of weeks, don't loose heart. I will catch up when I get back.

5/19/03 Updates on the classmates page from Kevin McGee, Jim Shulson, Larry Whitmeyer, Bob Novak, Mark Ferguson, also, an article from Bruce Geary. Finally, a really worth golf outing from Alex Callas - check it out - 12th Annual Peter G. Callas Memorial Golf Day for MDA from Alex Callas,

5/8/03 Quotes from Sean Coffey, Esq. is quoted defending investors in the WorldCom case.

5/7/03 From several sources, but originally from John Lademan, our own Joe Leidig is the Deputy Commandant of Midshipmen...

5/6/03 Ken Bowersox lands the hard way, Jocko Maloney attends Waldo Memorial Bench, Updated classmate info on: Kevin Carmody, Moe Ray, Jim Felton, and Chris Davidson.

5/1/03 Updated information on Ray "Uncle Milty" Milton and Joe Alvite. Also, a note to DC-Area (and other) USNA '78 Classmates from Fred Butterfield. It will be held 30 May - Check this link.

4/24/03 Added a Reflections page. Eddie Reid's article is first up... Check it out... If you have musings or stories you have crafted, feel free to send them to me and we will give you a venue.

4/22/03 Posted info from Gary Lovgren

4/15/03 Tax Day. Got mine done last night. Read it here first! Vince's May Shipmate article. Posted updated info from Drew Mulhare on the upcoming Williamsburg Golf outing.

4/11/03 Added Scott Mobley to the Iraqi Freedom page. Updated command info for Steve Painter. Updated personal info on Rich Mooney. Great article on Chaplain Alan 'Blues' Baker, sent in by Fred Butterfield at: http://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/2003/004/2.74.html Change of Command from Mark Fox on the class news page.

4/9/03 Posted directions and info for the Ken Waldie Memorial Bench dedication. Updated info on John Gardiner. Updated info on the Ken Waldie Memorial Fund on the Memorial page

4/3/03 Updated command info on Jay DeLoach, RDML(Sel), USNR and Col. Kevin O'Keefe,

4/1/03 Updated Iraqi Freedom Page - News from Chuck Lowther in Bahrain

3/30/03 NEW! Iraqi Freedom Page - news on our classmates in Iraq

3/27/03 It has been suggested I add a section for our classmates that are participating in Iraqi Freedom. I will try to get that done this weekend. In the meantime, go to the class news page where I have added a couple of articles - First, one about Faris Farwell, CO of the Bunker Hill, next, an article in which Mark Fox was interviewed.

3/26/03 Updated info on Tim Stark, Bruce Geary, Kevin O'Keefe, Bret Ayotte, Steve Painter and Lloyd Prince.

3/18/03 Updated Company Reps. Added Jim Small, updated Spence Witten and John Hueseman contact info. Updated info on Ken Heffernan and Jim McClean

Added DC Area Luncheon to the events page

3/11/2003 Added directions to the Williamsburg Golf outing

Added the names of our classmates that have gone before us...

Added update on David Philman to the Classmates page

Added a Company Reps page. This data may be VERY old however...

3/10/2003 Added a note from Alex Calla on the Class News page - see news page

Added info on upcoming '78 Williamsburg Golf outing - see news page

I am going to begin listing the names of classmate info I update so you know when to go look if there is a new name. So look here for the names as I get new info.Updated info on:

Jon Kutler, Tim Rose

Others I have updated since re-launching the website:

David Bruce, Kevin Cheezum, Jack Christensen, Louis Cirelli, Darrell Cofsky, Rudy Costanzo, Bruce Crair, Jeff Dickman, Matthew Elias, Mark Fox, Andy Funke, Bruce Gearey, Paul Mansfield, Bob McMasters, John Meisner, Nick Nickell, Charles Pangburn, Richard Polek, Pogo Reece, Luke Ridenhour, Ken Roey, Vince Rossitto, Bob Stuart, Bill Timme, George Tyree, Lee Yarberry, John Young.

I think that is all. If you sent me something and your info is not updated, please send me a reminder... early on I had some configuration management issues that are now under control.

3/6/2003 I placed page up for the Memorials that have been put in place for our classmates. I currently only have Arch's. If you have information about ongoing memorials that we can contribute to, please pass the info to me so I can post same.

3/2/2003 If you get a chance, check out Warship, Sunday on MSNBC - featuring the U.S.S. Tarawa, commanded by CAPT Jay Bowling, USNA '78

2/27/2003 I added a link to the USS Porter, DDG-78 in the right hand border of our home page. You may or may not know, our Class supports USS PORTER DDG-78 with annual leadership awards going to the JOs and E-3 - E-6.

Updated Class officers page and Reunion Page Schedule of Events

Added sermon from Arch's Memorial

2/20/03 Update on Arch's Memorial - The Griffins will have a scaled-down Memorial for Arch at the St. Andrews Chapel (located in basement under the USNA chapel - entry on the left-hand side of the Chapel), on Tuesday, 25 Feb at 1400.  Following the memorial, Arch's internment will be celebrated with honors at the Columberium. 

Erin has said that anyone who desires to attend, and can make it, is more than welcome -
but she doesn't want anyone to go to any great effort to get there.  This past week's
cancellation of the Memorial by the Academy due to weather precluded closure for the
family, this ceremony will help all to move forward. 

Arch will also be remembered in the Fall during the Class of '78's 25th Weekend Reunion -
more details to follow.

Note from Acting Class President - click on title to read...

Feb 14, 2003

An article passed on by John Ehlers - our Shipmate in the area and the guy leading the Waldo Memorial effort.........

Feb 10, 2003

Class Elections and March's Shipmate article added. You can find the link to the elections page to the left in the menu bar. Vince's upcoming Shipmate article is found on the Shipmate page. Something else I have noticed... you might want to hit reload each time you go to this website. Your browser settings may not check for updates, and hitting reload will make the new features available...Enjoy.

Jan 27, 2003

Classmate information now available - click on the link to the left...

Jan 5, 2003

Happy New Year, and Welcome!

This is our new website! There are a number of changes. Along the left hand side you see a number of links you can follow. There will be more changes in the coming weeks and months, so check back regularly as we overhaul the system.

The most important page to check out right now is the Reunion link. We have what information we can post on our upcoming 25th Reunion. Check it out. And, again, check it frequently because we will be updating it as often as things evolve.

We are working on the Classmates page. That page will be password protected since we want to keep contact information there. More on that in the near future.