MERRY CHRISTMAS! Still time to visit our Class web site and link to Amazon.com and make that last minute Christmas order...but before you begin you're electronic shopping, the Court will come to order.

First item on the docket...CONGRATULATIONS to THADMIRAL ALLEN on his successful Flag continuation. WELL DONE THAD!  Speaking of Flag Officers, RON SILVA sent in a quick note: "I just returned e-mails to BOB OJA who now lives in Eugene, OR and DAN WHICKER who lives in Spokane, WA.  We were all "F Troopers" at the farm.  I have a trip to D1 and CG units in Boston, Providence, AIRSTA Cape Cod and GRU Woodshole this week." CHUCK BECK confirms RON's visit to D1:  "RADM Ron "Machinoman" Silva was in Boston on 21 September.  He was "touring" the First District support facilities as part of his "Chief Engineer" duties.  I got to attend a briefing/discussion with him at the District Office.  We also had the opportunity to have lunch together before he was off to CGASTA Cape Cod." MARY JANE and I look forward to visiting with RON and BEV during their planned Thanksgiving visit to the Great Pacific Northwest.

Speaking of DAN, he's alive and doing well in Spokane. DAN reached JON WALDRON using our Classmates page and offers this initial update: "I am currently a dispatcher for electric and gas problems for the local utility.  Avista is the new version of Washington Water Power, the local utility in Spokane area and outlying areas. Married 12 years, my wife had daughters so we have grand kids. Nice little girls that I really enjoy."  DAN says he's living on 6 acres outside of town,  life is good at this time, and promises a more complete update in a future edition.

For another promised update, DAVE ISBELL reports around with the following: "I retired in "91 from a HQ job which made the transition a lot easier.  My "transitional period" trauma lasted from the time I got in my car in DC till I got out of my car in Annapolis!!  So much for all the retirement seminars. Having a nine month old son and a two year old daughter at the time as well as an employed wife, I stayed home for a year and became Mr. Mom.  I did a lot of freelance yacht deliveries and charter boat skippering on my Merchant Marine license and started teaching a captain's license prep course for a maritime school in Annapolis. I then got asked to be fleet manager for a bare boat charter company and got to play some more with boats while still teaching.  I then got asked to skipper some training cruises out to Bermuda which was great. Now this whole time I hadn't gone looking for work. People were coming to me!  So much for the retirement/job hunting seminars!  Apparently my wife thought I was having too much fun and not making enough money (hey, I was retired, remember!)  My "retired" argument was countered by my wife Judy's argument that I was actually unemployed (guess who won that one!) put me in the job search mode for a "real job." I was fortuitously recruited by an insurance company in Baltimore to provide some technical expertise in their marine claim department in June 1996. I agonized over my resume.  How could these civilians figure out what skills I had acquired as a military officer, shipdriver and administrator etc.  Well, the guy I interviewed with was a Naval Academy grad and knew exactly what I could do for him.  So much for the resume seminars.  I quickly went from a claim rep to senior claim rep to claim specialist to management and now am managing our dept for the eastern half of the country. But I still own 8 boats of various sizes from a 28' lobster yacht to a sailing hydrofoil trimaran with 30 kt speed potential under sail (I've only hit 24 kts so far!) and would rather be on the water than behind the desk and do so at every opportunity.   Kids are now 9 and 12 and my wife still thinks I'm having too much fun because I get to talk about boats all day and get paid for it!  Go figure."  Wait a second DAVE...did you say 8 boats?  That 'splains you hooking up with AL GRACEWSKI and his fleet of vehicles.

Lost a few guys from the E-mail rolls and took some Internet searching and snail mail effort to track 'em down and get updates. Reporting in first was JOE KUCHIN, safely ensconced in Valdez. "I am here...just got off the phone with MIKE CONWAY.  The rest of the story was that, once the CG worked out the daisy chain, VADM Shkor was extremely helpful - without hesitation gave me the departure date I requested and really supported my need/desire to get on with the transition. Serendipitously, my first day at Alyeska was 9 June - which happens to be our class anniversary for the start of active duty.  Sooo -there I am starting the second career on the same day as I started the 1st.  At any rate, life is good - we've settled into an apartment and are working on permanent housing. Conceivably, we may stay in the apartment til next summer - not a lot of choices in housing around here." JOE sent a second quick update..."Spent an evening with JACK and JEANETTE ORCHARD at their son's home in Anchorage (Capt John Orchard (USAF) & wife, Alex) while JACK and JEANETTE were visiting from the lower 48.  The job is proving to be challenging and enjoyable.  Labor day passed and this place started preparing for the winter. The tourists are gone, school has started and we're settling in. Still not in permanent quarters - that is the downside of Valdez, but hope to get that resolved soon."
 
PAUL LIBUDA was also missing in action, but reports around with this update: "Greetings from San Diego!  Carl, you're right, my e-mail address has changed.  Carpal tunnel syndrome crept up on me so I limit my keyboarding to the office as of late and don't bother with e-mail or computers at home.  My duty station since retiring 9 years ago has been the Port of San Diego.  It met my criteria for staying west of the I-5.  I'm holding down the assistant director of marine operations billet and do management and administrative work related to the port's cargo and cruise terminals, commercial fishing vessel berthing, recreational vessel mooring facilities, pilotage, tariffs, etc. I recall the last time we met you were XO of a Polar Class visiting San Diego but don't recall if I was then with the Port.  Daughter Diana and I took the Eagle's "short cruise" out to the San Diego Bay sea buoy last summer.  I couldn't convince her of the wisdom of attending the Academy. She opted for the Bruins and a Dad scholarship to UCLA (Class of '03) instead of the Bears and the promise of a new car during 1st class summer. JALING, Diana & I will be celebrating my 50th with a trip to Paris in September. As you may recall, I opted not to take the Eurocruise 1st class summer and instead climbed Mt. Sondrestom with the Thule Ten.  What was I thinking then?  I suppose that having sent this you'll have the court recorder publish a transcript.  In which case, I'll say hello to all that may read this and hope to see you at next year's 30th reunion."  PAUL...it's December, where's the Paris update and photo?

But excellent segue to the plans for our 30th.  CHUCK BECK, in a moment of weakness, has ...gulp...volunteered to head up a crack team of east coast classmates to organize our ... has it really been thirty years? ... 30th Reunion.  CHUCK sent out the following to all our Classmates on-line: "With the permission of the class (and since although I work in Boston I live about 40 miles form Canoe U.), I will attend the Homecoming 2001 meeting on 25 Oct 2000 at CGA.  Just keep in mind, after being swabo'd for the detail for our 3rd class cruise, I was the guy who was in charge of our summer cruise assignments for our 2nd and 1st class cruises.  So if you were happy with your summer cruise.....  SLY and I have actually had a couple of conversations concerning our 30th.  JIM was a major organizer of our 25th and kept a file. However, he is organizing his 35th high school reunion so he has passed the folder to me, but has "graciously" offered to assist but not lead (what a guy). I have also talked with Capt Joel Whitehead (MSO Boston), the Class of 75 class president and the organizer of his 25th held a couple of weeks ago. Joel got turned on to a commuter program/service that helps maintain responses, addresses, and selections of what we want to do. I have not yet played with the program but will in the very near future, hopefully before the meeting at CGA.  Once I figure the program out, I'll send a solicitation to all asking such questions as where do you want to stay (in New London/Mystic/Norwich/Foxwoods), what do we want to do for activities (golf on Friday or Sunday, drinking, dinner, drinking, dancing, drinking, bible study, drinking, etc.), memorial service for deceased classmates, type of "party favors" (hats, shirts, jackets, sweatshirts, etc.). Whether or not we want to present a Class Gift as part of the ceremony and if so what the gift should be is another thing to consider.  While we've got over 100 Classmates linked electronically, certainly we need to get addresses (e-mail or otherwise) for the remainder of the class, so if anybody has some send them to me. It would be nice to have more than the average attendance at our 30th. I thought it would also be a good idea to try and locate and invite the guys that started with the class but "opted" for another career path before graduation (like MOONERS). I believe SLY has an address for CHRIS VANN for instance. I'll bet others can be located as well.  Think about the stuff I mentioned above.  No need to respond at this time except for the 10-20 guys that want to volunteer to take the lead, or at least assist."  CHUCK and I are both looking for those addresses, E-mail or snail mail, of missing Classmates...let us know!

Speaking of missing Classmates, KEN COFFLAND...where are you?  I was able to track down DON ESTES and although I still have a very unusual electronic problem reaching BILL WILLIS, both sent in quick updates.  DON's SOPA in Huntsville, Alabama...it's a pontoon boat!  "OK you found me. I was trying to hide from all you guys. I've been in Huntsville 2 years working for Nichols Research...now CSC/Nichols Research. I'm still playing with helicopters or at least helping the Army with theirs. We're starting construction of a cabin on our lake property we've owned almost 20 years....life is wonderful. I'll provide you some family "stuff" later."  BILL also promises a more complete update, but until then says, "It is sufficient to know that KAREN & I are: 1) still racing horses; 2) paying college tuition ; 3) working for the state; and -- as a result of 1, 2, & 3 -- not in a position to challenge Bill Gates from a wealth standpoint.  Of course, we are happy and he's (probably?) not, so we wouldn't want to switch places with him anyway."  I don't know BILL...he's got a hellova house on Lake Washington.

Wait a minute...did CHUCK say computer program?  Scary! CHUCK provided another report..."JAY TAYLOR was in Boston about a month ago (1 Sept).  As I was walking out of the Base headed for a going away luncheon for one of my SAIL Boston planners (a reserve) SQUISHBOD was walking in with his co-pilot.  They had flown into Logan Airport that morning and had a layover so JAY decided to give his co-pilot a tour of the North End.  Didn't get to chat long but it was good to see him."

All's well in Benton, Maine.  BARNEY reports: "I have been volunteered into full-time service at the Benton Town Office.  I have told them to hire someone else full-time so I can work part-time.  They are cutting into my WMHB radio air time!  For the fall DJ season, I have the 0600-0800 time slot on Wednesdays and Fridays.  I'll let you know when WMHB begins web casting!   Should be within the next month.  I'll have to work on getting a "special" evening show that I can "dedicate" to the Class of '71.  All music from the early 70s?   Anyone who listens will have to wear bell-bottoms and beads.  I've sent tapes of my show to several Coasties.  I manage to insert several CG ads into the mix...the urban music version, Spanish, etc.  Go Guard! On the family front, we got to visit the TWO grand-kids in NH last weekend.  The 4-year-old is a Red Sox fan already; sometimes things just work out okay.  And the 8-month old barfed on me.  I felt like I was back on that first EAGLE cruise.  Going to try to make it through another winter without a snow-blower...the Mark 1, MOD I snow shovel still works!"

And our HEARTIEST of CONGRATULATIONS to brand new grandparents PAUL and ANN BARLOW.  ANN passes on the GREAT news..."Daughter Yvonne gave birth to a 7lb-12oz girl, Lauryn Faith, on May 18, 2000 in Fairfax, VA.  Grandma ANN and Auntie Kim, who just finished her Freshman year at college the week before, drove to VA to look after the new mom and baby.  She is a little doll with a head full of hair (no thanks to Grandpa). [OUCH!] In July, Yvonne and Lauryn came to spend a week with us in Ohio.  Our joy soon turned to anxiety as Lauryn had to be rushed to the hospital the day after they arrived.  From the local emergency room she was transported to Rainbow Babies and Children's Hospital in Cleveland. At 10 p.m. that evening she was diagnosed with acute dilated cardiomyopathy (her heart had doubled in size and was contracting 6% with each beat instead of the normal 50% per beat).  After 15 days in the hospital and placed on four different medications, she was released.  Two days later they were back in Virginia for an appointment with her new cardiologist.  Lauryn continues to get stronger, has gained back all the weight she lost and her heart is slowing improving.  Her doctors are happy with her progress, though it may take 6-12 months before her heart is totally repaired.  Her mom says she is the happiest baby and never cries.  We thank God for her every day."  And rightfully so PAUL and ANN...our thoughts and prayers for Lauryn's continuing health and improvement.  Great photo of Lauryn and Grandpa Paul...any chance for a hair transplant to Grandpa?  Like I should talk!

SUSI CLARKE sent in the photo of TOMMY and JOE MILO enjoying a liquid libation during a July visit TOMMY and SUSI made to JOE and SUE. "We had spent ten days camping up in the Adirondack Mountains and then visited with my family in Connecticut.  We were on our way home and stopped in Lexington, Virginia to see JOE and SUE. JOE is currently working for the Water Authority there, two days a week; and in his spare time he is remodeling their house.  SUE is working as a librarian in town."  SUSI also very proudly reported on the Peace Corps work of daughter Wendy and her husband Andy.  Wendy and Andy are teaching in Arsenyev, a town about 300 km northeast of Vladivostok. They authored an article on the experiences of their first year for the Key Reporter, the Phi Beta Kappa on-line newsletter.  This young couple is serving their country under some very demanding conditions and I strongly encourage you to read their fascinating article.  It begins on page 7 of the Summer 2000 Key Reporter...check it out at <http://www.pbk.org/keyreporter.htm> and I know you'll be as proud of their accomplishments as TOMMY and SUSI are!

A BRAVO ZULU is in order for RALPH LEWIS' wife, DEB DOMBECK.  ALCGPERSCOM 089/00, the Reserve Captain Selection Board results, crossed my desk the 27th of September.  CONGRATULATIONS Captain Select DOMBECK!     

In tracking down DON ESTES, I E-mailed PAT WIESE...at one point, DON lived in Burke near PAT.   "First, I have no idea where DON might be. I did run into him over a year ago, and he said that he was going to move after his retirement, I think to Texas, but I'm not sure. Second, that was a great story about Kurt.  You ought to include a copy of the poster in the next Bulletin.  MARIE and I have always enjoyed keeping up with the news about Kurt.  He has accomplished so much.  Third, you're right, my daughter Anne did get married a while ago, in July of 1998.  She graduated from U. of Missouri at Kansas City Law School in 1999 and is an associate with the firm of Husch & Eppenberger in Kansas City. Her husband, Vinny Schiavone, a good Italian from Brooklyn, is a project manager with J.D.Dunn Construction Co. in KC.  My other daughter, Ellen, graduated from the University of Virginia in 1999 and is working with Anderson Consulting here in DC.  She is in their Change Management program and is on a contract with the Department of Education.  I have been accused of corrupting the country with another lawyer and a consultant.  You have to remember that we have lived in the DC area for 12 years now, and we breed lawyers and consultants here. It is nice to have both offspring employed."  [CHUCK BECK...pay attention to this part!]  Fourth, please send the Homecoming e-mail with our class preparations to me here at work.  The e-mail at home somehow got deleted before I read it. (Actually, I hit the delete button rather than the print button and couldn't figure how to retrieve it.)  I'll get involved with the planning as much as I can from here in DC."  Sounds like PAT will be a big help with that computer program!

Story about Kurt? You bet!  Kurt's on a Special Olympics poster!  Steve Birdsall, the commencement speaker at his graduation, came over a few weeks ago to take him to the local drive-in for a burger. Steve asked us what we thought of Kurt's poster?  With blank looks on our faces we asked, "What poster?"  Steve told us that there was a Special Olympics poster of Kurt on display at a local car wash.  So we drove down to the Brown Bear Car Wash thinking maybe it was a poster of Kurt's team from Special Olympics. We drove up to the gas pump and there's a 44" x 28" poster of Kurt next to the pumps.  Poster says, "You give a little...We give a little...They give a lot" and it's a full figure, face on shot of Kurt in one of his races at Special Olympics.  Just him...arms out for balance, one leg striding out, smile and look of determination on his face...ABSOLUTELY AMAZING!  Brown Bear is a chain of car washes in the greater Puget Sound area and decided on the Special Olympics for their corporate charity...and chose the photo of Kurt as they thought it epitomized the spirit of Special Olympic competition. Mom and Dad agree!

It's still not to late to drop THADMIRAL a congratulatory Bravo Zulu. And don't forget ... keep me posted on your changing E-mail or snail mail addresses and let's try and track down all our Classmates for our 30th.  HAPPY NEW YEAR (and the real millennium!)...and we're adjourned!