As promised in the last edition, the CLARKE’s have delivered on the photo of new granddaughter Gwendolyn Rose and TOPPER (actually MARY) have also delivered a great family photo from daughter Sarah’s wedding.  You may be seated...and the Court will come to order.

A little unfinished business to clear the last edition docket.  AL GRACEWSKI adds a little to the ‘71 Raft Up: “TIM FLANAGAN did not make it due to weather concerns (possibility we would cancel based on an unfavorable weather forecast) and other competing priorities (other things to do).  DAVE ISBELL wasn’t able to make it either.  Hopefully we can turn this into an annual event, and as we all get older and retire, we theoretically would have time to attend such things in our retirement Campers/RVs/Boats/etc.  By the way, you have undoubtedly heard of the now trite : "A boat is a hole in the water into which you throw money."    However, I heard another one the other day which is appropriate:   What does BOAT stand for??....Break Out Another Thousand.”  And a picture’s worth a thousand words, so CHARLEY ALLEN came through in record time with a photo (ALLEN, WURSTER, GRACEWSKI, MUCCI, THADMIRAL, HARRIS) and has a slide show posted at <http://charlesallen.com/raftup.html>.  CHARLEY also filled in a little more on his newest enterprise: “I have been working on the database technology with Bob Pokress, class of 69, for the past two years.  Although it puts people to sleep when I talk about it, it is as significant and central to accomplishing something good and powerful as any of the gee whiz stuff.  The imaging technologies are far more valuable if they can be easily shared, mined, and archived.  From the beginning it has been my objective to find the best new imaging technologies and apply them to my understanding of the needs of the CG, Border Patrol, and Customs.  I know a lot about these last two because I have done a lot of photography and video for them.  I think I have made a good start in that direction.”  Check out his efforts at <http://www.sagest.com/>.

DOUG KROLL reminds us of his biography, COMMODORE ELLSWORTH P. BERTHOLF: FIRST COMMANDANT OF THE COAST GUARD.  “My biography of the Coast Guard's Commandant during World War I was published last November.  Robert Erwin Johnson, author of GUARDIANS OF THE SEA: A HISTORY OF THE U.S. COAST GUARD, 1915 TO THE PRESENT, in reviewing my book stated:  "At long last, Commodore Bertholf has received the biographical recognition that he deserves.  The Coast Guard's first commandant, he is also among the greatest."   Dennis Noble, author of numerous books on Coast Guard history stated:  "One of the greatest commandants of the U.S. Coast Guard, Commodore Bertholf has the unique distinction of being the last leader of the U.S. Revenue Cutter Service and the first leader of the U.S. Coast Guard.  C. DOUGLAS KROLL's groundbreaking biography will ensure that Bertholf receives the recognition in history that he so richly deserves.  It will become the standard reference."  Commodore Bertholf not only helped give birth to the Coast Guard in 1915 he served as its commandant during World War I and fought to preserve the Coast Guard's separate existence both before and after World War I.”  DOUG says the biography is available from the U.S. Naval Institute Press, but why not order it from Amazon via our web site <http://www.oocities.org/CollegePark/Campus/7184> and earn our class fund a small percentage?

JON WALDRON sent in an update and a great photo of daughter Nicole’s graduation. “Picture of my 22 year old daughter Nicole’s graduation is on the way by snail mail.  She graduated from Indiana University on May 10 majoring in Dietetics.  In order to get your dietician credentials you have to complete a one year internship which she will do starting on August 15 at Virginia Commonwealth University in Richmond, Virginia about 1 1/2 hours from Washington.  My son Nathan is 26 and works locally at Nordstrom's.  Our old firm (Dyer Ellis & Joseph) merged with a large Philadelphia based firm Blank Rome <http://www.blankrome.com> this past January 1.  We are now about 430 attorneys with 75 in the Washington office and a large contingent in New York.  Blank Rome only had one attorney (Jeff Moeller, I believe a ‘75 Academy graduate) practicing in the the maritime area so it was a good fit for us and provides great cross marketing opportunities.   Hard to believe I have been with the firm as a partner now for 7 years.  JAN continues to play a lot of tennis and keep the family headed in the right direction.  We keep in touch with the KALLETA’s probably more then anyone and went out to dinner with ANN and DANNY this weekend.  Spoke at a Marine Log conference a couple of weeks ago with VADM ALLEN as the key note speaker.”  Nordie’s? Classmate discounts?  JON says get in line!

I sent NEWELLI an electronic birthday card and got an update on his recent nuptials: “Speaking of XRAY, way back during swab summer of '67 ... ahh, memories of zulu drills, crabbing down the corridors, mattress wars, climbing the rigging of the EAGLE all the way past the royal to the pig stick (with no safety belts), North Gate Orderly, bunks stack 3 high with CHARLIE BECK and PHIL VOLK "beneath" me, swimming in the raw with Nitch, Realto pizza, ......  FYI, I did indeed get married on 11 May to ARLIS with Chaplain BOBBY "MOLE" VAIL presiding at the St Francis Yacht Club overlooking the Golden Gate Bride in magical San Francisco. The best man is also a "reverter", CDR John Ochs, Class ’81 (Retired), my old shipmate.  He introduced ARLIS and I two years ago.  John’s wife, Rauline, and ARLIS are best friends from USC days.  ARLIS was born and raised in Hawaii, went to undergrad school at Colorado College, and grad school at USC (remember, those guys who stole our fight song!), and is a “bean counter” by trade, currently, Director of Financial Planning for Safeway. ARLIS has had a good bit of CG exposure.  She visited Governor’s Island in the late 80’s, was u/w on the TYBEE for America’s Cup, and aboard the EAGLE for a reception.  Her introduction to the Class of ’71 was via ROBIN and NANCY WENDT at various social events.  The Class of '71 was well represented at the wedding by none other than the illustrious and still famous WENDETTI, with beautiful NANCY close aboard.  We currently reside in Orinda, CA in the San Francisco East Bay.  Life is good!  Go '71, Go '72, Go Bears!”  CONGRATULATIONS TERRY & ARLIS!

CHARLIE HARRIS sent in the report from the Kennebec Journal Morning Sentinel: “It was raining so hard Monday afternoon that PAT "BARNEY" TURLO decided to park his Dodge Neon in the garage. It's a good thing he did, for as TURLO entered the house through the screen door in the garage, a bolt of lightning streaked out of the dark sky and slammed into the garage floor, sending chunks of concrete exploding around him.  "I walked in the house, and it was like a .45 - bang!" TURLO said soon after the 2:30 p.m. lightning strike. "If I'd have been out there and walked in here (instead of driving), I would have been hit right there. Six feet, two seconds.  There's pieces of cement all the way up here," he said pointing to the rear of the garage. "It shot all the way up here."  On an otherwise nice afternoon, the lightning strike at TURLO’s home left a small crater about 4 inches across and an inch deep into the concrete. It hit a full 12 inches inside the garage door, just two inches from the wooden steps leading into the house.  "It was pouring rain. That's why I parked inside," Turlo said, visually policing the garage for more "shrapnel.  My wife and daughter usually park right here. If I had parked outside, it would have hit me. I used to fire .45s in the Coast Guard. That's exactly what it sounded like, and it was that close."  A 1966 graduate of Winslow High School, TURLO, 54, retired recently from the Coast Guard after a career at sea.  He also is the host of "Odd Rock with Cap'n Barney," airing three mornings a week on WMHB-FM, the Colby College radio station. He said he was not injured in the blast, but he does admit to having flinched a little when the bolt landed behind him. "That's the closest I've come to getting killed," he said.”  A career at sea?  BARNEY embellishes a bit: “LINDA laughed when I said I was going to call the newspaper.  But after they came and went, she admitted the story MIGHT make the front page of the local section.  I said "no way"... FRONT PAGE of the whole darn SENTINEL.  She REALLY cracked up when I brought the paper in this morning and there it was -- in full color -- on the front page of the whole darn SENTINEL.  Hey, I'll do ANYTHING to get a plug for the radio station.  Quotes that didn't make the article:  the photog and reporter asked me if was going to go to "church" this Sunday.  I said "No.  Organized religion and me don't get along... but I AM going to drink more beer!"  And when the photog asked me to hold the "cement shrapnel" for a photo-op, I asked him how much he thought I could get for the debris on E-Bay.  The reporter was one who did stories on our local Town elections... when I lost the Town Clerk election.  I told him "first I lose the election, now I almost get killed.  It's been a bad year and it's only half over."  I e-mailed my fellow DJs at the radio station confessing that I screwed up by not mentioning the GREAT rates we have for sponsors who underwrite our radio shows.  But I DID change into my WMHB T-shirt before the photog showed up; but he took the "low-angle" shot and didn't get the logo.  I told the DJs I'll try to get hit by lightning again so I can get the logo in the photo and I'll mention the underwriter rates, too.  As HAP, aka CHUCK, pointed out, my career - based on the article - would SEEM to have consisted of being at sea and firing .45's.  Yeah, I know.... "at the dock and drinking Colt 45s" would be more accurate.”  

PHIL VOLK sent in a great sports commentary by Mike Dimauro of the New London Day praising WALT SHERWIN’s willingness to get involved. “Those of us who lament (OK, whine about) the way observers throughout the rest of the state dismiss high school sports in eastern Connecticut would learn the reason by visiting the Connecticut Interscholastic Athletic Conference web site.  Of the approximately 300 coaches, principals and athletic directors who compose the CIAC committees for the 26 sanctioned sports, 18 people come from the Eastern Connecticut Conference.  Eighteen of 300.  Ninety-four percent of the people who discuss CIAC policy have no connection to eastern Connecticut.  Of course, it's not exactly a stunning upset that state representation from here is embarrassing, given the way the ECC conducts its business: Many complain, but few are willing to get involved.  And so we should take time today to salute someone who is willing to get involved — Montville High School athletic director and football coach WALT SHERWIN.  SHERWIN spent last Friday night as an assistant coach for Team Connecticut in the Fifth Annual Connecticut-Rhode Island Senior All-Star Football Game in New Britain.  SHERWIN, who coached under Southington's Jude Kelly, will be first assistant next year under Simsbury coach Joe Grace and will be the head coach in the summer of 2005.  SHERWIN’s willingness to coach is an example of progress, even if subtle, toward changing the frame of reference other coaches, players and committee members will have toward eastern Connecticut football.  Seems to me that if we're not more willing to get involved around here we ought put a lid on the inferiority complex. The question today: Are there more SHERWINS out there in different sports? The more they see our faces, the more legitimacy this part of the state receives.”  ATTABOY WALT, Well Done!

Weren’t we supposed to see Gwendolyn Rose?  You betcha and it’s a great picture with beaming grandparents TOMMY and SUSI.  As you’re looking at the photo, TOMMY is enjoying his second month of retirement from the Red Cross.  A quick update with the photo: “We did have a very nice visit to Connecticut at least until the last week.  Unfortunately got a flu-like something or other and was pretty miserable the last several days of our visit.  In fact, had to cut out our planned stop in DC.  Other than that, it was very restful and a great opportunity to visit with the in-laws, our two oldest, and, of course, our BEAUTIFUL grand-daughter.  I know I’ll be accused of bias but honest to God, our Gwen is as pretty and sweet as she can be.  Can’t wait ‘til she’s saying “Grandpa, can I have some ice cream?”  Was hoping that when I returned, a new Red Cross Chapter Manager would be hired but no such luck.  Though I understand the Search Committee made an offer earlier this week so hopefully it’s just a matter of days.   No matter what happens I’m out the door on the 1st of September.”  OK Partner, how’s retirement?

Not to be out done, STAN NORMAN sent in an update and photo of grandson David Jayson: “SUE and I are doing fine.  Biggest recent change for us was a move from our house in Federal Way to an apartment in Tacoma.  An elderly couple looking to downsize made us an offer we couldn't refuse so we moved two years early to temporary digs.  We will be moving in 2005 to my first church when I finish seminary, so we decided to make the leap early.  Some of the proceeds went to purchase a small retirement/vacation home in Florida and some will go to my seminary tuition.  Hint: If you are going to use the GI Bill to go to school after retirement, you have to use it within ten years.  That seems like a long time until you retire and the clock starts racing!  Anyway, we now live in an apartment on a golf course, but neither of us has time to play golf.  Patrick, our youngest son at 23, lives in an apartment in Federal Way and goes to college nearby. Derek, our other son, is an ET in the Navy stationed in San Diego and teaching aircraft carrier combat systems support.  He is married to Carrie and they have a son named David Jayson, our first and only grandchild.  Derek has been in the Navy for over 8 years and plans to move from active duty into the reserves next year.  As we all know, sea duty doesn't look so attractive once you have a family.  SUE continues to manage a doctor's office and keep me in line.  After 14 years of Pacific Northwest overcast, she has instructed me to tell the Bishop that he must assign me to a church East of the mountains, in the sun, or we will seek an appointment in Florida.  I am finishing up my third year of study at Fuller Theological Seminary Northwest.  At this point, I am two-thirds of the way to my Master of Divinity degree. Greek is behind me, but Hebrew lies just ahead.  Fuller is the nation's largest non-denominational seminary with campuses in Pasadena, Seattle, San Francisco, San Diego, Phoenix, and Denver.  I am also going through my United Methodist "PQS" and have reached the Certified Candidate stage.  I served as interim pastor for our church in Federal Way last summer and I'll be serving as associate pastor for a church in Tacoma as part of my internship requirements.  In the midst of all this study, I continue to serve as the state's Spill Prevention Manager at the Department of Ecology.”

PETE BARRETT sent in a photo and report on a little Class get together in Newport.  “Attached are some photos of our Saturday in Newport, June 21st.  We (VOLKs, SYLVESTERs, LEONEs, BECKs, VANNs, and PANCHO & DR. MOONMOON) met for drinks on my boat which I brought over for a conference I was attending at the Hyatt on Goat Island.  Afterward we went off to the Le Petite Auberge on Charles Street for a fun evening of good wine, good food and laughs.  PANCHO AND DR. MOONMOON were each other’s date.  Every once in a while we can get MOONERS to stray down this way from Upstate and actually, I think PANCHO flew in just for this event – how’s that for class spirit?”

MIKE CONWAY reports that he and CHRISTY will be alone in their home for the first time in over 31 years!  “I ‘retired’ from State of Alaska on June 30th and formed a consulting business ("MAC leadership & Management Consulting"). Still getting the business up and running, and am doing environmental management, emergency management, marine safety, and homeland security work while building clients for leadership and management work.  Daughter Melanie is working for Alaska Airlines in Juneau, so CHRISTY and I are able to travel quite a bit without spending a lot of money.  Son Matt is working in Southern Cal in computer and mortgage businesses.  Heather is a personal fitness trainer in Southern Cal.  Rob is playing professional baseball in the Canadian Baseball League this summer ... works in Southern Cal in the off-season.  David is moving his punk band and his solo act to the Lower 48 late this summer. They will go to college and go on the road to do shows.  CHRISTY and I are watching the grandkids over the summer when their parents are at work.  We love this grandparent thing!  We visited GLENNA and AL a few weeks ago, as we passed through the area after watching Rob play baseball in B.C.  AL is looking, acting, and sounding the best I've seen in years.  TOM GEMMELL and I are collaborating on some projects, as we are both affiliated, but independent contractors now, working out of Juneau.  He and I are looking at emergency management and homeland security work together, along with another retired CG Commander (Dave Eley) here in Juneau.”   Loving the ‘grandparenting thing” seems to be a theme!

As promised, MARY CORNELL reported around with photo and story of Sarah’s wedding...TOPPER’s still recovering!  “The wedding was absolutely wonderful, if I do say so myself.  The bride was beautiful, as was sister Cate, the Maid of Honor.  Sarah and Eric just radiated happiness.  I don't think there is picture where Sarah isn't smiling.  We were lucky to have one of the nicest Saturdays (July 12) this summer. After 10 or more weekends of rain thru May and June, we were prepared for rain if it came, but it was a sunny, hot day, but one with a lovely breeze to help out. The wedding was at Powhatan Plantation, a 18th century manor house and gardens here in Williamsburg. The ceremony was held under a pergola covered in clematis followed by a reception beneath a lovely white tent.  Sarah is 26 and graduated from Lehigh University with a degree in Electrical Engineering.  She just celebrated her fourth year anniversary with IBM where she is a Senior System Engineer and doing very well. She's getting her MBA nights at BC and has about a year and a half to go. She met Eric at Lehigh and he has his  Masters in Applied Math and just did great on his 1st actuary test. He had worked for Rathyon as a software engineer but was caught in the budget crunch there so is presently looking for a new job. The newly weds have a house in North Easton, MA, which is south of Boston toward Taunton, and both play Ultimate Frisbee, softball and floor hockey too. Busy, busy kids.  Cate graduated last year from Bucknell University  and is now getting her Masters in Micro-Biology and Genetics at North Eastern University in Boston.  She has another year to go provided her fish cooperate.  Something to do with blood and proteins, etc...I just nod when she talks about it.  Right now she is anticipating a wonderful trip next summer along the Arctic Circle to Cape Town S.A. and back collecting fish species. I go up this Labor Day to help her move apartments.  I figured out I have been moving people this time of year since 1995 on top of all the others moves we've  made!  THAD and PAM were supposed to come but THAD couldn't make it at the last minute.  But we were so happy PAM came anyway, fighting the heavy traffic from DC because of the commissioning of the USS Reagan as well as the normal beach traffic. SMITTY and SHIRLEY were coming from Kansas before both SMIT’s Mom and Dad had heart problems and he had to spend more than a month up in CT getting things done with them. We were sorry they and the WIESEs missed all the fun!  Now back to normalcy or what passes for it here. We are still getting the log cottage in NC set. It needs landscaping now before winter when we head in and work on finishing off the 2 bedrooms and bath upstairs. So guess if won't be too dull with no more wedding to plan. That is at least until the next one comes along.”

What a minute.  Did MARY say SMITTY?  Our MIA Classmate JOHN SMITH?  MARY reports that he hasn’t been missing, but they’ve stayed in touch and had seen them a couple or more times a year since they moved to Williamsburg. SMITTY and SHIRLEY had been in DC, but they both retired - Smitty from the FAA and Shirley from CG headquarters - and decided to move back to the nice house they bought when they were stationed in Topeka.  MARY says JOHN doesn’t have E-mail, so I’ve got a snail mail letter en route trying to get him on-line and hopefully provide a SMITTY update.  I have a similar snail mail en route BRUCE LEE, having just found his address via a Pacific Northwest Retirees newsletter distribution.  That leaves SIXTEEN Classmates unaccounted for... DON BUMPS, BOB BUSH, RICH ENGDAHL, BOB GAU, BOB GULICK, BOB KASPER, BOB LETOURNEAU, JIM McGUINESS, BILL MILLER, PAIGE MOORE, BRYANT NODINE, BILL PHILLIPS, CHARLIE PIKE, DON PLAKE, DAVE RAMSEY, and STEVE WALLACE.  They are out there somewhere...let’s get ‘em on-line!  While you’re checking your old address books, writing a letter, or making a phone call to get one of these guys to report around...we’re adjourned!