You should be enjoying the beginnings of summer as you read this ... which means some of those weddings are getting closer and the photos should be submitted soon.  MARY and TOPPER pay attention to the last!  While we wait on our Classmates, the Court will come to order.

I stopped and visited with AL DUJENSKI yesterday (4/21), just two weeks after his bypass surgery.  He looked great and according to GLENNA was following his post surgery regime...although she’s got to keep an eye on him from pushing himself too hard too fast.  AL provided his own update: “Well, I was surprised by all the emails and cards regarding my surgery Without getting to sentimental is was a nice feeling inside to receive them.  Being much of a recluse from class activities I suppose I should feel a little sheepish (baaah, baaah). So to all of you a heartfelt thanks.  Let me pass along a summary of activities for past 30 years. On my way to the first assignment (WACHUSSETT in Seattle) I stopped by to visit MIKE and CHRISTY CONWAY and ended up marrying her sister, GLENNA, about a year later. My shipboard engineering days turned to shore side assignments in the M-field.  At the halfway point I was tempted by outside influences and went to work for George Bush's off shore drilling company as their Marine supt.  About that time the bottom dropped out of the offshore drilling industry and was soon looking for a new job.  I was surprised that the M-folks still had their arms open and welcoming me back into the fold after this "industry sabbatical."  I got some field training in inspections and ended up in Seattle and involved in fishing industry safety. In 1993 I left the Coast Guard and that is when the health issues unfolded.  Not sure if it was Coast Guard spawned or not but becoming a Type I diabetic and heart failures started months after retirement.  GLENNA and I have a son and a daughter that were reared in Coast Guard surroundings but never chose to go into that field (must have raised them right--smile). GLENNA has always been involved in teaching young children and handicapped kids which explains why she has been able to put up with me for over 31 years.  Anyway, after retirement I went to work for a major insurance brokerage as a maritime safety consultant where I am still employed here in Seattle.  I pursued a few hobbies: Amateur Radio (KB7MBI) and competing in the professional competition BBQ circuit (Kansas City BBQ rules).  A few times a year we will put on a Texas style BBQ and invite 50-60 folks over for pulled pork, brisket, chicken and baby back ribs.  Guess I will need to expand the invite list for the next one (smile).  We live in a small log cabin about 30 miles NE of Seattle in the foothills and always have a pot of locally roasted coffee brewing or some micro brews cooling.  I hope many of you get the opportunity to drop in.  We will be glad to slap on a few steaks and hoist a few brews.  Best wishes to you all and it has been great hearing about your activities.  I have been proud seeing how well you all did in the CG family.”  AL’s being a little modest as to his BBQ prowess.  His Bulldog Chile was Washington State Champ in ‘95 and this past June at Wildfire Ranch in Issaquah was AL’s National BBQ breakthrough competition, where he placed in all four categories, including first in lamb sirloin and pork ribs.  The story behind his BBQ nickname BULLDOG will be reserved for a future update!

AL’s heading up an exclusive club.  BRAD TROTH provides this update as the other member, having had his bypass in May of ‘98: “Kodiak is still Kodiak, no stoplights, no crowds, and no snow.  Been with the law firm (Jamin, Ebell, Schmitt & Mason ) for 3 years now.  Love the job. No stress, everyone runs around in T-shirts and stocking feet.  Need to install a phone booth so they have a place to put on their suits when they go to court.  The Senior Partner was one of the head litigators for the class action suit against Exxon so if that ever pays off everyone will retire and I will be out of a job.  Depending on bonuses that may not be all bad.  Still have my own part time accounting business, do guiding for hunting and fishing and play a lot of golf.  Be chasing Mr. Brown next week.  Only one child, Jennifer, who met Mr. Wonderful last year, collected some nice jewelry, and stuck Dad with the bill for the big party in October.  Lives in Minneapolis.  Always said I wanted to live in the same time zone as the grandchildren, but MINN?  She should have picked Arizona which was my choice.”  BRAD, no charge for the firm promo!

Wouldn’t be the Class Notes with an episode of “Where in the World is Jay?”  “Greetings to all from sunny Bogota.  This city is in the mountains at about 8000 feet and has nice temperatures.  I had planned a trip to Colombia for a long time but wanted a good briefing before coming here to avoid being one of the over 3000 kidnap victims/year.  A friend of mine in the U.S. Army is assigned to the U.S. Embassy in Bogota which provided an excellent window of opportunity to explore a small part of Colombia.  I arrived in Bogota, received a good briefing from the U.S. Embassy, and then flew to the pleasant, peaceful city of Cartagena on the Caribbean coast.  I stayed in a hotel inside the old walled city.  Many very nice original colonial Spanish homes, businesses, and churches still exist inside the old walled city. The historically impenetrable fort of San Felipe is a short distance outside the city walls along with La Popa which is a monastery maintained by Augustinians on the highest hill in the area.  The political situation in Cartagena reminds me of Vung Tau, Vietnam during the war.  The bad guys are there along with the good guys, but the place is so nice for R & R that everyone desires to leave the conflict behind when visiting the area.  Security was heavy during my visit since the President of Colombia was in Cartagena for the weekend.  There is another side of Cartagena that most visitors are completely unaware of.  First, I'll provide some background info to more completely describe the situation.  Guerrilla groups, including the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) and the National Liberation Army (ELN), control 65-70% of Colombia, primarily in the rural areas.  Gringos can't even think about traveling from one city to another in a bus unless kidnapping is not a concern.  The peasants in the countryside are caught in the middle of FARC, ELN, and paramilitary groups (not sponsored by the government) who ruthlessly and indiscriminately kill suspected members of FARC and ELN.  When the peasants can no longer feed all of their children, they send some or all of them on a bus to a city such as Cartagena.  The children are then on their own.  Local orphanages are overwhelmed by the numbers of incoming orphans and many orphans can be seen in the early morning hours sleeping on top of cardboard in doorways of local businesses.  Some have resorted to sniffing glue.  They can easily be recognized by their long sleeve shirts worn during the hot daytime temperatures.  Glue is placed on the cuff to be sniffed when the desire to do so arises.  These kids look like absolute zombies.  The situation is very, very sad.   After Cartagena, I returned to Bogota.  On a Sunday afternoon I took a bus to the base of Mont Serrate where I ascended the mountain on foot to the church at the peak.  It was quite a steep hike starting at an altitude of about 8000 feet so it took quite a while.  The walk is a pilgrimage for many and I was amazed at how many folks carried their small children to the peak.  There are outstanding views of Bogota all along the well constructed path.  I met a mother, daughter and niece along the path and we walked together the last part of the way up.   The energetic 11 year old niece, Gabriela, was particularly agile running much of the time and returning to help her aunt.  She lives about an hour from Bogota in a small village. Every morning she arises at 5 AM, goes to school, and then helps her mother in the family store until 7 at night.  Conversing with this well adjusted, small child was like conversing with an adult.  Perhaps our kids in the USA need more time working in the family store instead of watching TV.  The next day I walked for miles in the north of the city near the base of surrounding hills.  I passed by the club at Carrera 7, Calle 79 which was bombed a few weeks ago.  Thirty-six folks, including some children, lost their lives after about 450 pounds of explosives ignited on the second floor.  A huge tarp with the colors of the Colombian flag covers much of the front of the building.  The Colombian people have been very friendly and helpful with advice concerning security.  All whom I have met are happy with the President's strong position countering terrorism.  They would like to see the country return to a reasonable level of sanity.  Hasta mas tarde.”

In the April Notes, KELLY CALLISON forwarded a short update from BRUCE SCHOOLING.  BRUCE fills in a few more details: “Where to begin… Joined the Alumni Association and made a small donation.  I really believe you should give back.  While I was at the Academy a very short time and spent a large portion of that little time in the hospital – it has had a profound effect and shaped my life in many ways.  I have been reluctant to “come around” because my time was so short – thanks for making it easy to reattach to my past.  The story: short version goes something like this.  After being discharged I came back to CA and kicked around doing odd jobs and feeling sorry for myself and drinking too much.  Eventually I had the good fortune to meet my better half, LINDA, and we were married 6 months later.  I gave my heart and life to Christ a couple of years later and we moved to CO where I completed Bible College.  It was a long way from going to Catholic Chapel early to pastoring my own church.  I can imagine BO reading this and dying of shock.  I continued to go to school as I had the chance and ultimately finished a BS in Org. Behavior and Master of Nonprofit Administration degrees at University of San Francisco.  We were in our 20th year of ministry and our 3rd church. Resigned and went to New Mexico State University and finished a Ph.D. in Management in 1998.  I was invited to join the faculty at our denominational liberal arts university in San Diego and am about to complete my 5th year here.  I’ve created and am the Director of the MBA program and will be the department chair in the fall.  Two years ago I turned around in church and introduced myself to Harvey and Janet Johnson (’75) and he in turn connected me to KELLY.  In the midst of a very hectic life (who doesn’t live one?) I felt like mine had come full circle.  We attended Harvey’s Change of Command and now have lost track of them.  Life is very good.  I have been blessed with a wonderful 31 year marriage (LINDA would say 30 of them were happy) a couple of great daughters, Amy (26) and Sara (24).  Amy (PLNU ‘00) is mortgage loan office in Ohio and Sara (PLNU ‘02) is a basketball coach in San Diego (made the playoffs her first two years of coaching). I love what I do – being around young adults keeps us young.  I get to read and write, ride my motorcycle around the country, play a little basketball, and work at the most beautiful campus in the world.  We are on the Point, last acreage before the Navy base on the Pacific side. I’ve checked out our Class site and recognized a bunch of names and look forward to reestablishing contact – some are a little vague (it’s what happens when you’re only around a very short time) – and others I don’t think I ever knew nor they me – yet I feel a connection to all and wish the very best for everyone.  Thanks again for calling “SWABO!” and expecting those, like me, who have gone before to “report around.”

Got a short note from BILL WILLIS after he got his E-birthday card requesting an update: “Thanks for the card, but really -- at our age -- you really shouldn't have.  To earn complete forgiveness, however, you may feel free to ship one or more cases of beer (more beer earns more forgiveness!) to my Alumni Bulletin address.  There is no news to share from the Willises.  Life continues ever onward.  Fatter than ever, but heath is good.  Three kids are good.  Horses are good.  Wife seems to be happy.  Only one minor downer: Job is getting old.  Really long for a rotational tour.  (Do you know of any available?)”  Job...me? Anyone else know of an opportunity for career improvement for BILL?

E-cards seem to be working ... LARRY HOWELL also sent a short update: “How did you know I'm spending my birthday alone?  CATHY's dad is not well and CATHY went to be with him for his Doctor's appointment in Indiana.  Would like to update you but I live a rather dull existence.  The most excitement I have had recently was my daughter's wedding last fall.  That was an emotional event.  The excitement came after the wedding as CATHY and I baby sat our two new granddaughters, five and four years of age.  Now I
know why God doesn't give children to us older folks!”  LARRY, while you’re recovering from the new grandbaby sitting duties, where’s their photo with Grandma & Grandpa?

BERT KINGHORN forwarded the great photo of a dinner hosted by THAD and PAM.  PHIL VOLK was in town during one of his periodic DC pilgrimages and THADMIRAL had PHIL, AL, RICH, CHARLIE, & BERT and their much better halves over for a terrific evening sharing sea stories.  BERT said “You'd have a photo of the wives, too, but then someone would note that they were prettier and then we'd feel bad!” BERT, but now we feel bad that we got you guys instead of the wives!

Dinner at Thadmiral's

I was checking out some E-mail glitches and sent a test note to SUTTER.  His response from South California: “Sorry I didn't get your email.  AOL is filtering all info from lawyers, not @attbi.  Wasn't attbi on the Andy Griffith Show?  I got a million of them.  Finally got around to ordering DOUG KROLL’s book from the Naval Institute.  He's promised to sign it for me, but I made him promise to take me to lunch in return.  He's moved out to Palm Springs area so I'll check up on him when I'm next out at my desert mansion.  Hope all's well up north and you're not too sunshine challenged.  Another beautiful day in the southland with temps in the 70s and the mountains in view.  I was down in San Diego last month while BONNIE was in a seminar.  I had a great day touring around and drove
out to Point Loma for the first time in many years.  Had forgotten what a spectacular view is seen from there.”  

CHUCK BECK follows up with a report on the dinner scheduled for the end of February: “The BECKs, VOLKs, BARRETTs, VANNs, LEONEs and SYLVESTERs did indeed get together for a dinner at Cavey's in Manchester, CT.  The SLYs and LEONEs made a weekend of it staying near and partaking in the recreational activities of Foxwoods (one of the two resort casinos in CT).  A good time had by all.  PEG SYLVESTER took the pictures.  The weekend of 15 March, the UCONN women's ice hockey season came to an end.  They lost in the first round of the inaugural Hockey East tournament 7-0 to Providence in the semi. (Providence was the eventual champion.)  The LEONEs and PLOSZAJs met me and CHERYL to watch the game (held at Northeastern's Matthews Arena in Boston). The six of us then went to dinner at the Warren Tavern which is but a few yards from FAITH and STEVE’s home in Charlestown. Once again a good time had by all. PHIL and I met last Thursday evening at New London to hear the Chief of Staff of the CG speak to the Corps of Cadets at an Operation Spotlight function.  I wanted to ask a question of the speaker, but PHIL wouldn't let me.  I wanted to ask if his cadet cruise experience prepared him properly for his career.  Of course only the three of us would have understood the hidden meaning (i.e. the Amsterdam caper).  We then joined THADMIRAL ALLEN and some of the CGA senior staff for a light repast at Hughie's.  Yet once again, a good time had by all.”  Wonder what the answer would have been?

Did CHUCK say PEG took pictures?  He sure did, and she came through with a great group shot...12 people around a table and she (or her agent) got everyone’s face in the shot!  Well Done PEG ... and you were even in the shot!  JIM provided an accounting on the success at Foxwoods: “With regards to the weekend at the casinos, the LEONEs and SYLVESTERs "milked" a couple of slot machines ie we put in $10 each and came out ahead as a Team.  I played “Let It Ride" on Sunday after attending 9 am Mass at the Academy (no more mandatory Church services) and having a donut in the basement.  Won $185 in 30 minutes so it was a "plus" weekend.”

Dinner at Cavey's

BARNEY, I think you should appeal to the Supreme Court.  “Shock of shocks:  I LOST in my run for election as Benton Town Clerk! Fortunately, I got over it real quick.”  But it took a heavy toll...take a look at the WMHB radio "gang" at <http://www.colby.edu/wmhb/pic/cmj-2003/stationprofile.jpg>. Who’s that older gentleman on the top right?

DAN SHOTWELL’s also having some health problems: “I too have a health problem, though minor compared to AL's.  Last week a specialist told me I have a very long one, one of the longest he's seen. I hadn't heard that before and was somewhat flattered until I realized he was talking about my uvula.  (My hangy-twangy ball at the back of my throat.)   It has given me some chronic problems by becoming swollen and distended to the point that it was trying to choke me and I was trying to swallow it.  So next Monday I go to the Cleveland Clinic for a uvulaplasty.  We're just going to cut the darn thing off, with the possible added benefit that it may reduce my snoring, which should make MIDGE happy.  Life without a uvula.... I'll let you know.”  DAN, don’t send pictures!

Responding to the news of AL’s surgery, JIM ARMSTRONG provided a quick update: “Talk about boondoggles, Carl you should be too ashamed to ride a cruise liner into the ice and expect to be paid!  I am still trying to figure out how you got sent back to Seattle.  Lots has been happening here in south Florida, but I am not going to talk about my health.  In my case my health "stories" involve my stern end, not the engine room or hull.  As you know I got married late (at 32), so my oldest son is just 18 and starts college, the University of Central Florida, in September.  After my second son, we decided JANINE would run the household and I would be the wage earner.  No regrets after 21 years, but paying for college, even with scholarships, will strain us, that is why I am biting the bullet now, because it will not get easier. Neither of my boys were interested in one of the academies.  Scott, 18, intends to major in biology (his mother was a science teacher, so you know who has influence in our house).  Dan, my 14 year-old, is interested in music and has played the double bass since he was 8 years-old (his choice).  Since I don't have a musical bone in my body, I sometimes wonder if Dan strongly resembles the music teacher at the last school JANINE taught at!  I don't see SKIP or BOB CAMMUCIO as much as I should, but will have to use this as an excuse to give them a call.”  JIM, make that call, but no pictures from you either!

PETE TEBEAU was passing through Seattle to an oil spill conference in Vancouver and spent a night in our North Wing Guest Suite.  “It hardly seems like a week ago I was in Seattle. Once again, many thanks for the hospitality at Casa de Swedberg. Please add me to the list of folks seeking formal adoption.  It was great to see both of you again and meet your son Kurt.  He is a great kid and I'm very impressed by the love and commitment shown by you in helping him become the fine young man he is.  Having been through similar circumstances with my late wife and kids, I can appreciate what it takes.  Best of luck in your upcoming Antarctic adventure and please know that you have an open invitation at Casa de Acid wherever that may be at the moment (Connecticut, Georgia and anywhere in between).”  PETE’s son Michael is in the Army and Pete was concerned about his potential deployment to Iraq.  He added a postscript: “I was finally able to track down my son Michael.  It turns out he is still in Fort Carson, Colorado and it looks like he will probably sit this one out.  I'll rest easier in the weeks to come.”

Guess who’s living in Lyme?  DON GERBER finally reports around: “As you can tell by the address, I have not made it very far.  CARLEEN and I moved to Lyme from Ann Arbor, Michigan in 1976 (Old Lyme had too many traffic lights, Lyme still has none).  In 1986, we moved again, about two miles south (still within Lyme) to the village of Hamburg. Since departing the Coast Guard in 1982, I have spent my working life generating electricity.  Yup, I sit at my desk stuffing electrons into the wires so that all of you can have lights when you flip a switch in your home.  Other interests include support of summer camps for minority children, Habitat for Humanity (most recently in Durban, South Africa), Nature Conservancy and other local conservation organizations, and participation on local land use boards.  During the fall of 1976, shortly after our return to Lyme, CARLEEN accepted a temporary position as organist at the First Congregational Church in Old Lyme.  This position has evolved to include the additional responsibilities of Choir Director and Associate Minister.  CARLEEN was ordained following completion of Divinity School (University of South Africa).  CARLEEN shares my interests in children's summer camps and Habitat for Humanity projects.  Her most recent project involved bringing a 60 member choir from Johannesburg, South Africa to the US.  Proceeds from the concert series is supporting orphaned South African children with HIV. Lauren, our oldest daughter (29), moved to New Zealand for 5 years following graduation from UCONN.  She completed a post-graduate degree in Human Resources while in NZ. (New Zealand is a great vacation spot, particularly if you like the outdoors.)  Lauren, her husband Peter, daughter Kate (2 1/2), and son Sam (1 month) currently live Lyme.  Being a grandfather is great. However, the concept of being married to a grandmother is a bit of a struggle.  Allison, our middle daughter (27), attended SUNY Binghamton and taught in Boston while completing a masters degree in education at UMASS.  Allison currently teaches third grade in Old Saybrook, CT and lives with her husband, Jack, in Old Lyme.  Emily, our youngest daughter (22) will be graduating from Mary Washington College next month.  After spending her third summer working at "The Hole in the Wall Gang Camp" (a Paul Newman sponsored camp for terminally ill children), she plans to travel around the world for a few months before settling down to the drudgery of a working life.  Tell me the purpose of the Class Fund - I have lost track of it.”

DON, what a great straight line and segue to the note from KELLY! “We know you have had your checkbooks at the ready since Pat and my last e-mail. You have been waiting for additional information about how to give (or increasing what you are giving) to the 1971 class fund! To help you out we are forwarding the link to the Alumni Association home page.  Its got some information on it about donations and if they get their "Donate or Renew" link fixed you can do things electronically: http://www.uscgaaa.onlinecommunity.com/.  Those of you wanting to make allotment changes can go to this page for help: http://www.uscg.mil/hq/hrsic/RAS.htm#Directory.  Designate the 1971 Class Fund by contacting John Maxham at (860) 701-6771 or via e-mail at jmaxham@ctol.net.  Hey we are here to Serve or bug as the case may be!”

DON’s reporting around was another addition to our on-line Classmate registry, but we’re still missing a number of Classmates.   And a couple that had been on-line are currently MIA...CARL SCHRAMM and T. R. WILSON where are you?  If you know any new E-mail addresses, or particularly if you're changing your own ISP, let me know so I can keep our on-line roster current.  Waiting on our Classmates...DON, how ‘bout a photo from Emily’s graduation...we're adjourned!


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