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IN MEMORIAM
This month is the anniversary
of these Classmates joining
the Ghostly Assemblage
in the Long Gray Line
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Roger L. Cornelius, C-1
16 Jun 1939 - 29 Mar 1966
Thomas R. Davis, F-2
, 20 Mar 1939 - 24 Mar 1973
John C. Finlay, H-1
19 Sep 1937 - 27 Mar 2007
Jerome M. Ginsberg, B-2
8 May 1939 - 26 Mar 2000
Monroe B. Harden, A-2
24 Jun 1937 - 18 Mar 2006
Walter W. Hodge, G-2
15 Apr 1938 - 10 Mar 2004
Howard E. McCreary, Jr, I-1
1 Nov 1936 – 26 Mar 2005
Robert H. Strauss Jr., M-2
, 30 Aug 1937 - 22 Mar 1981
"Well done; Be thou at peace."
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Click on underlined names
to go their Last Roll Call Tribute.
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Class Business
Class Leaders
Profiles
Halls of Fame
Inductees
Prior Features
50th Reunion
14-18 May 2011
45th Reunion
28 Sep - 1 Oct 2006
40th Reunion
4 - 7 Oct 2001
10th Reunion
Cadet Days
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Welcome to the
USMA Class of 1961
Web Site
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Terry Kirkpatrick and Ken Hruby Represented the
Class at the '11 Ring Melt
Terry Kirkpatrick and Ken Hruby represented the class at the
1 March 2010 Ring Melt for the
Class
of 2011 in Warwick, RI. Terry contributed his dad's ring and Ken tossed in
his, since he had been unable to wear it for safety reasons, doing the work
he does. It was a poignant occasion, full of the symbolism warranted by the
underlying rite of passage. Our Classmate Brian Schultz was also one
of the other living donors.
Ken Hruby adds a modest nondeductible contribution
to the class of 2011.
Click here for more articles, a TV report, and pictures taken at the Ring Melt.
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Jerry White & Gene Witherspoon Planning New Orleans October 2010 Mini-Reunion
 Still
basking in the glow of the fantastic mini-reunion hosted by Gary and Button
Hyde in Orlando, Jerry White and Gene Witherspoon are planning
another mini for October 2010 that will culminate in the home of the Super
Bowl champions for the Army-Tulane football game on Saturday, 9 October.
The
main event and focus will be the New Orleans portion but some, particularly
those driving from Southeast locations, may be able to participate in a warm
up golf outing hosted by Jerry in the Florida panhandle. This is a
warning order and solicitation for expressions of interest from classmates
and class widows who might attend.
Click here
for the general concept of operations.
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2010 Orlando Mini-reunion a Huge Success With 97
Attendees Enjoying Hyde Hosting
 Gary
and Button Hyde were gracious hosts to 97 classmates, spouses, widows, and
friends at the 27 Jan – 1 Feb Orlando Mini-Reunion.
The group feasted on great fare at Hyde’s Smokehouse –
Old Fashioned
Southern Slow-Cooked Smoked BBQ and all the trimmings
on Wednesday evening. Thursday evening was spent
at the Kobe Japanese Steak House. The group was at Hyde’s Bistro on Thursday
evening to enjoy a wide selection of gourmet tapas. Many gathered at the
Hyde’s on Saturday evening to enjoy the abundance of leftovers. Maison &
Jardin was the site of the sumptuous farewell dinner on Sunday night. Of
course, as at all functions hosted by the Hyde’s, there was always a great and
varied selection of beverages.
All the
attendees really appreciated the efforts of Gene Witherspoon and Burke Mucho
who assisted Gary in operating the “2002 Club Annex” – the hospitality suite
at the Residence Inn by Marriott. The memorabilia brought by many of the
attendees rekindled memories of days past. Special thanks also to Karen
DeWitt, Bob and Terry Cairns, Chuck and Adele Chamberlin, and Bob and Betty
Hampton for helping set up and host the dinners at the Hyde’s. Also many
thanks to Ed Brown for setting up the Kennedy Space Center visit and to
Paul
Palmer for hosting the visit to Blue Springs State Park.
Click here for more on the
Mini-reunion, who attended, and many pictures.
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Gordon K. Downey, Jr.
"Gordy"
Company D-2
30 Aug 1936 - 15 Dec 2009
Place of Death: Scottsdale, AZ
Interment: West Point, NY
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It is with great regret and sorrow that we have
learned and must inform you of the death of
Gordon Downey. Gordon passed away on
December 15, 2009, in Scottsdale, Arizona, of pneumonia.
A memorial service will be
held in Scottsdale Friday, December 18, 9:30 a.m. at Blessed Sacrament Catholic
Church, 11300 North 64th Street in Scottsdale.
Burial will be at West
Point at a later date.
Well done, Gordon. Be thou at
peace.
Click here to go to
Gordon's Last Roll Call Tribute.
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Ronald M. Gutt
"Ron"
Company
K-1
7 Feb 1938 - 26 Feb 2008
Place of Death:
Raleigh, NC
Interment: Raleigh, NC
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It is with great regret and sorrow that we have
learned and must inform you of the death of Ron Gutt, our former classmate, on
February 26, 2008, at Duke Health Raleigh Hospital, Raleigh, NC, following an
extended illness.
Ron is survived by his wife, Carolyn R. Gutt;
daughters, Heidi Mills and husband, Greg; Joy Ducker and husband, Greer; Jolene
Warych and husband, Ken; son-in-law, Robbie Estes; and six grandchildren,
Courtney and Matthew Estes, Caroline and Grace Mills, Grayson and Ashley Ducker.
His son, Vincent, and daughter, Veronica, preceded him in death.
Well done, Ron. Be thou at
peace.
Click here to go to
Ron's Last Roll Call Tribute.
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The Flying Fin of G-1 is Still on the Run
Class of 1961 Mini-reunion Planned 27
Jan - 1 Feb 2010 in Orlando, FL
Projected Dates
- Wed 27 Jan – Mon 1 Feb 2010
Preliminary Outline
- Wed Day 1 – Arrive, open time,
cocktails, dinner
- Thurs Day 2 – For golfers tournament (day 1), others TBD,
cocktails/dinner
- Fri Day 3 – For golfers tournament (day 2), others TBD,
cocktails/dinner
- Sat Day 4 – All TBD, cocktails/dinner
- Sun Day 5 – For golfers tournament (day 3), others TBD,
closing/awards dinner
- Mon Day 6 - Brunch, open time, depart
Click here for more details.
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Vallely Attends Veterans Medical Leadership
Council Luncheon
 MG and Mrs Paul Vallely attended the Veterans Medical Leadership
Council Annual Luncheon on November 6th held at the Arizona Biltmore
in Phoenix, Arizona. This annual event raises funds for Veterans and their
families. The Scott Vallely Soldiers Memorial Fund was one of this year’s
sponsors.
Wayne Newton was the Luncheon speaker this year and was very well
received by all the attendees. MG and Mrs. Vallely joined Mr. and Mrs Wayne
Newton in visiting disabled veterans and taking a tour of the Phoenix Veterans
Hospital. MG Vallely enjoying the company of the Cowgirls who were this year’s
hostesses.
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H-2 Mini-Reunion Held Oct 19-23, 2009 at Gettysburg
Hotel
 H-2
'61 Classmates; plus other Grads and wives, attended a
full week of activities at the '61 H-2 Gettysburg Mini-Reunion held at The
Gettysburg Hotel, Monday, October 19 thru Friday, October 23.
Thirty-two (32)
attendees participated in
five (5) days of activities: Alice & Bren Battle ; Maggie & Ed
Moritz ; Nancy & Dave Teal ; Bob Chelberg ; Ruth & Bob Kee ; Chuck & Sandee
Sollohub ; Chip & Sally Smith ; Stu & Louise Senneff ; Jim & Dolly Stokes ; JB
& Sally Taylor ; Jerry & Connie Zingsheim ; Petie ( Sandy ) Walters; Pat &
Bruce Shroyer ; Andy & Cheryl Carron ( ‘60 H-2) ; Kim Fox (G-2) ; Pam & Dan
Barney (K-1) ; Bunny & Chuck Armstrong (L-1) ; Jack Zimmerman (A-2).
Click here for more on the week's
activities and pictures
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Anderson
Named Upper Midwest Ernst Young Entrepreneur 2009
 Lee
R. Anderson, Sr., Chairman of APi Group Inc., received the Ernst & Young
Entrepreneur of the Year Award for 2009, master category, for the upper Midwest
region, at the Phister Hotel, Milwaukee,
WI, on 11 June 2009. This award is the most prestigious awarded to entrepreneurs
and is the first and only such award that is truly global in nature. The
original company was founded in 1926 as an insulation division of a larger
company. Anderson took over as president of the family company in 1964 and
expanded within construction and construction-related industries, establishing a
national and international presence. Today, APi Group owns more than 33
independently managed businesses, reaching about 9,000 employees.
With more than
150 locations, APi Group’s billion-dollar success has landed the company in
Forbes
Magazine’s Top
400 Private Companies,
Minneapolis/St.
Paul Business Journal’s
Top 100 Private Companies, and Twin Cities Business Top 25 Private Companies.
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Good Time Had By All at Kopcsak's 9th Annual
Pig Roast 3 Oct 09
 The forecast was dire – cloudy, cool, with rain showers –
but the weather turned out to be sunny with temperatures in the mid-70s –
perfect for the 9th annual pig roast hosted by George and Michele Kopcsak at
their “Full Circle” Farm in Browntown, Virginia.
Even though numbers were fewer than in past years, classmates
came from near – Virginia and Maryland – and far – Florida, Georgia, New Jersey,
Ohio, Pennsylvania, Texas, and Washington. Attendees were Jon and Roseann
Aaronsohn; Dan and Pam Barney; Bob and Judy Boykin; Ed and Rina Brown; Dick and
Trish Buckner; Marty Ganderson with Paula Barrie; Bob and Dawn Glass; John and
Teri Grisoni; Bob and Nicole Hamilton; Bob and Priscilla Hardiman; Frenchy and
Beverly Hebert; Dale Himes; George and Michele Kopcsak; Judy Kremer; Don and
Bobbi Lionetti; Bill and Okja Mackie; Ken and Rachel Meissner; Bill and LuAnn
Reno; Ed Smith with Diane Boeser; Marty Walsh; Gary Webster; Bill Williamson;
and Bill Wright.
In addition, Meghan Howard (Michele’s daughter); Kevin
Jackson; Caden Jackson (George and Michele’s grandson); Al and Joyce Maxfield
(Michele’s parents); Jerry Hall (George’s friend from Stafford, Virginia); and
Earl Balis (George’s high school classmate from West Virginia) joined us.
As in past year’s, Ken Meissner’s “spud gun” was a hit,
particularly with Frenchy Hebert, but our aim was poor and a passing deer was
not even threatened. Needless to say, all had a great time and express our
appreciation to George and Michele.
Click here for slide show of 47 pictures taken at Pig
Roast by Bill Wright.
Click here for more pictures of the Pig Roast.
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I-2 Continued a Tradition
with 2009 Myrtle Beach Mini Reunion
Members of
’61 second to none in I-2 continued a tradition, started a decade ago, of
gathering for class-company reunions held during the intervals between the
major milestone events at West Point. The fourth of these events was
conducted at Myrtle Beach, South Carolina from September 24 - to - 27, 2009.
These so-called mini reunions provide our classmates in the company a
leisurely opportunity to catch up on events, and recount accomplishments
(possibly even war stories) that have transpired in the interim since the
previous reunion, or in some cases, since 1961. These events have proved to
offer a more relaxed setting to renew acquaintances than the major events on
the Hudson.
Click here for
more on the Mini Reunion.
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Class of 2011 Affirmation Ceremony at USMA, USNA, USAFA, & USCGA
The
Affirmation Ceremony for the Class of 2011 was held at West Point on 16
August 2009 in Robinson Auditorium of Thayer Hall. During this ceremony,
the cadets took an oath acknowledging a five-year active duty commitment in
the United States Army upon graduation from the West Point and an active
duty commitment if separated before graduation. As part of the 50-Year
Affiliation Program between the Classes of 1961 and 2011, the Class of 1961
presented each cadet a coin to commemorate the occasion. The coin is a
symbol of each cadet’s decision to continue their education and work toward
graduation and commissioning in the Army.
Similar
ceremonies were held for members of the Class of 2011 who are exchange cadets
at the US Naval Academy, the US Air Force Academy, and the US Coast Guard
Academy. The West Point Society of Annapolis hosted the ceremony at USNA.
Mac Greeley represented our class. The West Point Society – Pikes Peak Region
hosted the ceremony at USAFA. BG Norman Andersson, USMA ’74, administered the
oath. Dave Hastings, Jim Lynch, Warren Miller, and Ken Siegenthaler
represented our class. COL Dutch Hostler, USMA ’68, administered the oath at
USCGA. Jack Fischer represented our class.
Click
here to go to full page of articles
and pictures about these ceremonies.
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29 August 2010 French Viking
River Cruise
Combine the magic of Paris with
the beauty of France’s Norman countryside and voilà! Experience history
firsthand at the Normandy beaches, site of the famous Allied invasion on D-Day
in 1944. Delight in the Gothic architecture of Rouen, and see where Joan of Arc
was tried and executed. Lose yourself in the exquisite gardens of Giverny, whose
rich palette inspired Impressionist Claude Monet for many years. Walk the
cobblestone streets of provincial Vernon and share the splendor of Paris, the
world’s most romantic city, with your companion. This fascinating 8-day journey
has something for everyone.
For more details
about the cruise and to see who has signed up so far, click here.
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Class Committee Updates
Vision for Years (2006 - 20011)
Click here to read the
updated details of the Class Committee Vision for the years (2006 -
2011).
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Washington DC Area Class of
1961 Social Events Calendar for 2009
Ed Brown, Class Secretary, has released the Washington DC Area Social Events Calendar for 2009.
Any Classmate who is in the DC area on one of those dates is invited to attend.
For additional information please contact Ed Brown at:
edbrown61@verizon.net.
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February: Wives Luncheon at Heart in Hand
Restaurant, Clifton, VA
- 17
February: Luncheon at Fort Myer Officers Club
- 15
March: Sunday Brunch at Fort Belvoir Officers Club
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May: Luncheon at Fort Myer Officers Club
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October: Kopcsak's 9th Annual Pig Roast
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November: Luncheon at Fort Myer Officers Club
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Details of the 50-Year
Affiliation Program Between Classes of 1961 and 2011
Click here to read the details of the 50-Year Affiliation Program between the Class of 1961 and 2011.
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June Week 1961 and Related Activities from July
1961 Assembly Now Available Online
The USMA Archives office is putting ASSEMBLY Magazine and
various other historical reports on a web site that allows you to access and download articles and information. Copies of
ASSEMBLY from 1942-1963 are currently available, and they will soon be putting of the next ten years, and they will continue
posting issues until they are current.
Click here for the Summer 1961 edition. You will find it very interesting. There
may be a problem for some as the huge file is 72MB.
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Memorial & Family Planning
Documents
The Class of
1961
Memorial Article Project has now made the appropriate AOG Forms available for
your use.
Click here
to go to the Class Web Site article that explains what is available and has
links to the documents.
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Panoramic Photo of USMA
The panoramic photo of the Plain and surrounding buildings of West Point at
the top of this page was created by G. W. 'Casey' Kenaston, USNA '56. The actual
picture is 50 inches by 10 3/4 inches, including the border. To view this
panoramic photo with more detail,
please click here.
To further increase the size of that picture, do a mouse button click on
the picture to get the picture enlarge icon.
Full size copies of this panoramic photo are now available for $60 each, which includes shipping and handling. Framing is not being
offered. That can be done by each person on their own. To place an order through John Neiger,
please click here to
email him. It will take about 4 weeks to get
the photo via the mail.
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In Remembrance:
Classmates can send their remembrances, comments, pictures to Sam Weiss
and they will be edited for inclusion
with the Last Roll Call Tribute for that person.
Current Profiles
In order to create a “Current Profile”
for every member of the class, graduates and former members of 1961, we
need your input. If you are interested in participating, email your
“vita” information to Sam Weiss
with photos in "jpg" format, if you can. If that is not possible,
then send actual photo to: John Neiger at 4011 Lakeview Parkway, Lake of the
Woods, VA 22408. All photos will be returned after we scan
them into cyberspace.
If your profile is already online,
check to make sure it is up-to-date and send us any changes or additions.
Prior Features
In order to keep this page more current with items
of interest to the Class, after a reasonable length of time items will be moved to the
PRIOR FEATURES Page (click here to go to them).
Panoramic Photo of USMA
The panoramic photo of the
Plain and surrounding buildings of West Point at the top of this page
was created by G. W. 'Casey' Kenaston, USNA '56. To view the panoramic
photo in full size with more detail,
please click here. To
further increase the size of that picture, please do a mouse button click
on the picture to get the picture enlarge icon. Arrangements
are being made for individuals to purchase copies. Detail will be
published as soon as available.
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If you have any announcements of interest
to other Classmates, comments, questions, or suggestions, please
e-mail them to Sam Weiss.
Number of times this page has
been accessed since counter added on 4 April 2008
DISCLAIMER: This
private organization is a non-Federal entity organized by graduates of the
United States Military Academy. Non-Federal entities may not be endorsed by
the United States Army or the Department of Defense. As such, the views of
this private organization are not to be considered as the official views of
the United States Military Academy.
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