21 May 2012

The meeting concluding the 55^th Reunion of the Class of 1957, commenced at 0745 hours at the Hilton Woodcliff Lake, New Jersey, with approximately 140 members present. Class President Gerry Galloway presided.

Gerry Galloway opened the meeting by explaining the process by which our new class officers are to be elected. He explained that a nominating committee, under his direction, had selected a new slate of candidates and that all members have been given a chance to vote by various methods prior to this meeting. The new officers will take office 30 days after the class meeting and remain in office until 30 days after our 60^th reunion. He then asked that anyone present who had not voted to vote at this time with ballots available . Second Vice President, Ted Voorhees,was then instructed to count all the votes and be prepared to announce the results at the end of the meeting.

Galloway then reminded the class that the current board acknowledged their wishes by constructing a reunion agenda that allotted more time for informal meetings and socialization among classmates. He encouraged all to participate in this manner. He encouraged the new board to listen to classmates needs for our 60^th reunion.

Galloway then introduced Col. Steve Ressler, head of the Department of Civil and Mechanical Engineering. Col. Ressler gave a presentation on what he considered the most significant and transformational changes that have occurred in the past 20 years at West Point. He narrowed his comments to two major issues. First; there have been significant changes in the curriculum structure and now the academy offers 42 majors and specialties. Second; the reaction to and changes in cadet training as a result of our 9/11 crisis and recent wars. Col. Ressler has been teaching and in administration at West Point for 20 years and is in a good position to observe and implement these changes. His Power Point presentation will be made available on the class web site.

Galloway then made general comments about the issues the board faced in preparation for this reunion and what issues will be presented to the new board in planning for our 60^th . Attendance at reunions is getting smaller due to obvious age and health related reasons and the passing of classmates. We had 193 classmates who originally showed interested in coming. Eventually of the 170 who submitted enrollment funds, less than 150 were able to attend the reunion. These dropouts could result in hotel charges for rooms not taken. Galloway said he has talked to other class leaders and such results are not out of line. In the future, the board should work more closely with AOG statistics to determine expected turnout. He then re-encouraged all classmates to give their input and options for future reunions to the board. The agenda, mini-reunions, time of year etc. are all options to consider. At the 60^th , the class should have the option for use of the Hotel Thayer. He also commented on the use and value of using class facilitators and the fact that the AOG has developed a list of potential facilitators for classes to call on and engage.

He then reviewed our past class gifts and encouraged all to visit them during the reunion, specifically the Kiosk on the third floor of the library. When considering class gifts, the academy is presented with serious infrastructure problems and costs. When faced with the prioritization of funds, cadet needs come first over those of maintaining monuments, hence the academy is encouraging classes who give gifts to allocate funds in the gifts for maintenance also. Our class has set up an endowment fund of $50,000 for all our gifts with an additional fund of $10,000 for the Kiosk, both funds for maintenance only. Classmates Ray Bell and Bob Stevens have been involved with setting up these funds for which we are grateful.

Legacy Class of 2007. Galloway stated that the Legacy concept has grown rapidly since its inception and that our class had been a leader in its use since our early involvement. Members of the class presented each member of the Class of 2007, 2^nd Lt. Bars at their graduation. Now their class will be having their first reunion this fall at which we hope to have a member of our class attend. In addition, we are monitoring the combat deaths of members of the 2007 class with the intent of extending our condolences to the family in some form. There are also plans underway of having the 2007 class monitor the condition and maintenance of our class gifts over the years as a means of providing a “link” to the Long Grey Line. Bob Stevens is our contact with the class of 2007 and is doing a great job of keeping the program going.

Treasurer Larry McNeil, gave an overview of the class finances. We have a gift fund that is very active receiving and dispersing funds. At the transfer of this fund to the new board under the direction of new treasurer, Walt Rabe, there will be a balance of $112,604 in the fund. In addition, we have a general operational fund which is held in account with AOG in order to receive better returns. At the close of the 55^th reunion, there will be a total balance of between $15,000 to $20,000 in this account and our checking account. Currently the checking account has approximately $4000 which will vary as final bills are paid. Larry's presentation will also be on the class web site for viewing.

President Galloway, then delivered a prepared presentation at the request of AOG covering the ways a graduate can contribute to West Point in the form of legacy gifts. Planned giving upon a graduates death is a means to help and remember the academy and to also achieve tax saving advantages for the individual's estate. To date, our class has made planned giving bequests amounting to $4.9 million dollars. Gerry stated that $150,000 of this amount has already “popped into the system”. Bottom line, our academy can not continue to operate at a high level without legacy funds. Gerry suggested all classmates confer with their families and create a legacy for yourself at the academy. Galloway specifically mentioned the Friendship Fund of our classmate Bern Loeffke, which has as its purpose the sending of cadets to China to teach in their secondary schools. In a new mission, the fund is being used to teach medical terms in foreign languages to cadets. He encouraged classmates to support this fund.

Finally, Galloway had some administrative comments as to how to conduct our tours to West Point on Tuesday for the Alumni Review, given the prospect of rain. The cancellation decision will be made at West Point at 0700 hours. If a cancellation is made, we will leave the hotel at 1000 hours and proceed with the rest of the days events. All tours will go on regardless of rain. Galloway then introduced our three active duty aides, all Majors in the academic department and currently teaching. They will be on our tours along with class board officers acting as OIC's.

Gerry passed along the regrets of three classmates who could not attend the reunion along with many others, due to health and business reasons. He received e-mails from Jerry Scott, Bill Huckabee and Tom Kehoe. They extended their regrets and wishes for all to have a good reunion. We know there are many others missing who had hoped to come. We look forward to seeing all at the 60^th reunion. Gerry recognized Nick Monaco for making his CD of our famous graduation parade available for sale and to Jerry Patterson for providing each class member with a nice pen at the meeting.

Ted Voorhees then announced the results of the elections of a new board. There were 158 ballots submitted which represents 40% of the living members of the class. The entire slate presented by the current board was accepted unanimously. Ted then asked that classmates who were able, take home the packets of those who could not attend so as to save the class mailing costs. He read the names of those not in attendance.

Paul Schwehm, the newly elected President then asked the new board to stand and be introduced. Bill Ray and Fred Smith could not attend the reunion. A full listing of the new board can be found on the class web site. Schwehm then committed to the class that the new group will do their jobs with vigor and diligence, following the example of the current board over the last 7 years.

Finally, Schwehm presented the outgoing President, Gerry Galloway with a memento gift of a framed set of commemorative stamps published in 2002 by the Post Office to recognize the founding of West Point in 1802. Galloway then presented similar gifts to all members of the outgoing board.

The meeting was adjourned at 0945 hours by Galloway. He then invited those who wished to stay and hear a presentation by classmate Sam Morthland on a proposed mini-reunion in the fall of 2013. It would be a river trip from Paris to Amsterdam.

Respectfully Submitted,

Raymond T. Karsian

Secretary-Elect.