The meeting commenced by teleconference at 1103 EST.  Present were: Gadd, Golden, Hocker, Rabe, Ramsden, Ray, Sadler, Schorr, Schwehm, Smith, and Stevens.  Absent was Kovel.  Also attending was Pat Buck.

1. Schwehm called the meeting to order at 11:03 AM

2. He began by reporting that Buck Rogers had died on 4 August.

3. He stated that our primary mission for the meeting was to work on our tentative 60^th Reunion schedule.

4. Pat Buck reported that:

      a. Dealing with recent widows is extremely rewarding.

      b. She is forming a group of assistants, to include a deputy (Sophia Glyphis).

5. Schwehm began the discussion of the reunion schedule, and associated issues, as follows:

[NOTE: Schwehm advised that the current draft schedule is what we have developed, without detailed input from the AOG.  Not only does it lack specific times for all events, but it is all extremely tentative. It will be later reviewed in detail by the AOG facilitator, who will apply her expert grasp of what works, what doesn't, as well as what the Academy will and won't permit.

      a. The first day, Thursday, 27 April 2017:

            1)  … would be focused on reception, registration, ice-breaking, and heavy hors d'oeuvres (set up with stations).  Need to get with the hotel to make sure there are going to be enough bartenders and sufficient seating for all.

            2)  Breakfast throughout the reunion will be on-your-own, by ordering in the hotel restaurant or wherever one chooses (note that there is a McDonalds immediately off-post, and several good restaurants are right up the street in Highland Falls).  In the past, trying to satisfy everyone with a set buffet did not go over well – usually overpriced and not very good. 

            3) Concerning the usual business meeting:

                  a) Schwehm observed that holding it on the last day (Sunday) usually resulted in a number of people skipping out to get off on an early departure.

                  b) Hocker submitted that he still thinks that the last morning is the best time to hold the meeting.   

            4) Schwehm reported that his wife had advised that the ladies' coffee was generally not well attended.  However, no motion was made to scratch it from the schedule.    

      d. The second day, Friday, 28 Apr:

            1) The Memorial Service for departed classmates will be held in the Old Cadet Chapel.

                  a) Smith suggested that a copy of the Cadet Prayer be provided everyone.

                  b) Schwehm suggested that, rather than holding Class Business Meeting as usual, on Sunday morning, we might want to hold it in the Chapel, right after the service.  After an inconclusive discussion, Schwehm tabled the issue and will pursue this alternative option.     

                  c) Schwehm suggested that, following the service, folks might want to tour the cemetery.  He noted that a wide ring of columbarium niches has been added, which should be of interest.  In addition, markers will be placed at all of the tomb stones and Columbarium niches of classmates and/or their family members; and a list of these resting places will be provided. 

            2) The Kimsey Sports Center and Holleder Hall.

                  a) Lunch will be served in the Center.

                  b) The Academy has agreed to conduct the speeches there, as well (to be presented by the Supe, Comm, Dean and the Director of Athletics), lasting about an hour and a quarter – no potty breaks; so everyone needs to take care of that requirement immediately after lunch.  Some classmates have asked if the speakers could focus on what is new at our dear old Rock-Bound Highland Home; however, Schwehm has figured out that this would be impossible, since none of the speakers is aware of what was "old" (that is, 60 years old – none of them had been born that far back).  Ladies not interested in hearing the speakers will be offered the option of being bussed to places like gift shops, Visitors Center, the hotel, etc.

                  c) There is a slight problem concerning getting around the Center, in that it comprises more than one building (including Holleder Hall), on more than one floor -- and there is only one elevator.  However, Schwehm feels confident that this will not be a major problem.  We will arrive plenty early, and there are things to look at in the lobby that will make the time go by in a leisurely fashion, while waiting for the next available elevator.

                  d) After the speeches, many will probably want to tour the Center/Hall – Schorr assured us that there is much of interest to see in both buildings.  Windshield tours of the post will also be offered.

            3) Evening reception:

                  a) Will be held in the Zulu Lounge.  While there are a few steps up to the lounge, the hotel will provide help for those who cannot maneuver these obstacles.

                  b) The Hell Cats will entertain.

            4) Bar-B-Que supper on the lawn behind the hotel (overlooking the Hudson)

[NOTE: Bad weather back up for both hotel activities will be to move indoors – and the hotel will manage that.]

      e. The third day, Saturday, 29 April 2017:

            1) P'rade. 

                  a) Parade uniform:

                        ● Golden asked who will be taking the parade (veterans or Class of '57), noting that, if we are not taking it, we do not need to be in any uniform.  Ray will check, and advise the USMA authorities that we would like to have the honor.

                  b) Assuming that we do wear some sort of uniform, Schwehm listed the standard we have used for many a reunion:

                        ● Hat.  Plantation (as at 50^th and 55^th) or baseball (at earlier reunions). – after much discussion, Schwehm tabled the issue.

                        ● Navy blue or black blazer.

                        ● Khaki trousers.

                  c) On taking a group picture immediately after the parade, there was heated discussion about the pros and cons – although the majority clearly wanted to take a vote now (which would have likely resulted in a "No" vote), Schwehm tabled it for future consideration, when all members could be heard.

            2) Movement to the Mess Hall – Ramsden pointed out that there was transportation provided at the 55^th reunion to get the disabled to the Mess Hall, and he suggested that we will probably need more this time.  Schwehm said that this was covered in the AOG transportation plan.

            3) Lunch in the Cadet Mess Hall.  There will be no cadets at the tables.  Schwehm advised that he had put the question to Vince McDermott at a large function in Ike Hall, noting that there were a lot of cadets there to mix with the guests.  Vince's reply was that this event was a once-a-year function, while there are 17 reunions every year – end of discussion.

 [NOTE: Class of '53 has developed a detailed plan to handle handicapped folks for the above two activities.  Paul will distribute copies later.]

            4) On-post and off-post tours – see paras 6d&e below.

            5) Evening: The usual dinner, with seating being arranged by company

                  a) Ramsden is in charge of coordinating all of the activities (except the dining part).  He reports:

                        ● Hank Hatch has agreed to fill his customary role as Master-of-ceremonies.

                        ● The same DJ we had at our 55th will handle music

                        ● Bill Seeley and Bill Webb have been asked to cut back on the amount of musical entertainment, and they are working on it.

                        ● Bill Seeley has been asked to reprise his Yokohama Mama; but he has not yet agreed.  

                        ● Ann Sabriske will play the piano.   

                        ● Galloway will present a talk along the lines of what he gave at a recent DC Class luncheon.

                        ● Sound system to be provided by the DJ.                                

                  b) Food – Rabe: Only issue discussed was whether to offer options.  The hotel has offered to make only a two-entrée choice optional.  Some wanted more options (vegetables, desserts, more entrées); however, Rabe advised that all such options would cost a good deal more, because it is very difficult to manage.  Ramsden pointed out that any greater variety of choices would also be liable to be a mess, regardless of price.  Schwehm decided to table this issue for later consideration.

Cheap wine at the tables – if you want better wine, you can have it, but you pay for it.     

6.  Other issues:

                  a) Booklet – Golden

                        ● We are thinking of using what the Class of '54 created for their 60^th.  

                        ● Can add or subtract anything we want, and Golden put forth a couple of good ideas.  He is working with the AOG on this.

                        ● Ramsden suggested that the print be made large enough for 80⁺ year-old eyes, both in this book and anything else we need to read and recite on the fly (like songs and prayers)

                  b) Hospitality suite – Gadd

                        ● This is a physically tough job – needs to be handled by younger folks.

                        ● The hotel simply will not permit us to set up our own hospitality suite.  They will set up an open bar – but at a cost of $12.50/person/hour. 

                        ● Options:

                              ●● Use of tickets to be purchased by individuals

                              ●● Pay-as-you-go

                              ●● Simply use the hotel bar, which holds about 100 people – it is always open and available.

                        ● Other issues. Gadd needs to know:

                               ●● When do we want it?

                              ●● Do we want table service?

                              ●● What plan – day/night? 

                  c) Grave Markers -- Stevens   

Nancy and I are agreeable to doing it.  And we strongly recommend that no one else try it.  We will be able to do it in half a day this time, whereas it took us a whole day, into the evening, last time.  The problem is that (1) the cemetery office is not always manned (and wasn't at the 55^th), and (2) the cemetery's grave numbering system is incredibly complicated – there is hardly any logic to it.  So you spend a lot of time wandering around, trying to locate each section (and even the numbers within each section can be out of sequence).  We never did find the old Columbarium (it's in the basement of the Old Cadet Chapel).

                  d) On-Post Tours – Schorr

                        ● Friday – time will be limited, depending on how long the speeches and Q&As last.

                              ●● Self-guided tours of Kimsey/Holleder.  Having the lunch and the Supe's show at Kimsey kills three birds with one stone.  Kimsey was probably the largest project undertaken at West Point in the previous 20 years.  And there is a lot to see there.  Schorr is sure that everyone will find touring both Kimsey and the Holleder Center, most interesting and enjoyable.

                              ●● Windshield tours of post on the way back to the hotel.  There are a lot of new things to see. 

                              ●● The new West Point Prep School is something you shouldn't miss – per Dave, "it's unbelievable."  If it is not included in the windshield tour, be sure to go there on your own, before you leave (it's behind the Silver Depository).

                        ● Saturday – No bus tours.  On-your-own walk around the area of the Plain (Arvn gym [to include '57 Class Hallway], Jefferson Library [to include '57 Honor Kiosk], '57 Honor Plaza, Cadet Store, 1^st Division historic room displays, etc.)

                              ●● At Ramsden's request, Schwehm will investigate the issue of when we can use the Cadet Store.

                              ●● Stevens asked what access we will have to the restricted area, along what we used to call 10^th Avenue (Thayer Road), and into the 1^st Division.  Rabe said that he was able to get in by showing his military ID card.  But then, not all classmates have ID cards.  Schwehm again said that he would pursue this question.

                  e) Off-Post tours – Stevens

Ray Bell did a preliminary reconnaissance of seven possible sites (three of them recommended by Schwehm).  He then took Nancy and me on an all-day tour of these seven venues.  We came away with three recommendations: 

(1) The Storm King Art Gallery, a world renowned outdoor display of rather oversized, mostly modern statuary, spread across several hundred acres of very attractive landscape.  It is not my cup of tea, but art lovers probably should not miss it.

(2) Three sites, all within 12 miles of each other, two near Cornwall, and the other in downtown Newburgh, all requiring no more than an hour each to get full value.  One is the Purple Heart Hall, collocated with the New Windsor Cantonment (where the last of the Revolutionary troops were stationed), and Washington's headquarters for the last part of the War, located in Newburgh.  We propose that these three be combined into one four-hour tour.

(3) Boscobel – an interesting and attractive estate.  Its main appeal for me is its very handsome grounds, which culminate in what is called the Belvedere Overlook.  The vista from here provides the best, unobstructed view of West Point, from across the Hudson, that I have ever had the pleasure to observe.

We recommend also providing information on two other estates (2 Hyde Parks: Roosevelt and Vanderbilt) each over 1 hour away – just for those who want to drive themselves (maybe Sunday PM).  No bus tours will be provided

And finally, on Sunday, at 1100, with the reunion completed, we recommend a visit to "The Stadium", a restaurant and sports museum, whose owner has (through Wade Shaddock) offered to host a group of our classmates.  Located in Garrison, this establishment houses what is arguably the most unique sports memorabilia collection in the country (if not the world).  Busses will be provided if enough folks want to go back to West Point; but we expect that most will do it on their own, on their way back home.

We propose to produce a hand-out, providing all the detailed information, to be mailed out before hand.  Then get a count of who wants to go, and where. And finally put together a bus schedule. 

                  f) Ramsden – transportation. 

                        ● DC reunion bus trip to West Point.  '53 had the bus company providing the West Point tour busses do this for them.  Schwehm to get the data on what company Alexis is chartering and pass it to Ramsden.

                        ● Sam Morthland is working on a very ambitious plan to gather up some folks who will be flying in to New York/New Jersey/Philadelphia and more – and bus them up to West Point.  He contacted Ramsden to coordinate his plan with the DC gang; but they already had their own plan worked out. 

                  g) Gadd requested information on the availability of parking at the Thayer.  A discussion followed in which this was fully covered.  Short answer: there is a lot of parking available nearby.  However, everyone is advised that, closer in to the center of post, there is practically no parking available unless you are stationed there.  So you are advised always to park at the Thayer and take the shuttle bus that runs all day long around post.

7. Schwehm is looking at other ideas and requests we do the same.  Following are some he has already come up with:

      a. Asking Sankey to play the piano during registration, as he has done so wonderfully well in the past.

      b. Asking the hotel to have a large-screen TV in the lobby, playing selected videos and music.

      c. Asking hotel to provide each of us a list of names and room numbers.

      d. Sambre et Meuse to be played at parade.  Schwehm will arrange.

      e. What about getting a cadet to sit at each table on Saturday evening?  It would be interesting, different, and expensive.  And it would take more than just a little organizing.  Ramsden suggested that having a bunch of cadets, who have no tie to the Class could prove a little awkward for them.  Rabe agreed that it would not be worth doing.  Schwehm withdrew the suggestion.

      f. A photographer to accompany and take candid photos.  Ramsden pointed out that there will be costs. 

      g. Mollicone is physically unable to attend the Reunion.  He proposes, thru Karsian, to put together a film clip of himself, wishing the attendees an enjoyable reunion.  This video would be available for showing on a TV in the hotel lobby.  Others, so handi-capped could be urged to do the same.  Schwehm instructed that, if he generates such videos, we will try to get the hotel to allow us to show them on a lobby TV.  Gadd is to get back to Mollicone with this message.

8.  Schwehm adjourned the meeting at 1249.

Respectfully submitted

Bob Stevens

Class Secretary