Minutes of Committee Meeting 12 December 2018

The 59th Reunion Committee conducted its ninth and final meeting on 11 December 2018 at the Naval Academy Club commencing at 1430.

Committee members in attendance were: Gary Smith, Paddy Ford, Frank Pipkin, Pete and Elaine Stout, Bob and Sandy Reifsnyder, Jay Bainbridge, Charlie Dobbs, Charlie Pease, Dolf Lekebush, Ray LaVan, and Bill Garrett.

The purpose of this meeting was to discuss our 59th Reunion and provide recommendations for the future. The Chairman again thanked all Committee Members for their efforts in making our 59th Reunion such a great success. All agreed that the schedule was appropriate for our age. Special thanks were expressed to Pete and Elaine Stout for their outstanding efforts. Each Committee area was then discussed in turn as follows:

Company Coordinator: Jim Wilson’s written comments were discussed. The importance of the individual Company Representatives is vital in promoting interest and attendance at the reunion and planning the company party. Some of our company representatives were great; others not so much. Good cell phone numbers and email addresses are essential for good communication.

Communications: Charlie Pease provided timely Reunion information via Shipmate and direct email to the class, backed up by Pete Stout who also prepared the full page ads in the Jan/Feb 2018 and Jul/Aug2018 issues of Shipmate.

Data: Elaine Stout provided a handout showing that 312 persons had attended the 59th Reunion including 157 classmates and 8 widows. 15 registered classmates and 1 registered widow had cancelled. There was one walk-in (who registered at the N* Tailgate). 73% of classmates/widows who attended responded to a post reunion survey and rated the events and services overwhelmingly outstanding or excellent. 71 of 80 attending the Memorial Service rated it outstanding. Four pages of comments received from attendees were included in the handout as a sample. 91% of responders indicated they would attend a 65th Reunion. The Reunion Survey will be on-line thru December 30, 2018 for any of the 44 Classmates or widows who have yet to complete. Was accessed at: http://www.usna1959.com/m59/classReunionSurvey.php Survey Now Closed on January 1, 2019. Results are posted at: http://www.usna1959.com/m59/classSurveyResults.php

Favors: Pete Stout reported that the Meet-and Greet cards were an excellent idea for improving communications between classmates but difficulties occurred when online registration mobile phone numbers were over written by Alumni Association “best number available” either mobile or home. Vendor VISTAPRINT also comingled some classmates’ cards. Tote Bags, Mouse Pads and Name Tags were provided by very cooperative vendors at good pricing and were well received by attendees. The USNA ‘59 59th Reunion Commemorative Coins were created and paid for by classmate Jack London as a gift to the class and were well appreciated by all. Two Reunion Attendee lists were provided, both alphabetically by Class and alphabetically by company.

Finances: Paddy Ford reported that all refunds that were requested had been paid (some who had cancelled donated their refunds to the class). Reunion bills have been paid except for minor expenses for office supplies, shipping, etc. The overall cost of the Reunion was about $70,000 and we are in the black. He noted that had cafeteria pricing not been used, the registration fee would have been hidden in the Reunion price.

Handicap/Mobility: Seventeen persons were identified in the registration process and Dolf Lekebusch followed up with them individually to ascertain their needs. Disabled reunion attendees were able to board and disembark buses aided by bus drivers and step stools provided in each bus. Their wheelchairs and walkers could be lowered and carried on the buses.

Hotels: Griff Hamilton made arrangements with our three hotels based on the lower prices offered and their nearness to each other. Booking information was not always forthcoming from the hotels, perhaps because of instability of the hotel point of contact. Hotel staff were accommodating. Availability of the Reception Room at the Hilton Garden Inn for Registration and the Stuffing Party greatly added to the smooth functioning of the Reunion.

Printing: Bill Garrett provided a detailed report on Production of the Bus Schedule (275 copies) and The Gouge (525 copies)by Free State Press Printing Company of Annapolis. These were printed on standard 8.5x11 inch paper vice the 5.5x8.5 inch booklets used at our previous reunion and this larger size is recommended for the future. Inputs to the Printing Company should be in a format, such as pdf, which has been established early on to avoid last minute delays. Free State staff, especially Patty Mahaffey, were professional and accommodating and delivered the product on time.

Registration: Bob and Sandy Reifsnyder attributed the smooth operation largely to the efforts of Devon Clouse and Shelley O’Neill of Annapolis Events and the advice of Holly Powers of the USNA Alumni Association. Obtaining the Hilton Garden Inn Reception Room for the Stuffing Party and the Annapolis registration process greatly simplified the check-in for everyone. Thanks to the Reifsnyders’s efforts, the room was obtained just before the Reunion commenced and at no cost.

Religious Events: Dan Truax reported by email that the Friday Memorial Service went on as scheduled and under budget. Bob Beaton and Tom Priest read the names of the 77 classmates who had passed since the last reunion. Tom Lukish gave an inspiring and heartfelt talk reflecting on our class and departed classmates. Ona Truax was instrumental in setting up and printing the beautiful program. The Bells of Remembrance were rung outside after the service. Bob Beaton announced that he has a DVD of the complete service which could be reproduced for those who might want it. The Bells of Remembrance are available through Brother David and Bob if other classes want to use them.

N Star Room: Frank Pipkin discussed an email he and Ray Lavan had written to our caterer, Bo Brooks, thanking them for the wonderful buffet food and service they had provided while we socialized and watched the Navy/Air Force Away football game on numerous big screen TVs. The comments of most attendees indicated that this was much more preferable than watching a home football game in the stands at our age. Everything was great except the performance of our Navy football team.

Sunday Brunch: Paddy Ford had arranged with the USNA Club to provide the Brunch to accommodate church service attendees from the Catholic and Protestant services. Instead, most Reunion attendees did not attend the chapel services and most arrived at the Brunch at about the same time. The Club was able to rapidly increase the seating area and everyone was able to enjoy the superb food.

Transportation: Walt Szczypinski’s written comments were discussed. Transportation plans had been based on a high level of security being in place, requiring buses to go from the hotels to Gate 1 and transfer passengers there to go through security and then board mini-buses to go to various events within the yard. In actuality, the security level was less restricted, allowing buses to shuttle from/to the hotels and the Yard via Gate 8 and utilize Alumni Hall as the hub for shuttle drop-off/pickup and mini-bus origin for in-Yard travel. Several Reunion events were served by specially designated buses (Memorial Service, Columbarium visit, Tennis matches, N* Room buffet, Sunday Chapel Services and Sunday Brunch). Transportation was provided by Annapolis Bus Company and supervised throughout the reunion by Ross Cohen and senior staff. Bus drivers were competent, polite and attentive to the needs of Reunion riders. Feedback of classmates regarding transportation was highly positive.

Trolley Tours: Jay Bainbridge reported that all registrants were able to be assigned to their first choice and they were notified of this by email before the Reunion. Additionally, sign up sheets were available if seats were available on a bus. Because of an inurnment at the Columbarium for our classmate, Ed Veazey, on Thursday afternoon some registrants missed the 1530 trolley tour. The tours were conducted by the Annapolis Bus Company and reviews were generally favorable.

Yard Events: Bill Garrett noted that he relied heavily on Holly Powers of the USNA Alumni Association to make the arrangements for the USNA Leadership Briefing, Alumni Association Welcome, USNA Virtual Tour, and USNA and Columbarium Flooding Briefing in Mahan Hall.

Athletic Events: Norm Bednarek reported that of 26 golfers who originally wanted to play, only 5 teed off on Saturday. Ray Art had 8 tennis players for the tennis outing. John Butterfield organized the Fun Walk from the Hilton Garden Inn on Saturday morning but only about 8 participated. We are slowing down.

At the conclusion of these discussions, the Committee discussed the question of whether there should be a 65th Reunion. Although we advertised the 59th as our last big reunion, there is interest at this time, as represented in the post reunion survey, for a 65th Reunion. It was decided that a survey of the USNA Class of 1959 should be conducted in May 2020 and a decision be made on having a 65th Reunion based on the results of that survey. It was also noted that the position of Administrative Vice President on the Class Executive Committee is vacant as a result of Jerry Welsh’s death. This position needs to be filled as that person would be Chairman of a future Class Reunion.

This meeting adjourned at 1700.

Respectfully submitted: Gary Smith

Minutes of Committee Meeting 11 September 2018

The 59th Reunion Committee conducted its eighth meeting on 11 September 2018 at the Naval Academy Club commencing at 1500.

Committee members in attendance were: Gary Smith, Paddy Ford, Frank Pipkin, Pete and Elaine Stout, Bob and Sandy Reifsnyder, Jay Bainbridge, Charlie Dobbs, Charlie Pease, Norm Bednarek, Jim Wilson and Walt Szczypinski. Class Chairman Gerry Garbacz also attended.

Verification was obtained from Holly Powers by phone that our 59th Reunion is the only USNA reunion the weekend of 4-7 October 2018 and that the Leadership Briefing and Virtual Tour are scheduled for Mahan Hall. Columbarium flooding and Class Giving will be addressed prior to the Virtual Tour.

As of 11 September one hundred sixty-nine classmates and widows are registered for a total of 323 attendees. Over 39 new attendees have been added since the last meeting, largely due to the good work of Jim Wilson, the Stouts and company reps. Registrations continue to be made. .

Committee Chairman Gary Smith provided a draft revised Gouge and Welcome letter for comment and reviewed what would be in the yellow 59th Reunion Gouge (similar to the 55th Reunion pamphlet.) This pamphlet in pdf form is to go to the printer on 17 September. Action items from the previous meeting were then reviewed and chairmen provided updates as follows:

Company Parties: The list is complete and will be placed in pdf form for the printer.

Data: Elaine Stout provided the URL for the special Class of 1959 Reunion website, intended for the Reunion Committee, Company Reps and their Backups. She will provide a brief guide for its use by late 9/14/2018. Tags will be ordered by 17 September. The Stouts will provide Holly Powers with a list of all known attendees (classmates, widows, spouses/significant others) on 20 September and Holly will get this list approved by Security. Elaine will clarify name requirements with Holly.

Favors:

Meet-and-Greet cards: The order date is set for 17 September. The packets of cards will be available for the stuffing party to place in the tote bags.

Tote Bags and Mouse Pads: 180 of each will be ordered by Pete on 12 September.

Optional Golf Shirts: A waiver of the $35 short run issue was requested but not granted.

Optional ‘59 Class Crest Items: Pete Stout will provide how to order additional ‘59Crest items directly from Vista Print by email on 12 September.

Stuffing Party: Pete Stout will coordinate the Stuffing Party on Wednesday, 3 October 2018, presently scheduled in the Lower Level of Dahlgren Hall from 1300 to 1700. An alternate plan to do the stuffing at the Garden Inn is being investigated by the Reifsnyders and Paddy Ford volunteered to pay for a room at the Garden Inn, if necessary, to accomplish this. The final location will be promulgated later when verified.

Registration: The Committee decided that last minute check-ins at the N* Buffet and the Farewell Brunch will have to pay the Registration fee for any previously unregistered persons as well as the cost per person for the event. This policy ensures fairness to all those classmates who have registered previously on time so that planning for the event could be effective. The Chairman will promulgate this policy through the Company Reps. .

Printing: Bill Garrett requires the Gouge, including the List of Company Parties and the Bus Schedule in pdf form by 17 September and plans on providing two copies of each for each tote bag.

NAVY vs AIR FORCE AWAY Football Game N*Buffet

. Frank Pipkin and Ray LaVan have arranged seating for 304 people.

Transportation: For the Memorial Service on Friday we will plan for a high level of security to be in effect with the list of Reunion attendees, pre-approved by Security, allowing Reunion buses to proceed directly from Gate 1 or Gate 8 to the Chapel. Need to get a verification from Holly as to progress of the vetting process. Walt will identify riders in each bus with scannable DOD ID cards.

Trolley Tour of Historic Annapolis: Jay Bainbridge reported that based on registrations a lottery will not be required. A second bus on Friday at 1530 and Saturday at 1130 will not be required and has been cancelled. Where empty seats exist, people may make last minute decisions and pay $16 cash to the bus driver for those seats. Elaine Stout will prepare bus lists for the drivers and to notify persons as to what bus they are assigned.

Yard Events: Location of the Virtual Tour and the Leadership Brief is Mahan Hall.

Handicap Arrangements: Dolf Lekebusch is contacting each person requiring handicap assistance . No bus lifts are presently required.

This meeting adjourned at 1700.

Respectfully submitted: Gary Smith

Minutes of Committee Meeting 14 August 2018

USNA CLASS OF 1959 59th Reunion Committee Minutes of Committee Meeting 14 August 2018 The 59th Reunion Committee conducted its seventh meeting on 14 August 2018 at the Naval Academy Club commencing at 1400.

Committee members in attendance were: Gary Smith, Paddy Ford, Frank Pipkin, Ray LaVan, Pete and Elaine Stout, Bob and Sandy Reifsnyder, Bill Garrett, Jay Bainbridge, Holly Powers, Bob Beaton, Dolf Lekebusch, Charlie Dobbs and Walt Szczypinski. Class Chairman Gerry Garbacz also attended./p>

Committee Chairman Gary Smith noted that the July/August issue of Shipmate, mailed in early August, contained our full page Reunion Schedule of Events and further reunion comments in the class column. As of 8 August, 2018, one hundred forty-nine classmates and widows (99 online and 50 mail-in) were registered for a total of 279 attendees. Registrations continue to be made and Jim Wilson continues to work through Company representatives to follow up on persons who indicated they would attend in the Monkey Survey but who have not yet registered. The Committee decided to end online registration on Wednesday, 3 October 2018. Holly Powers will ensure the registration website states this and refers potential registrants to register in person at that time.

Committee Chairmen reported the following:

Company Parties: Four companies (5,7,14, and 20) are still making their arrangements. Jim Wilson will provide a list of all company party locations and contact persons and phone numbers for printing and inclusion in stuffing bags to Bill Garrett by 1 September.

Data: Elaine Stout announced that the special Class of 1959 Reunion website, intended for the Reunion Committee, Company Reps and their Backups, will be up and running in about one week. In a handout, the URLs showing who is registered was provided to the Committee for its immediate use. A tag spreadsheet will be completed by early September and tags ordered. The Stouts will provide Holly Powers with a list of all known attendees (classmates, widows, spouses/significant others) on 20 September and Holly will get this list approved by Security.

Favors:
59th Reunion Commemorative Coin: Jack London has agreed to order 180 Commemorative Coins. They will be included in the Stuffing Party tote bags. Use of the USNA seal for one side of the coin was approved by the Academy through the PAO. It is planned for Jack to say a few words regarding the coins at the N* gathering.

Meet-and-Greet cards: Pete Stout has initiated using the 10th Company as a Beta, sending emails to validate data for use in submitting a combined data sheet to the vendor. Cards will be created for each classmate and widow attending. There is no additional charge to the attending classmate or widow. The cards are for their personal use. The order date is set for 10 September. The packets of cards will be available for the stuffing party to place in the tote bags.

Tote Bags and Mouse Pads: These will be ordered by Pete on 10 September. Numbers to be based on registration numbers at that time.

Optional Golf Shirts: The Stouts wore sample male and female shirts with the embroidered ‘59 Class Crest made by Thread Logic. However, a $35 short run issue will be charged per order. Groups (companies, etc.) may desire to spread this cost by consolidating orders. Holly Powers, when supplied by Pete with the POC and email of Thread Logic, will request a waiver of the $35 short run for our Reunion.

Optional ‘59 Class Crest Items: Pete Stout will provide how to order additional ‘59Crest items directly from Vista Print by 1 September.

Stuffing Party: Pete Stout will coordinate the Stuffing Party on Wednesday, 3 October 2018, presently scheduled in the Lower Level of Dahlgren Hall from 1300 to 1700. No designated parking spaces can be assigned. Local volunteers were solicited to perform the stuffing of Reunion material and favor items and transfer the filled tote bags to the Garden Inn. An alternate plan to do the stuffing at the Garden Inn will be investigated by the Reifsnyders.

Finances: Paddy Ford provided a copy of the Maryland State and Virginia Tax Exemption Certificate which is applicable if a bill is paid by the USNA Alumni Assoc. (USNA Class of 1959) via Paddy Ford.

Hotels: Gary Smith reported that approximately twenty rooms at the Courtyard and five rooms at the Residence Inn remain unassigned from our original block of rooms. After 14 September these rooms can be reserved by the public.

Printing: Bill Garrett requires the Gouge, List of Company Parties and the Bus Schedule by 1 September and plans on providing two copies of each for each tote bag.

Registration: The Reifsnyders will investigate the facilities at the Garden Inn

Religious Events: Tom Priest (10) will assist Bob Beaton as a reader; Dan Truax will strike the bell for 77 names at present.

NAVY vs AIR FORCE AWAY Football Game N*Buffet. Frank Pipkin and Ray LaVan report present registrations support tables of eight. Shrimp will be limited to six per serving because of waste at our 55th Reunion but multiple servings are available. Frank will provide the Stouts with the menu for placement on the class website.

Transportation: Walt Szczypinski provided the present plan which he has sent to the printer for comment. Direct transportation from the hotels to the USNA Visitor Center (Gate 1) or to Alumni Hall via Gate 8 depends on the State of Security at that time. Our present plan is based on a high level of security with transfer to smaller shuttle buses at the Visitor Center. For the Memorial Service on Friday we will plan for a high level of security to be in effect with the list of Reunion attendees, pre-approved by Security, allowing Reunion buses to proceed directly from Gate 1 or Gate 8 to the Chapel. Walt will identify riders in each bus with scannable DOD ID cards.

Trolley Tour of Historic Annapolis: Jay Bainbridge reported that first choice registrations only exceed bus capacity on Thursday (48 vs 46). Friday (27 and 9) and Saturday (34 and 7) registrants may allow cancellation of some buses/tours. Requirements are to be solidified by 15 September.

Yard Events: Location of the Virtual Tour is Mahan Hall. Gerry Garbacz will arrange for a fifteen minute presentation on flooding problems at the Columbarium to be added at the beginning of the Virtual Tour. The Leadership Briefing will also be held at Mahan Hall unless a larger space is needed. Alumni Hall is the alternate location. The Superintendent is preparing a tape presentation for the Class of 1973 which may be used as the Leadership Briefing for our reunion.

Handicap Arrangements: Personnel requiring handicap assistance are highlighted in red on the data sheets and presently number thirteen. No bus lifts are presently required.

The next Reunion Committee meeting will be held on Tuesday, 11 September 2018 at 1500. This meeting adjourned at 1645.

Respectfully submitted:   Gary Smith

Minutes of Committee Meeting 12 June 2018

The 59^th Reunion Committee conducted its sixth meeting on 12 June 2018 at the Naval Academy Club commencing at 1400.

Committee members in attendance were:  Gary Smith, Paddy Ford, Charlie Pease, Frank Pipkin, Pete and Elaine Stout, Bob Reifsnyder, Bill Garrett, Jay Bainbridge, Holly Powers, Bob Beaton, Norm Bednarek, Ray Art and Jim Wilson.

Committee Chairman Gary Smith reviewed for the Committee members that Registration for our 59^th Reunion had commenced on March 19, 2018 when Charlie Pease sent e-mails to the class and the USNA Alumni Association  mailed to the class the Gouge and the mail-in Registration Form.  As of our last Committee meeting on 10 April, 2018, eighty-nine persons were registered.  As of 12 June 2018 only ninety-five have registered (171 attendees).  This is well below our planning figure of 375 attendees and ways to speed up and increase registrations were to be discussed.  A detailed full page ad prepared by Pete Stout has been submitted for the July/August 2018 Shipmate issue.  Also, Reunion information is included in the class Shipmate column for that issue.

Registration discussion: The planning figure of 375 attendees was largely based on results of the monkey survey.  Based on results to date a figure of 250-275 now seems more reasonable.  Elaine Stout provided a handout graph showing number of registrations per two-week period leading up to our 55^th Reunion and a similar one for the 59^th (March, 2018 to the present).  She also provided to Jim Wilson a printout comparing individual’s monkey survey intentions versus whether they had registered yet. (159 not yet registered). Jim will use this information, working through the company representatives,  to encourage registration where a discrepancy exists.  We have advertised that this is our last big reunion and are counting on the company reps to encourage their company mates to attend and to register promptly.  In a 30 April 2018 email to the company reps, Jim advised them of the guaranteed refund if requested by 1 September and individual consideration by the Class Treasurer if requested at a later date.

Committee Chairmen reported the following:

Company Parties: Jim Wilson will assist company reps desiring to join with other companies if requested and will promulgate an updated list of party locations soon.  Holly Powers mentioned that there are several good restaurants near our headquarters location including BRIO Tuscan Grille, Palladar Restaurant, and Gordon Biersch Brewery Restaurant for those companies which have not yet settled on a location.  Jim will obtain phone numbers for Company Reps from the Stouts.

Correspondence:  Charlie Pease has bad email addresses for approximately 25 classmates.  Pete Stout is working with him to resolve the correct addresses where possible.

Data:  Elaine Stout provided printouts showing the status of registrations as of June 12, 2018.   Data received from the online registration process has not been good for Trolley tour choices and name tags. Holly Powers will provide spreadsheet Trolley tour data if requested by Elaine. Also the Stouts have to manually merge mail-in data with the online data. Much effort has been made to correct individual’s on line registration errors including amount paid and name tag info.  The new secure Reunion web site for the use of the committee, will be made available to Committee members shortly.

Favors:  Reunion Coin-For lack of a better slogan suggestion, the Committee voted approval of “Rise and Shine with “59” for use on one side of the commemorative coin being produced by  Jack London.  Use of the USNA seal on the other side of the coin requires approval of the USNA PAO.  Pete Stout will pursue obtaining this approval by phone/visit and will continue to coordinate with Jack London.

 Meet-and-Greet card favors, Pete Stout will contact attendees individually by email to validate and approve the data to be included (phone numbers, etc.) on their individual cards.

Optional Golf Shirts. Pete Stout will receive sample  male and female shirts with the Class Crest and the words, USNA ‘59 in July from the vendor and anticipates Reunion attendees can order them individually on-line from the vendor by mid-August.

 Stuffing bags will be ordered about 15 August and the desired items to be included in each bag were discussed.

Finances: Refund policy was provided to Company Reps by a 30 April email.  Paddy Ford announced that if total attendees for the Brunch is estimated to be much lower, the  Brunch contract should be modified to not include the entire Club dining area.

Hotels:  Pete Stout reported that 65 0f 65 available rooms have been booked at the Hilton Garden Inn, 36 of 60 available rooms have been booked at the Courtyard by Marriott and 15 of 20 available rooms have been booked at the Residence Inn Annapolis.  However, we need further data from Residence Inn.

Printing:  Bill Garrett provided Committee members with an Annapolis Visitors Guide brochure, prepared by the Annapolis Visitors Bureau which he proposes to include in each stuffing bag.  They will be provided at no cost.  About 1 September, Bill and Holly will attain the Chairman’s approval of a final version of the Gouge for submission to the printer.  It will include Company party locations.

Registration: At the beginning of our meeting, Bob Reifsnider introduced a representative of the company providing us registration support.  Pete Stout will provide extra Registration forms for use at the N* Room.

Religious Events:  Bob Beaton requested a volunteer reader to assist him at the Memorial Service.  He suggested Tom Priest (10).  Pete Stout will contact Tom for his acceptance.

Sporting Events: Norm Bednarek will discuss bus transportation requirements based on tee times with Walt Szczypinski.  Ray Art will provide tennis bus transportation requirements to Walt and noted that no one is presently registered for tennis.  There were some tennis requests in the Monkey Survey.

NAVY vs AIR FORCE AWAY Football Game N*Buffet.  Frank Pipkin noted that the contract with the caterer calls for a minimum of 200 attendees and this should easily be met.  Frank will make final table arrangements in August.

Transportation: Jay Bainbridge provided a copy of the latest version of the Bus Schedule prepared by Walt Szczypinski.  It incorporates visits to the Columbarium by the yard shuttle buses and a bus from the Memorial Service to the Columbarium and, after a wait period, return to the hotels.

Trolley Tour of Historic Annapolis:  Elaine Stout will create a Trolley Preference Table from Alumni Registration data to enable the assignment of individuals to specific tours.  This assignment will take place after the close of registration on 1 August 2018. 

Yard Events:  Location of the Virtual Tour and Leadership Briefing on Friday are still to be determined but Mahan Hall has been requested by Holly Powers. 

Handicap Arrangements: Personnel requiring handicap assistance are highlighted in red on the data sheets.

 The next Reunion Committee meeting will be held on Tuesday, 14 August 2018 at 1400.  This meeting adjourned at 1630.

Respectfully submitted:   Gary Smith

Minutes of Committee Meeting 10 April 2018

The 59th Reunion Committee conducted its fifth meeting on 10 April 2018 at the Naval Academy Club commencing at 1400. Minutes of Committee Meeting 10 April 2018

Committee members in attendance were: Gary Smith, Paddy Ford, Charlie Pease, Frank Pipkin, Pete and Elaine Stout, Bob and Sandy Reifsnyder, Bill Garrett, Dan Truax, Walt Szczypinski, Jay Bainbridge, Dolf Lekebusch and Jim Wilson.

Committee Chairman Gary Smith announced that the goal of commencing registration for our 59th Reunion in February 2018 had not been met but that Registration had actually commenced on March 19, 2018 when Charlie Pease sent e-mails to the class. Simultaneously, the USNA Alumni Association had mailed to the class the Gouge and the mail-in Registration Form. The timing of this Committee meeting was selected to assess how registration was proceeding. To date, 89 persons are registered including two widows and four registrations by mail. This is a little slower than desired and efforts to increase registrations toward the planning figure of 375 were to be discussed. In the Jan/Feb 2018 issue of Shipmate there was a full page ad announcing our 59th Reunion without details. In our class column in the March 2018 Shipmate issue, more Reunion details were given. A detailed full page ad prepared by Pete Stout will appear in the July/August 2018 Shipmate issue. Also Charlie Pease will ensure the class Shipmate column between now and the Reunion will contain Reunion Information.

Also in the class column in the March 2018 Shipmate issue, Gerry Garbacz described the installation of the Burgess data base computer system at the Columbarium, funded by our class gift. To encourage classmate visits to the Columbarium site during our 59th reunion, the transportation plan has been revised to include the Columbarium site on the internal Yard bus shuttle route. Additionally, a bus will be scheduled to visit the Columbarium after the Memorial Service on Friday.

The Committee extended their sympathy to Paddy and Mary Ford on the loss of their son Danny the previous week and noted that funeral services and burial of Dan Richardson’s wife, Leslie (sister of classmate Dave Sullivan,) will occur at USNA on 12 April, 2018. The Chairman forgot to note that a funeral mass for Frank Pipkin’s son, Matthew, had been held on 23 March 2018. Reunion Committee members would recall that Matthew had hosted some committee meetings in his bank’s board room for previous reunions. Subsequent to this meeting, Frank thanked classmates at dinner for their expressions of sympathy.

Committee chairmen reported the following:

Company Parties: Jim Wilson provided company representatives the status of where company parties will be held via e-mail on 9 March 2018. Many are as yet undetermined. He will contact the company representatives again shortly to encourage their company mates to promptly register for the Reunion and to firm up their party plans.

Correspondence: Charlie Pease will continue to provide appropriate reunion updates to Shipmate. The deadline for submission of the next full page ad in the JULY/AUGUST edition of Shipmate is 29 May 2018. Pete Stout will draft the ad and provide it to Gary Smith for submission by Charlie Pease.

Data: Elaine Stout provided printouts showing the status of registrations as of April 6, 2018. She also showed data from the Monkey survey, upon which estimates have been based. Data received from the online registration process has not been as good as for the 55th Reunion and Elaine is working with Holly Powers to improve this situation. Meanwhile, she has created a new secure Reunion web site for the use of the committee, which is still under development, and will be made available to Committee members shortly.

Favors: Pete Stout announced that Jack London will provide a 59th Reunion commemorative coin as a gift to the class which will include the class crest. Walt Szczpinski will bring to the next meeting a similar coin created by Jack London for a separate event. Committee members were requested to individually provide a suggested slogan to be embossed on the coin to Pete who will coordinate the Committee’s choice of slogans to Jack. Concerning the business card favors, questions regarding inclusion of the phone number must be resolved. Pete Stout will make contact with Thread Logic and have made a simple male and female shirt with the Class Crest and the words, USNA ‘59. In addition he will price other OPTIONAL items with both Thread Logic and Anchor Enterprises to select a vendor for purchasing items by Reunion attendees on-line directly with the vendor. The Committee agreed that the Stuffing Party would be held at Dahlgren Hall on 3 October 2018 from 1-5pm as arranged by Holly Powers.

Finances: Questions have arisen regarding refunds and it is thought that refund policy unknowns may be reflected in slow registration. Paddy Ford will propose a stated policy to the Committee Chairman for approval and promulgation to the class. The Committee agreed that full refunds should be provided prior to 1 September 2018

Hotels: Pete Stout reported that 65 0f 65 available rooms have been booked at the Hilton Garden Inn, 35 of 60 available rooms have been booked at the Courtyard by Marriott and 15 of 20 available rooms have been booked at the Residence Inn Annapolis.

Printing: Bill Garrett reported that Free State Press will need the number of items to be printed (Gouge, Bus schedule, etc.) by about 1September 2018. Frank Pipkin reported that old Tailgate signs will be updated and reused.

Registration: Bob and Sandy Reifsnyder have made arrangements for the required assistants. The Committee emphasized that properly annotated name tags are required for entry to all pay reunion events, including the Football Game N* Buffet.

Religious Events: Dan Truax reported that because of his medical problems, he has relinquished his Chairmanship of Religious Events to Bob Beaton.

Sporting Events: Online data registration does not provide names for Golf and Tennis for our data displays. Norm Bednarek subsequently informed that he has arranged for six tee times for golf and that tennis courts behind the Eighth Wing have been reserved for tennis.

NAVY vs AIR FORCE AWAY Football Game N*Buffet. Blank name tags will be available in case of last minute attendees. Frank Pipkin will provide Elaine Stout the menu for promulgation on the Reunion web site. Frank will look in to the addition of big screen TVs.

Transportation: Walt Szczypinski met with the Annapolis Bus Company this date and discussed modifications to their proposal. This is an on going project but the bus company is very responsive to our needs. Walt reiterated the importance of Holly Powers’ obtaining approval from USNA security for our buses to enter the Yard for the Friday Memorial Service and Sunday Church Services. Holly will request this approval about one month before the Reunion.

Trolley Tour of Historic Annapolis: Elaine Stout will create a Trolley Preference Table from Alumni Registration data to enable the assignment of individuals to specific tours. This assignment will take place after the close of registration on 1 August 2018.

Yard Events: Location of the Virtual Tour and Leadership Briefing on Friday are still to be determined. The need for additional transportation for these events, other than the Yard Shuttle, is not anticipated.

Handicap Arrangements: Personnel requiring handicap assistance are highlighted in red on the data sheets. Some school buses are outfitted with a wheelchair lift capability. Dolf Lekebusch will coordinate requirements.

The next Reunion Committee meeting will be held on Tuesday, 12 June 2018. This meeting adjourned at 1645.

Respectfully submitted: Gary Smith

Minutes of Committee Meeting 9 January 2018

The 59th Reunion Committee conducted its fourth meeting on 9 January 2018 at the Naval Academy Club commencing at 1300.

Committee members in attendance were:  Gary Smith, Charlie Pease, Bob Beaton, Frank Pipkin, Pete and Elaine Stout, Bob and Sandy Reifsnyder, Bill Garrett, Dan Truax, Walt Szczypinski, Jay Bainbridge, Paddy Ford, Jim Wilson, Dolf Lekebusch and Holly Powers.

Because of the recent death of Committee  Chairman Jerry Welsh, Backup Chairman,Gary Smith, announced  that he is now Chairman.  Gary solicited a volunteer to be Backup Chairman.  It was also sadly announced that Linda Hamilton, wife of Hotel Chairman Griff Hamilton, had passed away this morning.

Gary announced  that the purpose of this meeting was to resolve any issues prior to commencement of registration for our Reunion on 1 March, 2018.  He further noted that our Reunion will be held at the same time as the Annapolis Sailboat Show which may affect parking at the Stadium, transit times to Reunion events, etc.  This should be noted in the Gouge.

Tentative Schedule of Events.  An updated version which includes the Trolley Tours should be added to the 1959 Reunion web page by Pete Stout.

Committee chairmen then reported on their respective areas, noting where changes would have to be made to the Draft Gouge.

Company Parties:  Gary Smith reported that he had recently exchanged correspondence with all companies ( company representatives, their backups or both)  except for the 7th and 9th Companies.   Eleven companies reported on their planned location for their party.  Jim Wilson will be the Company Party Chairman and will provide coordination assistance to Company Representatives.

Correspondence:  Charlie Pease has provided Reunion information for the class column in the Jan/Feb issue of Shipmate as well as a full page advertisement of the Reunion.  He will provide, for each subsequent Shipmate issue, reference to our 59th Reunion in the class column.  A more detailed one page advertisement for our Reunion, being prepared by Pete Stout, will be submitted by Charlie by 29 May 2018 for the Jul/Aug issue of Shipmate.

Data:  Elaine Stout provided a handout describing the incorporation of class data in the Class website (www.usna1959.com), including Reunion hotel reservations made.  For security reasons, Reunion related data will eventually migrate to a new Reunion website being created but progress is slow.

Favors:  Pete Stout proposed adding a box of individual class contact cards per couple to the Budgeted favors and this was approved.  Class crest embossed sport shirts were discussed but not approved.  Instead it was decided to let individuals order class crest embossed items online individually via Anchor Enterprises.  Holly Powers will provide the details.  As a result it was decided to reduce the Favors budget from $50 to $25 ( A mouse pad with our class crest and a tote bag with class crest to stuff with Reunion items were previously approved.)                                                                                                                                                                      

Finances: After much discussion it was decided that each guest would pay a registration fee of $59 (the same fee as widows.)  Paddy Ford estimated that this change and the favors change would result in a new registration fee for other than widows and guests of $95 per person. (vice $120 per person). Individual cafeteria items are:  N* Banquet  $80/person,  Sunday Brunch  $40/person,  Trolley Tour  $16/person (vice the previous $15/person).  A proposed one page registration form for mail-in registrants will be so modified by Holly Powers and Paddy Ford.

Hotels :  Pete Stout will receive monthly updates from our three hotels as to who has reserved rooms in our block of rooms and will incorporate this information in our data base.  Presently all 65 rooms at the Garden Inn are booked, 14 of 60 at the Courtyard and 3 of 20 at the Residence Inn have been reserved for 59ers.

Printing:  Bill Garrett plans on printing 400 copies of the Gouge.

Registration: Bob and Sandy Reifsnyder will handle check-in in the lobby of the Hilton Garden Inn (HGI) on Thursday from 1530 to 1830 and have contracted for two assistants for Friday and Saturday.  Friday check-in hours are 0900-1800 at HGI.  Saturday check-in hours are 0900 -1200 at HGI.  Check-in will then shift to the N*Room at Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium, resuming there at 1300 and remaining open until 1600.  A lockable storage room will be provided in the Hilton Garden Inn for the Reunion packages.
Jay Bainbridge will investigate the availability and cost of renting a room at the Garden Inn to use for Registration vice doing it in the lobby as presently planned.

Sporting Events.  Ray Art needs to confirm with Holly Powers that four tennis court(s) in the yard will be needed on Saturday. (Subsequently confirmed.)  Golf and tennis committee chairmen confirmed (post meeting) that bus transportation will be required for these events.

NAVY vs AIR FORCE AWAY Football Game N*Buffet.  Frank Pipkin announced that doors to the N* Room at Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium for this event will open at 1300.  Based on a game start time of 1530 (EDT), the N*Buffet will be held from 1400 until the end of half time (approximately 1730).  The game is expected to end between 1830 and 1900.  Beer, wine (included in the price) and snacks will be provided until near the end of the 4th Quarter.  The cost is $80 per person and this is a cafeteria event.

Transportation:    Holly Powers repeated that, about two weeks before the reunion, she will provide a list of registrants and request USNA approval for shuttle bus access into the Yard to enable disembarking at the Chapel for the Memorial Service on Friday and Main Chapel church services and Farewell Brunch on Sunday.  Holly indicated that approval is iffy, especially for Friday. The Class will not provide transportation to Company Parties.  However, Company Reps may individually arrange and pay for bus transportation to their respective parties.  Company Reps may contact Walt to assist in making these arrangements with Annapolis Bus Co.

Trolley Tour of Historic Annapolis:  Jay Bainbridge, announced that people desiring to take this one hour tour can sign up when registering and specify the number of riders and three desired tour times in order of precedence (#1,#2, #3). In the interest of fairness, the assignment of tour times will be by lottery.  Tours will be offered on Thursday at 3:30pm, Friday at 1:30 and 3:30 pm and Saturday at10:00 am and 11:30 am. Each tour will consist of two Annapolis Bus Company  buses, each leaving from the Hilton Garden Inn.  219 persons on the survey indicated their desire to take this tour. The cost is $16 per person (changed from $15 per person to include a tip) and this is a cafeteria item.

Yard Events:  Bill Garrett has contacted Captain Jim Minderlien to make arrangements for the Virtual Tour.  Holly Powers announced that the new Columbarium kiosk which was paid for by the Class of 1959 will be dedicated with a brass plaque crediting our class gift.  Attendance during our reunion at this event was not deemed to be worthy of becoming a Reunion event but it should be noted in the Gouge.

Handicap Arrangements: Dolf Lekebusch is coordinating requirements with Walt.  Holly Powers cannot provide him with a list and/or map of the handicapped parking spaces in the yard as they change frequently.

Registration for the Reunion will commence on 1 March 2018 and close on 1 August 2018.  Holly will coordinate with Gary Smith and Paddy Ford to produce the Gouge and Registration Form which will be mailed to the Class of 1959 by the USNA Alumni Association in February.

The next Reunion Committee meeting will be held on 10 April 2018 at 1300 in the Club.  This meeting adjourned at 1700.

Respectfully submitted:   Gary Smith

Minutes of Committee Meeting 10 October 2017

The 59th Reunion Committee conducted its third meeting on 10 October 2017 at the Naval Academy Club commencing at 1500.

Committee members in attendance were:  Gary Smith, Charlie Pease, Bob Beaton, Frank Pipkin, Pete and Elaine Stout, Bob and Sandy Reifsnyder, Bill Garrett, Dan Truax, Norm Bednarek, Walt Szczypinski, Jay Bainbridge, Paddy Ford, Jim Wilson, Dolf Lekebusch and Holly Powers.

Committee Co-Chairman Gary Smith briefly summarized results of the Reunion Committee meeting of 9 May 2017.  The March 2017 survey and the experience of other classes led to a decision to plan for 375 attendees at our 59th Reunion.  Cafeteria pricing will be used for the Registration fee, Navy/AF AWAY Game N* Room Buffet and the Sunday Brunch at the USNA Club.  Saturday night will be free with cash bars available in the Hilton Garden Inn and Courtyard hotel lobbies.  Trolley tours of Annapolis will be offered.  Company parties will be the responsibility of the individual company representatives, including collecting and paying the bill.  The cost/person for the company party will not be part of the registration fee.

Prior to this meeting, a copy of “The Gouge” from the 55th Reunion was distributed to The 59th Reunion Committee for review and updating for the 59th Reunion.  The resulting Draft Gouge was referred to during this meeting and an up to date version will be distributed to the Class prior to commencement of reservations in February/March 2018.

Committee chairmen reported the following:

Company Parties:  Gary Smith stated that the list of Company Representatives is posted on the Class website as is the list for their backups. There continues to be no backup for the 7th, 8th and 13th companies.  The Chairman will coordinate and track the status and location of the company parties.  He will provide to the Company Reps a USNA AA list of local restaurants which offer private rooms (provided by Holly Powers).  Additionally, there are two 50 person size rooms which can be booked with the Hilton Garden Inn.

Correspondence:  Charlie Pease will provide these minutes to the Class by email, when approved by the Chairman, and will provide in the class column in the next available SHIPMATE issue a specific reference to the class website and the Reunion information contained therein.

Data:  Elaine Stout continues to improve the Class website (www.usna1959.com). and plans to have all of the ‘59 data base on the Total Choice Hosting server by 31 Dec 2017.   She has incorporated data from the Monkey Survey, formatted it for use by individual companies and had it reviewed favorably by seven test companies. This data for all individuals and companies will now be incorporated in the class website.  For security reasons, Reunion related data will eventually migrate to a new Reunion website being created.

Favors:  Pete Stout discussed some options.  A mouse pad with our class crest was approved, in addition to a tote bag with class crest to stuff with Reunion items.  A popular bracelet available in Annapolis will be investigated but the Committee desires to limit “just more stuff.”

Finances: Paddy Ford provided Reunion cost estimates based on 375 attendees. The Registration Fee of $120 (modified from $125) per person applies to each classmate and their spouse or significant other.  It was suggested that any adult guest (18 and over) should pay the full registration fee.  Minors (under 18) should pay a reduced fee at least to cover the cost of the name tags (about $10).  This will be resolved at the next meeting. The registration fee for widows is $59 per person. Individual cafeteria items are:  N* Banquet $80/person, Sunday Brunch $40/person, Trolley Tour  $15/person.  A proposed one-page registration form for mail-in registrants was provided to Holly Powers.

Hotels:  Griff Hamilton has signed contracts with the Hilton Garden Inn, the Courtyard Marriott and Residence Inn.  Booking of rooms at the Hilton Garden Inn commenced on 7 October 2017 and will commence at the Courtyard and Residence Inn on 16 October 2017.  Information on booking these hotels was provided via email from Gary Smith to Company and Backup Company representatives and Reunion Committtee members on 5 October 2017 requesting they pass the information to their respective companies.  A correction stating that the block of rooms at Courtyard and Residence Inn should be identified as the “USNA 59 Reunion Block Oct 2018” will be issued by Gary Smith.  Reunion Hotel Availability and Booking at Hotels URL is www.usna1959.com/m59/59thReunionHotels.php. 

Farewell Sunday Brunch:  Paddy Ford has signed a contract with the Academy Club for a sumptuous Sunday Brunch from 10:00am-2:00pm which will accommodate Catholic and Protestant church attendees at the Main Chapel plus others.  The cost is $40 per person and this is a cafeteria event.

Printing:  Bill Garrett will require the number of copies of each item to be printed.

Registration: Bob and Sandy Reifsnyder will handle check-in in the lobby of the Hilton Garden Inn on Thursday and will coordinate with Holly to provide two assistants on Friday and Saturday.  On Saturday check-in will shift from the Garden Inn to the N*Room at Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium between 1230 and 1300.  A lockable storage room will be provided in the Hilton Garden Inn for the Reunion packages.

Religious Events:  Dan Truax provided a list of the 63 classmates who have died since the 55th Reunion.  Subsequent to this meeting, Tom Lukish volunteered to give reflections during the service.

Sporting Events:  Ray Art will request the desired tennis court(s) in the yard for Friday tennis via Holly Powers.

NAVY vs AIR FORCE AWAY Football Game N*Buffet.  Frank Pipkin announced that doors to the N* Room at Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium for this event will open at 1300.  Based on a game start time of 1530 (EDT), the N*Buffet will be held from 1400 until the end of half time (approximately 1730).  The game is expected to end between 1830 and 1900.  Beer, wine (included in the price) and snacks will be provided until near the end of the 4th Quarter.  The cost is $80 per person and this is a cafeteria event.

Transportation: Walt Szczypinski announced that bus shuttle transportation will be provided from the hotels to the Gate 1/Fieldhouse area outside the Yard.  Mini buses will be provided inside the Naval Academy to provide transport to sites within the Yard. ,  Holly Powers, about two weeks before the reunion, will provide a list of registrants and request USNA approval for shuttle bus access into the Yard to enable disembarking at the Chapel for the Memorial Service on Friday and Main Chapel church services and Farewell Brunch on Sunday. The Class will not provide transportation to Company Parties.  However, Company Reps may individually arrange and pay for bus transportation to their respective parties.  Company Reps may contact Walt to assist in making these arrangements with Annapolis Bus Co.

Trolley Tour of Historic Annapolis:  Jay Bainbridge, announced that people desiring to take this one hour tour can sign up when registering and specify the number of riders and three desired tour times in order of precedence (#1,#2, #3). In the interest of fairness, the assignment of tour times will be by lottery.  Tours will be offered on Thursday at 3:30pm, Friday at 1:30 and 3:30 pm and Saturday at10:00 am and 11:30 am. Each tour will consist of two Annapolis Bus Company buses, each leaving from the Hilton Garden Inn.  219 persons on the survey indicated their desire to take this tour. The cost is $15 per person and this is a cafeteria item.

Yard Events:  Bill Garrett is coordinating with Holly Powers to verify the times in the Schedule of Events are correct for Yard facilities.  He has also contacted Captain Jim Minderlien to make arrangements for the Virtual Tour.

Handicap Arrangements: Dolf Lekebusch requested Holly Powers to provide him with a list and/or map of the handicapped parking spaces in the yard.

The next Reunion Committee meeting will be held on 9 January 2018 and Registration for the Reunion is expected to start about February/March 2018. 

This meeting adjourned at 1700.

Respectfully submitted:   Gary Smith

Minutes of Committee Meeting 9 May 2017

The 59th Reunion Committee conducted its second meeting on 9 May 2017 at the Naval Academy Club commencing at 1300.

Committee members in attendance were:  Gary Smith, Charlie Pease, Bob Beaton, Frank Pipkin, Pete and Elaine Stout, Bob and Sandy Reifsnyder, Bill Garrett, Dan Truax, Norm Bednarek, Walt Szczypinski, Jay Bainbridge and Donna Krupa.

Committee Co-Chairman Gary Smith announced that Chairman Jerry Welsh is undergoing chemotherapy treatments which temporarily limits his active participation.  Gary requested that both he and Jerry be “copied to” on any 59th Reunion related correspondence.  The importance of having backups for committee Chairmen and Company Representatives, as evidenced by Jerry’s problems and our advancing age, was noted.

The major accomplishment since the first meeting was completion of the Class of 1959 Reunion Survey in March 2017.  The results are summarized in Attachment 1 and were discussed.  Elaine Stout cited her need for access to the individual records from this Monkey survey in order to provide useful information to the Committee and to Company representatives.  (Elaine received this information from Holly Powers on 10 May and is reviewing and incorporating the data.  Summary numbers may change somewhat due to some duplicate responses).  Based on the survey results and the experience of other classes, the Committee agreed on a planning number of 375 attendees for our 59th Reunion.   It was noted that the Survey did not clearly indicate that the Saturday Navy vs Air Force Football Game Buffet is for an AWAY game which we will view on TVs in the N* Room of Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium.  Future correspondence with the class, including these minutes, will clarify this.

Committee chairmen reported the following:

Company Parties:  Gary Smith stated that Company Representatives will be responsible for their individual party and for collecting and paying the bill.  The cost per person attending will not be part of the registration fee.  The Committee concurred.  The list of Company Representatives is posted on the Class website as is the list for their backups. There is presently no backup for the 7th, 8th and 13th companies.  The Chairman will coordinate and track the status and location of the company parties.

Correspondence:  Charlie Pease provides general class information to separate mailing lists for the 1st and 2nd Regiments.  He will provide these minutes to the Class, when approved by the Chairman, and will provide appropriate reunion updates to Shipmate.

Data:  Elaine Stout provided printouts from the 55th Reunion as examples of what she will provide for the 59th Reunion.  She is incorporating data from the Monkey survey (see above) and plans to have all of the 59 data base on the Total Choice Hosting server by 31 Dec 2017.  She noted that about a third of our living classmates did not attend the 50th or 55th Reunions.  The Committee thanked her and Pete for their tremendous efforts in maintaining and improving our class website.

Favors:  Pete Stout will provide some options and costs at the next meeting and the Committee will decide what to provide in addition to a tote bag with class crest to stuff with Reunion items.  Reunion ID Badges will be gold in color for all attendees except Committee members and Company Representatives.  Another color (other than dark blue) will be selected for clarity for the latter attendees.

Finances: Paddy Ford provided Reunion cost estimates based on 375 or 300 attendees.  The Committee selected 375 as the planning figure.  Changes to these estimates included deletion of $15000 for Company parties (will be handled separately by Co. Reps), deletion of $9000 for a Saturday night informal gathering (cancelled), reduction of transportation cost to $9000, and reduction of religious events cost to $800.  Paddy will revise his budget accordingly.  The Committee decided to use Cafeteria pricing for the Navy vs Air Force Away Football Game N* Buffet and the Sunday Brunch.

Hotels and Brunch:  Griff Hamilton reported by note that he expects to sign a contract in June/July with the Hilton Garden Inn and later with the Courtyard Marriott and Residence Inn.  Rooms will cost $199 +13% tax per night.  Rooms can be reserved at the Hilton Garden Inn in December 2017 and at the Courtyard and Residence Inn 12-14 months before the Reunion.  The three hotels are within easy walking distance of each other (5 minutes) and the Garden Inn and Courtyard each have a lobby bar and lobby seating for about 50 people.  The Garden Inn also has a first floor meeting room which might accommodate 100 people.  Based on these limitations the Committee decided to cancel the Proposed Saturday night informal gathering at the Garden Inn, leaving Saturday evening free with cash bars available at the Hilton Garden Inn and the Courtyard.  Because of limited food facilities at the Garden Inn and the convenience of having Brunch near the two Chapel services on Sunday, the Committee approved Brunch at the Naval Academy Club on Sunday.  The date has subsequently been reserved with the Club and a contract has been signed.  Paddy Ford will serve as Brunch Chairman and Bob Beaton as Co-Chairman.

Printing:  Bill Garrett volunteered to chair the Printing Committee and will contact Rick Johnson (the Printing Chairman for the 50th and 55th Reunions) and a local Printing Company to assist in accomplishing our printing requirements.  $2800 is presently allocated for Printing.

Registration: Bob and Sandy Reifsnyder will handle Registration on Thursday and will coordinate with Holly to provide two assistants on Friday and Saturday.  On Saturday registration will shift from the Garden Inn to the N*Room at Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium between 1230 and 1300.

Religious Events:  Dan Truax reported the Memorial Service is limited to one hour and will be followed by the outside ringing of the bells (provided by Brother David) until noon meal formation.   52 classmates have died since our 55th Reunion and 400 total deaths are expected to be listed in the program by our 59th Reunion.  The Committee decided that only the names of those who have died since the 55th  or others whose names have not been previously read will be read out loud during the program.  Recommendations or volunteers to give reflections during the service are solicited.

Sporting Events: Norm Bednarek will obtain tee times for golfers and collect fees.  25 people indicated in the survey that they wished to play.  John Butterfield will organize and run the Saturday Fun Walk in the vicinity of our hotels.  Ray Art will handle the tennis. (16 players per the survey).

N* Room: Frank Pipkin announced a contract was signed with the Stadium Caterer, Bo Brooks, and a deposit made for the NAVY vs AIR FORCE AWAY Football Game N*Buffet in the N* Room at Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium.  Based on a game start time of 1530 (EDT) provided by ESPN, doors will open at 1330, the N*Buffet will be held from 1400 until the end of half time (approximately 1700).  The game is expected to end between 1830 and 1900.  Beer, wine (included in the price) and snacks will be provided until near the end of the 4th Quarter.  The contract calls for a guaranteed 200 attendees.  A final count is to be provided on September 22, 2018.  Ray LaVan is the Co-Chairman.

Transportation: Walt Szczypinski announced that bus shuttle transportation will be provided from the hotels to the Gate 1/Fieldhouse area outside the Yard.  Mini buses will be provided inside the Naval Academy to provide transport to sites within the Yard.  For Sunday church services (and perhaps the Memorial Service on Friday) Walt will coordinate with Holly Powers to gain approval for shuttle bus access into the Yard to enable disembarking at the Chapel.  Special Note: The Class will not provide transportation to Company Parties.  However, Company Reps may individually arrange and pay for bus transportation to their respective parties.  Company Reps may contact Walt to assist in making these arrangements with Annapolis Bus Co.

Trolley Tour of Historic Annapolis:  Jay Bainbridge, who has enjoyed this tour, volunteered to chair this Committee and will make the arrangements with the Annapolis Bus Company or Watermark Tours.  219 persons on the survey indicated their desire to take this tour.

Yard Events:  Bill Garrett volunteered to chair this Committee.  He will coordinate with Holly Powers to verify the times in the Schedule of Events are correct for Yard facilities.  He will also contact Captain Jim Minderlien to make arrangements for the Virtual Tour.  Holly has reported that there will be no parade on Friday.

Handicap Arrangements: Subsequent to the meeting, Dolf Lekebusch agreed to make the necessary arrangements for our handicapped attendees. 

Attachment 2, 59th Reunion Committee, and Attachment 3, Revised Tentative Schedule of Events, reflect the changes described above.  The next Reunion Committee meeting will be held on 17 October 2017 and Registration for the Reunion is expected to start about February/March 2018.

This meeting adjourned at 1645.

Respectfully submitted:   Gary Smith