Successful Reunion

Here it is Tuesday, September 28, and I am still whirling from the excitement of the first ever cross class UR NROTC reunion! I hope to follow up with extended comments and some pictures when I get back to California next week but, for now, suffice to say everything indicates a good time was had by all.

Friday night at the Sports Pub was the perfect venue for spontaneous greetings of old friends. The television screens were perfect for viewing Valerie Denney's video masterpiece! She prepared a 30 minute video collage of nearly 300 pictures submitted by many formers ROTCs.

Saturday morning breakfast was hosted by the University of Rochester. The Former Secretary of the Navy, Donald Winter (UR '69) gave some wonderful comments, referring to Edgar Bronfman's "The Third Act" and talking about giving back. He shared what it was like to be Secretary of the Navy from 2006 to 2009.

Those who chose to go to the National Museum of the Marine Corps were absolutely delighted with the outing.

Chris Paddock did a wonderful job as Master of Ceremonies on Saturday night. Midshipmen from the George Washington University NROTC unit presented colors. We held a 50/50 raffle to benefit our own UR NROTC unit. As a result of the raffle, the UR NROTC basketball team will be able to buy jerseys to wear during games with other ROTC units. The winner of the raffle, Ann Erickson ('83) donated her winnings back to the pot.

More details to come but at this point, the best summary is that anyone who wasn't able to attend, missed a great reunion.

Reunion Attendance

As of 13 September, the following people have registered and paid to attend event(s) of the UR NROTC Reunion.

Greg (77) and Sue Allen (79)

Betsy Boyd (83)

Matt Brown (79)

Bruce Browne (79)

Ken Campbell (77)

William Clement (76)

Chris Conlin (81)

Charlie Cunningham (79)

Iain Currie (82)

Joel (81) and Valerie (80) Denney

Paul DiNunzio (80)

Dave Duryea (83)

George Eichert (78)

Ann Erickson (83)

Mike Higgins (83)

Lori (Elten) Hill (83)

Nick Jenkins (81)

Jon King (81)

Beth Kleiman (80)

Ron Kratzke (81)

Marybeth (Schnabel) Langer (79)

Steve Lynn (82)

Dave Maloney (76)

Jay Mazelsky (82)

John Murphy (82)

Chris O'Connor (79)

Chris Paddock (80)

Steve Paluszek (79)

Rick Pass (80)

Mike Rosato (82)

Steve Rowland (78)

Rich Schollmann (79)

Gary Siefring (81)

Joe Spitz (82)

Paul Stryker (81)

Chris (82) and Elizabeth (82) Taggart

Alan Terpolilli (79)

John Underhill (81)

Claude Valliere (80)

Martha (Cuddy) VanCleve (80)

Bob VanMeter (79)

Dave Wassink (79)

Bob Wood (77)

Jay Woolston (80)

Dave Wunder (78)

Sara Zak (80)

Stephen Zuegel (83)

Keith Highfill (77)

Mike Quinn (74)

Jack Surash (76)

Hugh Dawson (74)

Mike Manin (74)

Greg Matthes

John Trotter (80)

Joe Gelsomino (76)

Chris Kyrios (79)

Mike Wanjon (77)

Joe Long (76)

Reunion Breakfast with Former SECNAV

The University of Rochester Alumni Relations Office recognizes the importance of this extraordinary reunion. In support of it, they have graciously invited reunion attendees to a breakfast on Saturday morning, September 25th, at the Marriott. The Alumni Office has also connected us with a very distinguished Rochester graduate, Donald C. Winter (UR '69), who was Secretary of the Navy from 2006 to 2009. Mr. Winter will speak for a short period during breakfast about his experience as a civilian leader of a Uniformed Service.

Reunion-Update

The July-August issue of the Rochester Review has hit the street. There are two class notes in the magazine that address the upcoming reunion. I expect a spurt of interest in the UR NROTC reunion as a result of the publicity.

Due to space limitations, the Friday night reception at the Crystal City Sports Pub will be reserved primarily for the Classes of 77 to 83, the initial span of the reunion. If anyone from classes that abut the initial span 75, 76 or 84, 85 are interested please let me know. Members of classes outside that span are encouraged to find a convenient location nearby.

The Saturday night dinner at the Crystal City Marriott at Reagan National Airport is OPEN TO ALL CLASSES. It would be very helpful if one person from each class interested in attending takes on the role of coordinator for their class. The coordinator would be asked to make initial contact with classmates to determine interest.

I look forward to seeing you in September.

5 Mile Run

No not a Physical Fitness Test! . . . . It just so happens that our reunion weekend coincides with the 7th Annual Navy 5 Miler. It will be held on Sunday morning, September 26 at 8:00 a.m. If you are interested, check out the www.navy5miler.com

From The Professor of Naval Science at UR

If you have any concerns about the validity of this reunion project or discomfort sending money to an 'unknown' please feel free to contact the NROTC unit or the UR Alumni Relations office. Although they are not organizing this reunion, both offices are aware of it and offering assistance.

Captain Jeff Bartkoski, the Professor of Naval Science at the University of Rochester has been of tremendous help with this reunion. He has given me his support for this project saying, "I think this reunion of UR NROTC shipmates is a great idea. Although Sara Zak has been planning the reunion independently, she has requested some assistance and I have been providing as much as has been permitted."

Interest in this reunion has been growing over the past couple of months. Shipmates are coming from far and wide. Many alums from the DC area are planning to attend, including RADM(Sel) Gretchen (Specht) Herbert (UR Class of '84) and RADM (Sel) Dave Duryea (UR Class of '83.) Quite a number of people from California and Washington plan to fly in for this unique reunion. In addition, we hope to see a few people from Hawaii, including RADM Sean Pybus (UR Class of '79), who is currently Commander, Special Operations Command, Pacific. There has also been a 'maybe' from Scott Hayward (UR Class of 81) who is currently stationed in Afghanistan but hopes to coordinate his R&R period with the reunion!