Shipmate Article [Mar ‘05 issue]
Class of 1971
17 January 2005
Mike Longworth, Class Secretary
The dark ages are ending at USNA; however, as I prepare this column, much of the nation is under the grip of bitter cold and “the dark ages.” It’s a great time to complete all the indoor work prior to the warmth of spring. Our fellow alumni are part of bringing a hopeful election to the Iraqi people. Hopefully, their efforts will contribute to a peaceful Middle East. Let’s pray for the success of this mission.
My first note is from Jeff Steelman. Not so much a note a several photos from Homecoming ’04. Due to a space limitation, the photos are posted on our website as part of this column. Many thanks to Mary Steelman for the photos!
Our former secretary, Brian Horias, sent these two notes: “Ann & Tom Jamison and Cathy & Brian Horais managed to successfully navigate the hazardous waters of the Chesapeake Bay earlier this summer on their chartered Trawler, the Blarney Goose. A true tribute to the extensive ship handling and navigation training we all received at Canoe U, Captain Tom and First Mate Brian were able to depart from Baltimore and journey across the bay to overnight stays at St. Michaels, MD and Kent Narrows, MD. All at a blindingly fast 6 knots!. Having a GPS onboard was a nice backup to their chart reading skills. The two couples spent four days and three nights on the twin cabin, air conditioned (when plugged in at the pier) 32 foot Blarney Goose trawler, chartered out of Baltimore Harbour. Shown left to right on the stern of the Blarney Goose are Tom and Ann Jamison and Cathy and Brian Horais. Did I mention that Tom went Marine Corps after graduation? Even Marines are sailors at heart!”
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Brian continues with this note: “Cathy & Brian Horais had the opportunity to visit with Kristen & Fred Wilson this past fall in Orange, VA. Fred & Kristen are back from their teaching tours in Africa and are now residing in Virginia with their two daughters and son. Fred teaches High School in Charlottesville, VA. Shown left to right in the picture are Brian & Cathy Horais, Fred & Kristen Wilson. Cathy & Brian were attending a picnic for National Air & Space Mususm Docents at the house of Fred's father-in-law, Paul Dawson, in Orange, VA (near Culpepper). Brian is a docent at the new Udvar-Hazy Air & Space Museum located on the southern edge of Dulles Airport in VA. If you are in town and would like a guided tour, give Brian a call.
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Just prior to Christmas, I received a note from Mike Marks which included a recently penned poem, “The Sands of Christmas.” Please take a few minutes to visit our class website to read this well written poem. Regarding the poem, Mike says, “I freely submit this poem for reprint without reservation--this is an open and grateful tribute to the men and women who serve every day to keep our nation safe.” Thanks Mike!
What a great football season for Navy! Clearly, this was one for the record books. I’m most impressed with the team that concluded the ’02 season with an 0 – 10 record then two seasons later has ten wins including a nationally televised bowl game. That is nothing short of phenomenal. Well, a few of our classmates were there to watch Navy roll to victory. Here’s the first note: “Duke,
Dan Nelson & Mike Marks ran into each other at the Emerald Bowl game in San Francisco. Dan flew in from Virginia and Mike flew in from Florida. They did not plan the mini reunion but were glad they got to reminisce. The game was great and the fourth quarter drive that Navy had was awesome. Happy New Year &
Beat Army! Mike Marks”
The second note reads: “Duke, we 71'ers found Tim Keating walking our way, and got this photo at the Emerald Bowl. The '71 folks are (L to R) ADM Keating, Jon Cichucki, Jack Boniface and Larry Wray. Jim Bloom is just around the corner, but missed the photo, as the 33rd was celebrating the 24-19 halftime lead in section 130. Jack Boniface”
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This next note is a tale of five classmates who sailed a 47 foot boat on a thousand-mile, open-sea voyage from Annapolis to Ft. Lauderdale. The team, led by Susan & Steve Brighton, included Cass Young, Bruce Gallemore, Mike Bilecky, and Bill Butler. Steve is a sales leader with Acxiom where he supports transformational technology. Now this was true Marine Corps leadership at it’s finest as Steve, the Marine, was leading four Navy sailors.
The trip served as a reunion of sorts for our five classmates who live in the national capital area. According to the article I received, Steve fondly calls Susan “the Admiral.” Susan enjoyed her time on the open sea but didn't serve as cook and washerwoman for the others. Susan said, "I think I laid down the law on day one; I was not there to cook and clean for these guys. I had to pull watch duty also and worked as hard as they did. The arrangement worked out fine; I've known these guys as long as Steve has."
This sounds like an exciting sailing venture. The team sailed the vessel, Iron Will, named for the Brighton’s grandson, just ahead of gale force winds in the vicinity of Cape Hatteras. The boat rounded Cape Fear around midnight Oct. 19, and the crew faced winds of 20-25 knots and 13 to 15 foot seas. After the difficult 37-hour battle with the sea, the crew of the Iron Will put into Charleston, S.C.
Steve & Susan bought the boat in preparation for retirement March ’05. They plan to spend winters in Ft. Lauderdale and the rest of the year on the East Coast. Let’s wish them well in their retirement. I think their plan sounds like a lot of fun. The article did not have any quotes from our other classmates; however, I’m sure they all enjoyed the time at sea.