2024 COMEAROUND 23-25 APRIL IN JACKSONVILLE BEACH
Reserve your room today for the Spring 2024 Comearound: FLIP FLOP KICKBACK 23-25 April! Bob Zvacek channeled Jimmy Buffet in designing a laid-back beach rendezvous in the new Margarita Hotel on Jacksonville Beach. Current planned activities include a Meet & Greet at an Irish pub, cocktails and dinner at a lovely historic hotel complete with a penthouse bar overlooking the beach, and a final “Skip & Go Naked” reception with a Buffet-style band. Click HERE for more details including the hotel link or call Bob Z at 904-652-7216.
CLASS LUNCHEONS
Classmates enjoyed attending the 2023 luncheons that alternated between the Army Navy Country Club (ANCC) and the Annapolis Yacht Club. (AYC).
Scroll down to Past Events to see information and photos from the lunches, especially, the write-up of the most recent lunch program featuring USNA Rugby Head Coach, Gavin Hickie and surprise guest CAPT Frank Franky.
WEEKLY CLASS BREAKFAST
The Class of ’66 has an informal breakfast each Thursday at 0900. We are currently eating at “Eggcellence“. All are welcome, bring a friend.
CONNECTING VIA ZOOM
Charlie Jones hosts our Classmates Zoom on Tuesdays at 2 PM ET. The Ladies Zoom is hosted by Ginny Jones on the first and third Wednesdays of the month at 4 PM ET, and Linda (Kevin) McCook started a monthly Zoom session for the wives of our deceased classmates called “Sail on Solo” (SOS), the first Monday of each month at 4 PM ET.
Previous topics, recordings and how to participate.
All spouses, SOs and wives of deceased classmates invited.
Special monthly conversations with wives of deceased classmates.
FOOTBALL SEASON
2023 USNA Football Season Schedule: Click HERE
USNA home games will feature a Class of ’66 tailgate party at each home game. The location is on East/SE corner of the Gold side (visitors) parking lot. (MAP). The tent is well marked and visible from the stadium.
PAST EVENTS
GAELIC MEMORIES FOR CLASS OF 66
Several Classmates and their wives and family traveled to Ireland for the Navy-Notre Dame Football Game on 26 August 2023. CLICK Here for a page filled with photos of their adventures before, during and after the Midshipmen’s big game.
CLASS WELLNESS KICK-OFF
On 17 August 2023, there was a Class-wide Zoom meeeting to discuss the ’66 Class Wellness effort.
The Briefing described our first steps in establishing a wellness site for the Class to address various life-related issues as we cross the 55+ anniversary bar. VA benefits will be the kick-off topic. Click HERE for the Class Wellness page. Click HERE for the VA benefits page.
9 August Class Lunch
The 9 August program featured USNA Rugby Head Coach, Gavin Hickie. Some members of the 1963 inaugural USNA Rugby Team were on hand as was CAPT Frank Franky, the senior SEAL in the yard.
This program was spectacular and has its own webpage that includes photos and a video of the presentations. Click HERE for details.
10 May Class Lunch
“Standing Room Only” was the Word of the Day on May 10th at the Annapolis Yacht Club. The Class held its annual May luncheon in a meeting room that seated 26 people, and we had 26 Classmates who enjoyed the Deli Sandwich Buffet and the comradery among Classmates and friends.
Scott briefly spoke on the Class’s new initiative of developing a Classwide support program of “Helping Our Classmates Help Themselves”. Click HERE for more details on this program.
The Guest Speaker was the new 40th Head Coach for Navy football – Brian Newberry – who spoke for 30 minutes on his vision of developing a cohesive football team based upon a “team culture” that embodies the highest attributes of individual character, a “Team” concept and not a “me” concept, and “teammates” that truly love the game of football and have a love for the other members of the team!
Coach Newberry has 25 years of coaching experience, including the last four seasons as Navy’s Defensive Coordinator. His words were right on target in that his desire to produce leaders and not just players rang true to the 66ers at the luncheon. His three objectives for Navy football this season are to win the Commander-in-Chief’s trophy, Beat Army, and have a winning season to play in a Bowl game. Based upon his comments, Navy has a good shot at achieving all three of his objectives.
Classmates in attendance were Scott Redd, Tom and Betty Eubanks, Scott and Dervilla Gordon, Tom Marfiak, Kathy Percival, Phil Bozzelli, Jim Long, Roger and Kacky Carter, Don Jackson, Pete Hesser, John Posoli, John and Gail Sigler, Pete Wright, Bev Daly, Chuck Grutzius, Jim Maynard, John and Pat Scudi, Chuck and Karen Tebrich, and Ace Sarich.
2023 Spring Comearounds
Hats-off to Wayne Lynn for organizing the 11-13 April 2023 Florida ComeAround at Fernandina Beach on Amelia Island. Judging from the photos, a GREAT time was had by all. Click HERE for photos.
Simultaneous Informal West Coast Get-together
Senator Dan Coates Spoke at 8 Feb 2023 Class Lunch
Class President VADM Scott Redd opened the 8 February lunch at the Army Navy Country Club with a warm welcome to and introduction of Senator Dan Coates. Click HERE to read Scott’s introduction.
Also in attendance were spouses including Donna Redd, Karen Tebrich, Nancy Long, Jean Grutzius and Betty Eubanks; and other family members including Scott Redd, Jr. and Adam Redd.
USS GONZALEZ Leadership Awards
On Wednesday, 2 November 2022, our Class President VADM Scott Redd (12) presented the annual Class ’66 USS GONZALEZ (DDG 66) award, citation, and check, for superior leadership and professionalism to Lt. (SWO) Eryn Stockdale, and BM1 (SW) John Monroe.
For a complete write-up of the events surrounding the presentation, and photos of participating USNA Class of 1966 classmates and spouses, Click HERE.
Decommissioning USS HUÉ CITY (CG 66)
After 31 years of dedicated and honorable service, USS HUÉ CITY (CG 66) was decommissioned at a pier side ceremony on Friday, 23 September 2022, in Norfolk, VA. Click HERE for more details.
55TH (plus 1) REUNION
55th (+1) Reunion 1-4 September 2022 was a wonderful event. Click HERE for pictures.
2022 APRIL COMEAROUND BIG SUCCESS
The spring Florida ComeAround held on the 5th and 6th of April in Bocca Raton, Fl. was a delightful & memorable experience for the 22 classmates, 13 spouses, 2 significant others, and 4 widows who attended.
The ComeAround commenced at the Hilton Hotel’s complimentary wine & bar gathering and was followed by an intimate dinner for everyone at the nearby City Fish Market restaurant. The restaurant did not disappoint. Wonderful food, great ambiance and good fellowship. The following evening was the highlight of the ComeAround. A truly memorable dinner party hosted by Keith & Karen Melton at their breathtaking home conveniently located close to the Hilton. The food was visually stunning, bountiful, and delicious. Keith was kind enough to conduct tours that were both educational and entertaining. The theme was “Hawaiian Casual” and it was carried out to the fullest. All who attended are indebted to Keith and Karen for their kindness and hospitality. – Bob Zvacek Click HERE for more photos.
2021 OCTOBER COMEAROUND
Bravo Zulu to Waye & Lynne Lynn and Mike and Elliott Smith for a fantastic Comearound in Tampa, Florida 27-29 October. Their perseverance and hard work definitely paid off as all in attendance had a fantastic time. Click HERE for more photos.
2021 Leadership Awards
21 September 2021 USS GONZALEZ Presentation
USMC General Carl Fulford made the presentations to LT Laura A. Krause, USN, and MM1 (SW/AW) Cody A. Hauser, USN, on board USS GONZALEZ (DDG 66) at NavSta Norfolk. Click HERE for photos and a brief write-up of the event.
15 July 2021 USS HUÉ CITY Presentation
A group of local Tidewater ’66ers welcomed Pierce Johnson and Chuck Grutzius to Norfolk for the annual awarding of the USS HUÉ CITY (CG 66) Outstanding Leadership Award for a Petty Officer to CM2 (SW) Johnny J. Hoyos, USN. For more information including pictures of the event Click HERE. A listing of all recipients of the two Class of 1966 leadership awards may be found by Clicking HERE.
For more ’66 Awards and Events in 2022-2021, Click HERE.
Army-Navy Game (Boston)
Recent Posts
- USS GONZALEZ Awards Ceremony 26 Oct 2023
- Letter to Classmates
- Class Financial Report CY2022
- 2024 Comearound Plans Announced
- Class Wellness Initiative Launched
