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News, Events & More

Lost Families Project – Seeking ’66 Classmates

Posted: 12/1/2025

Dear Class of 1966:

I am reaching out on behalf of Run To Honor, a U.S. Naval Academy Alumni Association & Foundation shared interest group. As a longtime USNAAA&F partner responsible for the maintenance, upkeep, and accuracy of Virtual Memorial Hall, we are best positioned to take on the duty of reconnecting the USNA family with those of our fallen who have lost contact with the association. Specifically, for the Class of 1966, we are trying to contact the families of:

• Leroy Bates, Jr.
• Walter C. Blekicki
• Thomas J. Boyle, Jr.
• Nicholas G. Brooks
• Thomas E. Brunk
• Larry V. Chmiel
• Kevin D. Clancy
• John W. Consolvo, Jr.
• Raymond C. Daley
• John W. Doherty
• John P. Emmett, Jr.
• Clinton J. Farmer
• Bruce C. Fryar
• Robert D. Huie, Jr.
• Kenneth J. Kirby
• George W. Lineburg
• Dean Matzko
• James B. McLendon
• William A. Miller, Jr.
• William T. Morris, III
• Michael A. Odening
• Orland J. Pender
• Beverly T. Richardson
• Leland C. C. Sage
• Andrew L. Sekan
• Arthur W. Staecker
• Benjamin Tappan, III
• Douglas Vaughan
• Thomas L. Walls
• Charles Warner
• Marvin B. C. Wiles
• Richard C. Williams
• Michael C. Wunsch

The Lost Families Project’s primary driver is getting next of kin back to Annapolis for the Honor Our Fallen Heroes Weekend, held each year around Veterans Day, in which Gold Star Families are welcomed back to Annapolis for a Friday evening social, a Saturday morning memorial service, a catered tailgate reception, and recognition with a moment of silence during the home football game while their loved one’s name is displayed on both Jumbotrons in Navy-Marine Corps Stadium. Among the volunteer escorts privileged to host the families are dozens of midshipmen, Run To Honor board members, and class officers.  The association recently released this video on YouTube covering the 2025 event.

While we have been successful on numerous occasions tracking down family members one-by-one, we believe class officers and intra-class connections are the key to recontacting families en masse. We would be thrilled if you would help us in our search, as your classmates will most likely be the key to getting a parent or sibling back to Annapolis. To support this effort, we have created a Google form to collect and catalog the requisite information at runtohonor.com/lostfamilies.

Click HERE for a one-page primer that describes the project’s background, scope, and goals. This project is fully endorsed by USNAAA&F, and can be validated through CAPT Wesley Huey ’87, USN (Ret.), Ph.D., Executive Director, Strategy and Legacy Programs (wesley.huey@usna.com).

For any other questions or comments on the project itself, please contact president@runtohonor.com and josh@runtohonor.com. I am always happy to take a call, and can be reached by phone or text at (410) 212-8255.

Beat Army!

Josh
Commander (Ret.) Josh Angichiodo ’06
runtohonor.com usnamemorialhall.org

Request from Class Prez RE USNA Cemetery

Posted: 11/11/2025

Class of 1966 President, Jim Long (14th Company), requested that Classmates take a moment to read and consider the following:

The United States Naval Academy Cemetery’s Wreaths Across America initiative is coming up short for wreaths this year. We are around 700 shy of the total of 2,900 needed. If you can spare the change please help out. Each wreath is $17 and by going to this site, Click HERE, for every three wreaths you buy USNA will get the 4^th for free. You need not do anything extra to accomplish this, it is automatic.

One can also write a check (place MD0011 in the Memo line) and mail to:  Wreaths Across America, PO Box 249, Columbia Falls, ME 04623.

Please join us in making sure that no hero buried at the USNA Cemetery goes unremembered, your generosity helps keep this important tradition alive.

If you would like to participate in the ceremony and laying of the rememberance wreaths it will take place on FRIDAY, 12 December 2025. The ceremony and remarks start at 0900.  

4 Nov Zoom on Basis For/Against Attacks on Drug Boats

Posted: 11/2/2025

Pete Hegseth posted on his X account that the Department of War carried out a lethal kinetic strike on a vessel in the Caribbean 10/24/25

Rick Grant (20th Company) has offered to provide a presentation to the Class of 1966 regarding one of the current topics of interest: basis for/against attacks on drug boats in the Caribbean etc. Rick proposes to draw upon his prior experience with these issues from when he served as the head of the NCIS in his pre retirement years. … He would do this on the ZOOM session for Tuesday 4 Nov 1400. 

In addition, and if of interest, he would follow this up with some observations from his 20+ years as being part of the Florida Military Academy Selection Boards. Based upon this extensive time interviewing Florida High Schoolers Competing for Service Academy Appointments, he proposes to provide some possibly useful insights into the process, at least that in Florida. This offers not only a broad perspective on that process, Rick’s comments might provide assistance to those who have grandchildren ( great grandchildren) seeking appointments. 

If you are a 66-Classmate, wife or widow, new to the Class Zooms and would like to participate, Click HERE for details.

ZOOM session Tuesday 4 Nov 1400 EST

Ben Anderson, Arlington National Cemetery 12 Nov 2025

Posted: 10/31/2025

Col. Ben L. Anderson, Jr., U.S. Army, Retired, 82, of Bartlesville, Oklahoma passed away early Thursday morning, June 12, 2025, at Bartlesville Assisted Living.

Ben Lamar Anderson, Jr., was born April 2, 1943, in Bisbee, AZ to Ben, Sr. and Mary Jane (Newell) Anderson. Ben was raised Catholic and attended Jesuit School. As the son of a military man himself, Ben lived many places while growing up, including Germany, where he graduated high school. West Point would not accept his transcript, so he attended and graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland. Ben also attained two master’s Degrees, including one from Georgetown University in Germanic Linguistics and he wound up teaching at West Point Military Academy. Colonel Anderson proudly represented his country as a member of the United States Army, serving in the Vietnam conflict. He was stationed in several locations, including Germany, state-side in Virginia and his last station at the U.S. Embassy in Cairo, Egypt. The former Army Ranger retired after more than 28 years of honorable service. Colonel Anderson moved to Bartlesville just ten months ago and was a resident of Bartlesville Assisted Living.

Ben was highly educated and loved learning. He was passionate about his politics and loved horses, especially the Arabian breed. Colonel Anderson had his private pilot’s license and enjoyed flying. He once owned a buffalo named “Snuggles”.

Survivors include four children, Ben Anderson and his wife, Teresa of Denver, Colorado, Mary Anderson Duarte and her husband, Marcello of Del Mar, California, Chris Anderson and his wife, Katie of Bartlesville and Heather Anderson Willingham and her husband, Mitchell of Gainesville, Texas; two sisters also survive, as well as ten grandchildren.

To send an online condolence, visit https://www.honoringmemoriesbartlesville.com/obituaries/col-ben-anderson-jr.

’66 Classmates Requested to Escort Gold Star Families

Escorts help to enrich the experience for the family of our fallen heroes, and reinforce our bonds as Classmates and as USNA alumni. Last year, we had four Classmates honored in the event with families in attendance:

• Ben Tappan
• Mike Wunsch
• Doug Vaughan
• Pat Buckley

So far for this year, we have families and friends of Doug Vaughan and Pat Buckley signed up to come.

Thank you for considering this opportunity to serve.  

Any questions should be directed to:
Captain Wes Huey USN (Ret.) @ the USNA Alumni Association
Wesley.huey@usna.com (410) 295-4023

Wreaths Across America 2025

Posted: 10/15/2025

Dear Alumni, 

On Friday December 12, 2025 at 09:00 we will gather at the United States Naval Academy Cemetery and Columbarium to take part in the meaningful tradition- Wreaths Across America. This powerful event brings together volunteers from all walks of life to lay veterans’ wreaths on the graves of our nations heroes, a gesture of remembrance and gratitude for their selfless service.

This year’s theme is “Keep Moving Forward.” By connecting this theme to the Wreaths Across America mission to remember, honor, and teach, we are recognizing those who continue to live with purpose every day and have chosen to keep moving forward by placing wreaths on the final resting places of our service veterans. We acknowledge that their sacrifices are not forgotten and that their stories live on through us.

Wreaths are $17@. For every 4 wreaths you buy, USNA will automatically get the 5th wreath for free. Every donation, no matter the size, directly honors the fallen at USNA. To Donate, select one of 3 options:

The Naval Academy ceremony, made possible through Wreaths Across America, holds a special place in the hearts of countless individuals touched by the sacrifices of our brave servicemen and women. It is through our collective effort that we can ensure their memories live on and inspire future generations. Join us in the noble cause and let us demonstrate that the spirit of remembrance can heal hearts, forge connections, and honor the heroes who have shaped our nation’s history.

Thank you for your help, we cannot accomplish this without your donations.

Carol Turman
Coordinator, Wreaths Across America USNA
2430 Kemper Rd
Crofton, MD 21114
443-336-6541

NEW Photos: Tailgates/Awards

Posted: 10/1/2025

• August 30 against VMI. Click HERE for pictures!
• September 6 against Univ of Alabama-Birmingham. Click HERE for pictures!
• September 27 against Rice. Click HERE for pictures!
• October 4 against Air Force. Click HERE for pictures!

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Hoff Recognized as Top Realtor

Trudy, widow of Michael (Mick) Hoff (29th Company), was recently recognized for the second year in a row for her sales excellence.

With her strong work ethic, hospitality and excellence, Trudy is a true Navy wife!

ICYMI: Ring of Valor

Posted: 9/17/2025

Our thanks to Lori Scarbrough, widow of Bob Scarbrough (7th Company), for sharing the YouTube video “Ring of Valor” filmed in 1965 at the Academy.

The link is posted on the History and Memory Lane pages.

If you are a graduate of the GREAT Class of 1966, check out the film to see if you are in it!

Go Navy. Beat Army.

Memorial Service for Ed Futch 25 Oct

Posted: 9/13/2025

Edward (Ed) Ivey Futch (September 3, 1941 – August 8, 2025)

Edward Ivey Futch, age 84, died peacefully on Friday, August 8, 2025.

He was born on September 3, 1941, in Miami Beach, FL. Ed was the son of Ivey Edward Futch and Muriel Helen Iverson and was predeceased by his wife, Glenda Futch, and daughter, Cynthia Lee Freeman.

Ed was a graduate of the United States Naval Academy, Class of 1966 (31st Company).

His service to the US Navy began serving aboard a naval destroyer as “Drone Antisubmarine Helicopter (DASH) Controller”, followed by service as a naval intelligence and liaison officer in Vietnam, where he received the Bronze Star with Valor for combat operations, and a Navy and Presidential Unit Commendation for superior job performance under combat conditions.

From there he became an antisubmarine warfare instructor at the Naval Air Technical Training Center in Brunswick, GA. He was the Training, Executive, and Commanding Officer of Selective Service overseeing the armed forces preparedness for Southeast Virginia. He finished his naval career as the Commanding Officer of Minesweeping Division 123 out of the Naval Amphibious Base in Norfolk, VA, reaching the rank of Captain and earning the Legion of Merit for outstanding service to his country.

He also proudly served as the Blue and Gold officer for Eastern North Carolina, where he guided future naval officers to his beloved Naval Academy.

Ed was married to Glenda Dodson Futch for close to 45 years, sharing a life filled with love and companionship. He is survived by his children Christina Brandt, Tracey Davenport (Charles), Jeff Phillips (Terry), and he was a proud grandfather to Samantha McKendree (Kevin), Justin Davenport (Dianna), Joshua Davenport (Karen), Kelsey Jones (Bryce), Courtney Wilcox (Ian), Carter Phillips, Corbin Phillips, and Bobby Brandt. Additionally, he leaves behind eight cherished great-grandchildren. 

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