Some of you may have heard but for those intending to attend Pat Muldoon’s funeral at Arlington National Cemetery (ANC) on Monday, 9 February and are concerned about the freezing weather, please note that, while ANC may be closed for visitors, funerals will continue as scheduled. Please follow the instructions previously sent regarding attending. Questions? Contact usna66webmaster@gmail.com.
The USNA 1966 “Band of Sisters” celebrated Valentine’s Day in their semi-monthly zoom. In addition to donning festive colors and sharing favorite Valentine’s memories (did you know Jane Marrone met her husband, Sam, on a Valentine’s Day blind date?!), the group discussed the upcoming Book Chat.
All ’66 wives, widows and friends are welcome to join the Feburary 18 zoom at 4 pm Eastern time. The gals will catch up on all the news and then enjoy a lively Book Chat conversation starting at 4:30 pm.
All the Beauty in the World: The Metropolitan Museum of Art and Me by Patrick Bringley. A fascinating, revelatory portrait of the Metropolitan Museum of Art and its treasures by a former New Yorker staffer who spent a decade as a museum guard. In the tradition of classic workplace memoirs, it is a surprising, inspiring portrait of a great museum, its hidden treasures, and the people who make it tick, by one of its most intimate observers. (We encourage you to visit an art museum or gallery before the book chat!)
Maisie Dobbs (#1) by Jacqueline Winspear. The first in a series of 18 historical mystery novels. The novels, set between 1929 and 1945, follow the adventures of private investigator and former World War I field nurse Maisie Dobbs, and examine the impacts of war on ordinary people. The entire series is engaging and easy to read, with terrific writing and great character development. The Book Chat will only cover the first book.
Kathy Prout, widow of USNA 66 Jay Prout (1st Company), was recognized for her service and leadership by the City of Coronado with a proclamation deeming that that Mayor “does hereby recognize and proclaim January 20, 2026, as ‘KATHY PROUT DAY’ in the City of Coronado.”
Kathy, a regular on the USNA66 Band of Sisters bi-weekly zooms, founded and led national advocacy organizations for military surviving spouses and has served in leadership and advisory roles with the Military Officers Association of America (MOAA).
Her advocacy has ensured that surviving spouses are informed of their benefits, given a voice in public policy and provided a seat at the table in state and national discussions affecting military families.
Kathy also was recognized by MOAA as a national changemaker. Click HERE to learn more about this and several other recent advocacy activities in which Prout is spearheading.
Proclamation City of Coronado Mayor, John Duncan, presents Proclamation to Kathy.Cookies were a gift from one of the city councilwomen (wife of a retired Navy SEAL Captain.)
Rear Admiral James G Prout III, 1st Company, USNA’66, died on active duty in 1995. At the time of his tragic death he was one of the most highly decorated Naval Officers in the Navy. He was awarded the Purple Heart and Bronze Star with V for Valor for his heroism in Vietnam where he worked with Navy UDT and SEAL team One and the Distinguished Service Award among his other many medals.
Jay’s widow, Kathy, is built of the same “stuff”. While navigating through her grief she experienced systemic gaps in survivor benefits and vowed to help other surviving spouses avoid going through what she did.
Kathy helped start the Gold Star Spouses of America for the surviving wives and husbands of servicemembers who died in the line of duty or from a service-related injury or disease.
“By working on trying to fix things that were obviously wrong, it honored my husband’s death, service, and sacrifice,” she said.
May we live in a way that honors their sacrifice. May we never forget the cost.
Gold Star Spouses of America is part of The Military Coalition and is also a support system that points surviving spouses in the right direction to obtain benefits for which they might not even know they’re entitled. Indeed, Prout has been active with ’66 widows sharing her lessons learned and pointing to resources she has helped develop. Click HERE and scroll down to “Survivor Benefits” for the MOAA Survivor Guide and Resources.
Kathy was selected as one of 5 national CHANGEMAKERS by the Military Officers Association of America (MOAA).Its magazine, Military Officer, featured Kathy in its cover story for the January 2026 publication. Click HERE for the article.
She also was asked to speak, representing Gold Star spouses and families, on December 13, 2025 at the Wreaths Across America ceremony at Fort Rosecrans National Cemetery in San Diego (Pt. Loma). She spoke about Jay and what happened to him, the notifications, and how Jay lived. Click HERE for a copy of her speech.
What’s next for Kathy Prout? She is advocating for a new bill that is funded but needs cosponsors. The “Sharri Briley and Eric Edmundson Benefits Expansion Act”, HR 6047, would increase the benefits for a forgotten group of veterans and their families for the first time in over 20 years. It also would raise the monthly benefits rate for catastrophically service-connected disabled veterans with a traumatic brain injury or other severe disabilities that require regular, round the clock, in-home medical care.
The Bill is named for Sharri Briley, surviving spouse of CW3 Donovan Lee “Bull” Briley, an Army Special Operations Blackhawk helicopter pilot who was killed in a mission in Somalia that inspired the movie “Blackhawk Down”, and Sgt Eric Edmundson, USA RET who, as a result of his service during deployment near the Iraq/Syria border in 2005, sustained life altering injuries including permanent damage from anoxic brain injury which ended his ability to speak or walk.
Kathy encourages people to call their Congressperson and ask them to cosponsor, not just support, the bill. She supplied information about the bill to Congress. Click HERE for a briefing on the bill. The bill language is on Congress.gov.
USNA-66 Classmates, wives and widows will gather 1-4 October 2026 by the bay where Severn joins the tide. The Executive Committee has planned an amazing weekend complete with a banquet, a football watch party in the N* Room at the stadium (everyone’s favorite “Taste of the Chesapeake” will be the fare of the day) and more. Details on all the Reunion Events and Reunion Registration will open soon.
Hotel Reservations are NOW AVAILABLE. Click HERE for the webpage describing the 3 hotels with special 60th Reunion Rates.
The Westin is the host hotel. Stay close to the action! Our official Host Hotel offers easy access to the Reunion receptions, banquets and breakfasts. Special Reunion Rate: $339/night. Click HERE to book!
The Residence Inn and Fairfield Inn in Annapolis are part of the same dual-branded hotel, sharing facilities, but offering different types of rooms (suites for Residence Inn, standard rooms for Fairfield). Special Reunion Rate: Residence Inn: $239/night (suite). Fairfield Inn: $229/night (standard room). Click HERE to book!
Please note:
It is important to use the special reunion weblinks to book your room online.
The links help ensure that you receive the discounted reunion rate.
Your support by staying in the block also helps the Class earn complimentary banquet space to help keep the event costs lower than they would otherwise be.
Book early! Our group block has limited rooms at the special conference price.
REUNION EVENTS AND REGISTRATION WILL BE AVAILABLE SOON!
The Power of a Pause: When to Get a Second Medical Opinion and How to Do It
We compare options when we shop for everything from laptops to lawnmowers, skimming reviews and weighing our choices. Yet when a doctor recommends a surgery that will change our bodies forever, many of us say “yes” on the spot. We treat the most consequential choices of our lives with less scrutiny than a $150 purchase on Amazon.
Medicine isn’t math. Two specialists can read the same results and see different stories, shaped by training and philosophy. A cardiologist may lean toward a stent and a functional doctor might start with diet and medication. Both can be reasonable, but neither is absolute.
A second opinion can spare an unnecessary procedure or confirm the right one. Yet many patients hesitate, unsure how to ask or whether it will offend their doctor. Learning when to pause and seek another view may be one of the most valuable skills in modern medicine.
Why 2nd Opinions Matter More Than Ever…Click HERE to read more.
The Class of ’66 has posted this article regarding the utility of obtaining second medical opinions, because (1) the cited numbers/data lend merit to considering doing so under certain circumstances and (2) all of us “rate” VA medical services but not all have used that vehicle. Signing up for VA health care may be a convenient and low cost way of obtaining that second opinion. The article includes links to other recent articles related to helping us have a better understanding of the medical process (e.g., blood tests and what they mean).
For more information curated for Classmates, Wives and Widows, Click HERE for the Class Wellness Portal addressing:
Classmates from USNA Class of 1966 were on hand to sing second at the 13 December 2025 Army Navy Game in Baltimore. With a final score of 17-16, Navy got its second straight victory over Army (6-6), and the Midshipmen won the Commander-In-Chief’s Trophy for a second straight season.
Following are photos submitted by Classmates of the incredible game. If you would like to share your photos of ’66 attendees at the game or any Army Navy Grame parties, please email them to USNA66webmaster@gmail.com.
Classmates – I would encourage all to review the information on the recent Council of Class Presidents (COCP) meeting held on November 17th in Fluegel Alumni Center. I was honored to represent our Class along with 72 years of other Presidents or representatives.
See below the detailed minutes along with an important update on the ongoing Alumni/Family Health and Well-Being Support Committee which includes our Don Jackson and Phil Bozzelli. There is a wealth of information included and I recommend all review them when possible.
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:
(1) Use QR code to access special USNA Wreaths Across America website. (2) Click on link: www.wreathsacrossamerica.org/md0011 (3) Mail check to: Wreaths Across America, PO Box 249, Columbia Falls, ME 04623. Write MD0011 on the memo line of your check for USNA to get credit.
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
Wreaths Across America is an organization dedicated to ensuring that no grave at the Naval Academy remains bare during the annual ceremony. Their mission is to remember, honor, and teach – keeping alive the memory of those who fought for our freedom and inspiring younger generations to appreciate the sacrifices made on their behalf.
