BRAVO ZULU to Bob Zvacek and his bride, Cindy, for organizing the 2024 Florida Comearound at Jacksonville Beach, FL, Tuesday through Thursday 23-25 April. Click HERE for all the photos and the video of ’66 Classmates singing Navy Blue & Gold.
The Commandant of Midshipmen – COL James P. McDonough, USMC – Class of 1994, will be the Guest Speaker at the USNA ’66 May luncheon. COL McDonough is the 89th Commandant of Midshipmen. Click HERE for a copy of COL McDonough’s Bio.
The May luncheon will be held on Wednesday, May 8th, at The Fleet Reserve Club, 100 Compromise Street, in Annapolis. Luncheon activities will begin about 1130 hours, with lunch being served at Noon. Our Guest Speaker will be introduced about 1230 after a few short Class announcements. We will conclude about 1315.
The cost is $45/person, and Wives and Guests are always welcome. Reservations are now being accepted. However, if your plans now are that you can’t make it, and your plans change, please join us for the luncheon. We ALWAYS have room for one more Classmate!
Live Video Event TODAY, 20 March at 1600 Eastern. “Becoming a Caregiver, What the VA Does; Hospice, Medicare, Tri-Care for Life (Shirl Rollins, Don Jackson and guest Colleen Shields from Hospice of the Chesapeake). Zoom Link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84295130911?pwd=SkFlaFViOGI2RHZtaXhXc2NWY1UyQT09
Tuesday, 9 April, Classmate (and former Navy JAG) Admiral Rick Grant will have experts discuss the LEGAL ISSUES (trusts, wills, etc.) of which we need to be aware as we prepare to end our voyage in this life.
Honoring our fallen Classmates: we would like to make a strong effort to locate and invite family members of our lost Classmates to the Honor Our Fallen Heroes (HOFH) event at USNA this coming November (Saturday, 16 November 2024). As you may recall, ’66 had the most Killed in Action (KIA) of any Class since 1945. Combined with those who perished in operational events, we had a total of 36 Classmates lost.
Details are reflected on the Virtual Memorial Hall. Despite the half-century that has passed, and thanks to the efforts of a few Classmates, four (4)* of those families were located and attended last year’s event – the largest of any Class.
The challenge is that the Alumni Association has located information on less than 1/5 of our lost Classmates. That’s not surprising given the passage of time and the fact that most if not all parents are gone. We ask that you go to the Virtual Memorial Hall website, look through the list, and see if you have any contact information that might allow the Alumni Association to reach and invite a larger group of family members.
Thanks for your attention and Blessings, Scott Vice Admiral Scott Redd President US Naval Academy Class of 1966 USNA66@gmail.com
* Lieutnant Victor Patrick Buckley, 2nd Lietenant John W. Doherty, Major Dean H. Matzko and Lieutenant Junior Grade Douglas D. Vaughan
The Class of 1966 Executive Committee has unanimously approved the dates for our 60th Reunion in Annapolis, MD. The dates are Thursday, Oct 1st through Sunday, Oct 4th, 2026.
During the weekend of Oct 1st thru 4th, we have the N* Room at the Stadium reserved for our Tailgate Party to WATCH Navy beat Air Force at Air Force. The game with Air Force is one of the very few dates that are locked in for the 2026 football season. Stay tuned for more information as we are working on other aspects of the Reunion.
Our quarterly Class Luncheons are an important part of the comradery for The Class of 1966. We have luncheons each quarter of the year except for the fourth quarter*. The luncheons are on Wednesdays scheduled from 1100 to about 1400.
Save the dates for 2024:
Wednesday, 14 Feb @ Army Navy Country Club, Arlington, VA
Wednesday, 8 May @ Fleet Reserve Club, Annapolis, MD
Wednesday, 14 Aug @ Army Navy Country Club, Arlington, VA
CAPT Frank FrankyPhotos from 2023 Class Luncheons
All Classmates and spouses are invited to attend. As we get closer to the luncheon dates, additional information will be promulgated with the Guest Speaker and sign-up information. The cost for the luncheons will remain the same as 2023 at $45 per person.
In the meantime, should anyone have any questions, please e-mail Chuck Grutzius at elexsys.cg@att.net.
*We do not hold a Class Luncheon in the fourth quarter due to football tailgates being held for Home games.
The Commanding Officer of USS GONZALEZ (DDG 66), CDR Erik Reynolds, USN, has cordially invited members of The Class of 1966 to attend his Change of Command ceremony on Thursday, 28 December 2023, at 1000. He is being relieved by CDR Kate Stegner, USN, who very recently was the XO on GONZALEZ and is now fleeting up to CO. Both CDR Reynolds and CDR Stegner are outstanding senior officers and are and have been extremely friendly and welcoming to The Class of 1966 during many Leadership Awards ceremonies. A reception will be held immediately after the ceremony.
Click HERE for a link to the digital invitation and RSVP.
It is with gratitude and love that the wives of the United States Naval Academy, Class of 1966, honor the memory of all those who served their country. May we never forget their sacrifice and the selfless support of their spouses and families.
’66 Classmate Frank Day 25 presented a brief overview on Exercise Fitness and mortality risk. The risk is substantial when one compares the very unfit to the very fit. Frank describes an easy way of estimating your own current fitness level and where this puts you on the risk continuum. Plus, he shares strategies to improve your risk should you become motivated. Click HERE to access the presentation and Q&A with ’66 Classmates.
