Brian Foy began his Homecoming recap with:
Between the Reception on Friday night, our Saturday Tailgate and our Class Dinner on Saturday night, we had over 60 classmates attend with spouses, family and friends. The weather was sensational and the Lerner House was a perfect place to gather, renew friendships and say hello to classmates some of us had not seen in 30 years!

Difficult to select just a couple photos here, but see www.KP83.org for many more. Some highlights of our enjoyable weekend…
Randy Johnson sponsored wings & burgers for our Friday reception, where “Santa Claus”
Steve Grose had to introduce himself to everyone. Congrats to our deserving Alumni Award winners Michael Donnelly, Jon Kjaerulff, George Toma, Brian Foy, Scott O’Connor & Special Award winner Craig Laurent.

Dave Heinbockel was team photographer as Young Heinbockel, Phil Mueller and Ray Christensen were 3rd place Alumni team at the Saturday morning 5K (do not ask us how many classes participated). The awesome class tailgating got off to a great start with Bloody Mary’s for all. Even with plenty of the beer that followed, we marched on the field in orderly fashion and took nice group photos on the grass and later at dinner. It was generally agreed that Scot Brueggeman has grown taller. Lisa Fields kept things in order with nametags and lots of coordination help.

Bill Rupy flew in from Italy, while Scott McCauley & family flew in from Australia. Listen to a clip of Erin Gantt singing the anthem at our site. Thank to George Toma for not just being a sponsor, but for supplying lots of great photos. Jim Quern took the podium for a memorable soliloquoy at Saturday dinner. Frank Liantonio compared Jim’s “Thor hair” with the hair of NFL coach Rob Ryan (see photo at site).

Bruce Garrott writes:
Finances are tight this fall, as I lost my USNR drill pay when they asked me to retire at 30 years. Because of my kids travel schedule this past summer, we had the retirement ceremony and reception on 7 September at NOSC Tampa, which was funded by yours truly. We had a very nice turnout and a pig roast reception afterwards on an exclusive beach MacDill Air Force Base. A couple of images are attached.
Jimmy Goulden and Stan Cutler attended.
—– Ray Christensen

Craig Laurent receives award

Brian Foy & Steve Grose

Rich Colonna, Skip McAloon, Kevin Fauvell, John Rhatigan

Jim Goulden & Jim Quern

Bruce Garrott retirement ceremony – Sept 2013

 
Bruce Garrott retirement ceremony – Sept 2013

 
Bruce Garrott retirement ceremony – Sept 2013

 
Bruce Garrott retirement ceremony – Sept 2013

www.KP83.org will display plenty of photos from our 30th Reunion weekend! Comments welcome on our Facebook Group for what you liked, didn’t like, or to tell each other how good we still look after all those years! Share your own photos there as well. In honor of our Homecoming these are our classmates who have children attending or graduated from KP:
Jacquie Nielsen, Young and Dave Heinbockle (’16), John Cataldi (’11), Scott O’Connor (son ’10 AND daughter ’13), Bob Lento (’15), Randy Johnson (’17), Dan Hicks (’17), and Rick Wood (’17). Congratulations! (let me know if I’ve missed someone). Look for Homecoming recap in next issue. Erin Gantt was scheduled to sing the Anthem at the football game, so maybe we’ll have some audio or video.

Here’s some reasons for several of us who were unlikely to attend our 30th:
Matt Bucherati was preparing a presentation to give at a Pepsi Board of Directors meeting.
Andy Dywan says “Cannot attend because I will be working offshore. You folks have a good time.”
Mark Faller expected to be out of the country. Lynn (Craddock) Melin says she’d “likely be in Kazakhstan” [now that’s pretty far out of the country!].
John Prien also had a perfectly acceptable excuse – “I wish we could attend, however with the 4 kids coordinating activities and travel to NY is difficult. Have a great time!”
Paul Zubaly gave the classic Academy reason – “Unfortunately I will be at sea during the reunion.”

Speaking of those we also missed… Visit the “In Memoriam” pages of our site for comments and photos honoring our deceased classmates. Thanks so much to those who’ve contributed. If you have something to add, or a good photo, or a note from a family member, please email it for inclusion. Thanks to Lisa (Barcus) Fields for coordinating installation of plaques at the Memorial Arbors for Michael Alston, Dennis Gault and Vivan Ragusa.

Mike Safina writes:
I have a business trip to Europe in September and am disappointed I will miss homecoming. I moved over to OPNAV in February and am Director of the Senior National Representative Office (N84-SNR). We oversee several bilateral and multilateral agreements between the USN and other countries. Our focus is on improving international interoperability. We also oversee and coordinate Navy’s participation in the NATO Naval Armaments Group. We’re a small office – 3 civilians and 2 contractors, so we’re pretty busy. But it’s a nice change from acquisition and opportunity to learn about another organization.

Thanks to Glenn Gardner for keeping us entertained with the dance videos he posts at our Facebook Page!

Mark Smith writes:
I was selected to umpire at the Southeast Region Little League Tournament this year. The tournament is 1-9 August in Warner-Robins, Ga. This is the next step to umpire in the Little League World Series in Williamsport, Pa. There will be 8 volunteer umpires from various states in the region that will be at the tournament. The semi-finals and finals will be televised on ESPN/ESPN2 and I hope to be umpiring in at least one of these games.
Little League website

I’ll reach back to my brief but memorable Navy career to send out a big “Bravo Zulu” to our Homecoming sponsors (Check’em out at our site!) and especially my Navy shipmate Brian Foy for coordinating the weekend events! Take care and send me some sea stories or photos for the next KP’er!
—– Ray Christensen

Rick Wood, Randy Johnson & Dan Hicks each had their sons at Indoc this summer.

 
Scott’s daughter Kate O’Connor ’13E (left), and Erika Lawson ’13E, both Shipyard Management majors

www.KP83.org continues to provide the latest reunion info & registration, along with links to our Facebook page, Class Notes columns for the past 4 years (use them to get updated on classmates!) and past reunion photos. Check list of those I’ve got no email for and ask them to contact me. My 8 year old web design business continues to grow. It serves the entire USA and I’m always seeking more work (hint). I look forward to seeing you in September!

Mickey C writes:
A large group of folks spent another spring in Myrtle Beach (pretending) to play golf. It’s funny but I started going on this trip 25 years ago with my father, brother and his 60 some buddies from the K of C in Cumberland, MD. Dad turned 80 this spring and continued to play golf each day and constantly
did his best to remind us to act like gentlemen. Global warming didn’t make it to Myrtle Beach as it was freezing in early April.

Del Lewis flew in from warm and beautiful San Diego to deal with the chill and Jim Quern and his posse of buddies made the trek from warm New Orleans. “Board of Director” members Mike Keane, John Rhatigan and Guy Wilson were once again in attendance and we proved we are a friendly bunch by once again allowing our “Deckie” Bob Ross to attend. Business issues kept Jeff Coons from making his presence while Kent Morton and Jim Goulden made it for a day of laughing and refreshments.

Honorary classmates Eliott (one L) Bloom and Jeff (Dude) Starcher were on hand for entertainment. After 20+ years of us telling the same stories that were largely untrue anyway, new and truly funny people were needed. Some of our siblings and buddies from our homes round out the group of 24 to make it an event each year. Rumor is some of our buddies may crash the upcoming reunion to get their honorary diploma. Watch out for “one L”!
I’m looking to seeing all at our reunion this fall ~ Mickey

Del Lewis adds:
At the beginning of April I made my annual pilgrimage to Myrtle Beach, SC for four days of golf, beverages, and laughs. I’m finding that as I get older the golf provides a few more aches and pains, the beverage consumption a little less, and the laughter even more often!

In true Kings Point fashion, even though some of us don’t see each other but once a year, it feels like we saw each other yesterday. A good time was had by all.

Maureen McKeever writes:
I am currently helping to take care of my Dad at home, and have been since being laid off from Dish Network in 2010. It’s tough not having an income but I am glad to help my Mom at home. The garden is starting to bloom and working outside is a nice change from the snow. I hope to see everyone at the Reunion this September!

Scott O’Connor writes:
Classmates, Typically, you should be filling in the third quarter of your calendar date book. The end of that quarter is your 30th HOMECOMING REUNION!! You may say, “I went last time” but this one will be even better. You need to be there, up close and personal. You should have it on your calendar – sign up TODAY (after you get your significant other’s permission..)

I’ve been happy to carry the ’83 number for three years as a member of the AAF Board. It has been a lot of work exerting our alumni point of view, maintaining some sort of productive relationship with the Academy and the regiment of M/N’s (the latter is always easy). Alumni support is very
important. If you don’t think so, find the line item in the MARAD budget request that counts on $1.2 million in Gifts. That is money from you and I, not the federal government. They know your support is important and look for it. Your Alumni Association and Foundation (by right of graduation, every alumnus is a member) is the best sanctioned organization for giving when you consider a gift to support the cadets on campus and to support programs that benefit all alumni.

By now I hope you have been able to take a call from one of our classmates asking for you to consider a donation to the Alumni Foundation. Your gift can be directed to any of the sports teams or extra curricular activities on campus or to the Foundation generally. Unrestricted gifts will be directed where there may be a shortfall in donations and restricted gifts will go entirely to the activity you specify.

Our goal is $83,000 with everyone participating. The tally is of donations through the rest of 2013 if the third quarter is a tough one for you. Our support of midshipmen on campus is vital and they are very grateful. Ask anyone of them when you’re at Homecoming with the rest of us! Look for my gang if you are on campus around the time of graduation. We’ll be “trailered up” down at the Waterfront for Kate’s graduation.

Thanks Scott, and congrats on your daughter joining your son as an alumnus! We received some fine suggestions for entertainment at our reunion dinner. While Jim Goulden came up with the wholesome idea of “beer pong or quarters…”, David Heinbockel suggested “A Beamer impersonator, a Needlenose or Cheapshot dunking booth, a plebe knowledge test with prize.” Nice!
—– Ray Christensen

 
(L to R) John Rhatigan, Michael Keane, Mickey C, Jim Quern and John Keane (Mike’s brother) …….. John Rhatigan in his sexy pants and our hero Mike Keane

 
Scott’s daughter Kate O’Connor ’13E (left), and Erika Lawson ’13E, both Shipyard Management majors

A.J.Murphy on the Krewe of Caesar Mardi Gras float on 2/2/13 with Gretchen’s 2 brothers and her 2 cousins.

Brian Foy (right) at The Final Four in Atlanta with brothers Donald & John and a friend.

Final Four

Brian Foy’s youngest son and “future Kings Pointer,” Connor, 16, with two members of the Class of 2013 at the Mid-Hudson Alumni Chapter Dinner on March 13.