Gentlemen-  here is the recap. So glad for all of you that attended. Even if you were unable to attend here is the scoop. 

The 50 year reunion was a great event. 56 alumni plus 35 spouses. There were a few last minute cancellations and adjustments. Rest assured your funds were put to good use. Bling will be sent out to those four who could not attend.

A special thanks to Rich Krahn for working on getting alumni to apply for awards. We ended up with 7 on the awards list. Not bad!

The awards dinner was on Thursday night. We were well represented. Carthew, Hurd, Jacobs, Joerger, Kane, Krahn, Stalkus. I know that there are some of you that could certainly get an award but have not yet put in for it. Think Silver Mariner or professional achievement. No time like the present. Contact Rich.

Friday evening was the informal gathering at the Hilton Garden Inn Westbury. Great to get a head start on the reunion.

John represented us at the class gift presentation at 0900 Saturday. We have done well. Over $200,000 donated since the last reunion! Number four on the list‼️ Keep it up!

The tailgate began at 1030 with food, drink and music at the prime spot. The weather cooperated and off to a great start.

The march on to the field was epic. A great showing and very impressive to be the 50 year alumni. 

The dinner was truly an event. The Mariner Estate. Nice venue!  Everyone showed up lookin’ good and happy hour was from 1800 to 1900. 

Tom gave his introductory speech. 

Two midshipman- Cevyn and Emily- were hired for the party. Future mariners with the elders. 

Cadet Cevyn (she also was the DJ) read the poem Sea Fever by John Masefield prior to Ed Tweedy’s in memory portion. 

Ed paid tribute to those that have passed since the 45 year reunion. The minute of silence. Followed by the 8 bells end of watch. Well done!

There was some great bling.

The coin is a special one for our class and the legacy class. Designed by John.

The hat- we always need the hat

The scarf for the ladies- Scottish wool/cashmere with hand embroidered emblem by the Wisconsin/Illinois Parent/USMMA Fundraising Group.  They offered to put 74 on there but I declined. No need to show anyone how old we are. Nuf said.

The mug for the guys- blue and gray. Cheers!

On June 22nd John, Rich, Carl Buscaglia and Rodney Gregory traveled to Kings Point for the legacy class of 2024. Presentation of commemorative coins to the legacy class. Thanks for stepping up!

The other cadet- Emily- gave a speech about Fleet Zero. Battery in a container box. Very ingenious and run by KP’ers. Well done Emily! On a side note Fleet Zero did a talk in Seattle at a KP event that I attended about their vision. A better mousetrap. I wish them well!

John introduced the award winners . Mike Tom John Mark Rich Paul Pete. Well done! 

I have to say that the 50 years on the water for Peter is extraordinary. Seldom achieved. I think of the song Sky Pilot and just change it to Ice Pilot. I think he is going for 51 years, maybe more. Congratulations!

One of the ladies had a special request for a song- Brandy. The DJ pulled it up and people started dancing. That lady that requested the song wanted me to dance with her. I can’t dance but I did it anyway. It was so uplifting and I felt free!  Enjoy the moment! I didn’t really know that much about the song so I looked up the lyrics. Such a salty seagoing song. I posted it on the website.

The class photo came at the last moment and was truly an experience. We all gathered for the photo and somehow the group burst into the class song. We gotta get out of this place if it’s the last thing we ever do. Such a memorable moment. 

A special thanks to John for cochairing the event. It was a lot of work.

A wonderful reunion! You made it happen!

Unlike the 45 year reunion, which was slightly underfunded, this one is fully funded with some left over which will be donated to the alumni association. Thanks to all of you plus those that put in extra. 

I’m busy trying to update the website with photos and videos. It is above my pay grade but I’m making progress. If you have any photos or videos- in particular the class photo with us singing- please send them to me. 

All the best.

Cheers and beers for 50 years!