Look alive with Seventy-Five!
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Look alive with Seventy-Five!
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Dear ’mates: If we happen to be connected on LinkedIn, you may have noticed that I recently changed my current position to “Enjoyer” at the company “Joyfully Retired.” Early retirement has been a goal for a number of years—and we made it! Honestly don’t know how I ever made time to go to work. With a less structured schedule, I joined a local writers’ guild in Pensacola. We meet twice a month to read our latest work and encourage each other. A frequent topic of discussion is the infamous and dreaded “writer’s block.” I have concluded that the best cure is to apply the seat of the pants to the seat of the chair and start typing. See—I already have an opening paragraph! The Verona NJ version of the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation’s 2011 Great Strides Walk was held on 7 May. Bill Squires and his family attempted to repeat as the number one fund-raising team in the country. “Sean’s Pals” website is www.cff.org/Great_Strides/JodiSquires. Although the walk itself is complete, donations are always welcome. Chuck Geyer has put on his tour planner hat once again and done a lot of legwork for the Navy-Notre Dame “Shamrock Classic” in Dublin in 2012. If you are thinking of going, this sounds like a fun way to make it happen. While September 1, 2012 may seem like a very distant date, many groups are already making plans to attend. In fact, most major hotels (including smaller, boutique hotels and apartment rentals) in Dublin are already sold out! With a strong recommendation from a close friend in the Class of 1985 (they have a group of 250 attending the game), I contacted their tour agency to see what they could do for 1975. Tenon Tours has now put together a custom game and travel package for the Navy vs Notre Dame Shamrock Classic on September 1, 2012 just for our class. As another option to packages being offered by other agencies, the Flower Children of 1975 now have their own resort, special events, travel package(s), charity golf tournament and official web address. Reservations can be made by visiting the following address— http://tenontours.com/tour/navy75/ <photo 75#1: “Bill Dixon at FOB Castle, Afghanistan”> Speaking of overseas touring, Bill Dixon checked in from Afghanistan, where a number of young Americans are currently taking care of business. It has been too long since I wrote, but time does seem to slip by over here. Never thought that seven years later I'd still be here, but such is life. It wouldn't be possible without the support of Rose, but she understands and believes in what I am doing. I am still with AISG and was transferred to Afghanistan last September. The owner felt like my previous time here would be of benefit in getting our new branch of the company—AISG Construction—kick started. It has allowed me to reconnect with a number of old friends here, Afghans that I hadn't seen since '05. Things are going well even with all the challenges. We are, to my knowledge, the only company that actually conducts Afghan First capacity building in the construction sector. With each contract we win, we put a couple of experienced expats (US) with an Afghan subcontractor and through the process of the project, mentor and teach everything from project management to the skilled technician jobs such as electrical, masonry, plumbing, welding, etc. The Marines are increasingly relying on us to get projects completed or recover failed projects that are in their AOR. Of course, the Marines are only assigned to the worst places here, i.e. Helmand province, and so naturally our job sites are in places that many expat companies won't even venture. But that is what we do. Since we are primarily building police stations to help restore law and order in the area, the Taliban definitely won't be sending us any well wishes at the Holidays. At the last Marine Corps Birthday Ball in Kabul, I ran into MajGen Rich Mills. What a treat, as we were both 2nd Lieutenants back in '75 at The Basic School. When he learned about what we are doing here, he told me I need you to come to Leatherneck and help us. Leatherneck is the primary military base (Marine) in Helmand. The rest, as they say, is history. I've made a number of trips there and we are making some real progress in getting this country back on their feet, one project at a time. On my last trip I visited FOB Castle, the southern most Marine outpost in Afghanistan. While there I ran into Captain Michael Simon ’03. I think these guys get a real kick out of seeing a retired Marine tromping around in body armor, riding around in MRAPs and Ospreys (one of many new things since retirement). The Marines really take good care of me though, and I couldn't be safer walking down the street in Tulsa. There are so many new vehicles, aircraft and weapons today from when I left back in '95, but one thing that hasn't changed is that young Marine on the front lines. It is a privilege being able to brush shoulders with these young warriors, and to be able to support them in whatever small way we can. Guess I better close for now, but rest assured USNA is still turning out a quality product. <photo 75#2: “Graduates of The Basic School from 1975”> <photo 75#3: “Dixon ’75 and Simon ’03”> Several updates from the USNAAA classmate news service show that the Flower Children continue to lead in the business world. · Mike Langley has been hired as the first CEO of the Minneapolis-St. Paul Regional Economic Development Partnership (REDE), a new organization that hopes to draw new employers to the Twin Cities. · Identive Group, Inc., a provider of products, services and solutions for the security, identification and RFID industries, announced in March that Bernard C. Bailey has been appointed to its Board of Directors. · Parsons announced in April that Guy Mehula has been appointed Parsons MENA+ President. In his new role, Mr. Mehula will be responsible for providing overall leadership and promoting Parsons core values and strategic objectives in the MENA+ region (Middle East, North Africa, and the northern Mediterranean Sea border countries). Brian Curdy has been nominated for election to the lower house of Switzerland’s federal parliament as a member of the “Left” party. As he and Maryvonne live in the conservative canton of Valais, he doesn’t expect to be elected, but hopes to make the needs of his constituents known. <photo 75#4: “The Fergusons at Willy’s 90th birthday celebration”> Steve Ferguson sent a photo from his father’s 90th birthday celebration. “Captain Bill (Willy) Ferguson ’45 with my brother Mike, sister Nancy, and me. Little family resemblance, eh?! Some of you met Dad while we were at the Academy and others saw him later. I wonder where we’ll all be at 90….” Since I ran out of material and space at exactly the same time, I’m going to log this month in the win column. The July-August Shipmate will be shipped near the end of July. Until then … ’75 Sir! Larry |
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