Officer Candidate Class 4-64   

Page updated on: 16-Feb-10

Courtesy: Ron Sommer

                            OCS CLASS 4-64 NEWSLETTER

                                                                                    2516 Bauernschmidt Drive

                                                                                    Baltimore, Maryland  21221-1738

                                                                                    (410) 391-6687

                                                                                    ronsommer@earthlink.net 

No. 1-10                                                                                                 1 February 2010                                                                                               

THE 46^TH REUNION  From Gene Rutland.  “Yet another friendly reminder (actually a plea/challenge) about our upcoming 46^th class reunion scheduled for 15 – 18 April 2010 in Orlando, FL.  To date we have only 24 of our classmates committed to attend and once again it appears the “Fighting 5^th Platoon” is leading the way for attendance/participation:  1^st Plat – 4, 2^nd Plat – 5, 3^rd Plat – 5, 4^th Plat – 3 and 5^th Plat - 7.  As each of you have noted, our ranks are dwindling with each passing year and none of us can escape the “grim reaper”.  We all have a common bond by becoming a band-of-brothers during a very trying time in America’s history.  Together we faced hardships and overcame; we faced combat and sacrificed many, and we have many life experiences and contributions which we must not forget and must continue to share with each other!  Our class is among the VERY FEW who continue to remain in touch with one another and conduct periodic reunions.  Many of you will recall that during our San Antonio Reunion in 2004, we agreed that our reunions should be held every two years for the reason stated above.  Unfortunately we have lost yet more of our comrades-in-arms since our last gathering in 2008.  I sincerely hope the participation will significantly increase for our 46^th.  Don’t let our class slip into history without continuing our reunion tradition and I pray each and every one of you will make a sincere effort to attend this one!”     

MORE REUNION  Just some reminders.  (1)  RSVP Date to send in your Reunion Registration Form and fees is 12 February 2010.  See ANNEX A of OPPLAN REUNION 2010.  This “early bird deadline” is needed because we have to coordinate quite a few things with the resort such as number for the Banquet, etc. Of course we can probably take you aboard up to and including any day of the Reunion but we cannot guarantee lodging and/or a seat at the table.  (2)  Lodging reservations must be made with the Shades of Green by 15 February 2010.  After that date, a room or rooms cannot be guaranteed by the resort.  See ANNEX B of OPPLAN REUNION 2010.  (3)  If you are not retired military, make sure Ron Sommer gets the word so he can assign you a military sponsor so you can book your room at Shades of Green. 

And last, the man with the sickle has steadily reduced our numbers year by year and he will continue to do so.  Two things we cannot beat – Death and Taxes!  A lot of you have never made a reunion and this is a great waste.  Every year we get a note from a   widow that “Candidate _____ died and he was planning to attend the reunion.”  Please do not be “Candidate ____” and wait too long.  Even if you can only spend a day with us, please make the trip!  I guarantee it will be worth your time and money!              

SICK CALL  Tom Naylon (4^th Platoon) has been at Johns Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore, Maryland since before Thanksgiving having been diagnosed with Leukemia.  He has received 2 Chemo treatments and the disease appears to be in remission.  Tom emailed me:  “Thanks for the phone call yesterday.  Since then we have talked to the Dr’s and they are not advising I go through a bone marrow transplant.  Mainly because of my age, heart condition and the side effects that come from a transplant which can be worse than the Chemo I’ve already been through.  So, I will probably be on my way home in the next 15 days.  They say the leukemia will come back, probably within a year --- we will hope and pray for longer.  I had hoped to make this reunion but by April I don’t think I’ll have the stamina to handle Disney.  Plus there are going to be appointments, tests, blood work, etc., so count me out for this reunion.”  Tom emailed me this message on 9 Jan 10 so he will be home by the time most of you receive this newsletter. Tom would like to hear from you – his contact information is Tom Naylon, P.O. Box 602, 11 Edgetrail, Conyingham, PA  18219.  (Cell) (570) 704-965 His wife Janet’s Cell (570) 788-3655.           

OUR AWOL LIST  As we head into our 46^th Reunion please be reminded that our class AWOLs have not been forgotten and that we will continue to search for them:

1^st Platoon:  All Present and Accounted For!

2^nd Platoon:  Charles R.  Dodson, Henry F. Franklin, Gregory D. Tillitt, Roy Wallace Jr.

3^rd Platoon:  Ronald L. Inscho, Charles W. Johnson, Michael P. Johnson, Arthur C. Lehman                 |

4^th Platoon:  Fred L. Myers Jr., Milton L. Perkins, James O. Poole, Robert L. Taylor

5^th Platoon:  Patrick S. Shuman, William H. Stafford, Ronald L. Szabo, Harold R. Vangorden       

DO YOU REMEMBER?  “The Father of the Army’s Officer Candidate School at Fort Benning”?  COL Robert Nett graduated from OCS at Benning in 1942.  He was awarded the MOH for actions on Leyte Island on 14 Dec 1944 during the Battle of Ormoc Bay.  He was known for lecturing countless OCS classes at Benning about leadership and duty.  He was inducted into the Army Ranger and OCS Halls of Fame and was presented the USO Spirit of Hope Award in January 2007.  COL Nett passed away on 19 October 2008 in Georgia.  He was 86.  The OCS Classroom Building at Benning bears his name     

TAPS.  Candidates Charles D. Adams, Larry D. Allgood, David R. Barnett, Joseph A. Binelli, Richard C. Cauzza, Edward W. Cavanaugh Jr., Ronald J. Chellman, David R. Devers, Jack L. Edwards, Jeffrey H. Ehrhart, Edwin  M. Frazier, James A. Gardner, Joseph X. Grant, Anthony B. Hicks, Fred C. Hite, Jerry L. Isler, Charles H. Keller, George Lamonte, Eugene P. Loughran, Harry H. McWilliams II, Gary W. Offineer, George B. Pearson III, Stuart J. Perkins, Jerald F. Pittenger, Alfred H. Roberts, Marion M. Robinson, Charles W. Rowell, John F. Sanford, Clifford W. Schneeman Jr., Milton C. Sikes Jr., Paul E. Skoglund, Clifford M. Straughter, William S. Vogel, Hugh W. Wellons, Lloyd L. Young Jr., Tactical Officer James W. Bennett Jr. and 1SG Jessie L. Hobbs have Answered the Last Roll Call.  Rest in Peace faithful classmates and comrades.  

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