A call from Nob Hovde reveals that he and most of his family are doing well: that he is reading prodigiously but that he sometimes wonders if, after 80-plus-plus years, he has left a significant footprint in the sands of time. Good question, Nob. Many of us might wonder the same thing but to what avail? Some failures but more successes. Comparing oneself with heroes is futile. After all, as poet Thomas Gray observed, “The paths of glory lead but to the grave.”

Gerry Sarno writes a very sensitive note about older brother Joe’s recent death. Joe was headed to Holy Cross. The war had cost him a couple or more years. Gerry, then at Dartmouth, invited Joe up for a house party weekend. Joe loved the place, had a chat with Tuss McLaughry and changed his mind.

Joe Medlicott sends an article announcing that David Brion Davis has received the 2013 National Humanities Medal in a ceremony at the White House. The National Endowment for the Humanities writes that Dr. Davis, a former professor at Cornell and at Yale, has been a giant in the study of slavery and its abolition.

Clift Whiteman recalls our days of dignified debauchery at Dockside Grille here in Vero, Florida, before his move across Florida to Naples.

Ken Clark fears that as Clift slowly recovers from Joan’s death, his relentless pursuit of money for Tuck School will intensify.

With a heavy heart and with condolences to bereaved families I report the following deaths: Jim Birney on June 13, followed shortly thereafter by his beloved Bobbie; Newc Eldredge on July 9; Joe Sarno on July 18; John Morton on May 9, 2014; Cul Modisette in December 2012; Vinny Hill on September 27, 2012; and Bob Foster on October 23, 2014. May they rest in peace.

—Nev Chamberlain, 1835 N. Garden Grove Circle, Vero Beach, FL 32962; (772) 569-2892; ranevero03 @gmail.com