Ladies and gentlemen of 1956, our long-standing class president Tom “Harpoon” Harper, U.S. Navy captain (retired), died in March. We are diminished. Harpoon’s last words to the class were written March 8: “Hi, Jack. While moving to our cottage in a retirement community we had some young men helping us. One of them asked my wife, Sandra, if she wanted ‘this old thing.’ She quickly said, ‘Of course, that is a Dartmouth treasure.’ This old thing was the Indian-head cane on which we carved our initials senior year while sitting on the rail around the quad. This tradition is long gone—as is the fence. However, I wonder what new ones take their place? Also, in trying to figure whose initials each one is, I wonder if I carved T.J.H. or ‘The Poon’? Let’s all get our canes and see who we remember.” Auwe (Alas). Another legendary class president, Linc Spaulding, who reigned between Doug Keare and Len Clark, says, “Leadership begins with the purpose of the organization. I like to think of Dartmouth’s purpose as the graduation of folks who have the capacity and the desire to think outside the box to affect a positive solution. See a problem, fix a problem, and move on. Call it the Dartmouth brand, where ducking is a four-letter word. Lead, follow, or get out of the way—it’s pretty simple.” A pleasure for me to remember and reflect on our class leadership, both past and present! Now, guys, you have heard the Sagamores speak! A challenge for you: Please define your life in six words or less! For example, mine would be, “I am a most grateful survivor.” We can review results in September at the 65th reunion. And the most insightful will get a special gift at our 75th! So, in closing, the trident is now a gig (two-pronged fish spear—the only way Jack Billhardt can land fish)! Rosie and Scarsdale Jack will carry on in the finest traditions of service to Dartmouth! See you in “The Woods”—the Indian will never die.

—J.W. Crowley, 15612 SE 42nd Place, Bellevue, WA 98006; (425) 746-1824; jackcrowley@hotmail.com