Former naval person Ralph Manuel sent a clipping from the Naval Institute Proceedings saying Rear Admiral (retired) Hal Bernsen is participating in its oral history program. “Hal commanded the Fifth Fleet in the Persian Gulf during the Iraq-Iran War,” says Ralph. “I sent them a gift directed to his oral history.” Hal acknowledged interviews but details weren’t available for this column or December’s Sound & Fury (S&F).


Gary Finerty, one of many requesting copies of the 16-page 55th reunion memorial booklet with individual tributes to numerous deceased classmates, commented on his and wife Judy’s multiple knee and hip replacements.


“Doctors do wonders as long as you find the right one,” he says. “We’re quite a pair going through the airport screeners, with TSA folks yelling for ‘female checker, male checker!’ ” (P.S. Copies of the booklet are still available postage-free.)


Butch Pendergast, among folks saying kind words about the S&F and opting for digital delivery, has a good idea: “My wife, Jackie, would love her own copy of the Sound & Fury.” Glad to comply, Butch. 


Pete Kenny writes from Newport Beach, California, “I’m retired from active duty—i.e., working daily—but keep busy relearning my golf swing, reading history and business stuff and working one day a week at my Del Taco franchise unit.”


Hawaii resident Stuart Rice, lately returned to the class list, says, “Mahalo [thanks] for the latest S&F,” but adds that the only face he recognized was Larry Hampton’s. Since 1987 he’s commuted from Maui to anthropological digs near Helsinki, Finland, producing films and videos “yielding a wealth of Ph.D. material in several related disciplines.” Tell us more, Stuart. 


Phil Larson, whose Churchill activities were described in the December S&F, says his favorite Sir Winston quote is: “The only answer to defeat is victory,” uttered during the Nazi blitz of Britain. 


One obituary since last issue: John C. Carton of Spring Lake, New Jersey, died September 23, 2013. John for 51 years was a trial lawyer at his own firm, having gotten his LL.B. from Georgetown in 1961 and served as Navy attorney until 1964.


—Steve Quickel, 65 Chapel Road, New Hope, PA 18938; swquickel@comcast.net