During the summer of 1965 most of us left the Hanover Plain for the “real world,” whatever that was. In its infinite wisdom the Pentagon ordered me to Naval Guided Missile School and the nuclear weapons training center (if that doesn’t send chills down your spine, you should have your pulse taken). Then Weaver Gaines drove me from Virginia, where he was in law school, to New York, where we visited with John Rogers (starting NYU Business School) and Rick Spears (finishing at Tuck) before I caught a flight to join USS Springfield in the Mediterranean. That summer American troops fought the first multi-battalion battle of the Vietnam War, which would affect many of us in untold ways. We remember and honor those who served, including the four classmates and friends whose names appear on the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall, Dennis Barger, Steve MacVean, John Seel and Jack Livingston.


It has been a genuine pleasure and a privilege to be part of the executive committee for the last five years and I want to thank the members on behalf of our class. Roger Hansen, our president, has been instrumental in advancing our class goals—particularly in reaching out to classmates whom we have not seen (or heard from) for years. He also piloted us to complete our class projects, including the wonderful book Passion for Skiing and the companion documentary film Passion for Snow, both led by Steve Waterhouse with contributions by many of our classmates. Ken McGruther, our vice president, lent us his experience and enthusiasm in countless areas—and managed our out-of-Hanover mini in Savannah, Georgia. Mike Gonnerman, treasurer, has done a masterful job at managing our finances during a time of significant cutbacks. Ted Atkinson, communication manager, has coordinated our increasing network of media links. Dick Harris, newsletter editor, kept us informed about recent events involving classmates—enabling me to concentrate on my tour down memory lane, exploring the events that shaped our lives 50 years ago. Stu Keiller and Jim Hamilton, webmasters, created a platform through which we can easily stay connected. Stu also served as director of class projects, overseeing the construction of the new Class of ’65 Bunkhouse. We had a sequence of memorable in-Hanover minis, thanks to Jane and George Wittreich. Steve Fowler and Mike Bettmann, as reunion chairs, managed our 50th with grace, efficiency and imagination. Our head agent, Don Bradley, and planned giving chair, Hank Amon, were active and successful in raising funds for the College. Bob Murphy established ties to the class of ’15. Our connections to the Alumni Council were handled most effectively by Ted Bracken, Pete Frederick and Mike Gonnerman. In addition, Sue and Bill Webster have provided glue to hold us together, hosting the summer executive committee meetings at their home. Jim Griffiths, Bob Blake and Bob McConnaughey have been ever-present, willing and able workers for the best of the class and the College.


Being secretary has given me the chance to reconnect (or connect) with many of our extraordinary classmates, for which I thank you. 


—Tom Long, 1056 Leigh Mill Road, Great Falls, VA 22066; (703) 759-4255; tomlong@gwu.edu