We Haven’t Matured…We’ve Aged…

Thirty years ago, at the end of May, a group of us gave three cheers for “those we leave behind” and tossed our Midshipmen hats into the air.  Then it was off to our separate ways—at sea, under the sea, flying, ground-pounding, or providing support for others.  With us we took the stories and camaraderie of four years spent with a unique collection of young men from around the nation and around the world.

Over the ensuing years we kept contact with some, lost touch with many and several seem to have drifted away.  But on some milestone occasions we get together as many as will dare show up to see how we’ve aged…more importantly to see how we haven’t aged.  You could say we had matured, but…

Maturity is a bitter disappointment for which no remedy exists, unless laughter can be said to remedy anything.
  - Kurt Vonnegut

This year was such a milestone, and my friends from across the years and across the country came back to Annapolis to celebrate a 30 year reunion.  From Santa Cruz to Atlanta, Minneapolis to Connecticut…East Coast, West Coast, North and South we came to spend a few hours and the remedy of laughter together.

There were Class Meetings and Parades earlier on Friday, but the real event didn’t seem to start until the cocktail hour and banquet on Friday evening.  Cheri and I were staying with Deb and Scott Whitney at a hotel separate from the reunion headquarters—a whole different story in regards to cost and value—and we arrived at the cocktail hour after it had already been in full swing for thirty minutes.  Similar to most Naval Officers (former, current and Reserve) I worked my way towards the crowd at the nearest bar.

Approaching the bar, or at least the line to the bar, I looked over the crowd for any somewhat familiar faces.  It didn’t take too long before I saw Steve Squires just off to the right, so I steered Cheri in that direction.  Once we waded through the masses we found not only Steve but Ken Painter and his wife Laura, and Mike Pederson with his wife Elsa.  We were soon joined by Tom Wittenschlager and his wife Therese.

I left Cheri in their able hands and headed back to the line at the bar.  After a few minutes I said hi to the blonde next to me and noticed (from her name tag) that she was Suzie Bentley, Chris’ wife.  I told her where the group was gathering and after picking up some libations she headed off to find Chris and I worked my way over to Cheri.  Chris and Suzie found us eventually and the handshaking and storytelling began…

It wasn’t much longer before the bar for the cocktail hour was closed and we were shepherded into the ballroom.  There was a small dance floor, a DJ, tables spread around and several food stations in the foyer and the ballroom.  We settled into a couple of adjoining tables and connected with Scott Bruce and his wife Lauri.  We did what we could to consume our fair share of food and drink; we even got out on the floor and danced to one of the slower tunes.

As the 30th Company Representative—I think I got this distinction by being at one too many milestone reunions—I quickly delegated the coordination of the Company picture to Chris Bentley.  This evolution used the standard USNA methodology of getting people to mingle around in a small area while waiting for the group name to be called for the picture. Of course, while we were waiting Scott wanted to continue eating his dinner—he had been interrupted multiple times and the waitstaff kept taking his plate away.  So supportive classmate that I am, I provided Scott with a table so he could enjoy his meal.

We don’t have the official company photos yet, but we did manage to commandeer a corner of the foyer and get a few photos of us guys…and then we made the picture better by adding our wives.

Then it was back to more socializing, eating and drinking.

We all seemed to survive the night and the next morning, but then it was time to head for Navy Marine Corps Stadium for a lot of tailgating and a little football.  It was a 3:30 game and the tailgater started at 1:00 so we certainly had time to visit, eat and drink some more.

While waiting for the Brigade to arrive we managed to take over a table strategically located near the oyster raw bar, the barbequed beef table and within short walking distance of the Yeugling Lager on draft.  Of course Scott was eating again and was soon ensconced with his entourage of our wives.

Meanwhile the rest of us continued to drink some beer and tell even more sea-stories.  Tom Warren and his wife Jeanne joined the crowd and I am sorry to say that I did not get a picture of Tom with the group…could this possibly be related to his FBI status?

Eventually the Brigade did march-on and take to the stands.  Several of us watched the first half from end zone seats, but when we headed back up to the tailgating pavilion at half-time it was quite a bit tougher to go back out into the rain for the second half. Late in the second half a few of us die-hards went back out to the seats.  Lauri did bring us some ice creams so we were both wet and eating something cold.  Ultimately, Navy finished out the game with a 38 – 22 win and prior to leaving the stadium the West Kentucky team respectfully stood by for the singing of Navy Blue and Gold…always a great sight.

Tim Whitney was able to join us for a few minutes in the second half and it was great to introduce him to some of my Company-mates. It wasn’t long after the game ended that we all started to head our separate ways.  Several members of the group met later in the evening at an Irish Pub near the headquarters hotel.  Cheri and I called it a day and headed back to our hotel, a quick dinner and early to bed.  The next day we were up fairly early for our seven hour drive back to Connecticut.  This was a great adventure and it was wonderful to re-connect with friends from across the miles and the years. My thanks to Chris and Mike for providing some of these photos.