Watch Class March onto Field at Belated 50th Anniversary 2021
Thoughts on ‘Reverting’ at U.S. Coast Guard Academy!
Ed Labuda
EdLabuda@msn.com
I was fortunate to get a second chance while a Cadet at the Academy, ‘reverting’ from the Class of 1969 to the Class of 1970. While the reasons for reverting varied – either academic performance or physical injury – it gave a Cadet the opportunity to start over. In my case, it was both academics and a knee injury that caused me to revert. I was not alone. More than 10 ‘69ers reverted to ’70 (among them – Dave Belz, Larry Beason, John Gaughan, Tim Balunis, Ralph Utley, John McGrath, and Steve Riddle).
I must point out that repeating first year academics is not a fresh start. Much to my chagrin, I was not given a clean slate but had to overcome my end of year GPA (0.72 by the way) and show progress in reaching the standard 2.0 to stay at the Academy. As a result, I was on Academic Probation for two and a half years not getting liberty on Sundays until second semester Second Class Year.
Every semester I was called to face the Academic Review Board. Thankfully, Captain Foye, the Dean, intervened each time and told them to leave me alone as I was showing significant (read sufficient) progress to continue. I still think of him as my Guardian Angel.
So, other than the academic struggle were there any benefits to reverting? In retrospect, there were many. In a sense I have an extended family – two classes of brothers. I think CGA is unique in that, unlike the other service academies at that time, a Coastie changed roommates four times during the academic year. You got to know fellow Cadets on an intimate level. I guess that’s why you called your roommate your wife. We learned teamwork. We learned perseverance. In some cases, we learned patience. Just from that one little experience, we learned acceptance.
My roommate that first Swab Summer was Ted White. Next door was John Gaughan who not only became one of my best, long-lasting friends but five years later served as my Best Man at my wedding. John and I are in constant contact to this day. Joe Angelico and Al Mauer were our Platoon Leaders.
A side note: Bob Thorne and I grew up in the same area in New Jersey. Bob and I played summer sports together and while I was not at his level, we became lasting friends despite going to different high schools. We both applied to Annapolis along with CGA, but neither of us was successful then. I did get appointments to USMA and USMMA but turned both down. Bob elected to go off to Rutgers and reapply to CGA and while there joined the Navy ROTC program. When he did graduate in 1969, the year at Rutgers and the four years at CGA made him an Ensign with five years’ service. Not a significant pay raise but more than most got. I went to Marist College in Poughkeepsie, NY, and reapplied to CGA unrenowned to either of us. Image our surprise running into one another in front of Chase Hall on reporting day.
Fourth Class year I was in Charlie Company. LT Dave Worth was our Company Tactics Officer. Some notable Firsties, ‘66ers, then was Ed Barrett, Merle Smith, “Flip” Baldwin, and Warren Miller. My ‘69er roommates included Forest Hetland, Stan Renneker, and my best friend to this date, Bob Acker. I lived with Stan when he was recovering from a broken jaw. Bob and I were ‘orderlies’ to Flip Baldwin and Warren Miller.
While rooming with Bob Acker, I invited him to my home for Thanksgiving. He accepted with the provision that we drive to Long Island so he could see a girl Mike Black had introduced to him. Mike lived across the street from Lois Caruso who became Bob’s spouse. Bob said he would ask Lois to introduce me to her best friend Maureen. “You will really like her. She’s very nice.” Like the Ackers, Maureen and I have been married for over fifty years. Maureen and I were Maid of Honor and Best Man (I was only a First-Class Cadet then) at Lois and Bob’s wedding. We are truly brothers and sisters, being at each other’s significant moments and major events, and getting together on holidays throughout these many years. Our daughter knows them as Aunt Lois and Uncle Bob. Likewise, Bob’s three children and six grandchildren know us as Aunt Maureen and Uncle Ed.
Participation in sports and other activities made me a lot of friends that I am still in contact with to this day. These friends come form all the classes during my five years at CGA – ’66, ’67, ’68, ’69, ’70, ’71, ’72, and ’73. Drill Down, Drill Team, Soccer, Wresting, The Gents, Catholic Choir, yearbook committees, and others. I was also Summer Ensign when the Class of 1974 entered the Academy.
As small as the graduating classes were then, I am always amazed at the many successful careers, both Coast Guard and civilian, just about everyone enjoyed. Great leaders, great spouses, great fathers, and truly great friends.
I wonder if it is still the same.
Flight Lesson Takes Dave Moore to an Island Landing: Faces Shotgun-Wielding Estate Caretaker!
I’ve always had a genuine curiosity about islands…Read More
Dave Moore
dave.moore@pobox.com
’70’s Swab Bamboozles Upperclassman: A Swab Year Dinner Table Story
My favorite story about Swab Year occurred at a Freshman Soccer dining table.
George Oakley (’68) sat at the head of the table, and Fred Ames (’68) was riding shotgun.
As we sat down for an evening meal, Mr. Ames let it be known that he wanted to be challenged with some trivia questions that he had never heard before. The first 2 attempts by some un-named classmates resulted in the usual crass comments and hazing punishments.
It was now my turn and I didn’t have a snowball’s chance in hell either. Then, out of nowhere came a glimmer of hope!
I vaguely remembered that he had bragged about being this awesome surfer from Long Island NY…..
JB: Mr Ames; who came in third place in the Men’s Division, Padre Island Memorial Day Championships for 1966?
FA: Corky Carroll? (no, sir)
FA: Mike Doyle? (no, sir)
FA: Dewey Weber? (no, sir)
FA: What the hell; give me a hint!
JB: I’ll bet you a week’s desserts that you know him personally!
FA: You’re on!!
JB: It was me, sir…….
About that time George Oakley was gulping down a big swig of milk. It all came rushing out his nose onto his plate…for a second I wasn’t sure if he was going to be able to catch his breath!
Fred could only look down as he realized what had just happened….bamboozled by a lowly swab!
I have to admit that the best and sweetest dessert I ever ate at the Academy was one that was delivered personally by an upperclassman!
John Baker
johnbaker5410@gmail.com
Former Classmate Remembers ’70
I was one who started with the class of 70 in June 66 and left in Feb. 67 when my father became ill.
Tom Barnard, Phil Chappel, Fred Squires, Jim Olson, Greg Ketchen..a roommate, and so many more still live in my memories as an 18 year old from Miami Florida. It is no surprise that each excelled in their careers, as they were championship fourth classmen in the short time I was around them.
Congratulations gentlemen, and well done good and faithful servant. I looked up Fred Squires only last week, and found that he had died at the age of 56.
SEMPER PARATUS
2016/03/17
Stephen Banks
stephengbanks@aol.com
Making Wine
Early in 1968, I bought a wine-making kit and began making wine in my room. One day I came back from class and could smell the wine all the way done the hallway so I moved me operations to the attic (trunk room). Over the next several weeks, I tasted the concoction, and I believed Iwas able to develop an immunity to its effects.
The day we beat Wesleyan I sensed a celebration was in order. I went to the trunk room and bottled up the product (which I now admit was most dreadful), and I started selling bottles of it for $5. There was a third classman who bought I bottle and got so drunk from it that he passed out. Despite being placed in the shower for about 30 minutes, we weren’t able to revive him.
There was a dance that night, and so I decided to take his place on a blind date (since he was passed out in the shower). The date was not particularly attractive, and since I had also been drinking my wine (though I had developed an immunity) I was pretty well gone.
I do believe I used that classic cadet line of “you don’t sweat much for a fat girl.” I completely grossed out my date, and I remember her going off to the ladies room several times but the only redeeming point was that the girl thought I was the third classman whose place I had taken.
Anyway, Dave, that is my special memory of CGA beats Wesleyan.
– Jim Clarke
Wrestling Wesleyan
Dave, your message about the 1968 football team’s victory over Wesleyan brought to mind a wrestling match against Wesleyan my fourth class year. I was on the varsity holding down the 123 pound spot while the incomparable Bobby Long made weight. We were near the end of the season and had one real tough opponent left to beat in order to go undefeated: Wesleyan.
The team bus pulled up at Wesleyan and as we got off the bus in our uniforms, we were confronted by hostile students who were booing us and calling us names like “Baby killers”??!! In the winter of 1967 the war in Viet Nam was not going well and the student protests were running strong. But “Baby killers”? We’re the frickin’ Coast Guard!! We save lives.
Anyway, we were all taken aback when we went in to dress for the matches. I know that I was shocked about our reception. I recall that my opponent was supposed to be some stud, and I was already worried about my match without the welcoming distraction.
When we came out of the locker room for the warm up period, I looked at the grandstands and several bus loads of cadets filled the stands. They gave us a standing ovation. Looking over that sea of uniforms gave us such a rush. I know personally that was one of the greatest highs that I have even experienced.
I don’t remember much of my match except the poor Wesleyan guy did not have a chance. He did not know what hit him. I was so supercharged with cadet-fueled energy that I absolutely mopped the mat with my opponent and started us off with a victory. The rest of the team did the same, and we cruised to an easy victory on our way to our undefeated season. I can say that without that amazing support our chances of winning would have been slim.
I don’t know that I ever have had the opportunity to thank my class mates and the other classes who were there on that winter afternoon in 1967, but I will now. Thanks, guys.
– Mike Neal
Caught in Civvies
On my first class cruise our ports-of-call were Naples and Lisbon. While in Naples, there was an optional bus trip/overnight to Rome, which was the opportunity of a lifetime.
While in Rome, John Clark and I went on libo in civvies one night. I think John Fearnow was with us, too. We got caught!
Well, it was our understanding that the word had been informally passed that it was OK to wear civilian clothes, but apparently not. We got booked with a Class I by LT Martin (taught Comms), and I went to Mast at sea with the real CO!!
He scared the **** out of me screaming at me about “how dare I bring civvies on his ship,” but all I got was demerits and 2 days restriction in Lisbon. Whew! I think the other guys were on a different ship.
ON DAY ONE of the Fall semester, they made it legal for first class to wear civvies while on liberty all year, so we were the last “firsties” ever booked for that.
-John Murphy
Joe Steen Remembered
I was reading the EVENING COLORS, the official CG Retirees bulletin from the pay center, and I saw that an old friend had Crossed the Bar this last October. I don’t know how many of you remember Joe Steen. I spent swab summer in Yankee company with him (Yankee 3, I believe). He was a short stuby guy who was already folically challenged, looked thirty, and always needed a shave cause he actually had a real beard. I shaved, but it was peach fuzz. Joe was from MA. and had a great droll sense of humor. As I remember he was a main contributing playwright to ou Swabs Out skits.
Joe cruised through swab summer, but took a hit during the swab academic year. He departed 70 before Third Class year or that first semester, maybe. Anyway, he was really a Coastie at heart. He attended MA Maritime and returned to the Coast Guard one year after we graduated. Joe spent 20 years in the M Program and retired as a CDR. I actually ran into him in D.C. when I was stationed there. We had lunch and laughed about Swab summer, although we agreed it wasn’t all that funny at the time.
I will relate a true story for which I was present, Mac, I think you were at the table too. Correct me if I’m wrong.
Mike Philips and Steve Delaney, both 68, were CO and XO, respectively, of Yankee Company (I think I have this correct) and at the head of our particular mess hall table in the second summer make. Delaney’s pride was that you couldn’t tell a joke that he could not ruin, by injecting the punch line before you finished the joke. Since we were pretty up on indoc by this time, Delaney relished in having us try to tell jokes for “Carry on”. Of course, we never got “Carry on” because Delaney always knew the punch line. Delaney would screw up the entire meal with this game and we would have never eaten if Philips hadn’t toned him down so we could get some calories. On the particular day in question, Philips was not present and Delaney was having the time of his life ruining our attempts at humor and we had not eaten anything. Finally, he got to Joe, who knew more really funny jokes and could tell ’em better than anybody I knew, except maybe John Murphy. Delaney offered carryon for the entire table, if Joe could make him laugh. We were praying that Joe would come through and we would at least get carry on for dessert.
Well Joe was telling this joke and I could see Delaney’s face, He was stumped and you could see that he was getting pissed. However, at the next table was sitting, I believe, Arch Gardner who was eve’s dropping and leaned over and whispered something to Delaney (the punch line, of course.) Delaney then waited until the very last second and destroyed Joe’s brilliant attempt. At this point Joe was seething. He had no food, everything had taken so long, we weren’t going to get dessert and Delaney had really cheated. Joe was close to exploding, so he requested permission to shove off. Delaney feeling pretty cocky said no. There actually arrived a violent look in Joe’s eyes. Even Delaney sensed he might have over done it. Several of his 68 mates were now sort of standing around waiting for Delaney and sort of watching the play.
Delaney to show he was all powerful(like we didn’t know that) said “Mr. Steen why don’t you take five seconds.” ( I’m sure you all remember what that was. Five seconds to say anything you want to the particular upper class – no repercussions, no recriminations. Some of us I think used to lay awake nights planning what we would say if ever given the chance. I never got the chance and it was just as well, because the master was about to teach. We lesser swabs at the table were to watch and learn.)
Joe stood up leaned toward Delaney. 68 onlookers sort of grouped in. It looked as tough Delaney had really screwed up and Joe was going to loose it. Joe calmly raised his left hand, looked at his watch, and began a calm count down. Five, Four, Three, Two, One — Joe in a voice long and slow, sounding like it came from the depths of hell, a said, ” YOU F—ING ASSHOLE!” and walked away without permission. Delaney was about to stop Joe. His 68 Classmates broke out it uproarious laughter (at Delaney) and someone put a hand on Delaney’s shoulder and he remained seated. He was devastated. 70 was victorious and for me the whole of SWAB SUMMER was worth those “FIVE GLORIOUS SECONDS”
I just reread this account. It doesn’t do Joe or the event true justice, but thanks for the memory, Joe.
Fairwinds and following seas, Joe. Hope you and Davey Jones are playing cribbage, laughing and trying to do something to help your Celtics.
– Mike Gentile
Thanks for the note regarding Joe. Remember wearing work blue (black) uni’s for class every day? I recall being in class with Joe during swab year in those… Don’t remember the class but the unnamed instructor (civilian, I think) got tired of Joe sleeping in class every day. He seemed to have tried everything including pelting him with a chalk-filled eraser. (I can recall seeing Joe with multiple white squares on his front and back.) So, on this particular day, he made Joe stand up on the seat of his desk, obviously thinking that the fear of falling would keep Joe awake. He had apparently underestimated Joe’s abilities. When the desk moved/slipped out from under as Joe fell, he succumbed to letting Joe sleep in class rather than risking having him get seriously hurt. He was clearly the “king” of swab sleepers. Although, I was on the board of directors!
– Dave Dahlinger
Thanks for the note about Joe, I’m sorry to learn he’s passed away. Like you I remember Joe from swab summer, but even before that he was one of a group of us that had our screening physicals and interviews up at Boston together the previous spring. Rod Cook was another in the group.
Most of us went to the Academy for different reasons but Joe’s goal was to be an officer in the Coast Guard and that’s why he was going to the Academy. I respected that and was happy to see him swab summer in Yankee company. (Phillips and Delany were our platoon CO and XO, Jack Hunter was the company CO and the XO I can see but forget his name)
I probably wasn’t there for the story you tell below, but you are right that he was any easy going guy, with a quick, droll wit. A nice guy to be with and shoot the bull. I was sorry to see him leave, but latter on glad to see he did become an officer in the Coast Guard although our paths never crossed.
One thing I remember about Joe swab year is that he slept through every class for the whole class, ergo is academic problems. We can argue who in the class came in second in sleeping during classes, and I think I have a strong case for me. But there should be no doubt Joe was number one in that category.
– Vic Guarino
My best memory of Joe was on the swab Eagle cruise. He was wearing a particularly filthy t-shirt one day and an upper classmen asked him, “Mr. Steen, how long have you been wearing your t-shirt?” Joe replied that he always wore t-shirts for four days because they all had four sides; the front, the back, the inside, and the outside. I don’t know why but I found that hilarious at the time and have never forgotten it for some silly reason.
– Bob Pray
Ernie Blanchard Remembered
Most of my memories of Ernie are down on the lower field playing soccer. He’s always there knees up, high stepping, high energy, high volume, and always highly competitive. Those fall afternoons spent at practice and highlighted by our games are among my fondest recollections of our days at CGA. Ernie at Right halfback, he conned me with some story that he couldn’t kick as well from the left side, and I on the left. Ernie’s tenacity and downright irritating persistence would drive you crazy. Where did he get that energy, that attitude? As we all know, it was that persistence and energy that were the hallmarks of Ernie’s infectious personality. He just wouldn’t let go of an issue, an idea, an argument or the ball, until he won or you forcefully took it away from him.
After graduation I did not see Ernie until one homecoming when he was an instructor at the academy. As we caught up on lost years he told me something that clearly expressed his true priority and level of commitment. When I asked him if he was helping to coach soccer, he told me that he had for a while, but that it didn’t leave enough time for his family. It just emphasized his principle driven approach to life that he would naturally give up those afternoons reliving old times with the boys for the higher commitment to his family. For once there was no point to argue. He was just plain right.
I didn’t see Ernie again until 1992 at the Prospective CO’s training at RTC Yorktown. He was the Public Affairs Chief and came down from Washington to give us the current brief on how to handle the press. It was “Classic Ernie”. He covered more than we could absorb and at such a pace that we were literally tired when he was done. Hey, this was supposed to be a laid back week of “don’t forget to do this and that” at your new command. But of course Ernie only knew one way. Do it right and Do it loud and Do it for maximum effect and always cut to the truth and dispense with the politically correct. I wish I could have been there to see the pointed, if not heated, discussions he must have had with the Flags over how to tell the Coast Guard’s story. “OK guys, just give me the ball and get out of my way”. You know, he just might have been that direct, I certainly hope so,
“God Bless you Ernie. I’ll see you down on the lower field.”
Go Bears!
Chuck Brown
Tom “Purt” Purtell Remembered
When we used to get together to see Myron, Tom would work it in no matter what his schedule was. He and Joan went up to CT to take care of Myron one weekend so Celeste could do something with her daughters. Tom was smart, funny, and caring – the best. We weren’t close friends, but I could always count on a great laugh when he was around.
It seemed like Tom couldn’t catch a break the last couple of years. Then he reunited with Sharon and they were so happy. Now this.
There are rafts of lucky people though, 70 among the luckiest for having Tom as a Classmate and friend.
Here in Maine fisherman and sailor’s dream of the afterlife known as Fiddler’s Green. It is a place of perpetual mirth, the fiddlers never stop playing, and the dancers never tire. Of course, in an Irishman’s Fiddler’s Green, the Guiness and Irish Whiskey never stop flowing and all the girls are beautiful redheads with flashing green eyes.
I trust Tom will fit right in, though we all wish he had terried longer with us.
-Mike Gentile
Your use of the term “mirth” struck a chord. Had you ever seen Purt without a smile?! Ever without glad tidings? A few years ago Barb and I, accompanied by the Terri and Tony Mink, attended a b-day party Jan Olsen threw for Pete in DC. We had such a great time. Purt, as usual, kept us in stitches.
-Dave Maloney
Thank you so much for the photo of Joan and Purt. The photo does indeed strike a chord – it is Purt as I have always remembered him. Purt always had a smile and was always upbeat – what I liked best about him was that I always had the feeling there was a bit a mischief going on that that we would all find out about later. Purt suffered a lot these last few years and I feel badly about that. The world was a happier place with him in it. Thank you again for the photo –
– Bob Williamson
Dave Binns w/ Dave Dahlinger ’94
Not long ago, I saw a note with dates (and gaps) for those who had “crossed the bar”. At the time, the timeline for Dave Binns was a blank. While looking through old snapshots today, my wife came across this picture of Dave (left) and me when he came to visit in the fall of 1994 (as it was marked). While I do not know the exact date of his passing, I can say with certainty, that he passed in late 1994. He visited me in Plover to say goodbye to our wonderful friendship. He also used the opportunity to fill in some gaps that we had from some years of only limited contact including some details on the passing of his wife Carol who preceded him in death. Sometimes, it seems like only yesterday!
– Dave Dahlinger 2-18-2016