United States Army

Infantry Officer Candidate School

Class 14-67, 52^nd Company

37^th Anniversary Reunion

Washington, D.C.

June 11-13, 2004

After Action Report

• Record attendance for our second reunion – 119 participants
• Visit to Fran O’Brien’s Steak House
• Tour of the White House
• Ceremony at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial (“The Wall”)
• Tour of the Pentagon
• Dinner and dancing at the Marriott Crystal Gateway
• Passing of the “guidon” to new Company leadership
• Voting for next reunion location

We now have our Second Reunion under our belts and what an affair it was!!! We easily surpassed the attendance at the Columbus, Georgia get together in 2002 as we now have accounted for almost the entire class. A total of 56 of our classmates (almost 40% of those alive) took the time and made the effort to share the weekend with their fellow graduates. Adding spouses to the roster we came in at 102; with friends, family and special guests there were a total of 119. Very impressive was the fact that 62 of our classmates and spouses at this event were also with us in Columbus, Georgia. This was a wonderful turnout – and we don’t think anyone could say we didn’t have an exceptional weekend.

The Marriott Crystal Gateway Hotel in Arlington, Virginia was the “Tactical Operations Center” for all our reunion activities. The Hospitality Suite there was our “Firebase” for the weekend. It was a place where anyone could stop by at any time (and did—the room was open all night on Friday). Lots of memorabilia were available, from Class Books to pictures from 37 years ago to pictures from our first reunion just 2 years ago to a special book honoring all of our KIAs. The walls were filled with pictures from upended barracks’ rooms to spit-shined floors to the programs from our Blue Day Ball and Graduation Day. Thanks to Jack Hogg (3^rd Platoon) for again supplying all the snacks used in the Hospitality Suite.

Name tags and Welcome Packages were again provided by Judy Harmon and Sandy Harmon, wives of Jerry (3^rd Platoon) and Dave (3^rd Platoon). They deserve a great deal of thanks for all their work (1^st and 2^nd reunions). Thanks to the efforts of Bob Usher (6^th Platoon) we also had special reunion hats which included the OCS logo and the date and place of our 37^th anniversary reunion.

On Thursday, June 10^th, approximately 50 people from all of our platoons gathered for dinner at Fran O’Brien’s Steak House in the Capitol Hilton Hotel in Washington, D.C. for dinner to personally thank Hal Koster (co-owner of O’Brien’s) for his exemplary behavior in helping to rehabilitate our Afghanistan and Iraq amputee veterans by transporting them weekly from the local VA hospital to his restaurant and providing free steak dinners to them and their guests. Fran O’Brien’s has spent thousands of dollars on this effort and Hal is a true American Patriot deserving of special thanks on behalf of ALL veterans. On Friday night, June 11^th, another group of approximately 25 people (mostly from the 5^th Platoon) did the same thing at O’Brien’s.

For those who arrived early, most of Friday, June 11^th, was devoted to personal sightseeing in Washington and helping to organize the Hospitality Suite. On Saturday morning, June 12^th, we began our first full day of activities when the order of business had everyone board chartered buses to head to Washington, D.C. Thanks to Chuck Bowens (2^nd Platoon) for helping to set up the first class transportation that we used all morning.

Our first stop was a visit to the White House. While we fully intended to have breakfast with George and Laura, the President was called out of town on Friday to celebrate his father’s 80^th birthday in Texas. After passing through White House security, which has beefed up in the past couple of years, we visited the areas open to the public which were very impressive.

We then took a short ride over to the Vietnam Veterans Memorial (better known as “The Wall”). Gathering on the lawn overlooking the most visited monument in our Nation’s Capital, we were joined by a Color Guard from the 3rd Infantry Regiment (the “Old Guard”), who every day honor our country by guarding The Tomb of the Unknowns at Arlington National Cemetery. After an invocation by George Hunsaker (3^rd Platoon), an introduction by Brian Smith (6^th Platoon) and remarks by Rick White (6^th Platoon) and Preston Funkhouser (2^nd Platoon), the class placed a flowered wreath at the center of The Wall. With the entire group at attention, the bugler from the Old Guard played Taps to honor our 10 Classmates and 2 Tactical Officers who made the ultimate sacrifice in Vietnam. The names of each were read with reverence by Rick White prior to placing of the wreath. The experience was very moving and brought tears to the eyes of everyone present. The ceremony was also noted by the 200 or more civilians who were also visiting The Wall. When the first few notes of Taps were sounded even they came to a stop and were silent until the bugler completed his mournful tune. Many of the other visiting veterans at The Wall rendered a respectful salute during Taps. Very special thanks go to Ted Harvey (3^rd Platoon and former Commander of the Old Guard) for using his continued relationships to get the Old Guard to participate in our ceremony. Time allowed for a walk around the Mall to see the Three Servicemen Statue and the Vietnam Women’s Memorial (both now considered part of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial), the Lincoln Memorial, the Korean War Veterans Memorial and the newly completed National World War II Memorial.

The entire class was honored at this event by the participation of

• Nancy Trick, widow of Omar Jones (3^rd Platoon - KIA), and Omar and Nancy’s son, Brent
• Mary Lazaro, sister of Bobby Lazaro (4^th Platoon - KIA)
• Claudia Jackson, Johanna and Bill Rucker, and Chuck Zimmerman, widow, sister, brother-in-law and brother of Bill Zimmerman (6^th Platoon - KIA)

We are continuing to expand the involvement of family of our brothers who were killed in action and it is ever so gratifying. Thanks to all of you for being a part of “our” family reunion. (For Mary Lazaro and Claudia Jackson it’s their second reunion. They both actively participated in Columbus, Georgia in 2002.)

From the Vietnam Memorial, the buses transported us to the Pentagon for a detailed tour set up by Werner Chamberlain (2^nd Platoon). The tour included the area, now a newly renovated indoor memorial, where the hi-jacked plane hit the Pentagon on 9/11. This also was a very moving experience and we “signed in” for the class in the Guest Book there. Thanks “Turk”.

The activities continued when everyone joined up again for dinner at the Marriott Crystal Gateway Ballroom Saturday evening which was nothing short of spectacular. The table decorations were outstanding thanks to the efforts of Joanne Braddock, wife of Bud Braddock (1^st Platoon), Toni Harvey, wife of Ted Harvey, and the “Harmon Girls” – that’s Judy and Sandy if you don’t know by now. If we’ve forgotten anyone, please forgive us and accept our thanks also.

Following the “Posting of the Colors” by the Old Guard, the Reverend Howard Renker (5th Platoon) gave the invocation.

Door prizes were awarded based on the results of a drawing conducted by Ashanti Brown (daughter of Ellis Brown – 1st Platoon), Camille Carter (daughter of Paul Carter – 1^st Platoon) and Leah Bulthaus (daughter of Doug Bulthaus – 1^st Platoon). These 3 lovely young ladies volunteered to do a song and dance number but “chickened out.”

The limited edition of “Reflections” (a very poignant view of “the Wall”) was won by Tom Medina (5^th Platoon). A similar painting of “the Wall” was won by Turk Chamberlain and a stand-in-flag (a flag flown over the US Capitol) was won by George Hunsaker.

Rick White gave us a moving account of the wounding and evacuation of his son (CPT Graham White, West Point Class of 00’) who was wounded while on patrol with the 3^rd Battalion, 75^th Ranger Regiment on 26 Jun 03’ in Iraq. Rick expressed his and wife Pamela’s sincere appreciation for all the prayers and thoughts offered on behalf of Graham in their time of great concern and worry. Thankfully, Graham has fully recovered and is currently in the Infantry Advance Course at Ft. Benning. Graham has also advised his dad that on numerous occasions, he has taken his Advance Course Classmates to see the plaque we dedicated to our KIAs at Ft. Benning. It is heart warming to see that today’s young officers are as appreciative of our heroes as we are of our Iraqi veterans.

Gary Yardley (6^th Platoon) led the group in our newly adopted tradition of singing Lee Greenwood’s “God Bless the USA.” Other business conducted during the meeting included handing over the “colors” (the 52^nd Company guidon) to Jerry Harmon and Dave Harmon, the new Commanding Officer and Executive Officer for the next reunion (1SG duties will be shared by Bob Usher and Brian Smith). The location of the next reunion was a very close vote that ended with Las Vegas as the winner. The date for the next reunion was set for 2007, however, a later vote by e-mail revised that to 2006 by a margin of 40 to 22. The reunion committee for ’06 will be chaired by Rick Gibson (2^nd Platoon), and Rick St. John (6^th Platoon) and assisted by Jerry Harmon, Dave Harmon, Brian Smith and Bob Usher. Any other volunteers will be graciously accepted. The remainder of the evening was spent reminiscing and dancing to the sounds of the wonderful Capital Big Band (thanks again to Ted Harvey).

We concluded our weekend with a breakfast at the hotel on Sunday morning when everyone had ample opportunity to say their good-byes, agree to visit and stay in touch with each other and do some planning for the next reunion.

As of the writing of this “After-Action Report,” we had accounted for 167 of the 169 graduates of our class and all the Company Cadre. This leaves only 2 graduates yet to be accounted for (Ed O’Brien and John O’Connor – both 5^th Platoon). We didn’t quite make the “all present or accounted for” goal that we were shooting for, but that won’t stop us. As we said 2 years ago, in keeping with one of this country’s greatest military traditions to never leave anyone behind, Class 14-67 pledges to continue the search until the whereabouts of the last man is known. This is nothing more than following in the spirit of our class motto --- “52^nd, Never Second, Sir!”

WITH VERY SPECIAL THANKS TO CAREY BOYLES (1^ST PLATOON) OUR 37^TH ANNIVERSARY REUNION PICTURES CAN BE FOUND SOON ON OUR CLASS WEB SITE AT: http://www.tele-onecom.com/ocs/

We wish to extend a special thanks to the Reunion committee in the DC area who spent many, many hours in preparation for this very successful 2^nd reunion. The final financial figures are not in yet but there is a possibility we over shot our budget and the DC committee members “footed” those extra expenses. As soon as the final figures are in, we may have to solicit donations to reimburse the out of pocket expensed by the DC committee. More to come on this issue.

Respectfully submitted:

Brian Smith Bob Usher

Acting CO Acting XO & 1SG

October 25, 2004

Those attending the 2004 Reunion of Infantry OCS Class 14-67 (52^nd Company) in Arlington, Virginia and Washington, D.C. were as follows. (First time reunion attendees are noted in “blue)

First Platoon

Ray and Kudie Able - Van Wert, Ohio

Pat and Gwen Adams - Nashville, Tennessee

Paul and Carol Biesemeier - Austin, Texas

Terry and Donna Boettner - Crofton, Maryland

Bud and Joanne Braddock - Reston, Virginia

Ervin and Kathy Bridges - Pisgah Forest, North Carolina

Mike and Cindy Briggs - Marion Center, Pennsylvania

Ellis Brown - Oakland, California

Doug and Mary Bulthaus - St. Anthony, Minnesota

Paul and Melisa Carter - Erie, Colorado

Second Platoon

Joe and Bernie Bambach - Oceanport, New Jersey

Chuck and Patricia Bowens - Washington, D.C.

Werner (“Turk”) Chamberlain - Basye, Virginia

Mike and Holly Day - Evans, Georgia

Wayland and Kay Denton - Concord, North Carolina

Sal and Helen Ferro - Woodbridge, Virginia

Pres and Charlene Funkhouser - Cascade, Idaho

Rick and Judy Gibson - Henderson, Nevada

Third Platoon

Henry and Betty Gold - Lipan, Texas

Dave and Sandy Harmon - Stockton, California

Jerry and Judy Harmon - Clovis, California

Ted and Toni Harvey - Reston, Virginia

Ted and Sally Hoey - London, Ohio

Bob and Margarite Holt - Georgetown, Texas

Wayne Humphrey - Maple Valley, Washington

George and Karen Hunsaker - Indianapolis, Indiana

Bruce Jacobs - Kannapolis, North Carolina

Fourth Platoon

Jim and Margaret Kennedy - Fayetteville, North Carolina

George Kuhls - Akron, Ohio

Dave and Janet Lamenzo - Bloomfield, Connecticut

Jules and Nadine Lloyd - Southington, Connecticut

Don and Terry Magness - Bois D’Arc, Missouri

Steve and Lorraine Marty - Fremont, California

Ted and Gail Mathis - Harrison, Michigan

Fifth Platoon

Ed Mazurek - Princeville, Hawaii

Tom and Susie Medina - Buda, Texas

Mike and Claudia Murray - Manlius, New York

Jim O’Leary - Austin, Texas

Leon and Carol Ooton - Jacksonville, Florida

Ralph and Ines Perez - San Juan, Puerto Rico

Dean Plager and Barclay Jackson - Portsmouth, New Hampshire

Allen and Shirley Reid - Loma, Colorado

Howard and Linda Renker - Southington, Connecticut

Tom Vassar - Glen Ridge, New Jersey

Sixth Platoon

Bob and Young McGuirk - Camp Hill, Pennsylvania

Reuben and Francine Rosenthal - Gladwyne, Pennsylvania

John and Fran Shaeffer - Hartville, Ohio

Mike and Lenore Simmons - Long Grove, Illinois

Brian and Janet Smith - Montecito, California

Rick and Belinda St. John - Las Vegas, Nevada

Bob and Jean Usher - Lacey’s Spring, Alabama

Rick and Pamela White - Alpharetta, Georgia

Pat and Kathy Wing - Ft. Wayne, Indiana

Kemper and Mary Winstead - Suffolk, Virginia

Gary Yardley - Dover, Idaho

Paul Zima - Downer’s Grove, Illinois

Special Guests

Georgiana Baldessari (guest of

Turk Chamberlain) - Laurel, Maryland

Ashanti Brown (daughter of Ellis) - Oakland, California

Gretchen & Leah Bulthaus

(daughters of Doug) - St. Anthony, Minnesota

Camille Carter (daughter of Paul) - Erie, Colorado

Anita Davis (guest of Bud Braddock) - Reston, Virginia

Jane Edwards (guest of Jerry Harmon) - Anaconda, Montana

Mark & Amy Guastavino

(guests of Steve Marty) - Fremont, California

Jennifer Harmon (daughter of Jerry) - Clovis, California

Robyn Holt (daughter of Bob) - Georgetown, Texas

Claudia Jackson (widow of Bill Zimmerman) - Atlanta, Georgia

Mary Lazaro (sister of Bobby Lazaro) - Glendora, New Jersey

Aric Lloyd (son of Jules) - Southington, Connecticut

Nancy Trick (widow of Omar Jones) - Bethesda, Maryland

Brent Trick (son of Omar Jones) - Stanfield, North Carolina

Chuck Zimmerman (brother of

Bill Zimmerman) - Gettysburg, Pennsylvania