1924
Fred Shaneman writes from Tacoma, Wash., "Some weeks ago I wrote Co-chairman Lonsdale and Maloney concerning our Twentieth Reunion, but apparently the surprises they have cooked up for us are so infamous as to prohibit announcement. Under the circumstances I am writing you as the fountain of all wisdom for '24 to determine just what is going to be done this Spring, if anything. I am laying my plans at this time so that I shall be able to attend the June meeting of the Alumni Council, and I am naturally hoping that while I am in the East the reunion will still be in progress, so that I can partake of the fun and see again a lot of you fellows who probably never have any intentions of coming out West." By the time this is in print you will know all about the reunion plans, Fred. I can assure you our committee has been working very diligently on them. Thanks for your letter.
Recent promotions that have come to our attention are Lt. Col. H. Dick Countryman, Capt. Alfred L. Burke, Lt. C. C. Morrison Fitch and Major Herbert C. Melleney. Also, Capt. H. E. Clark who is chief of surgery at the U. S. Naval Hospital in the Charleston Navy Yard.
Please get in your Alumni Fund gift at once. Bob Strong is a very busy man these days. Help him all you can. Do it now.
Hal Cowley has a fine article in the January issue of the Educational Record entitled "Freedom and Discipline." It is an excellent discussion of the place of the college and university in the postwar world.
Johnny Dregge, Lt. Col. to you, writes, "I am most happy in my new position as Military Attache to the American Legation in Cairo. It is a most interesting job and the contacts with people of all nationalities offer an opportunity for service that cannot be excelled.
"I have had some very interesting experiences, among them a trip to Saudi Arabia, as well as trips up into the Lebanon and Syria and practically all over North Africa.
"It is a part of the world that to my mind is unfortunately glamorized. Actually, the place impresses me as having little glamor, but it is beyond doubt one of the most interesting localities you can possibly find. The Egyptians are very favorably inclined towards Americans and the United States, and their friendly, courteous hospitality makes our Southern hospitality take a back seat. We have a great opportunity here and it is to be hoped that we can continue the friendly relations that now exist, after the war. They want us in here and I do hope that we keep up our present work.
"I have run across numerous Dartmouth men at numerous times. Andy Foster, a graduate of, I believe, '26 is in the Embassy to the governments near Yugoslavia and Greece: The biggest kick I got recently was meeting a young lad here who's in the class of '44 at Dartmouth—it made me feel pretty old.
"If any '24 men get over this way, please tell them to be sure to look me up at the American Legation." Thanks John for a fine and most interesting letter. It was good to hear from you. Here is a letter for us all:—
"When the Alumni Council voted to dispense with reunions for the duration, your Uncle Din and his bodyguard, Lonsdale, folded their white gloves and sighed that the hill winds would know them only as the by-passed phantoms of a ghost reunion, but the ghost says no. He is sick of pressure and howling for a frolic. So many of the fellows asked what we intended to do and where we intended to do it, and when we were going to come out with a plan, that we decided our job was to find out what the majority of the class wanted and then to provide as best we could.
"Following that thought, and bearing in mind that we might not be welcome in Hanover as a group, we canvassed fifteen locations between Shanty Shane and Atlantic City in order to find a spot within relatively easy reach of the largest number of fellows and in order to present definite dates and rates to the Executive Committee for decision on whether to hold a reunion or not, and if so, what kind to hold. These ideas will shortly be sent out to the Commitee and we will be guided by the majority vote of its members. Looks like some kind of an informal gathering late in June.
"So far, there are just as many who want a full dress reunion as there are who express great shock at the idea of any sort of gathering. Your chairmen are just a couple of boys who are easily led. "We have been on and off, according to who buzzed our ears all winter.
"What a cinch it must have been to run a reunion when a fellow knew absolutely that it was to be, and even had the date, the location, and the rooming arrangements all set for him. We sort of pity those who went before and those still to come. What a job they must have had breathlessly looking around to hire a piano, taking an extra day from business, and staying sober for part of the weekend. We don't really like being nasty, this just sort of blurted out. Lonsdale & Maloney."
Now from that great correspondent from the South, Red Newell: "Enclosed is a check in your favor for sso—representing my initial contribution to the Class Fund. Had intended to start operating in 3 figures, but there are simply too many cash demands these days, chief among which is the expense of completely furnishing a new house.
"We are frantically busy here, though not making much money out of it. The family is well and, while we frankly do not like South America, we have no kick coming and are duly greatful (S. A. style) that we can be together again after a total of almost three years' separation since the China war began in '37. All the best to you, yours and the gang." Thank you, Red for your letter and the nice gift. The check is the second largest one we have yet had.
THE SECOND FERRYING GROUP, U. S. Army Air Transport Command, includes 1 1 Dartmouth men. Shown above they are, front row, left to right: Lt. C. Bateman Ewart '42, pilot; S/Sgt. Everett P. Johnson '42, radio operator; Capt. Robert H. Ellinger '24, Post Exchange Officer; Capt. David K. Russell '28, executive officer of the 4th Ferrying Squadron; Sgt. Norman M. Pierce '26, Group Operations office; back row: Pfc. Richard M. Bugbee '43, radio operator; Lt. James W. Froude '42, pilot; and Capt. David R. Fleming '25, Signal Officer for the base. Not present for the picture were: Lt. Lionel V. Tefft '17, service pilot; Lt. Eugene Miles Prentice '38, navigator; and S. Sgt. John D. Latchis '37, service pilot.
Secretary, 45 Chestnut St., Wellesley Hills, 82, Mass. Treausrer, Chicago Safety Council 222 N. Bank Dr., Chicago, 111.
