1916
RETURN OF THE NATIVE
Well, boys (and auxiliaries) of 1916, here we are home from the Army, and once again, after more than three years, pounding out the 1916 column,—a somewhat agonizing proceeding, what with lack of typing practice in the service, coupled with an unsound stenographic education. It is good to be back, and we (the editorial "we") herewith extend to all of you our warmest regards and assure you that we have not forgotten, and never will forget, the "super" twenty-fifth Reunion, which seems only a few weeks ago, so rapidly does time pass as we reach, shall I say, middle age.
ACCOLADE
To John Stearns, who, for over three years has served as acting secretary of the class, I extend my sincere thanks, both in person and for the class. He kept the column newsy and lively and put in a tremendous amount of time and energy keeping in touch with the merry men of Sixteen. Were I a drinking man, I would propose a toast to John. We owe him a debt of gratitude which cannot be repaid.
THE THIRTIETH
The questionnaires which have reached me to date show an overwhelming proportion of "Aye's" to the question, "Do you plan to attend the 30th Reunion next June?" This augurs well for a good party. After all, there is no reason why a Thirtieth can't be as good as a Twenty-fifth. We are not so ancient as yet, and Hanover is productive of excellent health and spirits. No dates have been set, but the whole complicated question of post-war reunions is being studied by a committee of master minds, including, naturally, the president of 1916. So mark your questionnaire "Yes" or "Aye" and I'll meet you at the 1916 tent when summer comes.
CHANGES OF ADDRESS
Because some of you may wish to communicate with certain ones of those who have moved, the following changes of address are herewith reported: Robert L. Bartlett, 329 Park Ave., East Orange, N. J.; Granville B. Fuller, 9 Hundreds Circle, Wellesley Hills, Mass.; Raymond A. Lawrence, 4418 Reservoir Rd. N.W., Washington 7, D. C.; Walter J. Morton, 1330 Quincy Shore Drive, Quincy, Mass.; William B. Osbom, 53 Parkwood Blvd., Mansfield, Ohio; Kenneth W. Ross, Federal Power Commission, Washington, D. C.; Thomas H. Ryan, 432 Equitable Bldg., Denver, Colo.; Robert S. Steinert, 436 Park Square Bldg., Boston, Mass.; Samuel N. Stone, R.F.D. c/o Biscoe Farm, Middlebury, Conn.; Robert B. Thieme, 357 S. Hill St., Los Angeles 13, Calif.; Roland S. Wass, 8370 Oakwood Ave., Los Angeles 36, Calif.
NEWS FLASHES
Stew Paul, known officially as Major General W. S. Paul, is back in this country after his splendid tour of duty overseas, some details of which have been related in previous issues of this MAGAZINE. He is now serving as G-1 on the War Department General Staff in Washington, D. C. His son, Richard Irving, is a major of Infantry and was awarded the Bronze Star. Stew's division was one of the big factors in plugging the German push at the battle of the Bulge. During the latter part of October a number of the class attended an impromptu reception for Stew and Ruth at Alec Jardine's home in Wellesley Hills, Mass. In addition to the guest of honor and his wife, the following were present: Frank Bobst (our dapper president), Howdy Parker, Parker Hayden (author of The Large Intestine, from which, I understand, he read a few excerpts), Ted Walker, Major Jack English, Togo Upham, Fred Bailey, Bob Steinert, OUie Ba'rr, Dick Ellis, Bill Mott, Sam Cutler (Remember me, Lou?), Alec Jardine (who, I trust, reaped a harvest in collecting dues). It is reported that following the party, Ruth and Stew left immediately for Washington. This denotes either splendid restraint and character on the part of the guests of honor (in other words they behaved in a temperate manner) or a shortage of certain fundamentals ordinarily connected with a reception, either informal or formal. Knowing Alec as I do, I have no doubt it was the former.
Incidentally, Stew Paul writes that Colonel John Ames, the gay bachelor, served with him at Headquarters USFET, and John, himself, writes to inquire about the Thirtieth, asking for a "target date" for getting back to the United States. Now if the Army is releasing men in order for them to attend a college reunion, things have surely changed since "my day" in the service. Anyhow, I hope it is true, as we would like to see John and the others who are now overseas.
The Manchester (N. H.) Union for October 12, 1945, contains an excellent article about the release of Major John P. English and includes a picture of Jack, looking no different to me than the Jack I knew in 1916. As part of his service overseas, Jack was commanding officer of an RAF field in England, near the English Channel, and he received a number of commendations for his work in restoring damaged planes and rendering aid to wounded personnel. Jack has two sons in the service, Pfc. Robert 8., in the Pacific area, a member of the Air Forces, and Pvt. John, in the Infantry in Germany.
Stirling Wilson, a lieutenant commander in the Navy, writes, "Am in Naval Hospital at Bethesda, Md., and it's wonderful. I don't want to get well." This communication puts me in a somewhat embarrassing position. Ordinarily I would wish the inmate a speedy recovery, but in view of Stirling's comments, I will wish him a good time and a good rest until he feels like leaving his comfortable surroundings and returning to the less comfortable outside world.
PICTURE OF THE MONTH
Responding to the request of the acting secretary, Shorty Hitchcock sent in a picture accompanied by a query as to why the class would want a replica of his "ugly puss." This overindulgence in modesty has persuaded me to publish the picture and it is expected to appear in this issue. Shorty writes that he is a civilian first class and enjoys it, and that in the next war1 he'll be his age and not paw the ground and snort when the band begins to play. AMEN!
1916's LEND LEASE TO THE NAVY, handsome Lt. Commander C. Carleton "Shorty" Hitchcock, who has had interesting sea duty in two world wars.
Secretary, 2542 Stratford Rd. Cleveland Heights 18, Ohio
Treasurer, 34 White Oak Road Wellesley Hills, Mass.
