1936

It would seem that our lives almost daily run into some sort of commemorative or anniversary occasion. The '36 50th last year was one of our greatest; currently Philadelphia and Boston are staging multi-day activities to honor the establishment of the United States Constitution 200 years ago; and just about now, as the November issue of the Alumni Magazine comes out, we pause to ponder Veterans' Day (Armistice Day to us old-timers!).

From Fran Horn '30 I received an article appearing in the Providence (R.I.) Journal entitled "Target: the Island of Gavutu" which suggested that we, when thinking of the significance of August 6th, also reflect a moment on August 7, 1987, the 45th anniversary of the first Allied offensive campaign in the Pacific when U.S. Marines stormed ashore in the Solomon Islands. The Ist Parachute Battalion in which Capt. RichardJoyce Huerth was commander of C Company, only some 45 days out of San Francisco and after a series of military and weather snafus, attempted to land on the shores of Gavutu in the face of a murderous crossfire from an alerted enemy garrison that had three hours to prepare to meet the marines. Capt. Huerth was killed in the en counter and never learned that he had been promoted to major that very day.

One result from the Gavutu post-operation report was a substantial change in the design of the landing craft to protect personnel from enemy fire.

Dick was a member of the scientific fraternity, Zeta Alpha Phi, founded in 1931 at Dartmouth. We still have quite a few surviving members of this club and if any of Dick's friends would like a copy of this article, drop me a note.

Most of us from time to time receive fascinating and tantalizing travel brochures for College-oriented trips to exotic places and occasionally a few of us succumb. CourtneyCatron and his wife, Margi, joined up with a western group of collegians for a trip to Vienna and a week on the Danube, plus ten days in the Alps at a nice time of year.

Across the country to Cape Cod, Charlieand Faith Brooks had so much fun on their 50th wedding anniversary trip down under to the Cup Races in Australia last January that they decided to go out to Arizona in October to help some old friends celebrate their 50th.

Our social chairman, Barry Sullivan has labored long and well arranging our various mini-reunions and off-campus get-togethers. One perennial problem with post awaygame gatherings is an understandable reluctance to party and then drive a substantial distance after an afternoon of fresh air and sunshine. But before he steps down as chairman Barry is urging all the classmates within 50-100 miles of Philadelphia to enjoy the hospitality after the Penn game, No- vember 21st, at the home of Clay and HelenMellor, 1701 Clair Martin Place, Ambler, PA (215/646-2297). If you can't reach Clay, call Connie Wickham in Bryn Mawr (215/527-8829) for directions, housing, and other information. Please try to come.

Happy Thanksgiving to you all!

12 Godfrey Road Mashpee, MA 02649