1943

Does it appear to you that with the passing of August 15, the anniversary of the actual Japanese surrender in WWII, we of 1943 have crossed a seminal point in our lives? Beginning with the 50th reunion of our class, accelerating to the anniversary of VE Day, and ultimately to the near present, we have each gone through a period of introspection calling up that time in our lives, the years of WWII/Korea, which was unlike that experienced by any save perhaps a few others.

Our class newsletter (by the way, I think it's superb) has chronicled the contributions of many of us in those years, and in so doing has spoken for us all.

Now, as time passes, secure as to the validity and the worth of our actions in that time, I hope we will continue to speak forthrightly but without malice to those who would den- igrate our actions as we move on to address the issues of this time.

Big bank mergers and combinations seem to go on endlessly, reminding one of a game of musical chairs. Charlie Donovan's welcome note encloses a clipping advising that Bill Seidman, in addition to his many other activities, has agreed to serve as advisory board chairman of a company formed to establish a community bank serving the greater Philadelphia area. As chairman of the FDIC from 1985 to 1991 he sought to maintain the deposit insurance system and to lessen the regulatory burden on small banks. Bill continues to champion community banks, noting that alliances of larger banks create the business crumbs on which community banks thrive. In a recent meeting with the new bank's directors Bill is quoted as advising them their "... job is not to tell the chief executive what a great man he is." That's Bill, continuing to tell it as it is!

Bing Donaldson's kind note was most welcome, and it was good to see him and Anne at the Cape Cod luncheon in August. I understand Bob and Barbara Liming may have moved from Lebanon to a condominium in West Lebanon in August. I wonder how many of us have made such a move, or are contemplating one? Betsy and I are in the thinking stage of such a move now.

We have learned of the death of Harry Gustafson's wife, Marjorie, earlier this year, and also of the more recent death of Red Krumm's wife, Jan. We offer our sincere condolences to Harry and to Red.

29 Foxworth Lane, Kingston, MA 02364