1952

The months between September 1950 and March 1951,50 years ago, saw dramatic shifts in military power in the Korean War; unforgettable engagements in a forgotten war. Historians call the surprise landing in September at Inchon, planned and executed under the guidance of Douglas Mac Arthur, the most successful amphibious assault ever conducted, one of the largest gems in the "old soldiers" bejeweled career. Six months after brilliant success at Inchon, which drove the North Korean Army north nearly to the Yalu River, the Chinese entered the War and trapped elements of the U.S. and ROK armies and the Marine Corps at Chosin Reservoir. The breakout in Arctic winter weather is thought to be one of the most heroic of many Marine Corps operations. A short while later, Mac Arthur did battle with President Truman and lost—or was it a draw? A joint session of Congress heard him unforgettably explain the life course of an old soldier. We at Hanover, who were on the brink of draft call or accelerated ROTC training, were vitally concerned about the rapidly expanding conflict.

While planning is going ahead for our 50th reunion with many classmates enlisted to work, John North and the class executive committee are rethinking the format of the fall mini-reunion. Vick Trautwein, responsible for the minis, is looking for a volunteer delegate to the New England scene to organize a mini between Class Officers Weekend in mid-September and Homecoming in late October. The thought is to catch the good fall weather and have Hanover more to ourselves than it is at Homecoming. Expect to receive a notice in late spring with a date.

Did you know:john North is still answering the fire horn as a volunteer in Lyme. The boots, hat," breather and other gear have to weigh 60 pounds.

A recent letter from Steve Mandel outlines the preliminary goals and activity for our 50th Reunion gift to the College. He writes: "Since February 2000, our fund has grown from $109,000 to $480,000 with gifts from 30 generous classmates with another $400,000 promised." All these contributed to our total unrestricted goal of $3 million and bode well for success. The class of 1950, at its 50th, gave $4.3 million, $2.4 million unrestricted. The class of 1951 has more than $2 million, and 1953 is "threatening a gift of $10 million for their 50th." Steve is hopeful that our total class gift, including restricted gifts, will "easily surpass $10 million." This is clearly possible, God and the stock market willing, given our class reputation for giving. After all, this past year we won the John H. Davis Trophy for greatest nonreunion dollar total for the Alumni Fund.

A brief note from Dick Carlton of Bristol, Rhode Island, told of an illness from which he is recovering and which took his 40-foot sloop Smiles out of cruising commission for the last year. Dick has been sailing since his Navy days in Pensacola, where he taught aviation medicine. He writes, "I'm doing better," which should please Smiles very much and us too.

12 Rochester St., P.O. Box8, Scottville, NY 14546; (716) 889-3000 (phone);(716) 889-3044 (fax); hemy_williams@msn.com