1943

Last December 15 Bing Donaldson and I trekked to Hanover to attend a memorial service for Fred Stockwell. Lyme Roads Church of Christ at Dartmouth was packed for this affair and all members of Freds family participated in this tribute to our classmate. A reception followed at the Hanover Inn. Among the attendees I spotted the following '43s and wives: Bud and D.J. Hall, Bob and Barbara Liming, Fritz and Nan Geller, Mike and Connie Thurston, John and Mary Jenkins, Paul and Ruth Young, Bob Field, Harry Townsend, Bud Kast and Tony Farrell. A few Christmas cards from classmates worth comment: Howie and Joan Leavitt, who would have you believe they are only traveling so the workmen can finish their kitchen; Herb Harrigan, who hasn't lost his writing skills or inquiring mind; Bud Wiggin, who challenges one with a math puzzle. Ginny Lloyd, Van's widow, in sorting through his papers found a Greenie authored by Johnny Koslowski in February 1943 that she thoughtfully sent me. Among the gems, this from Bud Hall: "I sure wish we could drop down to Allen's for a shake tonight or take in a show. 'Dartmouth Undying,' the song still rings in my ears." Bud, at the time was in the tank corps, stationed at Camp Bowie, Texas, and was giving up smoking because he wasn't in shape for the Commando training program. Charlie Donovan wrote Kos he was a naval aviation cadet in his second month at Chapel Hill. It's time to alert New England '43s that we'll plan to have the Cape Cod mini-reunion on Thursday, June 13, at Old Sea Pines Inn, Brewster—the flyer with details will be mailed to area '43s in mid-May. On the down side, two deaths to report: William A. Coughlin, September 25,2001, and Richard R. Moner, January 18. Our condolences to the families. On the plus side, your scribe will have tied the knot with Louise John by the time you read this. Stay well!

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