August 8, 2008
Subject: 55th Reunion Final Report
To: Class of 1953

SUMMARY

Planning for our 55th reunion started on October 21, 2005, when the Reunion Committee had its initial meeting. Committee membership remained essentially the same as for the 50th reunion, except that a major expansion of the committee was proposed and implemented to assure that all the important functions had adequate backup. At the second meeting on March 15, 2006, the committee agreed to center the reunion at the Woodcliff Lake Hilton as it had for the 45th and 50th reunions.

For this reunion, our two main objectives were to provide for (1) more scheduled events at the Academy and (2) more time for attendee interaction. The reunion events took place over a three-day period with activities taking place at the Academy each day.

Attendance Summary:

The success of the reunion is reflected by the abundance of positive responses, during and since the reunion, by those who attended.

REUNION COMMITTEE OPERATIONS
The committee as a whole met on 6 occasions and numerous smaller meetings from October 2005 through May 2008.

CRITIQUE
The weather did cooperate for all reunion days. The West Point Band and the cadets performed magnificently in our honor during the alumni exercises and parade on the plain.

About half of the Reunion Committee members were unable to attend, mainly for physical reasons. Nevertheless, the events took place on schedule, but not without much consternation. For example, Bob Blum, our chaplain, had to back out because of an emergency at home. His backup, Brent Brentnall, got as far as Newark before an emergency at home restricted his attendance. We called upon Monty Speir to conduct the memorial service in the Cadet Chapel and he did a superb job.

There were a few complaints about the food service at the hotel, but, on the other hand, the hotel management was effective in assuring our stay was as comfortable as possible.

We had a few problems with the Academy management: 1) last minute bus schedule changes that we could not respond to adequately, 2) untimely notice that only one of the three superintendent's boats were available, and 3) the lack of detailed information available to us about the Academy chapels. On the other hand, the Academy did provide us the services of three outstanding Class Aides and other important support.

The enclosure is a list of documents that complete the record for our 55th reunion. These documents can be made available on request.

Sincerely,

Bud Tardiff
Reunion Chairman

Enclosure as stated.