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2014 Reunion Photos & Memories
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From Videographer Steve Richter
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Just look at this unruly bunch!
"Any damn fool can navigate the world sober. It takes a really good sailor to do it drunk"--Sir Francis Chichester
More videos coming soon. Stay tuned!
"Thank you so very much for sending us Vinny's Maritime 50th Reunion package. I wish you could have seen how instantly he put the hat on and started reading the journal. We watched the DVD together and it brought up dialogue that was very touching for me to be a part of. I look forward to watching it again with Vinny and all my kids! The friendships and memories many of the men have today is remarkable and Carl and I am touched you still include Vinny when it's hard for him to give back the same way now. |
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"Reunion and website exceeded my expectations. It was an unforgettable highlight in memories of a lifetime. Thanks to those who worked so hard to make it happen.
Great to see the Ancient Mariners who blew in with Donna. 'Until we meet again, may the good Lord hold you in the palm of His hand'." --Tom Donohue |
Mr. Ed- still big!
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From Ed 'Big Ed' Ryznar
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Big Ed
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Regimental Commander Robert Carty 1964-1964 with Regimental Commander 1/C Victor Deveso 2014-2015
Cutie Pie
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From Joy Kisling
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Cutie grown into a beautiful woman
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...now you see her...now you don't!...Cardboard Mary, that is!
Reunion Thoughts from Joy:
Friday afternoon and evening.....it was so fun seeing guys come to the door of the Hospitality Room with a look of apprehension on their face and then all of a sudden break in to a huge smile and go hug someone. I was having a ball pinning Jack's awesome nametags and John McMurray's Reunion Pins on everyone! Any time I left the Room I encountered Classmates trying to find their way and always ended up hugging and chatting as I directed them to their friends. By the end of the evening, Rick said to me "Joy, if this Reunion ends tonight, I will feel it was a success".
Saturday morning.......I felt like I was attending Graduation all over again, except, the group looked a little different. Breakfast was nice. It was so cool to see some cadets mingling with the '64s. More Classmates showed up to enjoy the morning activities. When they all marched in with Jose's great hats, and Gene Sweeney waiving the Hurricane Flags Ed had made, I had the same feeling Rick had the night before!
When Rick got up to speak, he checked his fly because he really expected Ed to say "Hey Rick, your fly is open!" He managed to get past Admiral Alfultis' name out without stumbling too much. I felt so proud of him and all the time he put into making sure the words were appropriate.
The BBQ lunch was great and it was fun to wander around the Fort with Bonnie, Steve and Charlie. It felt like we were dating again!
Time to get back to the hotel to set up the screen that would show Steve's amazing DVD and decorate the tables. Time to get dressed.....This party is about to begin!!! Yikes! Ed saves the day when the batteries in the portable sound system wouldn't work! Yikes!! Rick forgot his tie!! Too far to go back, oh well!!
Saturday evening........The cocktail hour was great. More Classmates showed up and were reconnecting all over the place!!! People were setting their place cards in the dining room and we found out that Eric was the "Man of the Hour". He and Peg were included at two tables. We all love Eric!
The "Slang/Names Game" was so much fun. So many memories.....most I had heard..."elephant tracks", "Fart Sack", "Snap it On", "Stinky Ed", "Paco"...but there were so many I had never heard before! Everyone loved it!
Later the "Cheap White Wine" distribution with Frank Frontario's license taking the cake! You had to be there!
I guess the crowning moment for me came when I scanned the group in the dining room and realized that WE DID IT!!! and then I was invited to become an Honorary Member of the Class of '64, along with Mary O'Neill and Eileen Femenia.....so special! Felt proud. It was a wonderful evening. Several of us capped it off late into the night with an impromptu gathering in the Hospitality Room with a bottle of Grand Marnier. After all, wasn't that what got us into this party in the first place???!!!
Sunday morning..........Mass, with Classmate Father Jim Huvane, was so special and I was happy to share it with so many of "my Classmates". Rick had left the enormous bowl, that held the ice the night before, in the middle of the "Altar" for Jim to use as a chalice for the wine. He didn't.
Then it was time for breakfast and the inevitable goodbyes to all our friends....so sad.
Last Fall.....As the Reunion Crew began the plans for the 50th Reunion, I thought about the classmates I remembered. Then as I began to locate the missing ones, I began to anticipate the weekend and so the inevitable "expectations" began to form.
Now.....when people ask me how the reunion went, inevitably, my answer goes something like....."You know how when you start anticipating an upcoming event, you form expectations?"....."Well, this Reunion Weekend waaaay exceeded any expectations I could have ever imagined!!" My only disappointment was that I just didn't have enough time to reconnect with so many old friends. I am a chatter and would have loved to spend a 1/2 hour with everyone, especially the gals who shared the Schuyler days with their guys, as I did, back in the day. Well, we are committed to 2019, all seven of us! I will fix that then!
Saturday morning.......I felt like I was attending Graduation all over again, except, the group looked a little different. Breakfast was nice. It was so cool to see some cadets mingling with the '64s. More Classmates showed up to enjoy the morning activities. When they all marched in with Jose's great hats, and Gene Sweeney waiving the Hurricane Flags Ed had made, I had the same feeling Rick had the night before!
When Rick got up to speak, he checked his fly because he really expected Ed to say "Hey Rick, your fly is open!" He managed to get past Admiral Alfultis' name out without stumbling too much. I felt so proud of him and all the time he put into making sure the words were appropriate.
The BBQ lunch was great and it was fun to wander around the Fort with Bonnie, Steve and Charlie. It felt like we were dating again!
Time to get back to the hotel to set up the screen that would show Steve's amazing DVD and decorate the tables. Time to get dressed.....This party is about to begin!!! Yikes! Ed saves the day when the batteries in the portable sound system wouldn't work! Yikes!! Rick forgot his tie!! Too far to go back, oh well!!
Saturday evening........The cocktail hour was great. More Classmates showed up and were reconnecting all over the place!!! People were setting their place cards in the dining room and we found out that Eric was the "Man of the Hour". He and Peg were included at two tables. We all love Eric!
The "Slang/Names Game" was so much fun. So many memories.....most I had heard..."elephant tracks", "Fart Sack", "Snap it On", "Stinky Ed", "Paco"...but there were so many I had never heard before! Everyone loved it!
Later the "Cheap White Wine" distribution with Frank Frontario's license taking the cake! You had to be there!
I guess the crowning moment for me came when I scanned the group in the dining room and realized that WE DID IT!!! and then I was invited to become an Honorary Member of the Class of '64, along with Mary O'Neill and Eileen Femenia.....so special! Felt proud. It was a wonderful evening. Several of us capped it off late into the night with an impromptu gathering in the Hospitality Room with a bottle of Grand Marnier. After all, wasn't that what got us into this party in the first place???!!!
Sunday morning..........Mass, with Classmate Father Jim Huvane, was so special and I was happy to share it with so many of "my Classmates". Rick had left the enormous bowl, that held the ice the night before, in the middle of the "Altar" for Jim to use as a chalice for the wine. He didn't.
Then it was time for breakfast and the inevitable goodbyes to all our friends....so sad.
Last Fall.....As the Reunion Crew began the plans for the 50th Reunion, I thought about the classmates I remembered. Then as I began to locate the missing ones, I began to anticipate the weekend and so the inevitable "expectations" began to form.
Now.....when people ask me how the reunion went, inevitably, my answer goes something like....."You know how when you start anticipating an upcoming event, you form expectations?"....."Well, this Reunion Weekend waaaay exceeded any expectations I could have ever imagined!!" My only disappointment was that I just didn't have enough time to reconnect with so many old friends. I am a chatter and would have loved to spend a 1/2 hour with everyone, especially the gals who shared the Schuyler days with their guys, as I did, back in the day. Well, we are committed to 2019, all seven of us! I will fix that then!
The Evolution of Classmate Stan "Zip"Zydel...
ZEN...1964
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...ZENNER... 2002...
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...NOW- 2012...
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...and HOW!
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...."With the one exception of our 50th wedding anniversary celebration in July, this was the best time we have had in many moons. Everything was perfect! We sure hope there will be opportunities to see you again in the not-too-distant future...."--Bob Carty
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"Thank you reunion organizers for putting this all together and working so hard to contact the hard to find alumni like me. Again, thank you for giving us the opportunity to meet once more and reflect on our Maritime experience". --Artie D.
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Jack today
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FromJack O'Neill
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Jack back then...with hair!
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A Cadet
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From Bill Fleming
"After the reunion weekend, I saw many new reasons for Giving Thanks."--Bill Fleming
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A Wave Like Me
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Distant hurricane surges
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drive the ocean, enliven it
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A trough,
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appearing
serene, calm
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Gaining height,
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swelling to peak
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Shape shifting
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smooth to foam
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Color changing
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blue-green to pure white
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Cresting wave
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breaking airborne
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Teeming with
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microscopic life
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Frothing particles
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unique, wet
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Liquefying
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pounding into dark oneness
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Seamless motion
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birthing afresh
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Each wave and bubble
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appearing but once
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Momentarily
reflecting sun
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then collapsing
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Another wave
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generating anew
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Emerging
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from mystery
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Receding
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to potential
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All old and new and now
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creating and unfolding
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Timelessly
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(C) 2014 Bill Fleming
Thank you, Ashley Scotti!
From cutie...
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More Pictures from Joy Kisling |
to...Va...Va...Voom!
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Thank you, Janet Steiglehner!
Linda and Steve Tommony
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Come and get your hats!
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