The Wings of Eagles 1957 trailer

Richard Raymond's October Poem - The Sounds of Autumn

                              

                            THE SOUNDS OF AUTUMN

                                  A Kind of Reprise *

October-season's for pumpkins and witches,

Feasting and drinking from green Summer's riches,

Werewolves and vampires and bats on black wings,

These ought to serve as some favorite things—

Bobbing for apples and sipping on cider,

Trickings and treatings (Look out for that spider!)

Kids leap on leaf-piles and swing on tire-swings,

Fall is a great time for favorite things—

Harvest-moon hayrides and toasting marshmallows,

Ghoulies and ghosties, the Eve of All-Hallows,

Songs at the fireside, with sweet gatherings,

Can't you remember those favorite things?

  When the hair thins and the bones creak,

  When our joys are few—

  Let's simply take comfort from favorite things,

  I do every day—don't you?

7-5-20

Death of a Classmate - Commander John Edward Riester USN (ret)- 19th Co,

John (Jack) Riester passed away on September 17, 2020 in Williamsburg Virginia. He was born October 30, 1931 in Auburn, New York to John and Mary Riester.

Jack spent one year at St. Bonaventure University before accepting an appointment to the United States Naval Academy, Class of 1954, 19th Company. While at the Academy he played football and lacrosse and met his future wife, Jane Stevens from Falls Church, Virginia. They were married in December 1954.

After graduation, Jack went to Pensacola, Florida for flight training and then to Kingsville, Texas for multi-engine training. His first duty for five years was flying S2F's, as an anti-submarine warfare carrier pilot based in Norfolk, Virginia. He was also his squadron's Landing Signal Officer. In addition to his bachelor's degree from the Naval Academy, he obtained a professional engineering license from New York state.

After seven years active duty, Jack transitioned to the Navy Reserves and for over thirty years, he was an engineering supervisor for Eastman Kodak Company in Rochester, New York. Upon Jack's retirement from the Navy Reserves and Kodak, Jack and Jane moved to their home in Bethany Beach, Delaware.

Jack was an active member and volunteer in his church, coached youth sports, led Boy Scout troops and was involved in many other civic projects. An avid gardener, he was often found tending to flowers in his yard. For six years Jack was the Bethany Beach 4th of July Parade Commissioner. He and his wife spent twenty years delivering Meals on Wheels in rural Delaware.

Above all of Jack's accomplishments, he was best known for his devotion to God, his family, relatives and friends. There was nothing that made Jack happier than spending time with his wife, children and grandchildren. He will live on in his family for years to come and will always be known as the legendary "Grandpa Jack."

Jack was preceded in death by his parents and his second oldest son Andrew. He is survived by his wife, Jane; three sons, John E. Jr. (Denise), Peter USNA 81 (Nancy), and Matthew (Lynn); three daughters, Betsey Lisenbee (Donald), Sara Dillon (Mark), and Martha Marino (Marc); thirteen grandchildren and four great grandchildren, his brother Donald and sister Carol Duffy.

A funeral Mass will be held at Our Lady of Hope, Potomac Falls. Interment will be held at a later date.

Memorial donations in memory of Jack can be made to the National Multiple Sclerosis Society or the Red Cloud Indian School, Pine Ridge Indian Reservation, South Dakota.

Adams-Green Funeral Home & Crematory

721 Elden Street

Herndon, VA 20170

P: (703) 437-1764 or (703) 471-4090

Death of a Classsmate - John Daniel Keating - 20th co.

John Daniel Keating of Williamsburg, VA died on Sep 22, 2020.  He was 89 years old. 

"Jack" grew up in Kingston, NY graduating from Kingston High in 1948 while lettering in football and track.  He was an avid outdoorsman and Eagle Scout.  Jack entered the U.S. Naval Academy in 1950, lettering in 150lb football.  He graduated with the Class of 1954 (20th Company).

Upon graduation, Jack reported to NAS Pensacola, FL for basic flight training in the AT-6 Texan then NAS Kingsville, TX for advanced flight training in the T-33 Shooting Star earning his Naval Aviator Wings in 1956.

Jack's first assignment was to VA-44 at NAS Jacksonville, FL where he flew F9F Cougars and the A-4D Skyhawk.  He operated on the USS Randolph CV-15 and the USS Saratoga CV-60.  In 1958, Jack reported to VA-72 at NAS Oceana, VA where he flew the A-4D Skyhawk and deployed to the Med on the USS Wasp CV-18.  Jack married Joan (Klucz) Keating of Virginia Beach, VA at the NAS Oceana Chapel on July 11, 1959.

Later in 1959, Jack reported to the Naval Air Development Unit (NADU) at NAS South Weymouth, MA where he test flew most Navy aircraft in the inventory including the P-2V Neptune and the F-4 Phantom.

After leaving the Navy in 1961, Jack and his family moved to Bitburg, Germany where he worked as a test pilot for the LFE Corporation.  In 1963, they re-located to Torrance, CA where he managed all west coast sales for the Link Simulation Company.  Promoted to Senior Program Manager, they moved to Vestal, NY in 1964 where he assumed a key role in the expansion of Link's government business and was responsible for the development of flight simulators for the North American Apollo Command Module, Grumman Lunar Module, SR-71, P-3C, L-1011 and B-747 aircraft as well as the Trident Submarine program.  Jack finished his distinguished career in Fairfax, VA as the Vice President for Link's Washington Operations.

He is survived by his wife Joan of 61 years; sons Michael-USNA 83 (and Stacey) of Sarasota, FL, John (and Judy) of Englewood, FL, and Geoffrey (and Kate) of Warrenton, VA; daughter Leslie Nalewaik (and Dave) of Kapolei, HI, and 11 grandchildren.  He also leaves brother Thomas Keating of Madison, TN, and sister Ann Wehner (and Robert) of Alamo, CA.  Jack is pre-deceased by his brother Stephen Keating and granddaughter Tiffany Keating.

The Founding of the U.S. Naval Academy

Death of a Classmate - Jack Keating - 20th Co.

I obtained word on Facebook that Jack Keating passed away.

It's a tough day when your hero passes away. From First Communions to graduations and weddings my Dad was always there for all of his kids and grandkids too!

Early this morning, I was blessed to be there for him to hold his hand one last time and say, "Thanks for being the greatest Dad ever. I love you!"

Godspeed, Dad. Love and prayers with you on your way to Heaven.

Naval Academy Noon Meal Formation in 4k UHD

USNA- The Making of An Officer

US Navy Tribute Song: Fly away.

Death of a Classmate - Harold Lawrence Young - 8th Co.

Harold Lawrence Young, "Ted," retired Rear Admiral US Navy, died Tuesday, September 1, 2020 in Saco, Maine, at the age of 91.

Born in Plymouth, Massachusetts on July 19, 1929, to Margaret (White) and Ralph Young, Ted became enamored with the Navy as a teenager, deciding it would be his career. He was in his third and final year at Massachusetts Maritime Academy, when he received the news that he had been accepted into the U.S. Naval Academy, fulfilling his personal dream. Ted graduated from Mass Maritime in 1950 and continued on to the USNA, where he graduated in 1954. He then began an accomplished Navy career, including Shipyard Commander at Portsmouth Naval Shipyard and Vice Commander, Naval Sea Systems Command.

In addition to his work for the Navy, Ted was proud of his family. He met his wife, Alice Dugan, while classmates at Plymouth High School in Plymouth, Mass. Ted and Alice were married during "June Week" at the USNA, and their honeymoon was a cross-country trip to San Diego, California, for Ted's first assignment as Engineer aboard the destroyer USS Twining (DD 540), from 1954 to 1957. His first child, Mark, was born the day after Ted left for a six-month deployment. In 1957, they returned to the East Coast, where Ted attended the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, graduating with the degrees of Naval Engineer and Masters of Science in Naval Architecture and Marine Engineering. In 1960, he attended submarine school and qualified in submarines while serving as Gunnery Officer aboard USS Trumpetfish (SS 425).

Like most military families, Ted and Alice moved frequently with their family, for varied naval duty stations. One exception was their time in Norfolk, Virginia. Here, while his family lived in the same house, Ted served in five different Navy positions, including an overseas tour in Vietnam (1972 - 1973), where he was Senior Advisor for the Vietnam Naval Shipyard in Saigon. Ted and his family fondly remember their 10 years there, enjoying a rare opportunity for a Navy family to put down roots. This time also afforded Ted the opportunity to become involved in the local community, including coaching his sons in youth sports.

He and Alice returned to their beloved New England in August 1976, where he served at Portsmouth Naval Shipyard in Kittery, Maine, initially as Production Officer then, in 1978, Shipyard Commander. Ted's management style was close and personable; he enjoyed riding his bicycle down to the drydocks, to talk to the workers and check on the submarine repairs. While he went on to positions of even greater responsibility, he often referred to this time as the pinnacle of his career.

Promoted to Rear Admiral, Ted served as Supervisor of Shipbuilding in Groton, Connecticut, overseeing the construction of nuclear powered attack and Trident ballistic missile submarines, including the 1st Trident, Ohio (SSBN 726). Here, he received his first of two Distinguished Service Medals, the Navy's highest non-combat award, for major contributions to the design and construction of the Ohio and Los Angeles classes of nuclear powered submarines. Ted's last assignment was in Washington, DC, where he served as Vice Commander, Naval Sea Systems Command and, additionally, Chief Engineer of the Navy, from 1983-1988.

In 1982, Ted received an Honorary Doctorate's degree in Public Administration from Massachusetts Maritime Academy. He was highly-decorated, including twice receiving the Distinguished Service Medal, twice receiving the Legion of Merit, and the Meritorious Service Medal.

Ted and Alice retired to beautiful Hilton Head Island, South Carolina, where they taught Sunday school at Holy Family Catholic Church, enjoyed bike riding and long walks, swimming in the ocean, and entertaining family and friends. Ted and Alice traveled internationally, visiting, among other countries, Australia, Greece, Ireland, and Spain. They celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary by bringing their children to Italy, and they also made a pilgrimage to Fatima, Portugal. In 2014, due to failing health, they moved to Saco, Maine to be closer to family. Ted and Alice were married 64 years; Alice died in 2018.

Ted was hard-working, patriotic, determined, intelligent, and athletic. He loved music, the Boston Red Sox, and a good laugh. He was a devoted husband and a caring father, grandfather, and great grandfather. He delighted in family celebrations; he especially loved to hold the babies. He lived a full and good life, and he will be much missed.

Ted is survived by his brother, Barrie W. Young (Ann) of Plymouth, Mass., and five children, Mark L. Young (Susan) of Saco, Maine, David M. Young (Monica) of Greenland, N.H., Maureen Young Ingram (Tony) of Silver Spring, Md., Harold L. Young, Jr. "Sonny" (Suzanne) of Bethesda, Md., and Ralph F. Young (Kristen) of Franklin, Mass. He leaves behind 17 grandchildren and 14 great-grandchildren.

The family would like to thank the caregivers of Home Instead and Seal Rock Healthcare in Saco, Maine, for their compassionate care in Ted's final years.

SERVICES: Admiral Young will be buried at Arlington National Cemetery, at a later date. To view his memorial page or leave an online condolence, please visit www.cotefuneralhome.com.

Memorial contributions may be made to Massachusetts Maritime Academy (www.maritime.edu/give) or Holy Family Catholic Church (www.holyfamilyhhi.org).