THE ROMANCE OF STEAM LOCOMOTIVES * - Dick Raymond's April Poem

 THE ROMANCE OF STEAM LOCOMOTIVES *

For Roanoke, a Railroad Town

        Far down the valley sounds the mournful whistle,

Its echo wakes the eagle from his nest,

The chuffing steam erupts from iron vessel,

As round the bend come passengers, expressed.

The great black engine shows his mighty muscle,

His pistons work the drivers lightning-quick,

No time to waste, he’s all hot steam and hustle,

Rolling across the switches clickty-click.

How long … how long ago such scenes enacted!

Those wailing whistles from a distant past—

Is there no means for Time to be contracted,

To hear once more that lonely whistle-blast?

Those ghostly locomotives still remind us

Of great adventures, tearing down the track—

But O--how far their great days are behind us,

As we roll on, so seldom looking back!

* But only a couple of years ago, the famous 611, a Y6 streamliner once retired from service on the Norfolk and Western, was taken down to the shops in North Carolina, completely reconditioned, refueled and sent back on its own steam, proudly rolling in to the Roanoke yards, as hundreds of loyal fans waved and cheered. Its announced purpose was to power excursion trains. 

 

With the grace that defined her entire life, JoAnne Powell joined her beloved Charles in heaven on March 24, 2021. Born in Nashville, Arkansas on November 27, 1931 to Brooks and Iva Mae McAdams, JoAnne learned at a young age that honesty, hard work, personal ethics, and character were the values to live by and she did just that throughout her life. She grew up in Nashville with her childhood sweetheart Charles Powell, graduated from Southern Arkansas University, and married Charles in December 1954, six months after he graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy. From that moment on, wherever life took them, their lives were as one, until he left this world on July 2, 2020.

JoAnne was a nomadic Air Force wife for over thirty years, finally settling in San Angelo with Charles's final assignment at Goodfellow AFB. Once here, JoAnne began to work her magic on base and in the community. She revived the Goodfellow Officer's Wives Club and started the Christmas Bazaar (now Santa's Village). In 1984, she became the District Office manager and area staff aide to Congressman Tom Loeffler, and continued in that position serving three more members of Congress, Congressman Lamar Smith, Congressman Michael Conaway and Congressman August Pfluger. JoAnne took great joy in solving problems for the constituents throughout the district. For her it didn't matter who they had voted for, what family they came from, how much education they had or what their jobs were. They were people with problems who needed her and she was always there to stand for them.

JoAnne also stood for her community, working tirelessly for causes she believed were essential for others to thrive. She served on the boards of United Way, Red Cross, Angelo Civic Theatre, Concho Valley Partnership, Meals for the Elderly, Hope for the Holidays, Hospice of San Angelo and the Concho Valley Republican Women to name a few, and was a member of the Johnson Street Church of Christ supporting both its mission and its outreach. Her service brought her many honors, including being named one of the "Top Ten Republican Woman" by the Texas Federation of Women, "Woman of Distinction" by the Girl Scouts of Central Texas, and receiving the "Keeping the Flame of Hope Alive" Award from the United Way.

Maya Angelou said "When someone shows you who they are, believe them," and JoAnne Powell showed us who she was every day. She was love in action, a force of nature, full of compassion, humility, truth and service to each person she met. Her life reflected those core values learned long ago, a life filled with generosity, patience, guidance, wisdom, and most of all, an effort to always do good and make a difference in other people's lives.

She is survived by her daughter Teresa Anne McKinney and husband, Bryan of Flower Mound, two grandchildren Dr. Colin Bryan Powell McKinney of Crawfordsville, IN, and Caitlin Brooke McKinney Cannady and husband, Jeremy, of San Angelo, two nieces and a number of cousins. She was preceded in death by her husband and soulmate, Colonel Charles E. Powell, parents Brooks & Iva Mae McAdams, brother James Brooks (Jim) McAdams, and in-laws Alford Jackson Powell and Maggie Mae Powell Cowling.

Visitation will be held at Harper Funeral Home on Monday, March 29th from 5-7 PM. Funeral services will be at 10AM on Tuesday, March 30th at Johnson Street Church of Christ and will also be live-streamed through Harper Funeral Home's Facebook page. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Rust Street Ministries or a charity of your choice.

Family and friends can share online condolences at www.harper-funeralhome.com.

Published in GoSanAngelo from Mar. 26 to Mar. 28, 2021.

From our Class Poet, Dick Raymond - NAVAL "JUSTICE" *

                                         

                                            NAVAL "JUSTICE" *

 

              “In a scathing judgment, Admiral Michael Gilday, Chief of Naval Operations,     

                confirmed the relief for cause of Captain Brett Crozier, former commanding     

              officer of USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN-71), for having sent, without prior   

              authority, a letter to higher officials, critical of the risks his crew were facing 

              from the threat of corona virus.”     -- News item

 

            When the Military Officer confronts the seasoned Pol,

            On “Duty-Honor-Country” so sublime,

            You may talk of moral principles, but this is just a fact,

                        The Politician wins it, every time.

 

            The Officer is bound by the solemn oath he swore,

            To violate it constitutes a crime,

            But the Politician calculates his reelection odds,

                        So the Politician wins it, every time.

 

            It doesn’t count a particle, the rightness or the wrongs,

            Or if the Politician reeks of slime,

            His word outweighs the Officer’s, no matter what the case,

                        For the Politician wins it, every time.

 

            So if you be that Officer, prepare to be deep-sixed,

            Your truth and honor isn’t worth a dime—

            Your reputation’s scuttled, while the Politician skates,

                        Hey! the Politician wins it, every time!

            6-22-20

* Although the order relieving that captain was briefly rescinded, restoring him to command, 

the move was revoked by higher authority, and the former skipper is now permanently on the beach. 

To get to be CNO requires high political skills, leadership and concern for his men are apparently secondary.

 

 

Death of a Classmate Richard R. HARTLEY 9th Co.

The following was posted on 54net.org by Pete Easton

It is with great sadness I report the death of a very close friend from Cutaneous T-cell Lymphoma. Dick Hartley, aka Salty Sam, died last Tuesday from this horrible cancer after fighting it for 15 years. He has gone through all sorts of treatments; chemo, radiation, blood recirculation and anything else that could possibly help. The last 3 or so years have been intensive, and the poor guy had itchy skin continually, but he fought hard and kept a great attitude, being positive about everything. If you said let's go... he would say OK even though he was suffering, he never showed it.

Dick and I are both from Hawaii but first met each other plebe year when we were assigned to the 9th Co. Kathy and I fixed him up for a blind date (Jodi) from Conn College for Women our youngster year. They were a couple and were married two years after us. We were both in each others wedding. We stayed close - even after Dick left the Navy and graduated from Harvard Business School. Our kids got to know each other. We did dozens of member guests, travelled through Alaska, western Europe, British Isles, around South America, safari in South Africa, all our class reunions, and survived many surprise birthdays and anniversaries. Since we moved to Naples they have wintered here where Dick could do his favorite thing - swim. He was a fish and no matter where we were, he would find water.

Talked to Jodi and during our discussion she mentioned Dick would have ashes spread in the waters off Maui. Told her that is were I spread my father's ashes back in 1972 - so maybe he and Dick will meet where the whales play.

Besides Jodi, Dick is survived by his two daughters Pam and Margot and 3 grandsons who adored him as much as he adored them.

Aloha oe Dick, enjoy playing with the fish up there.

Death of a Class Mate - John T. Marshall, Jr. - 12th Co.

                                                        

John T. Marshall, Jr., passed away on 29 January 2021, at the age of 88, after a brief illness.

John was born in Portland Maine and grew up in Hingham, MA. John graduated from the US Naval Academy in 1954 and stationed in CA where he met and married his wife, Joyce. The Navy brought them to Va. Beach in 1965. Upon leaving the Navy, John taught math and coached tennis at First Colonial High School. He also worked for System Development Corp prior to his retirement where he traveled to Germany and Japan. He and Joyce were married for 57 years until her passing in 2016. His parents and brother, Scott also preceded him in death. John loved traveling the world, attending the annual Army / Navy football games with his family and close friends (Go Navy!), eating steamed crabs on the back deck for his birthday and drinking a beer on the Anna Marie Island City Pier in Florida.

John is survived by his sons Steve (wife Kim) and Jay (wife Nicole), six grandchildren and six great grandchildren; his sister Janet and brother Bruce. He leaves behind numerous nieces and nephews in the US and Canada. John was a man of few words and requested no service.

The family will gather with friends when the weather warms and COVID restrictions lift to celebrate John's life. Donations in John's name can be made to the organization of your choice. Online condolences may be offered to the family at www.hollomon-brown.com.

Published in The Virginian-Pilot on Feb. 7, 2021.

***

Joyce Montgomery Marshall, died peacefully surrounded by her family on January 21, 2016, after a short illness. She was born on December 7, 1933, in Ontario, Canada and moved to Longbeach, CA, where she met and married her husband, John. She moved to Virginia Beach in 1965 and retired from Virginia Beach General Hospital after 30 years of service as a registered nurse. She enjoyed traveling the world, playing Bingo with her granddaughter, Stacey and spending her winters on Anna Marie Island, Florida walking along the gulf coast. Joyce is survived by her loving husband of 57 years, John T. Marshall; sons, Steven (wife Kim) and Jay (wife Nicole); 6 grandchildren, Stacey (husband Brent), Justin, Caitlin (husband Joe), Brent, Kelsey and Matthew; and 4 great grandchildren, Mason, Julianna, Logan and Kenzi. She is also survived by her sister, Mae; and numerous nieces and nephews. Special thanks to her sister-in-law, Janet Gunther and best friend, Betty McWilliams for all the years of friendship and special care during her recent illness. A memorial service will be held at 3 p.m. Friday, Jan. 29, 2016, at Hollomon-Brown Funeral Home, Great Neck Chapel. Condolences may be offered to the family at www.hollomon-brown.com Funeral Home Hollomon-Brown Funeral Home, Great Neck Chapel Hollomon-Brown Funeral Home, Great Neck Chapel 1264 Great Neck Road Virginia Beach , VA US 23454 Memorial Service Hollomon-Brown Funeral Home, Great Neck Chapel Hollomon-Brown Funeral Home, Great Neck Chapel 1264 Great Neck Road Virginia Beach , VA US 23454.

PBI Research Services

Services for a Class Mate - Thomas U. Sisson -10th Co

                                                              

Thomas U. Sisson went to heaven on August 31, 2020.  The funeral will take place in the Old Post chapel at 12:45 pm on February 25, 2021.  There is a 50-person limit for the congregation.  Burial will follow the funeral in the Arlington National Cemetery.

 

Our Poet's February Poem - A DAY FOR REEFERS

 

A DAY FOR REEFERS

‘Mid February’s sleets and snows, 

 With icy feet and ruby nose, 

 We trudged along brick Stribling Walk, 

 Our jaws too cold to waste in talk-- 

 Steam kits were hanging from our fists, 

 We butted through the fogs and mists, 

 One thought behind each frozen brow: 

 If Spring must come, let it be NOW! 6-3-20

Death od a Class Wife - Elisabeth M. Henifin - 19th Co

Elisabeth M. Henifin, devoted Navy wife December 1, 2020 Cape Gazette Elisabeth M. Henifin (Betsy), 88, completed her earthly mission Tuesday, Dec. 1, 2020. She lived her faith doing what was fair and just to her neighbor, remaining compassionate and loyal in her love, and never taking herself too seriously. She was the only child of David and Elisabeth Phillips of Philadelphia, Pa. The extended Phillips family loved to gather, celebrate and debate the issues of the day. Her views of the world were informed by the lively conversations and wide range of opinions expressed, occasionally loudly, during those family gatherings. After graduation from Upper Darby High School, Betsy traveled west to Wilson College in Chambersburg, Pa., where she sharpened her wit, masterminded countless adventures and found time to earn a BFA with a minor in English. While at Wilson she met U.S. Naval Academy midshipman Edward Henifin on a blind date and made him work hard to win her over. She finally gave in, despite his buzzard-like appearance (her description to her roommates which led to his nickname - Buzz - so lovingly bestowed), and his small-town midwestern upbringing (perhaps opposites do attract). They were married after graduation, and loyal in love, began a partnership that lasted a lifetime. Betsy assumed the role of Navy wife with all the perks - Buzz going to sea soon after Betsy gave birth to twins, Buzz being at sea when various cars broke down, appliances failed, roofs leaked, kids got into trouble, and the house smelling of diesel fuel on those occasions when Buzz did return from the sea. Betsy rose to the occasion, handling whatever came her way with creative problem solving and a great sense of humor. Perhaps not the textbook Navy wife - she found time to protest the Vietnam War while Buzz commanded a submarine patrolling the Pacific Ocean off the coast of Vietnam - she was the perfect wife for Buzz. The Navy took Betsy and Buzz across the country and up and down both coasts. Her roots would always be in Philadelphia, but she made great friends and significant community impact during her nearly 30 years in Alexandria, Via., and the last 20+ years in Fenwick Island. She loved being near the water. Raising three children while Buzz was busy seeing the world from under the sea became Betsy’s vocation. As the children grew she was able to pursue a number of opportunities, from teaching in a pre-school to editing technical publications for the U.S. Department of Energy to working in the Fairfax County mental health system to serving as a church secretary. Her passion, however, was volunteer service through her churches, Bush Hill Presbyterian in Alexandria, and Ocean View Presbyterian in Ocean View. Betsy served in many capacities over five decades, often focused on advancing mission efforts both locally and globally - Koinonia at Bush Hill and Water4 at Ocean View were two of the many organizations that benefited from her living her faith. She also spent countless hours advocating for improved mental health services. She was particularly proud of completing her Stephen’s Ministry training in her late 80s. Over the years she nurtured deep and meaningful relationships with many friends from Wilson College, church(s), the Navy, the neighborhood(s); Micker, Chalfy, Millicent, Carol, Mary, Jennifer, Cindy, Pam, Lil and The Usual Suspects of Fenwick Island, to name a few. Betsy was preceded in death by Buzz after 65 years of blissful marriage. Betsy is survived by her three children, Ann Reddick, David Henifin (Jeanne) and Ted Henifin (Pam); five grandchildren, David Reddick (Darlene), Elisabeth Francis (Chris), Cate Henderson (Caleb), Wells Henifin and Jimmy Henifin; four great-grandchildren, Monroe and Presley Reddick, Huntleigh Henderson, and Freyja Francis; and her cat Mittee. Mittee was the last in a long line of pets that fell into the honey pot when they moved into Betsy’s care. Special thanks to the care and support she received from the Rev. Terry Dougherty, Diane Willoughby and the staff of Delaware Hospice. A celebration of life will be held when COVID permits. Donations in Betsy’s memory may be made to support the mission work of Ocean View Presbyterian Church, Ocean View or Delaware Hospice. https://www.capegazette.com/article/elisabeth-m-henifin-devoted-navy-wife/212405 ...