News From Fort Schuyler

March 5, 2001 - Volume 5, No. 08

WELL-SPENT POSTAGE - There is a great idea making its rounds in the New York Legislature in Albany, but it needs a lot of lobbying by New York-based alumni and friends of Fort Schuyler if it is to become law. The idea - funding of 284 full-tuition appointments to the college by the Governor, and members of the Senate and Assembly. The aim - to give top students from every political district in New York State an opportunity and incentive to attend Maritime College. The result - "...Through its graduates, Maritime fosters a quality workforce and prospective leaders for the state, nation, and maritime and international business communities." For full information, including the text of the bill and sample letters, go to: www.sunymaritime.edu

CELEBRATING BLACK HISTORY - The Cultural Club, in association with the Maritime College chapter of the National Society of Black Engineers, hosted its 14th Annual Black History Month Dinner on February 22. Two members of the famous 332nd Fighter Group in World War II (The Tuskegee Airmen), Major Victor W. Terrelonge and William M. Wheeler, were the featured guest speakers. Scholarship presentations were made to the college by Capt. HOWARD B. WYCHE, Class of 1979 and Capt. ROBERT COOK, Class of 1980.

DOWN BY THE RIVERSIDE - Responding to last week's "Life on Both Sides" item, MIKE JACOBS, Class of 1965 wrote: "Normally, I wouldn't write with such a trivial response to MIKE QUINTO's dual residence. Firstly, hanging around Kings Point for so many years might be considered injurious to one's health. Secondly, you may remember I was stationed at the Fort from 1967 - 1969 in the Naval Science Department working under CDR CHESEBROUGH (a great guy). Unfortunately, there was no BOQ [Bachelor Officers' Quarters ] at Fort Totten, so I was reduced to living in an apartment on East 85th Street with BOB SCHICCHI and HARRY STUMME (both sailing and never home) as roommates. What a shame. Fort Totten, as I remember from a few visits to the married officers, was full of Army. Need I say more ?"

Another graduate who did live at both Fort Schuyler and Fort Totten was JOE DROPP, Class of 1963. ROGER PARSONS, Class of 1975, reports that Joe was at Fort Totten during the 1970 - 1974 time frame.

PREHISTORIC SEALS - Before Navy SEALS there were UDT specialists. According to ROBERT L. BRANNIGAN, Class of 1953, his classmate, the late EDDIE ZEILMAN was in this elite group.

GOOD NEWS INDEED -The August 16 issue of NFFS included "One Hand for Tim," Maritime's traditional call for assistance, which was put out by the Washington DC Alumni Association Chapter on behalf of TIM FARLEY, Class of 1984, who was undergoing treatment for promyelocytic leukemia. Recently Tim and his family sent out an informative and moving " Happy New Year" letter to family and friends with the good news that Tim is now in full remission after a very rough ride: "Although I have plenty more blood tests, bone marrow extractions and drugs to take, the doctors feel I'm out of the eye of the storm."

"Returning to work was an experience ..... My good friends there plastered the walls with photos of themselves all decked out in bald head caps. And balloons everywhere. What a great bunch ! I'm certainly fortunate and proud to be part of the Coast Guard family."

"Miracles do happen and I've been the fortunate recipient of one. No, not a miracle of being 'cured,' although the work of the good doctors at Hopkins was nothing short of miraculous. No, the miracle I witnessed was the absolute and unselfish outpouring of kindness and caring from so many people, many who didn't even know us well. ....Everyone just did and did and did without even asking. And the prayers, WOW ! At one point I think I had more prayers being said for me and my family (from every denomination I can think of) then all of the prayers offered up for the Redskins this year. I wonder if God was a little confused when my Bahai friends or the synagogue in Texas put in a good word for a guy named 'Timothy James'? Must have been a hoot. One thing's for sure, I needed each and every one of them. Thanks."

SUNDAY BRUNCH AT ANNAPOLIS - Schuylerites living in the Mid-Atlantic region are invited to join with the DC and Delaware Valley Chapters of the Alumni Association for a brunch at the U. S. Naval Academy Officers Club on March 25 at 10 AM. The price is right (ranging from $14.95 for adults to $0 for kids 5 and under.) There is more information on Alumni Association homepage - RSVPs are needed. A nice Spring outing.