The USNA Class of 1970 Annual Meeting was held on October 25, 2014.

Class Vice President, Barry Steelman called the meeting to order at 11:45 at the Class tailgate for the Homecoming game against San Jose State.

Barry welcomed all Classmates and their spouses and guests. A special welcome and introduction went to Classmate and CEO of the Navy Federal Credit Union, Cutler Dawson.

Barry then introduced the other Class officer present, President Mike Novak. Membership Secretary Jerry Farrell. Treasurer Al Beatrice and Corresponding Secretary Royal Connell were unable to attend.

Barry announced that he had the Minutes of the 2013 Class Meeting with him if any one needed to see them.

Barry then called upon each officer and/or committee chair to give their reports:

1. Class Treasurer’s Report by Al Beatrice was sent in and read as follows:

Fund Balance Balance
  6/30/2013 9/30/2014
1970 Capstone Seminar $339,087 $392,822
1970 Sailing Seminar $29 $29
1970 Project Undesignated $622 $685
1970 Class Checking $50,735 $42,213
Total $390,473 $436,049

2. In that Jerry Farrell was not able to attend the meeting, Barry read the
Class Membership Report by Membership Secretary, Jerry Farrell, which was read as follows:

Class Membership in Alumni Association: 60%

Next Membership Drive will be in conjunction with our 45th Reunion

Eight Classmates deceased since 2013 Meeting:

101 of those admitted with the Class in 1966 have passed away.

70 graduates have passed away.

3. Corresponding Secretary’s Report by Royal Connell’s Designee:

Barry mentioned that since Royal moved to Florida he was not able to attend the meeting in person, however his was report was read as follows:

I want to thank everyone who wrote and to tell everyone who didn't write, to write, especially the spouses. Please send in pictures of faces, not bellies.

Thank you for all your support over the years.

Also everyone please drop me a note with what you want or don't want to see in the Class Store for the reunion

VR/ Royal, Corresponding Secretary in absentia.

4. Mike Novak announced that Classmate Grant Thorpe has agreed to become the new Chairman of the Class Fundraising and Legacy Committee.

5. Barry next called upon our Reunion Committee Chairman, Dan Bowler for his report. Dan gave his Committee report as follows:

USNA Alumni Association Reunion Coordinator is Ms. Holly Powers; holly.powers@usna.com; (410) 295-4017

Planning notes for our 45th reunion:

Reunion Handbook on the www.usna.com web site.

Class web site is www.usna70.org

Similar organization as before with multiple sub-committees:

6. Gino Marchetti, Class of 1970 Tailgate Committee Chairman, gave the following report:

We renewed our space and tent for the 2014 season. 5 tailgates were planned. Two are to be catered and two are being hosted by classmates who are preparing the meal. The last tailgate, South Alabama game, is planned to be pot luck. Let me know if you have other ideas for these events, or suggestions for improvement.

We reserved the '53 pavilion for the 45th reunion in October 2015. More info will be provided as we get closer to that date.

7. Barry Steelman gave the following Army Navy Tailgate report:

Barry announced that the plans have come together real well for our Class of 1970 Annual Army Game Tailgate party. We already have nearly 130 guests signed up to attend this year’s Class of 1970 Army game Tailgate on Saturday December 13, 2014 in Baltimore in a private lot near the M&T Stadium. The Tailgate will start at around 10:00 am with a 3:00pm kick-off. We will be using the same caterer that we have hired for the past five years, Big Bama. Barry has already reserved and will drive a 30’ RV to the game with his family for everyone to use for the in-door comforts of life. Barry also asked that everyone pay the $25.00 a person for each person in their group an $40 per car, as soon as possible.

8. Capstone Report by Gary Knight:

The Class of 70 is the only class that financially supports the Capstone Leadership Seminar program for first class midshipmen. Moreover, we supply facilitators from the class four times a year to help. As you know, our class has chosen to support the Admiral James Stockdale Leadership Center's Capstone Leadership Seminar program financially. The Class of 70 is called upon four times a year (twice a semester) to provide six facilitators at the Capstone program for 1/c Midshipman. This past September at our first such date, we were also joined by our classmate John Nathman (Admiral, Ret) who spoke as the pre-luncheon speaker on leadership and tactics at the fleet and theater level. It was very enlightening.

All our classmates who have volunteered to assist in this program all agree that we get as much out of the program as do the Mids. So when you see the email from me or Mike Novak or Nick Visco soliciting volunteers, please do not hesitate to respond immediately if you have an interest, as the slots fill up fast.. Even if you don't know anything about it, if you are free on the days listed, please step forward. I can always send you material to get you up to speed.

Finally, if you give a financial contribution to the USNA Foundation, please put on your check that your donation is for either Class of 70 projects or for the Capstone Seminar Program.

9. Another Link in the Chain committee Report by Gary Knight:

It's also my honor and privilege to serve as the coordinator for our class's Another Link in the Chain (ALITC) program. In the spring of 2016 we will begin our active participation in the ALITC for the class of 2020. There will be opportunities for any classmates interested to participate in the ALITC events, and I have identified half a dozen classmates to help me in planning our activities. So stay tuned to hear how you can help when the time comes, the first of which will be a picnic on 2020's I Day for their families and friends.

Beginning in the summer of 2016, our class will be the "sponsor class" for the Class of 2020, which is 50 classes behind ours. I will be calling on many of you to volunteer for participation in this activity. With the guidance of the alumni association, we will be organizing events such as a welcoming picnic for the new Plebes and their families, as well as other events through their four years.

One thing that sponsoring classes do is donate class rings to be melted down and mixed with virgin gold for creating the Class of 2020's rings. Another is at their graduation to donate swords for certain graduates of 2020. I've already determined that I will donate my own sword for this purpose.

So, consider if you can help when I ask for volunteers for this program three years from now.

10. Distinguished Graduate Award Update by Class President Mike Novak:

Mike announced that there were two new members of the Class of 1970 nominated for Distinguished Graduate Awards for 2014. Bill King nominated Rear Admiral Woody Sutton and Barry Steelman nominated Admiral Ed Giambastiani. Mike also stated that he resubmitted the applications of Major General Leo Williams and Vice Admiral Mike Malone, both of whom had previously been nominated. He stated that with another classmate winning the award this year, the Class of 1970 would have three consecutive DGA winners.

11. Old Business (if any)

12. New Business (open to floor).

13. Motion to Adjourn the Meeting passed and the meeting was adjourned by Barry until our annual meeting at our 45th Reunion in October 2015, unless another meeting is schedule sooner.

Updated: October 06, 2018
Curator: Ed Moore