Okay Classmates,
I know that many of you are used to getting the daily email from me now; well, I am taking my lovely wife Sherry and my very sore throat to Cancun, Mexico, early tomorrow for the week and I am putting my computer away while I enjoy the beach and a good Rick Campbell book, so you may not hear from me for a few days. Let me say this: A few days ago I got off an airplane to get here to Annapolis and set up early for the reunion after being up all night (literally). I picked up my rental car and headed to meet Mike Vance for breakfast at Chick and Ruth’s. In a discussion as we watched the weather channel I felt I needed a bigger tent with sides in case this stupid hurricane decided it needed to hit the East Coast for real. In an hour and a few discussions, we now had a 80 X 100 foot tent with sides on it instead of one half that size and the week began that way. At one point I got a text from someone who said: “That game is cancelled Smitty”. I thought: “GREAT, now we are going to have a reunion with no game and a few feet of mud and water”. I made quick phone call to a good source and they assured me that the game would go on, Navy plays better in deep water than Air Force and why give up that advantage? That is “who we are”. Okay, I then called my wife and reminded her she was in charge of the weather and she had not failed us in the almost year we are now married (it has been am amazing year by the way folks). She said, “What do the Reunion Shirts say Honey? RELAX and say a prayer.” Well, you know what I did and then dug into the weekend. I saw a few people on Facebook bailing on the reception and then knew I needed to remind ’85 who we are! The game was going to be played and WE ARE ’85. We survived being in Hack, the end of the disco ERA and carbureted engines, a tie with Army our Plebe year and Neeb’s Loaf; we can survive a little rain and mud! For those of you who came and hung in for the weekend and believed in this class and your weary Class President and his “over communication”, WE STUCK THE LANDING FINALLY!!! At one point yesterday I looked at our very large group of classmates and families under the 8000 Square Foot Circus tent having an amazing day and then noticed so many people who were looking in at us and wondering: “Who the hell is that class? I wish I was part of them, they look like fun and they look dry, and those oysters and crab soup and barbeque and “Beat Army Golden Lager” looks pretty good. I just came from a tailgate with undercooked wieners and warm beer and my feet are wet and it sucked.” Well, I then thought, this weekend would be PERFECT if Navy Won this game (you know how that ended), our reunion T shirts should now say: “Stay Calm and win the Commander-Chief’s-Trophy.”; but it would not have fit very well. So, when we beat Army this year, we know what it means right?
This has been a fun 5 year journey and collectively we have learned so much about our GREAT CLASSS. We have lost a few of our friends and Classmates and took a few minutes to honor and miss them. We hugged their wives and saw a few kids who miss them as much as we do. We met the Supe and he told me: “Bob, other than ’81, I think you guys are my favorite Class.” I told him: “I know why sir, our Class has some sort of magical energy and we ALWAYS WIN THE TAILGATE!!” So, I am signing off for a week and going to show my wife what a good husband does after all the support she gave me and this class in getting the reunion done. Someone told me yesterday: “Great day Bob, but I have a complaint.” OH? I said this in response: “I am so glad you are having fun and I think you mean you have a suggestion or idea and truly not a complaint right?” She smile and said: “EXACTLY!!” Let’s adopt that attitude going forward. I LOVE ideas and let’s keep having them going forward. If you did not get the right size shirt or shirt at all because we ran out (nothing like MORE people coming to a rain soaked weekend than less right?), or a hat or bottle of the Woodford Reserve Bourbon, PLEASE email me and let’s get you the right size or let’s get you taken care of. We will be talking a lot about Class fundraising and making the next five years of this class even better. Class Trips? Another “Dublin-like trip? (HELL YES!!) A nice tailgate at every home game? (HELL YES!) Free beer at all home tailgates? (HELL YES!!) A nice tailgate up in Philly for Army/Navy and a win over Army? (HELL YES!!) Another amazing weekend no matter the weather 5 years from now? (HELL YES!!). Take a few days and get back into life. For those of you who did not or could not make it, we missed you and will see you soon. Get here next time or come back and see us at the next tailgate or Homecoming. There are many people to thank and I will do that in the near future. PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE…. tune into the Class website and my emails and I will tell you how to find our reunion pics on the photographer’s website, how to order your Class of ’85 clothing or items or what is happening at the next Class of ’85 tailgate. That site is: http://1985.usnaclasses.net. It is up and operating and better each day. Cheers ’85. I do love you guys and miss everyone already. Off to Cancun and Church Service. I have a guy upstairs to thank for all of you in my life and a wife who knows how to support me and keep me grounded enough to do this!! Safe Travels home and thanks for coming this weekend.
Cheers, Bob Smith
Your VERY PROUD Class President.
PS For those of you could not make it and I could not refund your money, PLEASE email me and we will get you a hat and your shirt in the next few weeks, we will ship it.
