Sent 3/20/2017

Classmates,

I must first admit that I screwed up. I was given this information in February about the passing of Ron Zaleski, 34th Company, and since the USNAA Website was down, I tabled this information and forgot to timely pass it on when my mass email capability was turned back on. All I can say is: “No Excuse Sir”. We have always and WILL always support our own as our primary mission and I will be asking for someone to run as my Class Secretary this Spring who I can rely on for these matters. In any case, we are all saddened to report that Ron passed on February 15th. He is remembered as a great classmate and member of the Navy Football Team,  a member of the 34th Company and a loyal Marine. Here is a link to his obituary and I hope those of you who knew him might reach out to his family in support as I have, and all of us say a prayer for Ron and his family: http://www.cressfuneralservice.com/obituary/178523/Ronald-Zaleski/.

My next email will be to outline procedures for the upcoming class election. If you are interested in running, I will have more information on the offices (including mine, although I would be honored to remain as your president) in emails and on the class website. Thanks to Brian McDonald for pointing Ron’s passing out to me. If anyone ever knows of a classmate in “distress” or who needs help or who passes, please feel free to reach out to me so we can rally support behind that person. Go Navy and my regards and apology,  Bob Smith ’85

As I was reading through the Facebook posts today, Joel Hanson’s post to the group hit a chord.  I thought it would be appropriate to repost here:

Joel Hanson USNA 85 Facebook Post 30 May 2016

As I made the changes to our fallen classmates cover photo to include Joe & Robin, I was struck with an additional thought beyond my constant thoughts for the families of our classmates who have passed in our 31 years since graduation. My thanks for their service are never and will never be enough.

But my second thought was to our classmates who have lost men or women under their command during their careers. In my service time, I never felt the loss of someone in my command as an outcome of difficult command decisions. I can’t imagine the burden which will surface more prominently on this hallowed day. To those classmates, my thoughts are with you as well as the unending thanks to those men and women who you lost. God bless you all!