Official Website of the United States Naval Academy Graduating Class of 1974, Annapolis, Maryland

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45th Reunion

40th Reunion

35thReunion

30th Reunion

With Navy being Rugby national champions there is an interest in the Academy’s rugby history. The history goes back to when we were Midshipmen and, unfortunately, there is not much information from our time there.  Keith Jones remembers there was a Log magazine article our first-class year in the spring about our team. It had a picture of Eddie Doubleday and his girlfriend/future wife. We are looking for a copy of that log. It would also be appreciated if anyone has any pictures and or articles about rugby during our era and you can forward them to me.  We are looking for games, not parties.

Thank you (it is nice to write about something positive), have a great weekend.

John Yaeger

 

Memorial Tribute to VAdm Bert Calland, United States Naval Academy Class of 1974

The achievements and accolades of this Class far exceed all expectations based on that 29th day of June 1970, when our heads were shaved, everyone was yelling at us and we feared getting tomato paste on a newly issued white uniforms as we struggled during that first lunch in that huge mess hall. 

Since then, Classmates have risen to the top in the military ranks, as well as the civilian ranks, with each graduate contributing to the greatness of this Nation.  Along the way, too many have died, and some died in the line of duty, but as we know, each of us shall one day stand before our Maker.

Recently, we lost a true warrior, a combat veteran and SEAL, a man who flew into the pit of tyranny to seek justice against an evil foe who attacked an unsuspecting sleeping Nation.  VAdm Bert Calland responded immediately to that attack, being the first Flag Officer in Afghanistan.  Life is full of twists and turns, for in answering the immediate call to duty, Bert was unable to attend the memorial service of his Classmate, Company mate and rugby teammate Ken McBrayer, killed that September 11th day in 2001.

Bert was a friend to all of us and over time, Bert sacrificed everything so that we might be free of the evil of radical thoughts and actions.  As have many, Bert chose service over himself, his family and his friends.  He truly understood the oath, which says, …” you solemnly swear that you will support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic, that you will bear true faith and allegiance to the same…” 

There is little which we can do to thank Bert for his service, as well as thanking our fallen Classmates who also gave their all militarily and as civilians.  However, there is one thing that is absolute, we must always remember them and share our stories of them with our families and friends.

As many of you know, the Tunnels to Towers (T2T) Foundation builds customized homes for wounded veterans, providing all the latest techniques to create homes in which they can prosper.  In addition, T2T provides homes for families who have lost a parent in the line of duty, so that the surviving spouse can focus on raising the children and maintaining the memory of the fallen.

In discussions with Tunnels to Towers, they will assist in setting up a fundraiser in the name of VAdm Bert Calland, USNA 1974 with a monetary goal of $ 500,000.   T2T will provide charitable donation records for all participants.  Once the goal is achieved, T2T will construct a home in Florida in the name of VAdm Bert Calland, with a plaque placed in the foundation as a visible memorial to our classmate, our friend and our hero. 

I urge each and everyone of you to share this email and contribute to the VAdm Bert Calland USNA 74 foundation.  I urge each and everyone of you to persuade family and friends to contribute as well.

Bert will always be our friend.  We will always remember his smile and when we think of him, we will always be young.

Thank you VAdm Bert Calland, USNA 74….,

John W. Yaeger EdD
National Defense University


Click or scan the above to donate.

For those wishing to make a grant from a Donor Advised Fund or similar here is the T2T contact information:
Full Name: Tunnel to Towers Foundation
Address: 2361 Hylan Boulevard, Staten Island, NY 10306
EIN: 02-0554654 
Contact Name and Number: Kathleen Coleman - 347-756-4479

 

Distinguished Professor

The Honorable Donald P. Loren ’74 for being conferred the title of Distinguished Professor of Practice by the National Defense University in Washington, DC for his work as Professor of National Security and Resource Strategy at NDU’s Eisenhower School. Loren has over 45 years of national, international, and homeland security expertise. He recently completed an appointment as Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Plans & Posture, serving as the principal civilian advisor supporting the Secretary’s Title 10 responsibilities for the development, preparation, and review of military plans, including nuclear plans. He led development of strategic guidance and policy for, and conducted oversight of, U.S. global defense posture, contingency plans, and global force management. He advised the Secretary of Defense on crisis action planning when changes to the strategic environment required rapid adjustment of force levels and oversaw negotiation of international agreements related to access and protections for U.S. forces.


Class Officers

President: John Yaeger

Vice President: Rusty Yeiser

Treasurer: Earle Babcock

Secretary: Roger McEvoy

USNA ’74
Class Leadership
Communication Practices

2022 Distinguished Graduate Award

Vice Admiral William Crowder ’74, USN (Ret.): Vice Admiral Crowder served 36 years as a Surface Warfare Officer, commanded the strike group that assisted in tsunami relief following the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami, was the U.S. 7th Fleet Commander, and completed his career as Deputy Chief of Naval Operations for Plans and Strategy.  As a commander, he spearheaded the Navy’s response to the attack on the Pentagon’s Navy Command Center on 9/11.  After retirement, he served as the Chief Operating Officer for a $1B business unit for Boeing, then started a consultancy practice.  Vice Admiral Crowder is the Director of the Admiral Nimitz Foundation and National Museum and was Director of the Olmsted Foundation.  Vice Admiral William Crowder resides in Bradenton, FL.

 

'74 Book Club

Featuring books authored by our classmates

 

 

Sea Stories
by VADM Doug Crowder

 

 

 

 

More Sea Stories
by VADM Doug Crowder

 

 

Three Down and Locked by Larry Turner

 

 

 


To Hoist a Symbol Hue by Larry Turner

Other books by Larry:
Our Elizabeth

Tall Oaks: Living the Retirement Dream

It Starts With You: Turn Your Goals Into Success
by Fred Stuvek Jr.

 

 

 

 

The Experience of Leadership: Proven Examples from Successful Leaders

by Fred Stuvek Jr.

 

Camp Lejeune Command
by Ken Dunn

 

The Power of 3: Lessons in Leadership

by Steven Mays

Books featuring our classmates


 

Adak: The Rescue of Alfa Foxtrot 586
by Andrew C. A. Jampoler

An account of Ed Caylor and his flight crew's desperate battle against the sea after ditching their P-3, and the heroic efforts to rescue them provide an engrossing true story of survival. Many other '74 classmates appear in this book.

 

Heroes Lost and Now Found Vol II - Author Ron Wilson is offering complimentary copies of this book to any interested alumni. Heroes Lost and Now Found- focuses on graduates of the USNA who died during World War II. All the books are in a large 9 x 12 format (similar to a yearbook) and include numerous photographs and illustrations, as well as excerpts from historical Lucky Bags, Logs, and Tridents. Here is a link to his website, which provides more information on the series- USNavalAcademyHeritage.com. Any interested alumni can contact him at:  USNavalAcademyHeritage@gmail.com

 

 

Lost your Lucky Bag?
Download a copy here

Plebe Year Plus 3
By Shawn Smith '74
Reflections from 1st Class Year

 

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