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Posted 12/28/08: (From John Pleasants)

Posted 12/18/06: (From John Pleasants)

        THAT CHRISTMAS TIME OF YEAR

                                      (CHRISTMAS 2006)

So here we are at Christmas time, the house is buttoned down,

                                   We’ve shopped for days in catalogs and  every store in town,

                                    The firewood stack is shoulder-height, the gin is standing by,

                                    And Shirl and I, and Johnny too, are raising glasses high!

“A toast, a toast at Christmas time, to friends so far away,

A toast to happy memories of them on Christmas day!”

And so we send these missives bright across the miles between,

To pass our love from we to thee,  and set the Santa scene!

We haven’t wandered far this year, we hug our happy home,

With Bailey and the cats to watch, we’re less inclined to roam,

We have the river and the woods, with friends and neighbors near,

Why should we go vacationing when we’re already here?!

Shirley’s been a busy girl, with canning as her game,

With green tomato pickles packed and fig preserves the same,

She’s also picked and frozen crabs against the winter’s lack,

For they are gone in colder months – in spring they slither back!

Annette and Jeff are doing well, so nothing do they need,

And daughter Sarah (near teen-age) is growing like a weed,

They’ll join us here on Christmas day and make our homestead ring,

With youth and joy and Christmas glee that only they can bring!

Johnny is our main support and on him we depend,

For instance, moving furniture  (he gets the heavy end),

He builds a fire every night and joins us in the cheer,

We have martinis, usually,  while Johnny sips a beer!

Both the cats are doing well, but Bailey’s very old,

With snow-white paws and muzzle, too, but still his spirit’s bold,

For garbage trucks and fishing boats he makes a great alarm,

So no-one can approach his house to threaten us with harm!

I’ve had some recent troubles within my starboard eye,

A Herpes simplex virus flared (they know no reason why),

It’s related to the chicken pox and gives us shingles, too,

It’s better now, but boy! It really cluttered up the view!

And so we live and so we love on Rappahannock’s shore,

With Shirley as my bonny bride I ask for nothing more,

We reminisce about the past and friends we hold so dear,

Especially when winter brings that Christmas time of year!!

                                                          John B. Pleasants

                                                          12/5/06

Posted 11/10/06: (From John Pleasants)

                   RETIRED LIFE  

I may be old, and goodness knows, I have my aches and pains,  

The muscles that were smooth and strong now feel the slightest      

     strains,  

But overall, in spite of this, my days are bright and sunny,  

I never have to go to work, and people send me money!

My eyesight isn't what it was, my hearing is a bust,  

Instead of girls, I think about establishing a trust,  

And every month, when payday comes, it feels a little funny,

 For I have never gone to work, and people send me money!

But all in all, retired life is golden as they say,  

Though holidays are meaningless - they're just another day,  

I also miss that special joy that Fridays used to bring,  

With wondrous weekends coming up where leisure was the  

     king!

But I don't plan to get a job in spite of what's above,  

There's much about retired life that I have come to love,  

It's not that I'm a lazy sort, I'm never known to shirk,  

But people send me money and I never have to work!

  John B. Pleasants                                 3/14/98

Posted 11/05/06: (From Roy Snyder)

Howdy Jack,

You may or may not know that our classmate John Nolan has written a book chronicling his experience as a Marine rifle platoon leader in Korea in 1951.  I have read the book and a find great narrative of a critical time in Korea and particularly appropriate at this time to let people know about the culture and traditions of the Marine Corps and how our Marines continue to serve the country in battle whenever they are called upon.  The book also includes sections on the activities of several of our classmates who served in Korea during the same period - Jim Marsh, Charlie Cooper, Bill Rockey, Bob Oliver and several non-academy graduates who served as platoon leaders at that time including Eddie LeBaron, a subsequent quarterback with the Washington Redskins.  I found the book extremely interesting and I think most of our classmates would also.  The following is a link that will to send the reader to the Xlibris web site that discusses the book, The Run-up to the Punch Bowl by John Nolan.  If you put this into Google it will lead you to the Xlibris web site.

All the best,

Roy

Posted 5/10/05: (From Jack Akin)

Enjoy the following feature, for music we'll never forget:

_Click  Here: Check out "WWII Songs &  Entertainers"_
(http://www.6thcorpsmusic.us/)

Posted 1/03/03: (From Roy Snyder)

Roy Snyder

To the Class of 1950:

I expect that many of you are aware that our classmate Charlie Cooper (with the able assistance of our classmate Dick Goodspeed) has published a non-fiction book about his experiences in the Marine Corps.  It is titled "Cheers and Tears...A Marine's Story of Combat in Peace and War".  It is a great read and I would highly recommend it to  all who haven't read it.  I have given a copy of the book to each of my children in the hopes that it will give them a history lesson about a period that we all lived through but about which our children probably know very little.  Charlie has succeeded in presenting a simple, factual narrative that is emotional, entertaining, interesting and a super description of what it means to be a Marine and why we always give the tough jobs to them.

For any of you who may be interested in obtaining a copy of Charlie's recently published book, here is the pertinent information:

1. For those who wish a personalized copy of the book, send a check for $24.00, payable to "Wesley Press", to: LtGen C. G. Cooper, USMC (Ret), 3410 Barger Drive, Falls Church, VA 22044.

2. Copies may also be obtained directly from the publisher at this address:
WESLEY PRESS, PO Box 33306, Reno, NV 89533. Same price.

3. For those using the Internet, the book may be obtained from Amazon.Com. The book ISBN (International Standard Book Number) is 1-55369-882-7.

This is a "print on demand" book that is selling briskly. As reorders are submitted to meet demands, there may at certain times be a delay of several weeks, between shipments. Should anyone want to call Charlie personally, or ask for a fax copy of the book brochure, his home phone number is 703-256-9553.

Semper Fi and Beat Army and everyone else!

Roy Snyder

Posted 11/07/02: (From Chuck Mull)

  NASA and the Bible


For all the scientists out there and for all the people who have a hard time convincing others regarding the truth of the Bible...here's something that shows God's awesome creation and shows that He is still in control.

Did you know that the space program is busy proving what has been called a "myth" in the Bible is true?

Mr. Harold Hill, President of the Curtis Engine Company in Baltimore, Maryland and a consultant in the space program, relates the following development:

"I think one of the most amazing things that God has for us today happened recently to our astronauts and space scientists at Greenbelt, Maryland. They were
checking the position of the sun, moon, and planets out in space - where they would be 100 years and 1000 years from now. We have to know this so we won't send
a satellite up and have it bump into something later on in its orbits. We have to lay out the orbits in terms of the life of the satellite and where the planets will be so the whole thing will not bog down.

They ran the computer measurement back and forth over the centuries and it came to a halt. The computer stopped and put up a red signal, which meant that there was something wrong either with the information fed into it or with the results as compared to the standards. They called in the service department to check it out and they said, "What's wrong?" Well, they found there is a day missing in space in elapsed time.  They scratched their heads and tore their hair.

There was no answer.

Finally, a Christian man on the team said, "You know, one time I was in Sunday School and they talked about the sun standing still. "While they didn't believe him, they didn't have an answer either, so they said,

"Show us."

He got a Bible and went back to the book of Joshua where they found a pretty ridiculous statement for any one with "common sense." There they found the Lord
saying to Joshua, "Fear them not, I have delivered them into thy hand; there shall not a man of them stand before thee."

Joshua was concerned because he was surrounded by the enemy and if darkness fell they would be overpowered. So Joshua asked the Lord to make the sun stand still!

That's right "The sun stood still and the moon stayed and hasted not to go down about a whole day!" (Joshua 10:12-13)

The astronauts and scientists said, "There is the missing day!" They checked the computers going back into the time it was written and found it was close but not close enough. The elapsed time that was missing back in Joshua's day was 23 hours and 20 minutes - not a whole day.

They read the Bible and there it was "about (approximately) a day". These little words in the Bible are important, but they were still in trouble because if you cannot account for 40 minutes you'll still be in trouble 1,000 years from now. Forty minutes had to be found because it can be multiplied many times over in orbits.

As the Christian employee thought about it, he remembered somewhere in the Bible where it said the sun went BACKWARDS. The scientists told him he was out of his mind, but they got out the Book and read these words in 2 Kings that told of the following story:  Hezekiah, on his deathbed, was visited by the prophet Isaiah who told him that he was not going to die. Hezekiah asked for a sign as proof. Isaiah said "Do you want the sun to go ahead 10 degrees?" Hezekiah said "It is nothing for the sun to go ahead 10 degrees, but let the shadow return backward 10 degrees." Isaiah spoke to the Lord and the Lord brought the shadow ten degrees BACKWARD!

Ten degrees is exactly 40 minutes! Twenty-three hours and 20 minutes in Joshua, plus 40 minutes in Second Kings equals the missing day in the universe!" Isn't it
amazing?

References: Joshua 10:8 and 12,13 and 2 Kings 20:9-11.

Posted 11/11/04: (Submitted by Jack Akin)

Following the sudden attack on the World Trade Center towers on 11 September, 2001, I rushed to completion a song which had germinated after President George W. Bush's Inaugural speech on 22 January, 2001. He spoke of the greatness of America. I was moved to capture that essence in music. The result, "A Tribute to America", was mailed to the President on 20 September, 2001, for any use it might serve as he rallied Americans to the action we must now pursue as an attacked nation ( .) The Kearsarge Community Band played the bugle call, introducing Mrs. Nicole Stark and the Elementary School Fifth Grade chorale who rendered the chorus,  and verse, to a marching beat at the New London, NH Veterans Day Service on 12 November, 2001. (Jack Akin)

A TRIBUTE TO AMERICA

THE BUGLE CALL

Calling America; Hail to thee, Whose United States are free,
We will fight, for the right, To defend her liberty.

Under almighty God; Faith in Thee, Fosters love eternally,
Rule of law; Founders saw, cradles our democracy.

Following hill and dale; Rivers flow, Weaving gently to the sea,
Hearth and home; Family, Symbols of our dignity.

CHORUS

Let us cheer, when we hear, America, Where we value life and freedom,
In our hearts the love of God, By the rule of law, equality;
We will march along, Arm in arm in Song; As we pledge our lives to thee.

VERSE

Red, white and blue inspires our - Pledge allegiance to the flag.
Countrymen serving proudly, All civil servants and the military,
Leading our nation onward, Nearer our God to be.

1ST REFRAIN

Founders framed the nation's by-laws - to secure democracy,

With a sovereign check and balance, for the Union's branches three,

 With a Bill of Rights to protect our basic freedoms,

In a land of equal opportunity.

2ND REFRAIN

O calm the breast of countrymen when faced with troubled times,

And stay the course of leadership along embattled lines,

The beacon of America will shine along the way,

So hoist our flag of freedom as we seek the judgement day.

CLOSE

We will fight, for the right, to defend her liberty.

                                                                                          

                                                                                        Words and Music, Jack Akin, 9/11/01

Posted 11/11/03: (From Jack Akin)

During our class assembly at the fiftieth reunion on April 28, 2000, VADM Ryan, Superintendent U.S. Naval Academy, asked the Naval Academy ceremonial band to play the song "Halls of Navy", developed by Jack Akin. Under the direction of Chief Hanner, the band dignified the melody by playing it slower than written, the tune resonating beautifully throughout Alumni Hall. Click "here" to play it. The words follow: 

Verse I:   

    Where the Severn meets the Chesapeake,  Mighty Bancroft scans the bay,  

    There you’ll find the Halls of Navy - Anchors of the Fleet away.

    Make your classes count, Midshipmen, Set your courses true and bold,

    As you seek the great tradition - of the Navy Blue and Gold.

Verse II:

    On the day of graduation, When we sailed our caps on high,

    Having sworn an oath of office - Bid our old school yard goodbye.

    Through the years among the memories, Shared with classmates by the bay,

    Are the hallowed Halls of Navy, Pillars of a former day.

    Ricketts, Beach, Rickover, Melville, Griffin, Isherwood, Sampson, SIR.

Fourth Class:

    Certain Plebes salute Tecumseh As we march along to class,

    Then we prance around our Reef Points To the tune of the First Class.

    Intermural sports and text books With a Sunday Chapel prayer,

    Help us finally climb the Herndon For a breath of Youngster air.

Third Class:

    When our Third Class year commences, We refine our future goals,

    Strike a balance ‘twixt the dragging, Steering grades around the shoals.

    We divide our rites of passage ‘Tween the classrooms and the bay,

    Doubling stripes the first of June Week, Boarding ship for ports away.

Second Class:

    Simply dashing Second Classmen, We assume the higher call,

    Help the Plebes to get their bearings - Find their place in Bancroft Hall.

    Blending entropy with Kirchoff - Academic pearls to know,

    Then a rally ‘round the Ring Dance, With a charming O. A. O.

First Class:

    We ascend a role as leaders - With our First Class stripes adorned,

    Bill the Goat shouts "Let’s Beat Army", The Brigade is now transformed.

    There will soon be "no more rivers", Our diplomas we will take -

    To the deep blue sea as Ensigns, Halls of Navy in our wake.

This poem by John Pleasants '50, was composed for our fiftieth reunion on Jan. 24, 2000:

So, classmates, once again we meet, to celebrate the years,

To scan again our memories, their laughter and their tears,

To see the friends of younger days, re-forge the ties that bind,

To toast once more the Blue and Gold, and those we’ve left behind.

In nineteen forty-six we met on Severn’s sunny shore,

To stencil summer working whites, and pull a cutter’s oar,

Some high school boys, some college men, and some were from the fleet,

But it was there we met the friends that made our lives complete.

And now we few come back again to visit Bancroft Hall,

To live once more the memories her corridors recall,

To hear the footsteps echoing along the polished floors,

To hear the knocking of a ring upon the glassy doors.

To remember "All turned out, Sir" and the cold outside parade,

And all the dreams we dreamed, and all the friendships that we made,

The dreams, alas, have faded like the echoes of our cheers,

But friendships stay forever fresh throughout the passing years.

And as the twilight deepens and the stars begin to shine,

Our class moves ever closer to the final finish line,

But though our bodies now are frail and though the world grows cold,

We’ll pledge again our classmates and the Navy Blue and Gold!

This poem by Johnnie Pleasants could have gone on the sports page. Great thoughts for us all.

Oh Santa Clause, oh Santa Clause, a gift I beg of thee,

        There’s something that I really want beneath the Christmas tree,

It’s something you can surely give the night you make your stop,

        No gold, or myrrh, or frankincense, but only putts that drop!

 

All year I’ve struggled with a twitch that shoves my ball askew,

        And causes me to three-putt when I should have taken two,

A little right, a little left, a little strong or weak,

        I change my stance, I change my grip, but somehow still they leak.

 

Upon the course I’m well behaved, all divots I replace,

        My ball-marks I have always fixed, I always keep the pace,

One time I may have moved my ball - it rested on a root,

        My conscience kept me up all night - transgression’s bitter fruit.

 

I don’t need thirty footers although of course they’re nice,

        Or down hill, sliding breakers - well, maybe once or twice,

But making three foot putts would give my ego such a prop,

  So, Santa - please, for Christmas sake - just help a few putts drop!

John B. Pleasants, ‘50

Posted 7/04/06: (From John Pleasants)

          7/4/...  

July the Fourth, historic day,

When we declared our breakaway,

“We hold these truths self-evident...”,

Was how the Declaration went.

July the Fourth, commercial day,

When stores reduce the price we pay,

And no one thinks about the time,

When tea was dear, and speech a crime!

July the Fourth, we need you yet,

So we and ours will not forget,

Our fathers died that we might be,

Throughout the year forever free!

                          John B. Pleasants

                          6/9/99

This one by Jack Akin during several engineering watches on Youngster cruise in 1947:

What's the reason for this mess - of gray machinery's wilderness,

    Pounding, throbbing, never ceasing; watchful engineers' policing,

Of a sudden comes the sign - that number three pump's on the line

    Reaching high above the din. Lets us know she's pitching in

To add to present blending screams. Competition plus, it seems.

    Main condensers have it rough, they say they need the guts and stuff

To suck steam through those turbine blades, and can't be done if vacuum fades,

    So, smiling while they keep inhaling - stops the turbines all from failing.

From lower level comes a hoard, of grinding hums in great discord,

    Prop shaft four just reached B flat - It's highest yet, and wonders that -

It can't sing budding tenor for us - add harmonics to the chorus.

    Sorry bud, there's just one hitch, reduction gears control your pitch.

So humming, whistling, quite contented, doing that which man intended,

    Churning water with propellers, and no need for fortune tellers

We know where our bow is heading, on our question light is shedding,

   What's the reason for this mess - It's grinding our way home, no less.

Writ by Jack Akin, during a mid-watch:

I Came Here to Talk for Joe

Engine rooms and fire rooms are not so independent,

        All machinery does its best, but not without resentment,

One contraption boasts of service without which all others fail,

        All its features thrown together make an interesting tale -

Non-corroding, non-exploding, better sifting, holds alot,

        Full express type, good conducting, Navy Mark XII - "Coffee Pot".

Composed by Jack Akin (words and music) for our Fiftieth class reunion:

We are the Class of Fifty, half a century old -

Sons of the Halls of Navy, truly bred of blue and gold.

Navy, Air Force and Marine Corps; we have met our nations call,

Hail to the year 2000, We have had a "nuclear" ball.

Posted 6/05/03: (A memorable letter for USNA50 graduates entering the Air Force)

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