West Point Grad News
Class of 2021 Ring Melt
Hobey Hewett, the grandson of MG Hobart Hewett, Class of 1919, and the first presenter at the 20th Annual West Point Class Ring Memorial Melt, captured the significance and sublimity of the ceremony perfectly when he told the amazing story of how his grandfather's ring became part of the Ring Melt for the Class of 2021.
General Hewett died in 1967, and his class ring passed on to his daughter, Hobey Hewett's mother. The ring was missing for decades, but, about two weeks ago, Hewett and his brother were cleaning out his mother's house and found the ring. He then learned about WPAOG's Ring Memorial Program and worked feverishly with WPAOG's Class Services to get the ring into this year's program on short notice. View photos.
"It was the spirit of the ring that got it here," Hewett said, offering an explanation as to why the ring was serendipitously found. "It wanted to be here, it wanted to come home, and it wants to be worn on the fingers of the cadets in the Class of 2021." The Class of 1919, as it turns out, entered as the Class of 1921, but they were graduated early due to the need for officers during World War I. Video.
Despite this, his class maintained their 1921 crest; so, General Hewett's ring could be considered a centennial gift to the Class of 2021. The power and magnitude of this story caught CDT Katarina Christianson, President of the Class of 2021, a bit off guard, and she had to wipe away a tear from her eye before announcing the name of the next ring presenter. Read more.
Class Notes Updates This Week
The following classes have added updates this week to their Class Notes pages. 1956 | 1978 | 1983 | 1989. Class Notes
COL Blackburn '89 Joins the Institute for Defense Analyses
Colonel R. Taft Blackburn has joined the Institute for Defense Analyses (IDA) as a Research Staff Member in IDA’s Intelligence Analyses Division. Blackburn is a member of the Foreign Area Officer Association and the Veterans of Foreign Wars.
IDA is a nonprofit corporation that operates three Federally Funded Research and Development Centers in the public interest. IDA answers the most challenging U.S. security and science policy questions with objective analysis leveraging extraordinary scientific, technical, and analytic expertise.
Anderson '78 Selected as Civilian Aide to the Secretary of the Army
Darcy Anderson has been appointed as a new Civilian Aide to the Secretary of the Army during an investiture ceremony in the Perot Building January 8. The Honorable Ryan D. McCarthy, Secretary of the Army, selected Darcy Anderson to represent Texas (North).
"Civilian Aides to the Secretary of the Army are an integral part of sharing the U.S. Army story," Anderson said. "I am proud to be appointed as it will allow me to continue serving my country and assist both the secretary and key Army leaders. I look forward to using my network and platform as a business and community leader to build bridges of understanding between the U.S. Army and the public."
"I am thrilled Darcy agreed to serve in our program," McCarthy said. "I can't think of a better person to represent the Army in Dallas. He is a true icon in this area. Our Army is an all-volunteer force. Now, more than ever, we rely on our volunteers, such as CASAs, to help build networks, foster relationships and tell the Army story to your communities. They are my first phone call into the city and the last handshake as I head back to D.C. I am confident Darcy will have an immediate positive impact."
Anderson served in the Army five years in various capacities with Corps of Engineers combat units. He has served as a board member for both West Point Association of Graduates and West Point Society of North Texas and as a member of Congressmen Marc Veasey and Van Taylor's service academy selection boards.
Class Notes Updates This Week
The following classes have added updates this week to their Class Notes pages. 1954 | 1962 | 1966 | 1967 | 1974 | 1987 | 1988 | 1989 | 2019. Class Notes
Johnson '19 Receives Foley Award
In a letter that recommended now-2LT Camm Johnson as a candidate for the LTG Robert Foley Scholarship of Honor Award, he was described as universally loved and respected by his peers for having an infectiously positive personality by Company C-2 Tactical Officer MAJ Jonathan Leggett. Johnson was someone who went through major obstacles yet emerged from the West Point journey successfully and was recognized as excelling within the four pillars of the academy: academically, militarily, physically and as a leader of character. Johnson received the award December 19, one day before graduating. Full story.
Gov. John Bel Edwards '88 Sworn in for a Second Term
Governor John Bel Edwards has been sworn in for his second term. There was the traditional 19 gun salute, and the West Point Glee Club performed the national anthem.
In his inaugural address, Edwards' recapped his first term. He praised Democrats and Republicans for coming together to solve a budget crisis, better fund education and infrastructure projects and to enact landmark criminal justice reforms.
He also outlined his top priorities for his second term, namely, workforce development, raising the state minimum wage and early childhood education. Read more.
Bray '89 Appointed Executive Director at PASTrust
Steven L. Bray has been appointed Executive Director at the Western Asbestos, J.T. Thorpe, Thorpe Insulation, and Plant Asbestos Settlement Trusts.
“We’re truly fortunate that Steve is joining the Trusts as he brings the right mix of professional experience and skills to the position and is deeply committed to the Trusts’ goal of treating all claimants equitably,” said Managing Trustee Jack Luikart. “The Trustees believe he will provide effective and efficient management of the Trusts.”
Mr. Bray most recently served as Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary of Johnson Matthey Inc. where he was the chief legal officer overseeing all functions of the Americas legal department for the international, publicly traded manufacturer of specialty chemicals and lithium ion battery materials. Prior to that, he served in positions of increasing managerial and legal responsibility with Albemarle Corporation, BP and The Hartford.
“I look forward to contributing to the Trusts’ efforts as we continue to tirelessly serve our claimants with transparency, efficiency, fairness and respect,” Bray said. “I am delighted to be joining the Trusts and am privileged to be working with such a dedicated and talented team of professionals.”
Mr. Bray graduated in 1989 as a distinguished cadet from the United States Military Academy at West Point. Following military service as a field artillery officer in the United States Army, he received a Juris Doctorate degree from the University of Pennsylvania Law School and a Master of Business Administration degree (Risk Management and Decision Processes) from The Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania.
Class Notes Updates This Week
The following classes have added updates this week to their Class Notes pages. 1945 | 1956 | 1959 | 1962 | 1965 | 1966 | 1967 | 1969 | 1970 | 1978 | 1982 | 1985 | 1992 | 1998 | 2003. Class Notes
LTC Rubio '98 Among the First to Graduate NASA's Artemis Program
LTC Frank Rubio is among the first 11 astronaut candidates to graduate under NASA's Artemis program, which aims to land the first woman and the next man on the moon by 2024, these graduates will be qualified to fly to the International Space Station and, soon enough, take Artemis missions to the moon, the Lunar Orbiting Platform-Gateway and Mars.
"After completing more than two years of basic training, these candidates will become eligible for spaceflight, including assignments to the International Space Station, Artemis missions to the Moon, and ultimately, missions to Mars," NASA officials said in a statement. Read more.