2003 Dark Ages Party

2003 Dark Ages Party - Founders Day Celebration a Great Time!

On Saturday evening, February 15, 2003 the third annual Atlanta Chapter Dark Ages Party was held at the Flight Line Club at NAS Atlanta. This year’s party was in celebration of the founding of the United States Naval Academy on October 10, 1845, and in honor of the Brigade of Midshipmen.

On that date, through the efforts of then Secretary of the Navy George Bancroft, the “Naval School” was established on a 10-acre tract of land that was previously an Army base named Fort Severn. (That should be recorded as one of Navy’s first victories over Army!) Just seven professors and 50 Midshipmen comprised the entire faculty and student body. Today the Brigade is over 4,000 strong with an academic staff of nearly 600.

The party was a formal, black tie optional, event for Atlanta Chapter members only. The event was catered by Jerry Dilts & Associates, who provided a great dinner, with a filet mignon main course. The majority of the men arrived dressed in tuxedos, with their escorted ladies in equally formal attire. It was a fine looking room full of alumni and friends!

The guest of honor for the celebration was Colonel David A. Vetter USMC (Ret), Dean of Admissions of the U.S. Naval Academy. Many thanks to Colonel Vetter, who came down from Annapolis just for our event.

This year the Russ Starrett Quartet was on hand to provide music during the cocktail hour and dancing after dinner. Just before dinner, event coordinator Carl McCallum '60, welcomed Colonel Vetter, the CO of NAS Atlanta Captain Bill Garrett, and all alumni and guests.

Carl then introduced Chapter President Bob Schultz '71. Bob thanked event coordinators Carl and Marilyn McCallum and Jim Ravenel for their efforts to stage the event. Next, to get the competitive spirits flowing, Bob held a "Go Navy" cheer contest, by graduating class decades, to determine which decade of classes was best represented at the event this year. The call to compete was met with loud and enthusiastic "Go Navy" cheers that shook the walls! The fair and impartial judge determined that the decade of the 60's won the contest. BZ to the Classes of the 60's. Well done.

Bob also took the opportunity to talk about the crew of the space shuttle Columbia which was lost just two weeks prior to the event. Our shipmate, Willie McCool '83, the shuttle pilot was among those lost. A moment of silence was observed in honor of Willie and his shuttle crewmates.

After dinner, Chapter Trustee Bill Rentz '55, provided a colorful introduction of our guest of honor, Colonel Vetter. Colonel Vetter then addressed the alumni and guests providing details and highlights on what he termed his personal relationship with the Naval Academy.

It was a great night, and a great party. The following are candid shots taken at the event.

Click on a thumbnail image to view a full sized picture.

Chapter Trustee, Bill Rentz '55 introduces Colonel Vetter	Colonel Vetter addresses the dinner attendees.
Chapter President Bob Schultz '71, presents Colonel Vetter with his speaker's gift, a personalized Atlanta Chapter apron.	Head table with Colonel Vetter.
The Hatch table.	Class of '54 table, complete with custom class sign!
The Fitzgerald table.	Second half of Class of '54 contingent, with custom class sign!
The Clay table.	The youngster table! Hey, what's Art Butler doing in there!?
The Rentz table.	The buffet line! Looks great!
Jim Hatch - babe magnet!	Jim and Lynn Hatch. Hoofers extraordinaire.
Marilyn McCallum and Jim.	Paul and Nancy Hurst.
Linda Schultz and Lynn Hatch.	Art and Dee Butler.
Marilyn and Carl McCallum.