January 2005 President's Corner

Bill Rentz '55, USNAAA Atlanta Chapter President

This letter is all about a celebration. On Saturday, January 15, 2005, our Chapter and visiting alumni were very honored and blessed to take part in the 76^th Birthday observance of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., at Ebenezer Baptist Church in Atlanta. It was an historic day in an historic place. The stars of the day and weekend were the Naval Academy Gospel Choir. They performed at a High School in Atlanta on Friday, followed by a College admissions fair, and performed at two Churches in Jonesboro, GA, on Sunday, before heading back to Annapolis on Monday. They made a great impression everywhere they went.

Key players in the Naval Academy Minority Outreach and Admissions organization accompanied the Choir. The Atlanta Chapter (via Stew) provided the barbecued pork and chicken lunch with all the trimmings and the Parents Club provided the desserts, which were served in the basement assembly room at Ebenezer. Mrs. Coretta Scott King visited with us before the concert and Ambassador Andrew Young, principal speaker, visited afterwards. Both chatted with the Choir members and guests. Alumni attending were: Glenn Brewer ’51; Bill and Sue Rentz ’55, Bill’s mother-in law Fern Johnson, and friend Rosa Lee Thurston; Tony and Virginia Womble ’63; Mess Caterer Stew Caldwell ’65; Pete Tzomes ’67 (in town from Chicago); MGen Charles Bolden ’68 (from Houston and one of the principal speakers); Paul and Jody Borer ’70; Dick Folga ’70 (from Pensacola); Les Gable ’70; Don Montgomery ’74 (Minority Outreach Coordinator from USNA); Kerwin Miller ’75 (USNA Alumni Assn Admissions Committee from Washington, DC); Ples Bruce ’77; Mary McElroy ’87 and sons Darrin and Austin; Cindy Miller ’90 and daughters Katie and Beth; LT Nikki Peoples ’97 (who coordinated many of the arrangements); LT B. Rashad Jones ’01 (OIC of the Gospel Choir and former Westminster and Navy Football Player); also present was CDR Vanessa Wyndham, CO of the Atlanta Recruiting Command (former 30^th Company Officer).

I want to also mention the Faculty Rep, CDR Henry Jones, Head of Oceanography at USNA, and a former member of the Gospel Choir, Marine 2^ndLt Lanz, who was Midshipman OIC last year. (He just finished TBS and is heading for flight school). Local Atlanta folks might recognize the names of two members of the Gospel Choir who are also on the Navy football team: Midshipman Jon Singleton ’05 (#10 a cornerback and 4-sport letterman from Crisp County High) and Midshipman Brian Hampton ’07 (#3 a Quarterback).

Ambassador Young and MGen Bolden had some inspiring words to say to the Midshipmen and the rest of us. Ambassador Young talked about the wisdom of his friend Martin. The Ambassador was a close advisor and friend during the early civil rights movement. He complimented the Choir members on their willingness to serve their country and to go in harm’s way. He said that even though Dr. King was a man of peace, he believed that because of the Democratic elections about to take place in Iraq, that Iraqis were much better off than they were under Saddam Hussein’s reign of terror. Following Ambassador Young, MGen Bolden ’68 inspired the midshipmen and us with his heartfelt remarks. General Bolden talked about South Africa and Nelson Mandela and likened Mandela’s nonviolent reaction to his struggles to that of Dr. King. He finished by reminding us that sometimes we are made better by facing adversity and by being denied what we thought we needed most, excerpted from “Chicken Soup for the Soul.” Before and after the remarks by the speakers, the Gospel Choir rocked the church with some fabulous musical selections.

The bottom line is if you missed this, you need to pay attention to our website and participate. The events represent a lot of work on the part of a lot of people. We need your support. Encourage your classmates, old shipmates, squadron mates, and neighbors to join us for our monthly luncheon meetings and other events found on our Website.

Support and pray for our troops. They are doing a much better job than our media represents.

Beat Army!

Bill Rentz ’55