Our Beginnings - A Short History

The following narrative was captured in the first Association newsletter, Vol 1, Number 1, circa 1988.

“Last Fall most of us received a letter from CAPT Kletter, C.O. of the unit asking us to fill out a questionnaire and asking for our opinion on forming an alumni association.  A few months later a group of alums in the Madison-Milwaukee area received calls from ENS Venneman asking if we were interested in attending a first formation and informational meeting.  As a result Frank Rayome, 56, Ed Parfrey, 51, John McKenna, 63, Chuck Kleinschmidt, 56, Tom Thomsen, 62, Bill Burke, 50, Dave Rawlings, 62, and Paul Stein, 65, met at the unit with CAPT Kletter, CDR Hekel (XO), and a representative of the U.W. Alumni Association and discussed actions needed to form an association, and possible purposes and activities for an association.  It was decided to go forward, meet again in a month

At subsequent monthly meetings the group grew with the addition of Nick Galanos, 53, and Robert Espeseth, 52; and was assisted in technical legal areas by Frank Brewster, 50.  It took about six months from the first meeting to the adoption of Articles of Incorporation and By Laws and the filing of these papers with the Wis. Secretary of State Office.  In the interim Frank Rayome was elected President, Chuck Kleinschmidt, Vice President and Reunion Chairman; Dave Rawlings, Treasurer; Paul Stein, Secretary and Membership Chairman; Ed Parfrey prepared many drafts of the Articles and By Laws; John McKenna, Tom Thomsen, Robert Espeseth and Nick Galanos become members of the Reunion Committee; and Tom Thomsen became the Audit Committee Chairman.

The activities of this group with the assistance of CAPT Kletter and his staff culminated in the incorporation of the Association with goals to assist the unit in maintaining its excellence, promotion of N.R.O.T.C. at Wisconsin, educational and charitable activities.  Ideas that have been considered and remain active are improvements to the library, scholarship assistance, awards for merit to Midshipmen, and fostering interaction of members.  This list will grow as we receive input from the membership and funds become available.

Your Association is underway, it needs your support, if you haven’t already done so, send in your membership application and dues today and plan on attending the membership meeting in conjunction with the reunion, September 19.  Lets grow together and help the association achieve flank speed.”

Press Release September 19, 1987