University of South Carolina NROTC Reunion – October 28, 2022

(Clockwise) Elmer Beardshall, Bill Queen, Harold Sturm, Charlie Cate, Lois Queen, Ann Beardshall and Tom Legare)

The 1960 USC-NROTC Unit held its 60^th reunion (2 years late because of Covid) on October 28, 2022 in Columbia. Events began with lunch at Lizard Thicket that included 5 of our classmates and 2 wives pictured above. All of us “old salts” reminisced about our days at USC, our Navy Days, as well as our days following. There were many stories about Naval Careers and other post Navy careers.

After lunch we toured the Naval ROTC Building (formerly the Columbia Naval Reserve Building near campus). Lt. Moeller and Lt. Reed conducted the tour. Most impressive were the high tech training equipment that students have to teach them how to “drive” ships and fly airplanes. The lieutenants acknowledged that the USC NROTC Alumni Association contributed toward the purchase of this equipment. We are proud to report that Harold Sturm and Tom Legare from our 1960 group were charters members of the Alumni Association.

Following the tour of the unit, we were transported to the Horseshoe where the current midshipman marched in a Pass in Review. Our group was recognized individually and acknowledgment was made of our recent contribution to the USC NROTC Alumni Scholarship Fund. For each $250 we were able to raise, a scholarship is given to out of state students which enables them to pay tuition at the in state rate.

Finally, our group returned to the Naval ROTC Building for a delicious meal. We were able to meet and talk with the current crop of midshipmen numbering about 75. We were all very favorably impressed with both the staff and the midshipmen we talked to. See below for some pictures of the unit tour and the Pass in Review.

We missed all of you who were unable to attend. Elmer and Ann Beardshall prepared a Reunion Book that chronicles our days in the Navy and our subsequent careers. We have posted the Reunion Book online. If you have any corrections or additions let us know so we can make changes. Our Report on the 2010 Reunion is also online if you want to look back on that. Also Bill Queen did an analysis of the Reunion Book and prepared an interesting Summary.

I have enjoyed talking with you and/or your children to gather information for the Reunion Book. Please stay in touch. Planning for our 70^th year reunion will begin soon. _{It will probably be virtual and spiritual so that}all our classmates will be able to attend.