68 Class News Shipmate November-December 2011By Gordon Peterson, Corresponding Secretary An important chapter in our Class history drew to a proud close on the sun-drenched parade field of Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall September 30 when Deborah and Adm. Mike Mullen were honored during a ceremony marking his retirement and the transfer of the responsibilities as the eighteenth chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff to Army Gen. Martin E. Dempsey. Following four years of extraordinarily distinguished service as chairman (which followed assignments in three other four-star positions), Mike ended his illustrious 43-year career as our last classmate serving on active duty. More than 100 classmates joined hundreds of other guests for an event that included an extraordinary turnout by all branches of the armed forces and senior government officials, including President Obama, Vice President Biden, Secretary of Defense Panetta, and members of Congress. (Bill Center estimated about 150 classmates were present.) All speakers lauded Mike’s performance as the nation’s senior military advisor, as well as Deborah’s sustained advocacy for military families and veterans. “Mike, you have fulfilled the pledge you made at the beginning—to represent our troops with ‘unwavering dedication,’ the president said. “And so has Deborah, who we thank for her four decades of extraordinary service, her extraordinary support to our military families, her kindness, her gentleness, her grace under pressure. She is an extraordinary woman.” 
From left: Vice President Biden, President Obama, Deborah Mullen and Mike Mullen observe the honor guard pass and review at the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff change of responsibility ceremony Sept. 30, 2011. Photo by U.S. Navy Petty Officer 1st Class Chad J. McNeeley
Secretary Panetta called Mike "part warrior, part diplomat, part mediator, spokesman, fighter and leader" in recounting his critical contributions to U.S. national security since becoming chairman in 2007, including the conduct of combat operations in Iraq and Afghanistan, the impact of multiple combat deployments on service members and their families, heightened tensions on the Korean peninsula, and his leadership in supporting the repeal of the “Don’t Ask/Don’t Tell” policy. Extolling his leadership and concern for the troops, Panetta said, “He has set an exceptionally high standard for the role of chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.” Mike was presented with his fourth award of the Defense Distinguished Service Medal. Joe Kavale observed, “Growing up, I always thought that Douglas MacArthur was OLD when he was recalled to duty for WWII... he was 61! Our age 65, when the war ended ... good on Mike—he doesn't look a day over 40!” Dennis Young noted that Secretary Panetta recognized “…the legendary leadership class of '68" ...which resulted in a great roar (as Katherine and Lael Easterling said.) During his remarks Mike expressed his appreciation to Deborah and his two sons, Jack and Michael, for their unwavering support over many years. "I walked through Gate One at the Naval Academy in the summer of 1964, took a young, pretty California girl to the Army-Navy game in 1967, famously struggled to graduate a year later, and then asked that girl to marry me," he said of Deborah. 
Mike inspects the troops during the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff change of responsibility ceremony. Photo by U.S. Air Force Tech. Sgt. Jacob N. Bailey "Deborah, impossible would it be for me to convey to you the depth of my love or the full measure of my admiration," he said. Of his sons, both USNA alumni and serving as a naval aviator and surface warfare officer, Mike said, “No father could be more proud.” Mike also addressed current congressional efforts to reduce the federal deficit. "Cuts in defense spending are fair game. We should do our part," he said. "But cut too deeply, and we will burn the very blanket of protection we have been charged to provide our fellow citizens. Cut too deeply now, and we will harm, perhaps irreparably, the industrial base from which we procure the materials of war." He emphasized a recurrent theme that he has addressed publicly throughout the past four years—take care of the troops, their families, and our military veterans. "Hire them. Help them buy a home. Get them started on the path to an education," he said. "Give them a chance. That's all they want," he said of today’s veterans. Mike and Deborah dedicated the back page of the ceremony’s program to thank the men and women of the U.S. armed forces and their families. “You are the sentinels, the guarantors of our great republic. You are the best this nation has to offer, as much a symbol of our strength as the Grand Tetons or the broad Mississippi, or the New York City skyline,” it read in part. Ed Sullivan, present with the large Class turnout, reflected on the ceremony: “The sun was blazing, and we were seated looking into it, so a number of us are well sunburned but absolutely stunned and overwhelmingly proud to have borne witness to the end of a glorious naval career. Mike’s speech was ‘spot on!’ I talked with a lot of classmates at the Air Force tailgate and to a man all were effusive of Mike, the ceremony, and the praise heaped upon our classmate. It was the end of the speech that rang home for most of us. Mike challenged and implored America to take our veterans and our troops into their hearts. Their sacrifices are for America, and we as Americans must honor these brave men and women. I have no idea of the final class turnout numbers, but we were well represented and provided vocal proof of same at times throughout the ceremony.” 
Classmates were accorded special seating at the ceremony. Photo by U.S. Air Force Tech. Sgt. Jacob N. BaileyA number of classmates also shared their impressions as I prepared to send this column off “on deadline” to Shipmate: Walt Hogan: “As I sat watching the pageantry and listening to the barely adequate assessment by our civilian leadership of the impact our Classmate Adm. Mullen has had on both our military and our nation, I was struck by the notion of what a privilege it truly is to have had the honor of being a part of the USNA Class of ’68. I looked around and thought of all the leadership and significant contributions that my Classmates have made in the service of our country, both military and civilian. I thought of how Adm Mullen personifies the highest leadership in our military. I was thankful to have been able to be associated with such an extraordinary collection of men and their wives and their collective impact on our Navy and our nation.” Larry McConnell: “I am writing this on a gorgeous sunny morning at the Ft Myer Parade Ground as the Color Guard is about to present the colors for the Ceremony. Mike, as a classmate who began 47 years ago, we consider it a privilege to celebrate with you as you represent our class and formally bring to a successful close the legacy of our class. From pushups together on that sultry day in June 1964 to the overwhelming majesty of this moment, we salute you. You have done well, you have brought our mission in naval service as a class to a successful and touching close. As classmates, we salute you!” Bill Dow: “Mike Mullen made all proud to be his classmate. He shared the podium with three other speakers and he blew them away with content, consideration and conviction. Our last man standing did us proud. What a wonderful, amazing career!” Ed Sullivan: “It was with consummate pride that my wife Kathleen and I were able to witness the ‘last man standing’ in the historic USNA class of 1968 be honored for his service to his country. Mike and Deborah have served their country and their service and all the military services with grace and dignity. This last tribute to that service was spectacular in its grandeur and provided the ultimate recognition of this wonderful couple and their shining example of selfless service to country. It was most well deserved and put the exclamation to a great career. Thank you classmate!” 
Deborah and Mike are piped ashore at the conclusion of the ceremony. Photo by U.S. Navy Petty Officer 1st Class Chad J. McNeeleyBill Ruch: “One thing I thought about on the drive back to Richmond—when Mike and Deborah were piped ashore, he chose to depart the parade field through the same guys he entered service with some 40-plus years earlier. A class leader departing through a Class act. Well Done! ” Ben Fromme: “5th Company was well represented. I attended with Eric Houin who flew in from New Orleans. We sat with Tom Hayes who travelled from Vermont. Fabulous day.” George Breeden: 31st Co. was present on 30 September, represented by Marty Gunther, Marv Floom and Jan, Bill Ober and Marcie, Larry McConnell, Janice and John Doyle, and my wife Barbara and me. John Olson and his wife and Bob Griffin were also there. 
Deborah and Mike Mullen, retired, as photographed by Walt Hogan.Dave Tyler has posted photographs from the ceremony on our homepage, so check them out (www.usna68.com). Forward yours to Dave for posting (hdtyler68@gmail.com). More photographs of the ceremony are also available at http://tinyurl.com/ProtocolPhotos. Go to http://www.defense.gov/photoessays/photoessayss.aspx?id=2445 for a photo essay on the ceremony that is posted on the CJCS homepage. You can also link to a 1- hour 44-minute video coverage of the entire ceremony at: http://www.c-span.org/Events/Admiral-Mullen-Retires/10737424490-1/ Just a week before his retirement ceremony, Mike made his final trip to Capitol Hill to testify with Secretary Panetta before the Senate Committee on Armed Services regarding the status of military operations in Iraq and Afghanistan. All members of the committee expressed their admiration for Mike’s service as chairman and long career, including our own Senator Jim Webb: 
Mike Mullen and Jim Webb prior to a Senate Committee on Armed Services hearing on Iraq and Afghanistan Sept. 22. “I join everyone else in thanking Admiral Mullen for his many years of service and adding a particularly personal note in that we have had the pleasure of knowing each other for more years than I can count, since we were Plebes at the Naval Academy, trying to figure out what the hell entropy was and how you can measure the thermodynamic properties of steam. It has been a long journey and Mike Mullen from day one all those years ago has always been known for his forthrightness and for his integrity. It has been a great honor to be able to work with you in your present capacity and also to wish your family and Deborah well. She has done enormous things for veterans, for wounded warriors and in other areas. So, again, thanks so much for your service. We look forward to seeing you on other occasions.” Elizabeth “EJ” Ashbourne-Stehle has invited the Class to attend the interment for Chuck Stehle at Arlington National Cemetery at 1:00 p.m. Thursday, November 10. Guests should arrive at the Old Post Chapel on Fort Myer at 12:45 p.m. The invitation for classmates to attend a follow-on celebration of Chuck’s life to be held in Annapolis at 4:30 p.m. the same day has been communicated through our class communications network owing to the need to RSVP to EJ. In other news, we lost two non-graduating members of our class this summer. Dr. Harlan A. Payne, 65, died unexpectedly in his sleep in August in Black Rock City, NV. Dr. John Ray Van Tuyl of Key West, Fla., also passed away in August at his home. All the best … Beat Army |