A Page to Honor Belknapians Who Served in the United States Armed Forces
INTRODUCTION
In response to the public suggestion that Belknap College existed as a draft dodge, the Belknap College alumni community has herewith expressed itself quite clearly in the correspondences that follow.
Drs. Royal M. Frye and Virginia M. Brigham, along with a distinguished nucleus of talented faculty and administrators sought to establish a small, 4-year liberal arts college after their initial efforts did not work out at Canaan College. The initial efforts of those distinguished educators and scientists largely preceded the major Viet Nam War and draft issues that were gripping the nation in the mid-late 1960’s and early 1970’s.
Belknap College closed in 1974 because it was unable to secure HUD funding for the permanent library that was required for regional accreditation, which completes the national recognition of the US Department of Education. The young school simply did not have the alumni base required to create substantive endowment that most schools rely upon to build academic buildings and survive difficult economic times. And Belknap’s prime benefactor pulled out largely due to these factors. Dr. Frye had passed on and despite the herculean efforts of Jim Sutherland, the school could not make ends meet.
Thus these efforts to establish an excellent college in Center Harbor ended in 1974. But for the alumni who still appreciate and understand that experience, the pride in our nascent alma mater remains strong. And when perverse charges such as the draft dodge were recently leveled, Belknap’s military veterans spoke up and expressed our pride in the US Military as well as our own roles.
In addition, let it be known that Belknap College never made any anti-war pronouncements from the administration. The College did not invite anti-war speakers to the campus. If one wanted to see and hear the Chicago 7 live, one went to UNH or elsewhere. Between 15 and 20 students became active members of the local 368th Engineers Battalion, US Army Reserves, in Laconia at the behest of that organization’s Commanding Officer when he was invited on the campus to encourage enlistments in 1967. As a member I can attest to the fact that no student, administrator or faculty member ever criticized me for joining the 368th in Laconia.
Numerous Belknap students came to the school having already served in the military as enlisted personnel and officers - and they were well respected by their peers. And as evidenced by numerous letters that follow, many alumni joined the military after graduation, and not all were males.
In our country any individual is free to make any outlandish or absurd statement they want. Belknap College alumni have responded to this most recent falsehood to the extent that any reasonable person can now ascertain that our school was neither organized to be a draft dodge nor did it behave as a draft dodge - any more or less than any other college in the US at that time. The tumultuous times that characterized America in the 1960’s and early 1970’s threatened to divide Americans sharply, even among families. Belknap College students were integrally involved and aware of our environment in those days and our opinions often differed on the war and politics. Yet we were then and are now true Americans to the core. And our core patriotism does not include Nazi brownshirt style threats to destroy the mutual tributes that Belknap alumni and the Town of Center Harbor recently unveiled.
Belknapians’ Service to America
I attended Belknap college from 1969-71 graduating with a BS in Meteorology. I accepted a job as a cartographer with the Defense Mapping Agency/Hyrographic-Topographic Center (DMA/HTC) in Brookmont, MD in 1980. DMA/HTC is now known as the National Geospatial Agency (NGA). I then transferred to the Rome Air Development Center (RADC) which became the Rome Laboratory (RL) and now called Air Force Research Lab (AFRL) Information Directorate...one of several Air Force Labs. The mission of my division was to perform research, development, test and evaluate Recce Intel, Correlation Fusion and Precision Guidance Strike Products Technologies in support of DoD service objectives. We were constantly reminded that our technologies provided the war fighter with the tools to effectively accomplish mission objectives. Though my slot was that of an Air Force Civilian, we worked side-by-side with Air Force Officers and enlisted personnel and were tasked with similar duties and responsibilities. I retired in January of 2007. I hope my experience can help in persuading this gentlemen to reconsider his plan to remove the Belknap Plaque.
Regards, Jan Sterling, Belknap College ’71
I lived in Dane House until the next to last semester of the school. I remember at least 2 guys who were there on some kind of veteran program. I am sure there were others. As the father of a son who is serving his second tour of Iraq this kind of attitude pisses me off. I am sure there were a few draft dodgers that passéd through Belknap. As there was in every college and university of the day. The bottom line is that was then and this is now. Many Belknapians have brought up strong sons and daughters who serve their country well in many capacities. Dave Dubia
Dear Mr. Drenkhahn,
Please permit me to weigh in on the question of whether or not it is appropriate for Center Harbor to commemorate Belknap College.
Perhaps the most accurate statement that can be made about Belknap College is, in fact, that the college was not very different from others of the time. I would also note that, to this day, Harvard Law does not permit military recruiters on campus (which may or may not change with Congress's repeal of DADT).
I attended Belknap from 1971 to 1973 as a Navy vet on the GI Bill, after first seeing an ad in the Navy Times educational supplement. The school was totally helpful in granting me lower-level credits for USAFI GED's taken in the Navy and for professional courses taken within the Navy, which allowed me to progress immediately to the higher-level Physics, Math, Chemistry and Meteorology courses required for my BS in Meteorology.
The meteorology faculty included Professors Derrickson and Woodall, both of whom were retired USAF officers, and many of the students in the "hard sciences" were, like myself, recent vets.
The existence of the two distinct cultures within the college at that time was illustrated by an event on "May Day" of either '72 or '73. The leftist students who frequented the student hangout appropriately called "The Joint" decided to have a "strike" in support of the MayDay demonstrations in Boston, and got some cooperation in this endeavor from sympathetic members of the administration and faculty. However, others, such as Dr. Derrickson, did not. He, in fact, stated to his students, "I am paid to teach at this college, and I will be here in my classroom for those of you who wish to attend, but no onus attaches to any who choose not to".
Most of us vets did show up the next morning, and, in our accustomed military fashion, took spontaneously-organized and focused action. Without having to resort to violence, we simply formed up wedge phalanxes, and cleared our own way through the pot-addled hippies occupying the walk space between the The Joint and the classroom "Barn" - where we attended the classes we had paid to attend with our meager GI Bill benefits.
Two representative (early '70's) communities, indeed. Just like the rest of America,- military and "hippies", as well as many varieties of inbetweens.
In addition to being somewhat "Vet-friendly", the college also participated in a program (likely state-funded) to offer college admission and tuition assistance to "welfare mothers" in the hopes that they would be able to both better themselves and their children AND convert taxpayer dependents into taxpayers. The program produced some spectacularly successful graduates, a victory for both socialists and capitalists!
Many of us students gave significant time and effort to attempts to financially rescue the school when the administration failed to operate it as a sound business at the behest of those 'career students' who did not grasp or chose to ignore the basic principles of commerce and finance well-known to others (e.g. - filthy Capitalist pigs). We joined with many local citizens of means, including my part-time employer G. Huntington Damon, to attempt that effort to put the school on a sustainable course. Ultimately, we were not able to oversome the socialist (mis)beliefs that the school could entertain droves of nonpaying and nonproductive "students" and remain afloat, and it eventually became obvious that it was time to opt to step back and allow a merciful death.
Again, there were two distinct communities within the college's realm, socialists and capitalists, Marxists and Randites.
Fortunately, through my accelerated class load, I was able to graduate just before the college closed, and was able to use my newly-earned degree to re-enter the Navy as a Naval Flight Officer candidate, ultimately enjoying another fifteen years of Navy service. Belknap College provided me the means to conduct my own "Operation Bootstrap", and the community of Laconia was where my wife found work and where we made our home with my young son. Center Harbor was where I was also able to find work with which to augment my GI Bill, and where I was always treated fairly.
Therefore, I urge the Selectmen to continue to recognize the college, complete with its varied history, which included significant opportunites for vets, as well as social challenges which were not atypical of the society at large. As far as I know, although none of us were wearing our uniforms anymore, no-one ever spat on a single Belknap "baby-killer"...
You are encouraged to share this letter with any and all complainants which wish to thwart the commemorative effort, as well as the community at large, should that be hepful.
I remind the vet opposition that we vets took an oath to, served, fought and died to "Support and Defend the Constitution of the United States of America", as well as the Bill of Rights, under whose provisions ALL citizens, including ourselves and those who disagree(d) with us, live in still the most free nation on earth.
Respectfully,
Stanley W. Braisted Lieutenant Commander, United States Navy (Retired) Achilles, Virginia
re.Military. My name is Roger P. Rice, I live in Lee, NH and work for the Town of Lee. I served in the NH Air National Guard from 1964 to 1970 in Photo and Air Intelligence and received an Honorable Discharge. I went to Belknap College for four years and graduated with a B.S. in Business Admin in 1969. C= 603-969-9626 Thank You for your time to correct the record.
I dropped out of Belknap and did 3 years in the Army from 1968-1971 then came back to graduate. I had no problem with those students who were against the war. He seems to have forgotten that when sworn in we vowed to protect and defend the Constitution, which includes the first amendment guarantying free speech. I wonder what he would have thought about Patrick Henry, George Washington and the like if he had lived here in the mid and late 1700s. I'll take a sincere anti war activist over a sunshine patriot any day of the week. Steve Massas
Richard, Jim and Biddy, As Director of Alumni Affairs after graduating from Belknap College, I was responsible for the alumni newsletter known as the Belknapper. I regularly received and published news about our alumni who were serving in every branch of the military. (If anyone has copies of the Belknapper I’d be happy to scan them and put them on the website.) Sure we had students who protested the war as did virtually every college campus in our country at that time. We also had students who had served active duty, students who were Reservists and alumni who went on to serve after graduation. Unfortunately the Vet from Tuftonboro has lost sight of one of the reasons he served our country – so that people could speak freely without fear of intimidation and violence. He is dishonoring his service with his threats of intimidation and criminal acts. What a shame. Jim Miller 332 Waukewan Road Center Harbor, NH (mail: PO Box 919 Meredith, NH 03253)
Jim & Richard, I want to respond to the allegations made by the individual regarding Belknap College and my fellow alumni. I graduated in May of 1971 and left for active duty in July of that year. I spent 6 years in the US Army reserves and take great offense to the comments. While at Belknap I knew several Vietnam vets and active reserve members. It's a shame that "someone" can be so misinformed as to make accusations and threats without gathering any facts. But the exercise of our freedom of speech is not always comforting and or made by informed individuals with facts. I do hope that this individual understands his freedom of speech does not entitle him or anyone to make theats or destroy public property. I attended the October college reunion and enjoyed revisiting Center Harbor. I hope that these disparaging remarks in no way impact the town & the cordial relationship shared by the alumni. Please feel free to call me anytime at 717 367-9132 if I can be of assistance. Regards, Ralph Spayd
I’m a Vietnam vet and a proud alumnus of Belknap.
You might send him the link below with the post from BBS (that’s me)
Thanks for keeping the memories alive.
Regards,
Bill Saulnier Class of ’72
THIS IS MAYBE ONE OF THE MOST IMPORTANT, FROM A YOUNG RESIDENT OF CENTER HARBOR
Richard, I rec'd an email from Jim and with it your attached email to Biddy and it is very upsetting to me too. Though I was never a Belknap Student, I grew up with a lot of them as "Big Brothers & Sisters" in a small town. Belknap was not a "draft dodger" school, though there were a minority of students that probably looked at it that way, as many other New England small colleges were viewed.
I attach your email and will comment after it to assist.
David Hughes
When I graduated from Belknap in May 1969 I was recruited to join the Washington DC Metropolitan Police Dept. It was a Federal Law Enforcement position. After the riots in DC in April 1968 Congress passed a law increasing the size of the Metropolitan Police Department from 3500 to 5100 men. Two provisions of the law were that if you were in the military, you got a six month early out to join the Metropolitan Police. If you were NOT in the military(which was my case) and you joined the Metropolitan Police, you signed a contract for two years which credited you with 2 years military service if you stayed. While I was NOT in the military, I feel I served my country in Washington DC, I was shot at beaten up and was involved with arresting the anti war demonstrators which attempted to close down Washington, DC in 1969-1971.
Reid Edles
I remember, my Sophomore year living in Harper house, 09/70-06/71 with Edward Stokes. Edward attended Belknap after serving two(2) years in Viet Nam.
Also, living in Suissvale, 1971-1972, was a Bruce H- - - -, who also attended Belknap after his tour of duty in Viet Nam.
Let it be also known, many of us, ready to serve, were able to complete our collage education due to the Nixon lottery of who will be drafted. What an insulting derogatory remark. It shows the limited capacity of some minds.
Yale Geftic
I am just one of many who served in the military after graduation from Belknap College.
I graduated from Belknap in 1968 with a degree in Meteorology. After graduation I entered the Air Force and went to Officer Training School in October of 1968. Years of service 1968-1972.
David Dilley 1968 Belknap graduate
I attended Belknap College during the mid to late sixties. During my tenure there, the Selective Service (Draft) board summoned my for my pre-induction physical, which I failed due to a physical issue. Had I passed and been subsequently drafted, I certainly would have served my country and served it proudly.
Regards, W. Howard Heaton
Jim, Although I personally did not serve in the military, my father served for six years in the U S Army. He was with Patton's 3rd Army, and landed at Normandy on day five, I believe. I have in my possession some of his military honors, which include two Purple Hearts, a Bronze Star and a Silver Star medal. He retired a 1st Lieutenant. Charles J Isola was his name, and I know that he would stand at our side, and defend our right to honor the people and town of Centre Harbor, who welcomed us with open arms when we were residents of their town, and the other towns where we resided during our attendance at Belknap College. I have erected a flag pole at every home that I have ever owned, and proudly fly the flag of our country. When I attended Belknap, my next door neighbors were Chet and Louise Frame. I believe that Chet was a resident of Meredith, and had served in the Coast Guard, in Vietnam. Another close friend was Big Bill. I do not remember his last name, but he drove an MG B. I would assume that there were many students at colleges all over the country who did not serve in Vietnam, and so I am baffled that someone would single out Belknap as an un-American Institution of higher learning. I myself was involved in the second draft lottery, was assigned number 269, and that year number 144 was the last number picked for the draft. I had applied to the Service Academies, with New York's Mayor Wagner as my sponsor, but was turned down for admission due to my eyesight. I consider myself to be a "Card-Carrying American", just like my father. My family sent two uncles to the Navy, one uncle to the Submarine Service, one cousin to the Marines. I will stand proudly with other law abiding members of the Belknap Alumni in the face of this blatant insult. If destruction of property is the only way that this group of people can show their feelings, then that in itself shows their true colors. This may not be the most eloquent letter that I have ever written, but it expresses my true feelings, when attacked by people of small mind, regardless of the size of their V Twin. Greg Isola Class of 73.
Hello- Do not know if it will help, My husband finished his residency in 1975, he had no military obligation, he was not part of the "berry plan" and not part of the draft years. Together we made the choice to join the public health corp, a part of the US Navy. We wanted to do our part for the USA before starting a medical practice. :) mona
Jim,
Just a thought about this hot issue; some, like myself, had disabilities. This should be pointed-out, too. I could not have served. Warmly,
Harry
Harry B. Bridges, Jr. Science Teacher
Jim, Perhaps the gentleman should be reminded that from 1969 on draft deferments for college attendance were eliminated by the institution of the draft lottery system.
Vin
Also, I have no way of knowing if he's on the email list and have not seen him here in NJ in many years, but ROLAND MOONEY (Class of 1971?) served with the US ARMY in Vietnam.
Jim: My name is Bert Philipps and I graduated from Belknap in ‘73, after proudly serving in the Navy for four years. I graduated along with Pierce Guyer who also served in the Navy prior to Belknap and was commissioned in the Coast Guard after graduation. He retired from the Coast Guard as a full Commander. There were several others, but their names escape me at this time. If I can think of their names, I’ll forward them to you.
Bert Philipps
Martin Burns class 68 368 Combat Heavy Engineers USAR 1968-1992 retired SFC
Hi Jim,
I graduated from Belknap College in 1971 and proudly served in the 2289th US Army Hospital Reserve unit based out of Wilmington, DE for 9 years. I did basic training in Ft. Knox, KY and AIT in Ft. Benjamin Harrison, IN.
At Belknap, I lived mostly off campus in Holderness and Campton and have always been proud of Belknap College. Sorry I missed the Reunion but will try to make the next one.
Regards,
Bob Goldstein 1650 Parkside Circle South Boca Raton, FL 33486
Dear Mr Drenkhahn
As a graduate of Belknap College, Class of 1971, and as an individual who spent 31 years in the military, 25 years of which were active duty, I take offense to whomever stereotyped the students of Belknap College as draft dodgers. .
The era in which we attend college was unlike any other in our Nation’s history. It redefined who we were as a Nation and proved that our democratic values work. I can honestly say that as a young man in that era I to had questions about many issues that were taking place Nationally. That does not put me or any of the individuals that I knew at Belknap in the category of being a draft dodger.
During the years of 1970 and 1971 I resided in Wynn Lodge and Harper House. I know of 4 individuals who were veterans, all served in Viet Nam, and 4 others who were members of either the National Guard or the Reserve. I know of 2 besides myself that enlisted following graduation from Belknap. Whomever this individual is does a disservice to us all by his unfounded remarks.
Please feel free to provide this gentleman with my e mail: louis.mccloskey@yahoo.com. and I will gladly discuss his concerns.
Louis A. McCloskey COL, (Retired) United States Army
PS: Please thank the gentleman for his service to our Country.
I attended Belknap from 1972 through its closure, after which I transferred to Lyndon State with most of the rest of the weather classes. Family pressures forced me to drop out of Lyndon State, after which I enlisted in the US Air Force. Thanks to the weather training I received at Belknap, I qualified as an enlisted weather observer. Later, I competed for and won a slot for advanced training leading to a degree in Meteorology from St. Louis University. The Air Force later sent me back to St. Louis University for a Master’s degree, and I was in line for a doctorate’s slot when the Berlin Wall came down and I wound up retiring as a Captain in 1994. A large part of my career aspirations was formed at Belknap. Under the tutelage of professors such as Drs. Derrickson and Woodard (both retired Air Force Colonels), I received nothing but encouragement in my aim to serve my country. I was also in the Belknap College Fire Department, working alongside several other military vets and future military and civilian service members. Just to name a few: Hugh Warner (Viet Nam US Army vet), Curt Osgood (a fellow US Air Force/Mass ANG Weather vet who worked for many years at Westover ANGB), William Geary (National Weather Service). Besides the military aspect, let me talk more about the Fire Department. Anyone who thinks of the students at Belknap as being pot-smoking, worthless hippies needs to talk to the members of the Centre Harbor and Lakes Region Mutual Aid Fire Departments. They’ll tell you of how many times the BCFD members stood alongside them in sub-zero weather, fighting to save someone’s home. Those are some of my proudest experiences. Captain William J. Bowne, USAF (Retired)
After graduation I joined the Army reserve and served for six years (1971 - 1977). If I remember correctly Bernie Salles who lived in Woodbridge House served in the Marines prior to coming to Belknap. How can anyone be that stupid to make the allegations that we were a bunch of draft dodgers.
Richard Detommaso
Jim,
I'll make this short because I am disabled and have difficulty typing. I went to Belknap 1964 thru 1967, served two years in the army and was in Pleaku Vietnam. I finished my military duty and finished Belknap in 1970.
Paul Southwick
Dear Richard Drenkhahn,
I am one of many former Belknap College students who honorably served in the Armed Forces of the United States. After graduating from Belknap in the spring of 1970, I enlisted in the Air Force. I attained the rank of sergeant before separating in 1974.
During the dedication of the bench last October, all veterans were asked to raise their hand and there were many, many hands raised.
I take strong issue with the remark that "Belknap College was just a place for draft dodgers". On the contrary, in my four years at Belknap (1966-1970) I found most students serious about their education. That doesn't mean that there weren't some students there to avoid the draft as there likely was on most college campuses around the country at that time.
The individual who made the disparaging remark about Belknap College is way off base and totally wrong to be making any kind of threats. The bench and plaque are now town property and any damage done should be fully prosecuted.
Yours truly,
Lawrence Mack '70 113 Plain Road Westford, MA 01886
I served in the Air Force from 1968-1972. I was stationed at Westover Air Force Base, MA and RAF Lakenheath, UK as a Medical Service Specialist, Medic, and was discharged as an E-5, Staff Sergeant. I worked in the Air Force Clinic and ER's at both Westover and Lakenheath.
Gene McCaffery
Richard,
In regards to the email you sent to Biddy Irwin I would like to say that I am a graduate of Belknap College 'Class of 1968', a successful businessman, and I proudly served our country in the US Army (Pleiku, Vietnam) from 1968 to 1970. I also know that my good friend Rusty Newberry (who attended BC in 66 and 67) served in the military in Europe.
I loved the time I spent in Center Harbor and at Belknap College and was happy to see that we, the alumni of BC, could give the town a gift. I personally would like to thank the town of Center Harbor for allowing the alumni to donate the bench as a remberance of your allowing us to grace your town as student visitors.
Why do the few who didn't attend Belknap complain. Maybe the complainant should stay in Tuftonborough and check out how many of his 100,000 motorcycles served our country.
May you and yours have a very Happy New Year.
J. Lavers Belknap College Class of 1968 Vietnam Vet 1968-1970
I attended Belknap College during the scholastic years September 1964 through May 1966. I attended the Southeast Asian War Games in the Republic of South Viet Nam during the period of October 1968 through the middle of February 1969 when I was brought home on emergency leave due to illness in my family. That’s only five and a half months in country for those who are counting. But, I have stories none the less.
Following a year at the University of Miami, I attended Basic Training at Fort Polk Louisiana, and graduated from Military Police School at Fort Gordon, Georgia. I served as a Military Police Provost Marshall Investigator for nine months in Alabama before heading to southeast asia. Because of my deployment I can correctly say that I was in Hawaii, Guam, The Philippines and Alaska, even if only for an hour at each place. During my glorious five and a half months I got to guard Orange Juice and Milk at the enormous Army base at Long Binh, outside of Saigon. I also got to spend nights in a perimeter tower with my M60 Machine Gun, and alternately drove security patrols inside our assigned area of the base. I spent Thanksgiving, Christmas and my first wedding anniversary at Long Binh. Outside of seeing tracers streak across the sky outside of the base, I was personally lucky not to be involved directly in the war.
If I were to be asked what I though about the Viet Nam War, I would answer that President Truman should have met with Ho Chi Minh in Paris when Ho asked for an audience back in the 50’s. If that had happened we probably would not have supported the continuing French Colonial presence in Cochin China as it was known at the time and fifty seven thousand of my brother baby boomers would not have their names listed on the wall in Washington D.C. As we witnessed Richard Nixon’s secret plan to end the war on television as the American Armed Forces retreated and left town with the locals holding the bag for this political waste of lives, time and honor.
My wife and I have travelled often to visit the “Wall” and pay respect to those who died in service of their country albeit for all the wrong reasons. Most recently, we were there for Memorial Day weekend in 2009. The Nations Capital was invaded by Baby Boomers and Viet Nam veterans from all across the United States. The most visible of these were all the Motorcycle clubs of veterans and riders mostly on Harleys and mostly with long receded and gray hairlines. Whether they thought that the Viet Nam War was an honorable military mission or like myself thought it a major waste of my generation and tons of American Taxpayers money, we all walked the wall in silent respect for our fallen brothers and sisters.
I have always felt that I owe those men and women through my life to live life to the fullest, to serve other people and do what they would do if they were given the chance to watch their families grow, take vacations, have careers, and enjoy life in the United States of America. Anyone who has chosen or has had to serve their country in a foreign theater of war knows or should know that we who are lucky enough to be Americans and we are not just about following orders, but are about having the freedom to chose our paths, and freedom to not only express our thoughts and ideals, but to respect the thoughts and ideals of others with whom we may not agree.
I am proud to have worn the uniform of the United States Army, I am proud to have been a student at Belknap College. And as has been said by others, I may not agree with you, but I will defend with my life, your right to speak out. I only ask that whatever you may express, just get it right.
Mike Sehl
James,
You may or not be familiar with me, joined into the website back in Sep.; Mel Borrin had assured me I was welcomedto join even though I had not attended as I arrived (have not previously being informed by Professor McNamara) after the college closed. I arrived April 1974 – though I’d been in communication with Professor McNamara nearly a year earlier while I was yet serving a tour in West Germany. I like to say I went to college, but the college closed when I got there.
Well, I’m not very social but I must say I looked forward to sitting on that bench come spring, I’d hate to think that 100,000 motorcyclist might remove it as I sat there. It was from that location that on seeing the bay and the beauty of NH that I decided to stay. I have many acquaintances here, (I’m originally from S. Dakota) many who I consider friends that always say ‘Hello’ and are willing to talk. I’m a Vietnam Veteran, served from Apr. 64 to Dec 68 – having re-enlisted Dec 65 (while serving in W. Germany) to go to Vietnam – not many Korean – Vietnam Veterans that can say that, at least note that early in the game. Served 1 1/2 yrs. there, then finished my second enlistment in Ft. Carson, Colorado. I enlisted a 3rd time in Apr 71 and on finishing my tour in West Germany in Apr. 74 arrived here. Have been here ever since.
I may be wrong, but I believe that Belknapians are a special and mixed lot of individuals who share an affinity of joy of life and the possibilities it gives any that seek to achieve. Even I, a late-comer have been given welcome.
Remind the Vet. that I chose to serve then and I did so for freedom; but not the freedom of those who would choose to destroy others property, and that I consider that bench as much my property as an Alumni of Belknap College as all the rest. I really look forward to sitting there.
Gerald W. Brooks Meredith
I did 6 years in the Army Nat’l Guard trained in chemical, biological and radiation warfare and was ready to serve if called Also, John Brian Coffey, my roommate for 3 years and best man at my wedding was a Vietnam veteran. He has since died from lung cancer.
Live, free or die!!!
Brendan Florio ‘74
Dear Biddy/Richard,
Along with Gene, Jay and Dave I spent four years of my life, voluntarily, not drafted, in the US military. In my case the Air Force from Nov '66 to Nov '70.
Anyone who cries about Belknap being a place for draft dodgers has no clue as to the class of individual who attended that college in the mid 60's. Shall we talk about draft dodger havens? Lets start with your Ivy League institutions. Just name one. Then lets digress to such venerated institutions as UC Berkeley and Kent State.
Please forward to the necessary individuals.
Thanks and regard, Rusty Newberry Belknap College '65-'66 Leesburg, VA
Hi Jim, it is hard to believe that anyone would offer such threats. For information, I attended Belknap during the school years of 65-67. After leaving Belknap I enlisted in the Naval Reserve and served two years of active duty during 68-70, mostly aboard the USS Charleston, LKA 113 where I drove various types of assault boats. Through nothing other than luck, I never got to Viet Nam and was released from active duty in 1970 and moved back to Meredith, where my family and I lived for 25 years. I returned to Belknap in 1970 and graduated with a BA in History in 1973. I am now a retired, ordained minister in the United Church of Christ (Congregational Church) As a member of the Legion, I am proud of my time at Belknap and my service to my country. Rev. Michael McCutcheon
Dear Jim,
I am a former Belknap student. I am also the daughter of a WWll veteran who was shot down, captured, escaped from the Nazis and then worked with the French Resistance and was there when they liberated Paris. He was awarded the highest honors possible from the Bristish and French governments. My uncle also served in WWll in Burma.
I volunteered for EIGHT years to work with Vietnam Veterans at the Boston VA and would not accept any pay for that work -believing that I should contribute something out of respect for the sacrifices the veterans made.
My partner and I were also asked by the Office of Veterans Affairs to start a program to work with incarcerated vets with PTSD. We subsequently started the first program if its kind and went into 4 prisons (from maximum to minimum security) for years to work with veterans.
In addition, one of my sons is in the military and has been deployed to Bosnia and Iraq twice- once for 16 months (when he was awarded the Bronze Star), and recently for 12 months. In civilian life he is a police officer.
Even if a student at one time disagreed with the Vietnam war, most of us were and are smart enough to understand the difference between disliking a political policy but were and are able to respect the men and women we ask/ed to fight our wars and often make the ultimate sacrifice for our country.
I, and most of the students I know, hold soldiers in high respect and honor their commitment and service.
To attack students over 35 years later without talking to them and without the facts is just as disrespectful as attacking the veterans.
I would hope that all these years later we have all learned from whatever mistakes we may have made and can come together in a spirit of forgiveness, understanding and respect.
Victoria Ross
Hello Richard..
I was shocked to learn of the deplorable behavior of the individual from Tuftonborough, NH claiming to know so much about Belknap College when in fact he knows little if anything about the college. Belknap College gave me and many others a great undergraduate education.
I graduated from Belknap College in 1969 with a Bachelor of Science degree in meteorology. The United States Air Force (USAF) was very interested in recruiting graduating meteorologists from Belknap for officer training school (OTS). This is because the meteorology department had become widely known for its excellence headed by retired Lt. Colonel Merle Woodall, Air Weather Service, USAF along with his associate Bill Hovey. I accepted the offer by the USAF to enlist and attend OTS upon graduation from Belknap to become a weather officer. In fact, I attended and graduated OTS with a fellow Belknap graduate and classmate, Richard Dixon. I served as a weather officer for nearly 4 years and can attest to the fact that I was well prepared for the duties required of me as a USAF meteorologist.
I can think of several other Belknap graduates who served in the military, either before attending the school or after graduation like myself. These include Ed Reizer, Paul Lincoln, Dave Dilley, John Burkes, and Russell Hobby.
John Stansfield
December 29, 2010
To Whom It May Concern:
I am a 1968 graduate of Belknap College after having served four years in the Untied States Navy.
With the help of the GI Bill, I was able to attend Industrial Management Institute in Reading, Pennsylvania. Upon graduating from IMI, Belknap College allowed me to transfer all credits and receive a degree in under four years.
My Belknap College experience is one I will always be grateful and cherish.
Sincerely,
William A. Fraser President Fraser Advanced Information Systems
12/29/10
Gentlemen: As a Belknap alumnus and former member of the 368th Engineers Battalion (US Army Reserves) in Laconia, I can assure you there is no validity whatsoever to the charge that Belknap College was established as a draft dodge. Drs. Frye and Brigham had worked hard for years to found a college, beginning with Canaan. Their efforts had nothing to do with the war or politics. They were great scientists and educators.
During my freshman year, I attended a meeting held by Belknap's Crew Team Coach, Colin Norberg, who also happened to be the Commanding Officer of 368th Engineers at that time. Mr. Norberg, a Laconia attorney, spoke convincingly about how his unit needed volunteers and how it was a good opportunity to serve the country despite the fact that we'd have to interrupt school for 2 quarters to complete basic training and advanced individual training. Virtually every one of the 15 or so students who joined all served our 6 years and at least one stayed in and retired after 20 years. I seriously doubt Mr. Norberg would have associated himself with Belknap if he believed it a draft dodge haven.
Beyond that, one of my closest Belknap friends joined the Army after graduation, went to OCS and became a 1st Lieutenant in the Rangers 82nd Airborne. There were several students who were veterans before they even got to Belknap. There were plenty of female students who were not dodging the draft.
I have to wonder on what basis this person came to his conclusions about Belknap. I wonder what relationships he might have had with students, faculty or administration - or if he has other ulterior motives for his imagined protests. Besides, I question the patriotism of any American who resorts to brownshirt style threats of violence. Maybe he isn't aware that every college was a place where students could go to avoid the draft. Was it only Belknap students who attended college just to avoid the draft while everyone else just happened to be in college?
This is a free country and any fool can make any accusation he wants. Its clear this fellow from Tuftonborough fits easily in this category. It is important for me personally to squash these abased falsehoods about Belknap College, even 30+ years after it closed.
Far from offending us, you and the Center Harbor Town officials have helped us stand up to these perfidious accusations and we thank you for that.
Best regards,
Dominic F. "Mickey" Terrone, '70
Dear Mr. Drenkhahn,
When I first read the mail from Jim I too was upset. I blew off the destructive steam to my former roommate at Belknap, Mr. Lou McCloskey, and another long time friend Ralph Spayd, both veterans, from whom you have already received a response. Once I settled down, I gave this some thought. Hope this is helpful from a non-veteran point of view. At 17 I was accepted into a 2 year drafting program in Reading Pa. with an option to enroll at Belknap College and a 4 year program. My parents insisted that I get an education above anything else. They were determined to keep me on track to make something of myself and be a productive part of this great country. At 18 I registered with the Draft Board as was required. Soon after I had my first physical and was deferered as a student. During my final year at Belknap myself, along with a bus full of other seniors from Belknap, we were requested to appear in Manchester for another physical and subsequent draft status of 1A. After graduation I visited the Navy, Air Force, and Coast Guard recruiters to enlist. Was not accepted at any. Shortly thereafter I was requested to appear for a final draft physical at which time I was rejected for a physical problem stemming from my early teens. I recently retired as a Supervising Quality Control Specialist at PPLs Nuclear Generation Station. Unless I am missing something, this does not fulfill the implications made as a Draft Dodger. I believe the gentleman has us confused with those that departed for Canada, and later returned ; those that refused to register with the Draft Board at 18 and still live among us ; or those that are crossing the boarder illegally, not paying taxes, living among us, have a hate for our government and have more rights than the American citizens themselves. Those are the people this gentleman should be upset with. Center Harbor is a wonderful place and so are the people who reside there, especially those who contributed to our growing up. Please thank this gentleman for his service, and help direct him to the real issues that face our great nation today. Ed Kimmel - Class of 1971.
Hi Jim, Just for the record, Richard Dixon, John Burkes, Ed Holmes, John Stansfield all did 4 year stints in the Air Force following graduation. Sherry Dixon
12/29/2010-Rosemary Spicuzza
I attended Belknap College from 1968-1972. Since I am a woman, he cannot accuse me of going to Belknap to dodge the draft. However, I do have something to say to this man. All eight of my uncles served in the military during WWII and the Korean War. One fought in the Normandy Beach invasion. Does this man know why the headstones on the graves at Normandy face the west? West is the United States. I had friends who served in Viet Nam; the ones who came home will not even talk about it. This man has stereotyped us as hippie freaks dope smoking draft dodgers. How dare him! I am sure he is not aware that during WWII WASP's (Women Air Service Pilots) were trained pilots. They did not fly combat missions. Their job was to fly aircraft where needed, supplies etc and instructed men pilots how to fly; they were that good. These women flew B-17 Flying Fortresses'. It was not until 2010, over 60 years later, that these women were finally recognized as heroes’ for their service during WWII. When one was killed, the US Government did not treat them as the men who lost their lives in battle. They did not pay to fly them home to their families to be buried. All the women pilots donated their own money to pay to have her flown home. What does he think of that? I am a member of the Yankee Ladies. They are an auxiliary of Women In Aviation. This summer I drove 12 hours to Ann Arbor MI. to VOLUNTEER TO PICK UP GARBAGE AT A WEEKEND AIR SHOW SPONSORED BY THE YANKEE AIR MUSEUM, which I am a member, IN HONOR OF VETERANS OF ALL WARS WHO SERVED AND ALL THAT LOST THEIR LIVES up to present day. If he has so much to say, ask him if "Sentimental Journey (not the song) Nine-0-Nine, Liberty Bell, Witchcraft, Thunderbird and Yankee Lady mean anything to him. All these are B-17 Flying Fortresses' that are still air worthy and flew to the show from all over the USA to honor these veterans. Ask him if he knows what “The Angel Flight is? Tell him to listen to the song by Radney Foster. I love my Country now and always have. I respect, honor and thank all the brave who fought and those who lost their lives fighting for my freedom. The flag flies at my home every day. Does he still think that his stereotyped Belknapian would bother to learn all of this if I did not love my Country? By the way, he mentioned the 100,000 drunken bikers who go to Laconia every year are going to destroy our gift? This should make his day, there is going to be one less. My cousin, 66 years old, successful business owner and family man from NY was MURDERED while driving his bike with a friend by a DRUNK DRIVER WHO LIVES IN LACONIA!!!!! After reading all the posts, this man owes every Belknapian an apology, especially to all that served in the Armed Forces after they graduated. He should apologize and thank us ALL. Attached is a photo of the B-17 Yankee Lady, in which I flew, that has been restored to fly by the Yankee Air Museum. This is to educate this man and perhaps next time he wants to be an accuser, he will put his brain in gear before his mouth.
I served in the U.S. Army reserve for six years, and have an honorable discharge. There were many from the class of '68 that served in the military. Drew Cochrane
I served in the Army between November 1965 and August 1968. I attended Belknap College between September 1968 and June 1972 when I graduated with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Meteorology. During my Freshman Year, I was awarded the Charles Ahonen Full Tuition Scholarship which remained with me until I graduated. Based on my academic record at Belknap, plus my Graduate Record Exam grades and personal interview with the Chairman of the Department of Atmospheric Sciences at Cornell University, I was admitted to the Cornell Graduate Program with a full Research/Teaching Fellowship which not only covered tuition but also paid me a salary. I graduated Cornell with a Master of Science Degree in Atmospheric Sciences with an Environmental Engineering focus. I will retire sometime in 2011 but I enjoyed a 35 year career working in industry as an Air Pollution Meteorologist/Air Quality Analyst.
I don't want one shred of the above information shared with the "visitor from Tuftonborough," He lost his right to a reasonable response when he made threats, veiled or otherwise, about destroying public property. When threats of this nature are made, the police should be informed.This isn't Nazi Germany and it's none of his business how many Veterans attended Belnap. And if his own veteran credentials are legitimate, he should be ashamed of himself. This is America, pal. What was it you used to say? "America...Love It or Leave It!"
Andy
Stanley Czapka I graduated from Belknap in spring of 1972 and joined the New Jersey National Gard and served till 1978.
Jim: Thanks for the note. The job you did to rally us "troops" has been awesome. I'm VERY impressed by the terrific responses from all our alumni veterans, yet I'd bet there are many, many more alumni who haven't read anything about this issue or couldn't be bothered to honor the redneck with a response.
Mr. Drenkhahn can rightfully suggest to the man from Tuftonboro that a lot of Belknap alumni have been dutifully protecting him from foreign aggression for decades after he left Viet Nam.
Mick Terrone
Jim,
I served in the Army twice. The first time from Jan 1966 to Dec 1968. After graduating I joined the Army Reserve and then in Jul 1975 I rejoined the Army and served until 1983 getting out as a Sergeant First Class (E7). Also while I was at Belknap two of my roommates had also served in the Air Force before coming to Belknap in 1969, Jim O'Rourke and William Bradley.
Jay Newlands 1969-1972
Thanks for the “heads-up”. I am a Vietnam Vet and served two years (1967 - 1968during the “conflict”. I will not tell you what I think of this person from Tuftonboro, but he obviously has nothing to do but bitch and moan. Does that mean any plaques put up by any colleges or universities in the state of New Hampshire should be brought down. Because, it would not be surprising to me if the percentage of Belkanpians who served in the military was a higher percentage than most colleges. Geez, thanks for raising my blood pressure (LOL). Happy New Year and God bless everyone who attended Belknap College.
Regards,
Ken Sutelman
Richard Drenkhahn, Chair Board of Selectman Town of Center Harbor Center Harbor, NH 03226
Dear Mr. Drenkhahn:
This is in response to your electronic mail to Biddy (Virginia) O’Brien regarding the new sign and bench for Belknap College. I am a graduate of Belknap and am puzzled by the comments made regarding the students at this particular college. I think I was fairly typical of the time. I had attended a two year community college and transferred to Belknap to complete my education. I found myself with many others who had done the same thing.
I was the first in my family to attend college, something my parents wanted very much. Belknap afforded me a quality education at a very reasonable cost. More expensive schools were definitely cost prohibitive. I found this to be one of the main factors which many of my new friends also considered when deciding to attend Belknap under the GI Bill. It was odd to have close friends older than I since most of them had served in the Air Force or Navy for four (4) years before choosing to enroll in Belknap. In my own case, having completed my education, I enlisted in the U. S. Army upon graduation in 1968.
I won’t bore you with the dozens of reasons why this Veteran is off base in singling out my school. I would be happy to meet with you or this individual to explain my reasoning further. We can meet by the sign that I helped pay for. You’ll recognize me by the Vietnam Veteran hat I wear on special occasions. It has a 25th Infantry Division logo on the front with my Bronze Star medal displayed next to it.
Respectfully,
Robert W. Zewski
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Dear Mr. Drenkhahn:
My name is Charlie Roberts I am orginally from Meredith and graduated from Inter Lakes High School. I entered the the US Navy having been drafted in 1962. I was on a destroyer Uss DD936 Decatur and served in the Cuban Missle crisis and the Lebanon crisis and served additional time over the four year enlistment time to help the Navy cover its personnel shortage for the Vietnam war. I was able to make Radarman 2nd class in three years. When I got out of the service in 1966 I went to Belknap College on the GI bill getting a whooping $100 a month for my service to my country. There were many classmates that were also in the service,we even had three students who were grandchildren of Admiral Bull Halsey. While in school I worked two jobs averaging about 50 hours a week to pay for my own education. I graduated in 1969 after three plus years and was elected to Who's Who in American colleges for which I am very proud to have done.
Yes we had some parties at Belknap and so did all the other colleges it was all part of growing up. I have been to most of the college reunions and its amazing how many students that have been successful in their work and community. Please add me to long list of proud veterans that proudly attended Belknap College.
Sincerely,
Charlie Roberts
Richard,
Further thoughts as a followup to my previous letter, and I concur with Jim that you did not upset, but energised.
It's too bad that you have to waste any time whatsoever answering the Tuftonborough motorcyclist, but I suppose that comes with the territory when you're serving as a selectman. ( I, for one, would rather fly night ops off the carrier in a Nor'easter than be a town selectman ! )
Trying to come up with a "number" or percentage of vets who attended Belknap seems to me to verge on justification, which neither you nor anyone else owes this nether region sphincter. I, for one, chose a military career for my own reasons, and what anyone else did or did not do, even during wartime(s), was truly irrelevant to my own choices.
Suffice it to state that many of us, like myself, CHOSE the college AS Vietnam era VETS (there were at least a dozen when I was there), and I and others went on or back to the services after attending or graduating from Belknap. Had he so wished, this character could have made the choice to use his GI Bill to do the same, which may be cheerfully pointed out to him. If he replies that he "couldn't afford it" - I somehow managed it with wife and child, working odd jobs and carrying twenty semester hours of rigorous sciences and math. I would be glad to speak with him, if you would like a career military Belknap graduate to enagage him. After all, Belknap was truly a most productive hiatus for me, coming between the six years enlisted and fifteen years as an officer which I was privileged to enjoy.
However, I suspect that this chap actually resents the fact that he was in the military, for whatever reasons, whilst others were not. If he was, in truth, both a Korean and Vietnam vet, then he was a reenlistee at some stage, not simply a draftee. Focusing on "draft dodgers", especially inaccurately (a 2S deferment is hardly equivalent to running off to Canada), shows that he has some other burr under his saddle which is unlikely to be removed through logical discussion or even facts.
Nevertheless, my offer to speak with him stands.
In the meantime, please brush up on the local and federal laws regarding uttering threats - as well as preparing law enforcement for any actual vandalism. Free Speech is a right, even for this butthead, but threats or vandalism cross the line, and must be directly confronted. Period.
Regards,
Stan Braisted Belknap '73 LCDR, USN (Ret)