First, in case you had not heard through the 83News Group, Rick Gromlich is currently recuperating from surgery for colon cancer. Thanks to Tom Wade, we have all been kept up to date on Rick's health and prognosis - the results of tissue biopsy came back positive, indicating a need for follow-up treatment after he heals from the surgery. The scope of that treatment is not currently known, so let's all keep the Gromlich family in our thoughts and prayers. TomRick and all his family are very appreciative of the show of support given through your cards, flowers, e-mail and prayer. Messages of support can be sent to:

passed that, "Both
CAPT Richard Gromlich
USCG CG Aircraft Repair and Supply Center
1664 Weeksville Rd.
Elizabeth City NC 27909-5001
Rick & Bonnie's current home address in Elizabeth City is listed in the 2004 Directory Addendum, included in this issue of The Bulletin.

Many of the Christmas letters included mention of retirements and job changes, some happening even as you read this. Bert Diehl announced he is retiring "in early 2005 and has accepted a job outside Cleveland, Ohio." They are enjoying their last few months in Honolulu. Cub Schlatter will be retiring at Air Station Atlantic City on St. Patrick's Day, without current plans beyond enjoying the double-speed aging that comes to parents of twins (or so he & Wini are feeling). Becky (Smith) Dyche is "going back to Washington, DC to work for the Coast Guard...the same group I worked with prior to leaving the DC area in 1999."

The Diehl Family
Hannah, Zach, and Josh Cutts
Nick, Cara, and Matt Fischetti
The Berard Family
The Bliven Family
The Hiles boys
Peter and Gretchen Galvin

Mike Leonard is also retiring (announced via the 83 News Group - if you have not joined or have changed your e-mail address you can join or update via: cga83 news-subscribe@ yahoogroups.com). "Just wanted to let everyone know that I will be retiring on March 1, 2005, with a retirement ceremony scheduled at the Engineering Logistics Center on Friday, February 25, 2005, at 10: 00 in the CG Yard gym (Baltimore, MD). Anyone in the area who is interested in attending the ceremony is more than welcome. I have been fortunate to be able to accept a GS-15 position at the ELC (which I started on December 27, 2004) so I will remain working with the CG and not have to go inside the Washington, DC beltway. Mary Beth & I had planned to retire in Crofton, MD, for some time now so this retirement works out fine for the family. Looking forward to working with those of you still in the Guard or working as contractors. Let's make sure we all keep Rich Gromlich in our prayers for a quick and successful recovery. - Mike Leonard"

From the Class of '61 Notes (Erin Philbin's father is a member of that class), we learned of Pat Philbin's retirement on December 1st.

Kirk & Julie Hiles will soon have two sons at UVA as biochemistry majors! Luckily 8-year-old Stephen will keep them company at home for some years to come. Kirk will be moving off Deepwater to a new project, still at Booz-Allen. And Julie hopes to finish her masters' degree at GMU this spring. The Hiles' new e-mail address is: kjhiles@cox.net.

Kathy Bliven reported that Matt skipped out on all the holiday preparations and activities this year and has missed a number of family events due to his deployment schedule. All are looking forward to his new job (Captain Assignment list shows them heading to the DC area with Matt going to the Coast Guard's Personnel Center).

Rounding out the Captain Assignment list are these transfers: Fifth District (o) - Jim Rendon; Seventh District (dl) - Mark Higgins; CO AirSta Borinquen - Tom Wade; MSO Chicago - Scott Larochelle; Sector San Diego - Chip Strangfeld; Sector LA/LB (Deputy) - Paul Wiedenhoeft; Sector San Francisco (Deputy) - Dave Swatland; Thirteenth District (dl)- John Odell; Seventeenth District (m) - Steve Hudson; MLC PAC (va) - Mark Porvaznik; ISC Ketchikan - Karl Calvo; State Department Liaison - Dave Gordner; CG-66 (CG-6 is Command, Control, Comms, Computers and Info Tech) - John Macaluso; G-ACJ (C130J) - Dan Abel; G-OCS - Scott Robert; ICAF - Rich Murphy; CNO Strategic Studies Group - Pete Bergeron; and Harvard National Security Senior Seminar - Karl Schultz. If we missed anyone, please send your own update ASAP!

Ed Seebald sent a note from Hawaii where he is delivering a security class for his company. Nice timing: the Blizzard of 2005 hits the east coast and Ed Dave Cinalli reported in as well that he is awaiting a set of orders for this summer so if anyone wants to visit him in Miami this winter, they better hurry. Keith Curranand his wife Kathy have made the move up north to CT so he could work with Jim Sweet and Kyle Moore on the third floor of the CGA library. I think this is a historic event, since it is the first time anyone has moved to CT just to have the chance to work in the library. So much for a nice quiet place to study anymore now that 83 owns the building.

Best wishes to all who are moving, or moving on, in the coming months. Don't forget to (1) keep the Class and the Alumni Association informed of your address/contact information, (2) if you are retiring start a retiree allotment for your Alumni Association dues and contributions, and (3) encourage classmates and friends who are not members of the Alumni Association to join.

Happy Valentine's Day! is in Hawaii watching the storm on TV.