What does "Norwich Forever" mean to you?
Back in the fifties, Norwich provided a good education and a good foundation for a graduates' success; however, it lost tract of its graduates. But the honor, integrity, creativity, thinking, teamwork and respect for all was always imbedded in the core for one's acceptance. Thru this time to present, many misjudgments were made. The more recent administration thru to the present regime have capitalized on these errors and with time and assistance from the alumni support groups have continuously improved the Norwich Aura. The 2019 Program is a perfect example of our direction. This will be a success because of our strength building from the past. "Norwich Forever" is the embodiment of all progress and planning that continuously improves the school character and the alumni pride. From the start of college to our departure from life as is known, Norwich becomes more and more our second home for all the good reasons one can imagine.
~ Jack Okonski '55
Having the military tradition that it does, anachronisms and unique words/expressions were the rule. The few I remember are C.M.C., zooby, S.M.I., M1, Rook School, Head Shed, Head, Rack, I.T.D., Tour, Gig Line, Spiffy, All Mil, Meaty, etc. There were others, but they have long since faded from memory. I imagine many are no longer used and other new ones have appeared over the years. So, the "Question of the Month" could be -- what is the anachronism/expression(s) you remember most, what does it mean, and what was your personal experience with it?
~Tony Sussmann '66
"Norwich Forever" means memories and gatherings, good times and heartaches, brilliant foliage, skiing, a spring season that lasts but a few days, an opportunity to become a better me, service and sacrifice ... with all too many alumni making the ultimate sacrifice, education within a military environment, the Honor Code, rooks and cadre, my first scalping haircut, walking in the gutter, bracing morning calls, freezing first mess formation, "How's the cow?", a smelly plastic raincoat that never did its job, Saturday Morning Inspections, demerits for a dirty butt plate ... before I knew what it was, leadership development and opportunities, the Corps, being saluted for the first time as a senior officer, a cavalry saber with my name on the blade, a maroon and gold blanket, polishing shoes and brass, guard duty, a toilet paper company letter on the old ski hill, marching onto Sabine Field, cannons and drums, left flank and column right, promotions citations medals awards honors, a gigantic garrison flag, intramural and intercollegiate athletic challenges and chances to cheer, the old man who handed out socks and jocks, wind sprints, setting up the winning goal, New England Champions, swimming lap after lap while huge icicles dangled from outside Goodyear, Norwich's first lacrosse win, the Athletic Hall of Fame, coaches and professors ... a few of whom changed my life, struggling, focusing, studying, achieving, exam blue books, from straight "C's" to a gold Dean's List star, Rhodes Scholar candidate, class clubs, rehearsals and performances in Dole Auditorium, ice sculptures, fireworks, Regimental Ball, Winter Carnival, Junior Week, class ring, hummers, final grades posted on professors' doors, the "War Whoop", a cloud of white gloves tossed into the air at graduation, the "Norwich Record", alumni gatherings where everyone looks older but picks up where they left off whether it's been a few weeks or many years since last we met, phone calls and e-mails to friends separated by distance, large numbers of classmates who annually gather in Myrtle Beach to lose golf balls and laugh, stories told over and over again some of which get a bit more creative with each telling, gifts to Norwich, caring and camaraderie, reminiscing about those still with us and those who have passed on, funerals, the Harmon Wall, holding my breath during Homecoming Roll Call, having the peace of mind that someday my name will be read, taps played and echoed.
~Phil Oxnam '67
