2019 10th Annual
Pine Beach Alumni Weekend Recap
April 26th and 27th, 2019
The Northern Alumni are Once Again...
Back on Campus
The Official 2019 Reunion Challenge Coin
Tradition Never Graduates
For the 10th straight year, the Alumni of Admiral Farragut Academy North gathered back in Pine Beach and Little Egg Harbor to celebrate the pride, traditions, brotherhood and camaraderie we once experienced on the banks of the Toms River. Organized once again by the AFA North Association Pine Beach Reunion Committee, 156 Northern Alumni attended the Alumni Weekend. It was truly a remarkable showing for a school that has been closed for 25 years. We were also honored this year to have Cyrus Radford III 63N join us for the weekend. As you all know, his grandfather BGEN Cyrus Radford USMC was one of the founders of the school and his father LCDR Cyrus Radford USN was the first cadet enrolled at Admiral Farragut Academy in 1933. It was an honor showing him and his lovey bride how the Northern Alumni have preserved the history and are continuing to carry on the traditions that made Our Admiral Farragut Academy special.
The weekend once again kicked off at the former campus in Pine Beach with the traditional flag raising ceremony to mark that Admiral Farragut Academy was back on Campus. Although the weather was threatening with two lines of thunderstorms, the skies parted, the sun came out for a one hour window, and we were able to conduct the ceremony. This year we added a three shot rifle volley to the memorial ceremony. Our four member Alumni honor guard fired 3 shots each to complete the volley. Thanks to Charles Groder 84N for providing the weapons and direction.
After the ceremonies at the former campus, the group headed to Yesterdays Family Restaurant a few miles down the road in Bayhead for the traditional Friday night informal gathering. It was another festive event allowing Alumni to reminisce and catch up with old friends and classmates. The buffet dinner was once again magnificent. This year, with the theme of honoring those who made a difference at Farragut, we saluted Chief Frendak and Mr. Vernon Romefelt with remembrances by several Alumni on Friday.
The Class of 80N 2019 Golf Champions: Chris Cordero, Tim Carnicle, Ace Bottone, Bill Wall
On Saturday morning the annual Alumni Golf tournament kicked off. This was the largest number of golfers to tee it up in the history of the reunion. It was a very windy blustery day that made scoring difficult but the class of 1980 dethroned the two time champions from the class of 1976. Although the conditions were tough, it’s really hard to have a bad day on the golf course with so many close friends and Brothers.
For those that didn’t hit the links, many took in the various sights and historical venues in the south Jersey area. Judging from the stories that were told, I believe there were many old adventures relived.
The weekend wrapped up with the annual Alumni dinner at the magnificent Sea Oaks Country Club. After cocktail hour and before dinner, we formed the battalion up once again for the evening meal formation. Thanks to Tim Carnicle, the BC from the class of 1980 for forming up the troops and taking reports from the company commanders. As the formation stood at attention, the Alumni color guard posted the colors as Russ Corbett 59N sang the national anthem. It’s an honor for us to have Russ lead us in the National Anthem, Navy Hymn and Alma Matre for the third year in a row. We look forward to his pipes again next year.
2019 Alumni Color Guard: Salvatore Abbracciamento 88N, Charles Groder 84N' Chris Shoemaker 87N, John Hodges 84N
After dinner, the program kicked off with a new tradition instituted this year. Following the Doolittle Raiders of WW II fame, we now will honor those of our brothers who have left us since our last formation. Each brother will be remembered and honored with a flag bearing their name that will be placed at each dinner table and then walked to the fallen brother memorial table as their name is read. Please click of the following link to read about the ceremony.
Our Honored Brothers who have left us.
Following the moving tribute to our lost brothers and friends, we continued the weekend’s theme of honoring those who made a difference at Farragut. CDR Dayton O. Newton USN was honored by Beverly Tyler 57N. Bill Wyrick 75N told a few stories in tribute to Mr. Michael Sanso, who was in attendance. CDR John Angell AFA talked about the dedication of COL Skip Harrington one of the last headmasters, and Charles Groder 84N recounted BGEN Cyrus Radford’s insight and determination in founding the Academy. It was a fitting tribute to some of the many teachers and staff who made a difference in so many of our lives.
Bev Tyler 57N
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Bill Wyrick 75N
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John Angell AFA
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Charles Groder 84N
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The dinner program wrapped up with this year’s video “The Faces of Farragut North” Follow this link to see the video. Maybe you will see yourself.
It was another great Alumni Weekend. Many thanks to the AFA North Association Pine Beach Reunion Committee: Frank Porcellini 80N; Brian Fischer 76N; Ace Bottone 80N; Chris Quincannon 92N; Charles Groder 84N; Ross Mobilia 78N; Bob Da Silva 76N and Rick Creange 77N. If not for the tireless effort of this group throughout the year, this event would not be possible.