Samuel Kennett Wasaff

West Point, 1962

Be Thou At Peace

Posted by Charles Wasaff on March 20, 2021:

My earliest memories about my brother Sam go back to the time we were toddlers. Margaret was just an infant. Sam was the precocious one who could recite at a very young age "Lincoln's Gettysburg Address" and "Old Ironsides". As kids, we were on a trolley line that afforded Sam and me a bit of freedom -- by the time we were in the second and third grades, we could catch a street car, see a movie, and have a couple of treats for a grand total of 25 cents each. We developed nicknames for one another. Actually, at any one time, it was the same name -- after a while, we settled on one name, and referred to one another as "Jake". Late in 1949, the family moved to a new home -- a part of town referred to as the "upper valley". Jake and I finished out the school year at St. Joseph's and transferred to St. Patrick's for the new school year. We became Altar Boys -- learning the Latin responses from our Dad. Jake, being the oldest by thirteen months, was first to serve. Several months later, I followed, serving my first Mass with him. We also watched our family grow. Our sister Lulu was born at the beginning of 1951. School wasn't all work. Jake and I became Boy Scouts. In three short years we covered a lot of ground. We rode our bikes all over the "upper valley" -- often exploring the nearby sand hills and banks of the Rio Grande. We even discovered a graveyard for old WWII planes. Sam was happy, sociable and popular, did well in school and was manager of the basketball team. As he completed his final year of grade school, he expressed a desire to enter the priesthood. In the 'fifties, it wasn't uncommon to enter the seminary in high school. Sam entered the seminary the following fall. Our youngest brother George was born a few months later, helping to fill the void created by Sam's absence. Sam's second year in the seminary was a time of additional discernment. After completing the first semester of his junior year, he decided to leave the seminary and enrolled in January 1956 in Cathedral High School in El Paso. By then the family had moved from the "upper valley" to the east side. After two-and-a-half years, Jake and I were back in school together. We were also blessed by the birth of Terri, our new baby sister, the following July. For one-and-a-half years, we had the same circle of friends, belonged to the Parish youth group, attended proms and parties, double-dated, and volunteered for the same worthy causes. Sam was also interested in music. He loved to sing with the parish choir, adding his tenor voice to the ensemble. Our high school senior play, a comedy, starred Sam in the lead as an irascible grandfather. Isn't that prophetic? Sam decided that he would seek an appointment to West Point-- a yearlong process. He began his freshman year that summer at Texas Western College (now UTEP) -- intent upon brushing up on math and pursuing engineering studies. Sam pledged a fraternity; distinguished himself academically; and was named outstanding ROTC student. He also received his appointment to West Point, arriving in June 1958. Sam, like so many of his colleagues in the armed forces, chose a lifetime of service to our country. His four years at West Point were demanding but happy ones. He joined the West Point Glee Club and the Catholic Choir, conducting the latter his senior year. Sam also had the markings of a scholar and a teacher. To paraphrase his caption in the Howitzer his senior year: "Sam devoted his time to academics, the Catholic choir, and helping others...." Sam's junior year was punctuated by General MacArthur's farewell address -- a moving tribute to all who serve in the military and especially those who were West Point Cadets. Mom and Dad, Margaret and I attended Sam's graduation in June 1962. President Kennedy was the featured speaker - a moving and memorable experience. After graduation, Sam completed airborne training and reported to Fort Carson. There he met Kay Longstreet, the love of his life. They met on a blind date arranged by a mutual friend. Kay learned from a girlfriend who had met Sam to expect someone to show up with cowboy boots and government issued glasses -- and sure enough! They were engaged in Fort Carson and married in Fort Bragg in August 1964. Shortly thereafter the newly-weds were in California, where Sam was assigned to learn Vietnamese. Sam was assigned as an advisor to a Vietnamese fighting force in the Mekong Delta. Sam seldom spoke of his combat experience. Suffice it to say there were several "close calls" and a tragedy that befell the family who sheltered him from the night raids of the enemy. In 1966, upon his return and assignment to Fort Benning, he was awarded the first of several bronze star medals for his service in Vietnam. He was promoted to Major early in 1968. Following Fort Benning, Sam and Kay lived in Rome NY where Sam completed his studies for a Master's degree in math at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, (RPI). By this time Sam and Kay were the parents of two young girls, Jeannie and Amy, and a bouncing baby boy, Steven. After RPI, he attended the Command and General Staff Officer Course at Fort Leavenworth, completing this assignment in June 1971. Sam was then assigned to a US Army infantry battalion in Vietnam, conducting combat operations from the air and ground. Through the grace of God, he returned safely, and together with Kay and his young family, moved to West Point to assume a position as a math instructor. Sam's real gift was teaching -- he relished his assignment to teach students who were academically challenged. He also underwent thoracic surgery to remedy a recurring collapsing lung condition. He was absolutely committed to be in top physical form and took pride in being first and foremost a soldier. After West Point, Sam, Kay and the kids moved to Hawaii for his next assignment -- Schofield Barracks. Within this beautiful setting, he could watch his young children at play from his office window. Later in the 'seventies, LtCol Sam Wasaff was assigned to the Washington area, initially serving on the Army staff at the Pentagon, he was soon commuting to Bethesda where he supervised a group that oversaw the operational test and evaluation of advanced army weapon systems. Our two families were able to spend time together. Our parents joined us to celebrate Sam and Kay's first Thanksgiving in the Washington area. We were also reintroduced to the joys of Sam's cooking. His rolled grape leaves and hummus were legendary throughout the Wasaff and Longstreet families. Our two youngest children were born during that time -- with Jeannie serving as Godmother to our newest arrival -- referred to in our family as "John the Last". After being in the Washington area for several years, Sam was assigned to Fort Leavenworth, where Col Wasaff was responsible for the TRADOC Analysis Command. Sam was among a select group of senior Army officers tasked with the modernization and improvement of Army training programs. Sam's last assignment was at TRADOC headquarters -- at the time located at Fort Monroe. He was acknowledged for his contributions implementing the U.S. Army Battle Command Training Program to improve higher echelon command and control. The assignment was a demanding one, at times requiring extensive and frequent overseas travel. Sam retired after thirty years of active duty and began his life as a civilian. Sam, together with Jeannie, Amy and Steven, formed their own engineering and analysis company. Sam was very successful in fulfilling the company's objectives -- that of providing the children with experience to go on to careers of their choice. As their career plans took shape, Sam soon found himself the lone employee, and accepted a senior staff position with what is now Northrop Grumman. He contributed significantly to the growth of his business unit. After 9/11, he was active in the Williamsburg community, assisting in planning for the city's emergency preparedness. After retiring from Northrop Grumman he taught at a local college. He broke down barriers between teacher and student by telling his students to refer to him as "Old Man". He joined the choir here at St. Kateri Tekawitha and for many years was a cantor, lending his voice to the weekly celebration of the mass. Always anxious to share his faith and generous with his time, he mentored friends who wished to become Catholics. Sam was most engaged with his family. To say that he loved them is an understatement. Kay was, and is, the bedrock of the family. Through Sam's prolonged and at times, frequent absences, she was always present, offering love and "safe harbor" to the family. Sam loved to talk about Jeannie, Amy and Stephen He also enjoyed praising Chris and Pam -- and especially loved to recount the exploits of his granddaughters. Like the warning on a pack of cigarettes, he would say: "Do not press the grandpa button if you want a short conversation!" He loved his brothers and sisters; Kay's brother and sisters; their spouses; and many nieces and nephews. His nephew and Godson, Charlie, now a West Point Cadet, was inspired by his example -- as were we all. In February of 2010, after a stay in the hospital, Sam was diagnosed with Myeloid Neoplasm. Early in his illness, he told me that he prayed for the strength and forbearance to meet the challenge confronting him. He worked with his doctors, enrolled in trials, took his medications, and submitted to periodic transfusions. For the last year or so of his life, this need became more frequent. He loved his caregivers -- doctors and nurses - who ministered to him throughout his ordeal. As the disease took its toll, Sam wasn't able to continue teaching, as even the simplest tasks sapped his strength. But he remained active. He mentored patients through the Wounded Warrior Program - until his strength finally failed him. He then spent time organizing family photos and keepsakes from his life's work. Kay and the family helped Sam put his affairs in order as he, in turn, prepared them for the inevitable. His immune system had all but collapsed -- in mid October he entered the hospital with a high fever and infection. He rallied enough to cheer for his beloved Redskins -- they lost anyway. The following morning, he began to fail. He left this life the evening of Monday, October 24. It's hard to summarize Sam's life in a few words. I'd like to paraphrase some words of comfort Jack Love, a Cathedral high school friend, sent to my sister Margaret: "....I admired Sam a lot. His example was instrumental in my eventual decision to pursue a similar career path. Sam was so good-natured. He smiled so much that it must have cost him many push-ups during his plebe year at West Point. I know you miss him deeply but know also that your strong faith gives you comfort in awareness that Sam lived a great life in Christ. He fought the good fight, and he won the race, which ended in the loving arms of God. I shall pray for the repose of Sam's soul, though I suspect he is already interceding for us before God. You and your family are in my prayers also, and may God bless you at this sad time and always." I couldn't think of a finer tribute. Let me close by further borrowing a line or two from Shakespeare's Hamlet -- in tribute to Jake's brief career as a high school thespian who experienced so much joy in song: Now cracks a noble heart. Good night sweet prince: And flights of angels sing thee to thy rest!

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