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George Pappas
West Point, 1963
Be Thou At Peace
Posted by Alan LaVoy on November 4, 2021:
Our Pap "flew West" on us this past week. Leaving most of us in shock and mourning, but most important, full of grand memories of our beloved friend and classmate. These memories may have been first person, 2nd/3rd hand or pure rumor. Of course, with varying degrees of fact.
I'd like to revisit a few of these just to lighten the day with a chuckle or two. Starting with Plebe boxing, the bane of my first year, began in the ring with George. One right hook and I was gone. At least my other A-1 mates didn't have to face a similar fate. He was excused from further attendance.
During our Cow year, Pap, Mike Bowers and I became roomies in the 11th Division, our lone experience away from the "Hilton". Denny Reimer, who always looked out for his 62' plowbacks, assigned us to aid Pap's navigation through the Cow technical academics. During one evening CQ, we experienced the loud BANG, not heard since Plebe year. In struts BG Stillwell, as only he could. As we struggled to manage the appropriate military reception, the General, hands on hips, with his classic stare says "Mr. Pappas, how are you doing?" Of course, Pap gave the emphatic "fine sir". The stare then moved to Mike and me with the same question. Certainly, we provided the same answer. The Com then responded with "He had better be doing fine because, as goes Pappas, so goes LaVoy and Bowers!". He made a fast 180 and departed as he had arrived. Amazing, we all three made it.
After Twenty plus years of no comm, only rumors, Dick James provided me an e-mail address of admitted dubious validity. Nevertheless, I followed up with the classic no letters, no calls, no love stupid note to this e-mail address. Within 15 minutes comes a phone call...the Pap. Fortunately, during a business trip to Philadelphia soon thereafter, I was able to meet his lovely Marsha and catch up. As he was discussing his extensive experience in the high-tech industry, he stopped abruptly and said "Al, do you remember that at West Point I didn't know @#$% about Juice?" I answered in the affirmative. He followed with "I still don't, but I do know when I'm getting BS'd". A tribute to his ability to read people.
A quick 2nd hand anecdote to finish up. Bob Foley, who experienced his own combat with the Academic Dept, has said he made it a priority to visit the old central sallyport to eyeball his own grades and position every Friday afternoon. Knowing full well they would never fail the football fullback, Bob was determined to remain at least one number ahead of the Pap. The 63" family with Marsha will always miss our Pap but also be buoyed by those wonderful memories and pride.
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