Alfred Anthony Coppola

West Point, 1981

Be Thou At Peace

Posted by John Thiel on January 6, 2020:

I would like to share a memory of Alfred (Fred) Coppola, from back in the day....Fred and I were Captains together at Picatinny Arsenal, New Jersey. For a while, we both lived up in the housing area known as Navy Hill, at the back gate, and were working the various activities of the armament development. As part of the military community on location, Fred and Laura were regulars at the Artillery events, and we also got together for the other military training and community events. But the activity that I looked forward to most, was a small group meeting that included Fred, scheduled on the third Thursday of each month, late evening, at the Picatinny Rod and Gun Club. The Picatinny Rod and Gun Club at that time was a bit rustic, felt isolated, and sat on the edge of Picatinny Lake. I don't remember how, but we managed to get a key to the place, open up for the designated evening, for a private poker party. Drinking and cigars were the usual fare. Fred was a colorful and fun gambler and we had some great times. This ritual was carried out for years - and was a special part of that military comradery. One evening, with the pot growing and the group thinking we were operating covertly, in walks the CG. Clearly, the General knew of our activities, joined in a few hands, and left. Fred was unperturbed, continued to bet, ante up and tell jokes. He was always a class act and a good friend. Laura and Fred enjoyed the Picatinny location long after I moved on. I regret that I didn't see him during the past year, and miss him. John Thiel

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