Posted by Luciano C. Salamone (SAL) on November 14, 2007:

Ned was in K-1, my company, and of course, I knew him very well. We both came to the Academy from the Prep School at Stewart Field. He was always full of fun and smiling. Everyone always had kind words when they spoke of him. One young lady he knew always brought him boxes of chocolates which he shared with all of us. My fond memories of him is when he ate 100 prunes at breakfast and as Plebes we could then eat at ease for one week. Again at breakfast, when you do not want to irk the upper Classmen, Ned was the coffee pourer and a tough First Classman sent his toast down to be heated under the pot. I was sitting next to him and in the process of pouring out coffee, the toast under the pot fell on the floor, butter side down. Oh my God, I thought we will get chewed out real bad and not eat well for days. I nudged him under the table and he got the message. He began coughing, bent his head in the napkin and reached down to pick up the toast. Then we heard "toast for Mr. Miotke" and just prayed nothing would happen. We won, went back to the barracks, related the incident and all us plebes had a great laugh. I missed him when he left the Academy! Farewell Ned, and rest in peace

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