Posted by John O Heinz on July 18, 2021:

I was recently notified by my brother-in-law, Ralph Rasmussen, USMA '63, that Dennis Desmet passed away in 2004. I regret never having the opportunity to meet Mr. Desmet. One of my life's favorite memories was attending the graduation ceremony at West Point for the class of 1963. I was 10 years old at the time and all I wanted to do was catch a hat once the cadets threw them into the air. And I did! Inside the hat was the name: Dennis Desmet. From that day in June 1963, I moved numerous times around the country and the hat always moved with me. In 1988, 25 years after graduation, I thought Mr. Desmet might enjoy seeing his hat once again. It was fairly soiled, but overall in good shape. I cleaned it as best as possible. Hopefully, I did not ruin the hat with the cleaning agents I used! And I penned a short letter explaining who I was, why I was at his graduation, placed the hat in a box and mailed it to Mr. Desmet's company. A few days later he called me to say he had received the hat and we had a wonderful conversation. Shortly after, he mailed me a framed picture from the local newspaper that had Mr. Desmet holding the hat and an article that included my note to him. That picture has hung in my office every day since I received it. I still recall our conversation. I hope Mr Desmet felt as good seeing his hat again, as I did when we said good-bye. Rest in Peace Dennis Desmet.

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