Here I am staring Christmas in the eye and composing the class article for the spring edition. The logic of this often escapes me, but it is a clear indicator that time is moving along and we are getting closer to our 30-year reunion. The plan is coming together well, and the organizing crew is beginning to get their act together. The motel arrangements are set, and the agenda is firming up. We did adjust our sit-down dinner from Saturday evening to Friday evening. We reasoned that, based on the variable football game start times we saw this year to meet television network schedules, we would be safer or at least more apt to hold our schedule on a Friday. It is very possible that the Air Force-Hawaii game scheduled on our weekend could move to a late afternoon or early evening kickoff. We won't know that for sure until late in the year as the TV contracts are completed. By the time you read this article, we should have a letter out to you with all the details and the timing for all of our planned activities. No, we have not considered a commemorative ROSAL production for the 30th. We have, however, been assured of the same gracious treatment from the Embassy Suites that we enjoyed at our 25th Reunion.

While I am on the subject of reunions and get-togethers, there is a follow­ on cruise in the works. Joe DeSANTIS (Class of '59) called me the other day to mention that he is taking the lead to plan a cruise on the MS Westerdam sometime in mid-April 1991. Billed as an "Academy Experience," the cruise will be formed around the Classes of '59, '60, `61, and academy staff from the '50s and'60s. More information can be found elsewhere in this publication; or so I am assured. This cruise should provide an excellent opportunity for those of us who missed the last attempt to play Columbus.

Several of you have received phone calls from those of us on the AOG Board of Directors. The primary purpose of our calls is to assist the AOG director of development, Jim WILHELM ('61), to encourage you to support the AFA Fund. Clearly we cannot contact everyone; so, if you did not get a call, don't be disappointed. Our thrust is to increase the class participation in AOG fund­raising efforts. If you have not responded to the mid-November mailing, would you consider pulling it out of the pile, filling it out and returning it to the AOG. My several years on the board have afforded me the opportunity to see how important each dollar of the AFA Fund is in furthering the Academy Experience for so many cadets and graduates. So much for the commercial.

In October, the football team ventured into Texas and got stung (read: got their butts kicked) by TCU. That loss was incidental to a real fine graduate get­ together sponsored by the North Texas Chapter of the AOG. Our class was represented by Norm and Carole ALEXANDER, John and Carole BROWNING, John and Mimi KUENZEL, Tom and Carole SEEBODE, Joan and I, and that inveterate vagabond Jim GLAZA.

Other than a very lopsided football score, we had a fine time. Several stories were traded, and we spent considerable effort keeping J.P. away from the radio/television sets. Texas A & M was playing, and since he has two sons as recent graduates, his interest-level was high. Come to find out, his daughter is currently attending Texas Tech; so, he is solidifying his position as a "real" Texan. In a recent call to J.P. to check my facts for this issue, he informed me that Jim (W) CLARK is also in the Fort Worth area and working for General Dynamics. J.P. says that although they are near-work neighbors, he sees Jim at the airport either going or coming. O.K. Jim, what are you up to that requires all that travel?

I went back one year to resurrect a letter from Gary SHEETS, who, thanks to modern cardiovascular technology--his words--, is using his missile and logistics experience to help make Lockheed's Austin, Texas Division a success. He and Sylvia have raised two sons and two daughters. Susan, their oldest, is married to an Air Force brat (Scott Hosler, who is becoming a doctor). Jeff married Dean Vikan's daughter Wende and is doing finance things in Nashville, where they both also participate in the Air Force Reserve. Nathan is pushing through Austin Community College and donating some of his talent to the Navy Reserves. Rachel, by now a sophomore in high school, is busy being a cheerleader, honor student and doing homecoming things. Gary says that he has an occasional lunch with [Ed] LEONARD who is an attorney with the State Insurance Commission. Gary had no problem recommending the golf courses in and around Austin so I take that to mean that if you get near he could somehow find the time to devote as a guide and playing partner. Maybe his previous experience as state director of the Oklahoma Golf Association (USGA) qualifies him as guide for the courses in "Baja-Oklahoma." Now all you have to do, Gary, is talk [Ed] LEONARD into sending me a letter as informative as yours.

I also dragged a letter out of the less-than-current files from Dick KINGMAN. As a property owner in New York City, he is finding a challenge in buying more mature buildings and artfully redesigning them for sale or rent. Dick has become a serious student of philosophy and is in the midst of explaining his own life in terms that will satisfy him. I admit it is well over my head. We will just have to wait for his autobiography to fully get a grasp on his thoughts.

1990 brings with it the opportunity for several of our classmates to sample civilian life for the first time in 30 years. I have tried to keep my eye on those who are leaving this year and have not been that successful. By the time you read this, Jim and Martha ALEXANDER will have switched sides at Shaw AFB. I spoke with Jim the other day, and he indicated they will transition in-place and stay in South Carolina. Quite a step up for a young boy from Piqua, OH. At the time of writing I have no information of other military transitions, but I have heard that Ron YATES will probably be our first four-star. Congratulations Ron, well done! Fuller ATKINSON told me that he and Judy are now collecting a paycheck from Wozniak Industries, where he is the Executive VP/COO--what's in charge. An interesting note: Ted HOPKINS happens to be on his board of directors; so, they have had no problem forming an effective team. I had a newsy chat with Kirk CANTERBURY who is plying his trade in Charlotte, NC. He and Millie run into Jim THOMASON regularly. Supposedly Jim is very busy making a name for himself in local and state politics. How about an update, Jim? Kirk also indicated that he was interested in the Master Swim Program and thought maybe Derry ADAMSON or Buck CONGDON may want to get involved. Give Kirk a call.

Circle your calendars for our weekend in September. I can guarantee that you will enjoy yourselves, renew old acquaintances, and form memories that will last the rest of your lives. See you there.