It may be unfair to judge the Falcons by their performance during these first three games, but ... it looks like a long season to be endured by those of us who cheer and hope each Saturday here at the base of the Rampart Range. Those of you who know me know the importance of AFA foot­ball and the part it played in my life. 0-3 is just an omen of what the season is likely to become and will be history when you read this. Speak­ing of history, Saturday against Northwestern there was a familiar name on the field. Starting at tight end was no other than Pupich! Bigger, tougher, and more agile was Alex Pupich, '97 (sorry George). He caught a pass, unusual for a wishbone tight end, but the best part was the run after during which he ran over a defender (shades of dad). Alex may be the first son of a grad to start a varsity game here.

I do want to thank Tony for taking over the column last issue. I hope you enjoyed a different approach and the update on those of our class still on active duty. I am always receptive to anyone who would volunteer to write for one issue. Don't all call at once!

I received an epistle from J.T. SMITH who, after reading the letter from Steve HOLT two issues ago writes, "We of the gone-and-probably ­forgotten group have never uttered a peep in lo these many years. So why now? Beats me!" J.T. and Diane are living in the Clarksville, TN area in a geodesic-dome house on about seven acres across the Cumberland River from Clarksville. They started it eight years ago and may finish it some­day, but they do have a guest room; so, if anyone is traveling I-24 and needs a place to RON the Smiths have the welcome shingle hanging. They decided on the Ft Campbell area since Diane had the opportunity to be the Clinical Director of the drug rehab center and J.T. had 21 years of C-130s; so, he retired in '81 and became a motorcycle safety consultant. He does a lot of work for the Motorcycle Safety Foundation in various capacities to in­clude instructor, chief instructor (teaching people to be instructors) and as a chief-instructor trainer. As a technical consultant to the foundation, he writes on matters dealing with the basics of motorcycles and their han­dling dynamics. He also works with attorneys as an expert witness ... but is their money in it?

J.T, has components from two families having lost his first wife, Mary, to cancer several years ago. Their two daughters, Tracy and Rocella (also known as Kelly), are both married, and each has a daughter. Diane also has two children, Patricia and Andrew, from a prior marriage. They are married and Patricia has a boy, while Andrew has a girl. Being a grand­father has its merits! Thanks for the letter J.T.

An update from Paul VALLERIE, who is still working for Boeing in Seattle but now is on the MILSTAR Triband Radome program. He travels often between Seattle and Wichita. He ran into Jim WADDLE (Quack) at one of these meetings. Jim is working for Rockwell at Shreveport. He is the modification program manager for the E-4B.

I received a fax from Porter Data Systems, Inc. Fred and Mary Lou PORTER sit behind Pat and me at the football games, and I was able to get Fred to provide you all with what is going on in their lives. They formed a company here in the Springs in March '76 to develop software for manufacturing and service areas of the commercial sector. "I took the principles that I learned in the measurement and evaluation of aircraft performance at Edwards and set out to apply them to small computers." This was a time before PCs and computers cost more than cars so instead of buying a car they invested $30-40,000 in a computer. They now design systems which run on the UNIX operating systems and are distributed over networks. Several of their designs include: a measurement system for Kodak to calibrate their film-coating machines; a mobile testing system for U.S. West which evaluates cellular telephone service as seen by the user; and an electronic weight system used by Planter Lifesavers for the packaging of nuts in jars, cans and packages. In the natural gas industry they implemented gas flow programs to calculate gas volume flowing through pipelines as measured by temperature and pressure meters. This software is used industry wide by producers, carriers and measurement companies.

With all of the software designs they have marketed, Fred would like to say he has gotten rich, but--alas--he just leads a normal life here in the shadows of Pikes Peak where he roller blades each morning with their three dogs to work off the tension of the job. He often joins a Tuesday hiking group which goes on a 6-14 mile hike on the wonderful trails in the region. Fred I'd love to join you but am not sure these abused football knees would handle it. Their daughter Pam is married and works in Boulder as a system analyst and project manager. Her husband, Brad Butler, is the director of highway construction for the Colorado Contractors Assn. Fred and Mary Lou can be contacted on internet addresses: fredp@pdspp.com and marylou@pdspp.com.

Had the opportunity to call Paul SULLIVAN. He is still in the Boston area working for ULTRA Corp. He is the general manager of the shop and provides acquisition support for the USAF at Hanscom. He sez they are leading a stable life and enjoys the spare time to play his banjo and run a marathon now and then (well maybe just a half marathon).

Sadly I have to pass on to you who don't already know that Andi BIANCUR lost his wife, Joan, on August 29, 1994. A funeral service and the burial were held here at the AFA. Please remember the family in your prayers and drop him a note when you can.

NEW ADDRESSES. Hal BROST, 2013 Nugent Dr, Mansfield, TX 76063; Peter BURTON, 190 E. 9th Ave #270, Denver, CO 80203; Ralph MILLER, 2428 E. Adams Ave, Orange, CA. 92667.

The planning for the 35-year reunion is progressing, and I am sure there will be specific info mailed to each of you. I look forward to seeing each and every one of you in Sept '95 for this great bash. Remember we won't have many more opportunities to visit each other on this earth. Keep the cards and letters coming. If you don't have time to write, call.