Dennis O'Keefe completed a 100-mile bike ride in 7-1/2 hours June 12th, 2004 out of Wenatchee, Washington. Wife, Sandy, reported, "The ride included a 2,500-foot altitude gain, and a tough headwind for 30 miles! Dennis plays it down, saying 'I'm too old, too fat, and too slow, and all the ladies passed me.' We also celebrated our 40th anniversary in Honolulu, and have a year-old grandson and two more grandkids on the way." [R: I included DOK's accom­plishment because I had just read Time's feature of August 30,2004: "How to Live to be 100-And Not Regret It;" It said that, in addition to consuming massive amounts of broccoli and blueberries, long bike rides might cause you to reach centenarian levels. Methinks Dennis could be the last man standing at our 80th reunion in 2040. He'd be 103 -b: 4/4/37.]

Alive at a Hundred and Five?

Some Emerald Coast classmates gathered recently--pictured are the nattily dressed Aaron Thrush, Pete King, Ken Alnwick, Bill Gillis, and Ace Holman. Ken hosted the gathering, which also included some Air Commando friends, at his Florida condo on Okaloosa Island near Ft. Walton Beach--shortly fol­lowing this party the area was hit by four hurricanes! (Anytime these guys meet, check your Six for Tsunamis!)

Old Men Dressing Badly!

Back to The Boys from Iowa, bottom of the ... Richard Glenn Head at bat: "Jock Schwank and I were attending Franklin High School in Cedar Rapids when we independently tried out for the Academy. I had been working at the Cedar Rapids Municipal Airport for two years and earned my pilot's license. I got paid $1 an hour, but they upped it to $2 if I took my wages in flying lessons, which were $8 an hour solo and $10 with an instructor. I soloed after my 17th birthday and had 200 hours. I also applied to Iowa State (to be an engineer), accompany­ing this with an application to the Navy ROTC program (which I later won). I met Jock our senior year, as his father had moved the family to Cedar Rapids to coach Coe College's football team. Jock was a jock, and so was I, although strictly in a minor sport. I played football and basketball two years, but switched to wres­tling and lettered my senior year. Jock and I became friends, and as the Academy seemed more of a possibility, our families spent a lot of time together.

"Flying led me to the Academy. Every birthday since age four I had wished for an airplane ride. My dad knew my hopes, so when I was 16 he set me up with a World War II pilot in his company, and I had my first pilot instruction. I got sick the first flight, but that didn't stop me, and I got four hours before my dad got me a job and an instructor at Wathan Flying Service. I interviewed with Senator Hickenlooper's staffer and got sponsored for the USAFA tests. Arriving at the Academy, we met Gary Crew and his parents and became instant friends. Gary was from Waterloo, one of the schools I had wrestled against. Gary and I ended up in the same Squadron (6th) under the watchful eye of another Iowan, Pat Musmaker ('59). It was not until the end of the year that I realized that all of us Iowa boys had made it through Doolie year--and all the '59ers from Iowa had also stayed on. Later, I had the good fortune to room with Jerry Stack, and we were able to compare Iowa notes when he was not playing tennis.

"What does coming from Iowa mean? I think it meant a very good public school education, well-grounded in math and science. Jock and I had Chem­istry and Physics, plus four years of math and athletics. We were middle class, with religious, civic, and work-hard, upward-mobile values. We took pride in learning that Col. Archie Higdon had been professor of Mechanics at Iowa State and had written the text we used. Archie, upon meeting my parents at graduation, reflected warmly on what he called the 'central US-Continental' values that were found in Iowa. After graduation I had a chance to spend time with George Elsea as we went through fighters." [R: RG retired as Briga­dier General in 1987, is VP of SRS Technologies in Arlington VA where he heads the firm's work with environmental engineering for Navy and Marine Corps gunnery ranges, and will marry Carole Hoover in June 2005. Top of the sixth ... ]

Another record number at the AFA-Navy Football Game Foofaraw Sept 29 - ­Oct 1, 2004: It started with the Kickoff Party at the Radisson Wednesday after­noon, then Coach Fisher DeBerry's talk about the game, followed by the evening's banquet with Emcee Gordy Savage--Chaplain Waldrop (Tom Seebode's son-in-law) gave the invocation, and Dave Sweigart closed by lead­ing us in "God Bless America." On Thursday's game day, it was to Doolittle Hall for an update on the Wing by Brig Gen Weida, Commandant of Cadets, followed with a tour of the Heritage Trail by its creator, Ron Yates. Then, tailgating at the GlazaGate. But: Navy 24, AFA 21. No victory laps--Fiddlesticks! "GetAway" was over breakfast at the Radisson.

In attendance: Ken Alnwick, Andi & Carole Biancur, Tony & Carol Bilello, Steve Bishop, Howie & Judy Bronson, Jack & Elaine (Wells) Brush (who were married October 15th in Colorado Springs), Rosie & Karen Cler, Bruce Edwards, Jerry & Dotty Farquhar, Bob & Lutzi Fischer, Gordy & Ann Flygare, George Fries, Walt Futch, Jim & Jenny Glaza & Linda Glaza, Bill Goodyear & daughter Angelee, Denis & Liz Haney, Deke & Sally Johnson, Brian & Carol Kaley & Sue Woodward, Wayne & Barbara Kendall (celebrating the birth of their first grand­child, Sean Alan, born 9/9/04 @ 8lbs-9oz!), Ed & Suzanne Leonard, Mike McCall & Debbie Streiber, John & Deanne McCullough, Phil Meinhardt (you gotta see a picture of Phil's latest femme fatale!), Bruce & Caryl Mosier & Tanya Omran & Cari McAnarney (Mosier's daughter, pregnant with their first grand­child), Jim & Bev O'Rourke, John & Barb Peebles, George & Diana Pupich with friends Mort & Nancy Lipton, Gordy Savage, Dick & Sharon Schehr, Jock & Hope Schwank, Tom & Carole Seebode & Chaplain Edward Waldrop & Eliza­beth Waldrop with Taylor & Sarah Elizabeth Waldrop, Dick & Sally Sexton, Ted Stumm, Dave & Camille Sweigart, Dale & Ina Thompson, Paul & Kay Vallerie, Earl & Pat van Inwegen, Jim Waddle, Ron & Connie Yates, and Vic Yoakum & Suzanne Forselius (for more photos, go to the Class Website).

The Boyz of '60!

Friendly Fire. Bob Weinaug just retired from the SSA, and is moving from Falls Church, VA to Florida ... Ken Alnwick is working on some interesting war-gaming projects, helping the AF Historical Society, and wrapping up his work on the John McLucas memoirs ... Bill Taylor had his right hip replaced two years ago, a new left hip installed in April 2004 and his first dislocation in June, and he's still in physical therapy (e-mail: wtaylor@rand.org) ... Bill Hales and his new wife, Barb, moved from Pittsford, NY to Greenville, SC in June, and have now moved into their new home cell: (864) 884-4968 ... MiniSki XV will be in SLC the first week of March 2005 ... Our 45th Reunion is 15-19 June 2005 at the Radisson in Colorado Springs.

A special salute to General Ronald Wilburn Yates for being named the first Distinguished Graduate of the Academy from the Class of 1960. During his career, Ron led two major commands (AFSC and AFMC), was on flying status 35 years and flew 5,000+ hours in over 50 different aircraft, played a major role in the development of most of the newest aircraft and space vehicles, serves on the AOG Board of Directors, and conceived the Heritage Trail--an effort to enhance the Academy environment. He is an independent consultant to the aerospace industry.

Karen and I extend a warm Christmas greeting to all our friends, except for the two Yankees' fans.

Final Roll Call. Bill Leninger's wife, Ellen, died June 13, 2004 from a massive heart attack.