The dominant theme for this issue of class news is reunions (both large and small)--and final goodbyes. Concurrent with the activities of the our 55th reunion were two interment services at the Academy Cemetery: one for George Fries on the 1st of October and the other for Tom Seebode the following day. These beautiful and moving ceremonies were a fitting reminder of the lifelong bonds we have with our classmates and the sense of loss we feel when any one of us takes that final flight.

Our 55th Reunion formally kicked off on Thursday, 1 October 2015, at the Embassy Suites. The theme was "A Time to Remember," and the reunion itself will be remembered as a great success. Fifty-eight classmates were officially in attendance, and Bill Hodson and Miles Kaspar put in brief appearances (making an appropriate total of 60). Also represented were Art Lewis by his wife Patricia and George Luck by his wife Carolyn and son Mike. In addition to the 100+ at the reunion, the families of George Fries and Tom Seebode were present for at least a portion of the weekend for the respective interment ceremonies. A full roster of attendees and guests and reunion photos can be found on our class website.

Andi Biancur and Jock Schwank and their COS colleagues and wives provided us with a well thought-out program of activities for Friday and Saturday, augmented by gracious home gatherings hosted by Jim and Jenny Glaza and Jack and Elaine Brush. Friday's activities kicked off with presentations in Arnold Hall that brought us up to speed with UE/AOG issues, the new UAS-RPA piloting program, and a new cyber innovation center/laboratory that will feature the integration of full-time cyber scientists with like-minded cadets to push the envelope of the emerging field of cyber warfare. An Honor presentation by Honor Chairman C/1C Olson was very well received by our group. A key issue was that of a six month probation period for some "admitting," first time offenders. Given the stringent and rigorous requirements for reintegration into the Cadet Wing, there seemed to be a general consensus that the Honor program was on the right track.

The day's program concluded with presentations by Mortuary Affairs and the new Center for Character & Leadership Development (CCLD). It is at the CCLD where the Academy seeks "to elevate and integrate character and leadership development, both conceptually and structurally throughout the entire USAFA experience." The day's formal agenda concluded with our stirring traditional Memorial Service presented by Jim Waddell and Wayne Kendall--followed by the ever popular Class Photo jointly executed by Les Querry and JT Smith. They also did the photo processing during the game.

The rather busy day concluded with a sit-down dinner and class meeting where we distributed embossed Remembrance Books, with comments from all classmates in attendance, to honor Col Ben Cassidy and Rosie Cler for their contributions to our Class heritage. The Cassidy book will be hand delivered to him in Honolulu by a delegation from the class. Gordy Flygare provided several cases of excellent wines

Saturday followed a more relaxed agenda. A major highlight of the reunion was a personalized tour that morning of the Southeast Asia Memorial Pavilion on the Heritage Trail, led by Ron Yates. Ron was instrumental in the creation and installation of the awe-inspiring sculpture "Honor Bound: A Portrait of Courage" which was recently installed in the pavilion to honor the 33 Academy graduates who endured terrible years as POWs. The pavilion also contained a big surprise for Jerry de la Cruz. He was shocked to see that his narrative of his Vietnam experience from our website was included in one of the touch screen displays within the pavilion..

Later in the day there was a Football Tailgate event in the Stadium Press Box. which brought us together to consume copious quantities of food and drink and watch the AF-Navy game on TVs. The last time we did something like this as a group was in 1958 when the Wing monitored the AF-Stanford game in Fairchild Hall (voice only-no TV) and piped cheers from the auditorium to loud-speakers on the sidelines of Stanford Stadium.

Some Commentaries on the 55th "A great reunion and wonderful experience enjoying 'old' classmates who are, sadly, getting fewer," said Dale Thompson, "well organized and great briefings--much better than the Academy brass with their standard statements." Al Johnson: "Great in all respects. One major problem--ran out of chocolate chip cookies at the stadium press box--otherwise a Gold Oscar." "Great time with classmates I haven't seen since graduation telling war stories," wrote Vic Thomas, "already looking forward to our '60th." "As the wife of a '60 Grad, I thoroughly enjoyed seeing all the other wives who have weathered all or part of these 55 years. Their faces bring back so many happy memories"--Connie Yates. Wayne Kendall: "As the years pass behind us, I now feel closely attached to every member of the class--we are now all 'old' friends." ''The 55th was a welcome renewal of great friendships and a stimulator of wonderful memories of shared experiences," wrote Brian and Carol Kaley. Mercedes Thompson said "Fantastic work, wonderful people, great kindness! Thanks, merci, danke, obrigado, arigato, gracias."

Other Class news Earl Van Inwegen was recently featured in the current issue of the Air Commando Journal in an article about the C-123 Providers in the 1964-66 buildup in Vietnam. The article discusses the myriad of missions the intrepid "trash haulers" performed and described one hairy mission (for which Earl and his crew were awarded the DFC) where ground and mortar fire blew out both nose tires and riddled their aircraft with over 20 holes. Earl now resides in Miramar CA and remains active in Daedalian and community affairs. Other classmates who flew the C-123 during the early phases of "our" war included Val Bourque, Grant Waugh, Tony Burshnick, Bill Gillis, JT Smith, Brian Deem, Ron Deep, Ted Stumm, Dave Sweigart, Jim Bujalski, Aaron Thrush, and Nels Delisanti, plus Bob Fischer and Michael J. Clarke (Ranch Hand). Also Oogie Prindle crewed the C-123 as a Nav.

In August 2014, Reb Guillot ventured to Offutt AFB (where son Greg commanded the 55th Wing) and proudly watched General Lori Robinson promote Greg to Brigadier General. His stars were pinned on by his family, whom he credits with his success. He's now the Director of Strategic Plans, Requirements and Programs at PACAF Headquarters. "It's great to have a military GO in the family," said Reb, "as long as I don't have to call him "Sir!"

RG Head, Coronado's 2014 "Man of the Year" is not letting any grass grow under his feet. In addition to racing sailboats on a weekly basis, RG and Carole joined classmates on a river trip from Amsterdam to Vienna in May. Then off to school at Oxford University in August, followed by a trip to Aachen where they visited the Luftwaffe's Tactical Air Force Wing 31 "Boelcke," named after the World War I ace who was von Richthofen's instructor in fighter tactics. The visit to the Wing was the byproduct of a book RG is writing, whose working title is Oswald Boelcke and the Blue Max.

Don Stevens, reporting from our Class of '60 outpost along the Penobscot Bay in Mid-Coast Maine, regrets that he was unable to attend the 55th Reunion, but he will be at the Academy in November with his sons to partake in a ceremony, sponsored by the class of '70, honoring graduates who have received the Air Force Cross. "There were 16 graduates so decorated and nine are still living," Don says, " I am honored to be included in that group. "

From former Army Captain and DC group regular Bill Hockenberry: " I am still holding that thin line between workplace chaos and labor-management tranquility as a seasoned labor arbitrator. It is one of the few professions where you are selected by the parties based on the silver color of your hair; which is to say, "geez, that guy is so old he must know something". Guess I will keep working and fool them all."

Our champion airlift hitchhiker Ralph Lalime has made his way to Hawaii this September and will stay there until it's time to return home to harvest some deer in his backyard. His mini-reunion was in Colorado Springs with former members of the 525th F-4 fighter squadron (Bitburg). He was also able to break bread with some of the COS gang, noting that that healthy bunch looked much younger than the time-worn DC group.

Jon McClure (shown here with Howie Whitfield and Dave Sweigart) still serves as a highly respected public defender in Moultrie, Georgia. His next trial will be a murder case. His defense strategy will be self-defense--his client shot a drug dealer. ''Deserves a medal!," Jon says.

Class of '60 Roll Call: 227 graduated, 67 deceased, 160 hanging tough.