Checkpoints Class News
Class of 1960
2403 Arrow Park Drive
Alexandria, VA 22306
703-768-8280
Email: kjalnwick1@gmail.com
Class Web Site: www.usafaclasses.org/1960/afa60.html
The class had a pretty good scare last June when we learned that Wayne “Killer” Kendall was taken to the ER with severe shortness of breath. We subsequently learned that he had blood clots in his left leg with subsequent blockage in his lung. He is doing OK now thanks to some high priced anticoagulant pills and will be evaluated again in six months. All this good stuff resulted in Wayne spending a night in the hospital—a first for him. Happily, I unpacked the bags which had been packed for an emergency trip to COS.
Speaking of trips to COS, our reunion committee is focusing in on three potential sites: Colorado Springs, Denver, and Dayton. A “60th Reunion Forum” has been opened on our web site where interested parties can voice their opinions about the relative merits of each location.
In June, the Colorado contingent of the class met for lunch at the Academy Falcon Club. After ascertaining that their resident host Wayne Kendall had returned to his previous very healthy self, they got down to nourishment and the business at hand. Also in attendance were: Dick Schehr, Gordon Savage, Dick Sexton, Tony Bilello, Ron Yates, Fred Porter, Andi Biancur, Dennis Walsh, Pete Roe, Jim Waddle, and Jim Bujalski.
After some casual conversation, Ron introduced Gen (Ret) Jim McCarthy, the father and resident Guru of the Academy RPA (Drone) program. Jim introduced two of his current cadet charges and his assistant, who led the through a fairly extensive report of the on-going unmanned vehicle instruction which, by-the-way, is almost completely under the control of the cadets. It baffles me to see the marvelous creative things many of our cadets are accomplishing, while at the same time other cadets, members of the lacrosse and swimming teams in this instance, are being denied graduation with their class--if at all--because of severe freshman hazing.
Jon McClure continues to soldier on as Assistant Public Defender in Moultrie, GA, defending a variety of miscreants in a never-ending flow of assault, murder, shootings and rapes, etc. stemming largely from competing street gangs, often populated by second or even third generations gang members with no futures—and no way out. Jon takes great pleasure when he wins a case for grateful clients of his who were truly innocent of the charges against them.
Last May, I had lunch with Syd Gurley and Ed Lankenau ’59 in Melbourne, FL. Syd and Anne live in a pleasant CCRC in Vero Beach and Ed resides in Melbourne. As usual, the discussion migrated to airplanes we had flown and cars we had owned. I mentioned that my first “legal” car was a 1960 MGA and it turned out that Syd and Ed had both owned several MGBs. Ed and Syd also learned that they both attended the same local antique car shows many times without ever encountering each other. Hopefully, that will not be the case in the future.
Putting to work their love of Archaeology and Historic Preservation, Charles and Peggy Sands have saved, and are working on, the historic German Methodist Church in Lexington, Missouri, which hosted the first school for the children of the freed slaves at the end of the Civil War in late 1865. Through research, Charles uncovered this lost history. This church is one of several pre-Civil War building restorations that they have initiated in Lexington, Missouri. See also: www:freemansheritage.com
On Florida’s Gulf Coast, Aaron Thrush is recovering from bladder cancer, discovered accidentally while being treated for something else. He flew to Houston where he was successfully treated by the MD Anderson Hospital. He is still active supporting Democratic causes and continues to hope that moderate wings of both parties will find a way to coalesce around traditional American values.
Doug Cairns ‘60/’61 was pleasantly startled when I called him; he had rarely spoken with a member of our class in perhaps 30 years. He had retired at Maxwell, moved to San Antonio, and then returned to Montgomery AL, to reunite with many of the good friends he had left behind. He has worked in various capacities at the Air University and enjoys being co-located with his daughter and grandson.
Ron Deep our master puzzler and math guru, avers that he is now a fully retired gym rat and reader of Western and mystery novels. However, he is also active in his local MENSA club and “just dabbles” in programming for his son’s software company, Cesar Creek Software, which does “white” hacking for the USG.
In Lampass TX, George Elsa continues to fulfill his labor of love, working on his 1930’s Tiger Moth aircraft. Parts are scarce and rigging a challenge, but George has found a former RAF mechanic nearby who still has a collection of tools and parts--and expertise --to help George get through the joys of owning a vintage aircraft. Meanwhile, San Antonio resident Les Hobgood and his daughter Rani averaged 135mph in the 118 mile out and back Big Bend Open Road Race in her C-5 Corvette.
The West Coast Gang
West Coast grads gathered in Coronado the weekend of 8-10 June. The event was hosted by RG Head, Howie Whitfield and Dick Doyle, with Carole Hoover Head providing the feminine touch. Attendees also included: Greg and Junie Boyington, Donna Doyle, Gary and Susan Gulbransen, Deke Johnson and Sue Stone Woodward, Miles Kaspar, Phil and Nancy Meinhardt, Jutta Whitfield, Van and Pat Van Inwegen, Ron and Connie Yates, Vic and Suzanne Yoakum, Bill Zersen, and Charlie and Kathy Liggett who were there celebrating their 58th wedding anniversary.
Events began Friday evening with a champagne reception at the Head’s bayside patio. Dinner followed at the nearby Coronado Cays Yacht Club. Saturday was an exciting day, beginning with a guided tour of the San Diego Air & Space Museum, which featured RG’s large model Albatros D.II and a Hawker Hurricane. Later in the afternoon, three couples got another tour, this time of San Diego Bay on RG’s sailboat, “Carole’s Fandango”.
The good times continued Sunday morning over a farewell brunch at the Cays Yacht Club, and two adventurous couples competed in a Bocce Ball game. (Ron’s team won.) All agreed it was a delightful weekend, filled with reunion stories, good fellowship, and bonding comradeship.
Ben Furuta checked in from Pasadena, CA, he reports that he has recovered from triple bypass surgery and is planning a trip to Japan in the near future to trace his family’s history—on both sides. There is a Japanese-American Museum in down-town L.A. which has archived Ben’s story. It can be reached at (www.discovernikkei.org/en/journal/2018/5/31/ben-furuta). In its conclusion he says, “And so what I’m hoping will happen is by hearing the story of Japanese immigration and the incarceration, my fellow Americans will begin to appreciate their own history of immigration and start thinking about immigration issues and questions.”
Our string of good luck ran out this reporting period as Jasper Hardison, Frank Mayberry and several ATOs took their final flight West. See the class website and this Checkpoints obituary section for more information. Our class roster now sits at 154 living and 73 deceased.
For additional stories see Checkpoints NOTAMS on our web site