Another rough period for us. We’ve had to bid a fond-but-sad farewell to John Peebles, Ron Sandholzer, Tony Burshnick, and Roy Jolly. We mourn the loss of our brothers and wish smooth skies for their journey west.

This has been a busy time for Jim Glaza and the other members of the reunion committee: Jim Waddle, Dick Schehr, Wayne Kendall, and Pete Roe. Each played a role in preparing for not one but two major events in Colorado Springs during this period.

These stalwarts coordinated with Carole and the family on plans for Andi Biancur’s sendoff in late July and then contacted the Class with the details. The result was a mini-reunion of sorts at which thirty Classmates gathered to pay their respects. With spouses, family members, and guests the total attendance rose to sixty. The event was both a moving memorial and a joyful time of coming together. The latter began with a Class dinner on the first evening in town. Everyone really enjoyed getting together with old and dear friends and meeting members of Andi’s family, many for the first time.

Concurrently, came the final planning for the 60-yr Class Reunion, delayed a year by the global plague which will remain nameless. Starting with questionnaires to determine basic interests and preferences and continuing up to final commitments, the reunion took shape. Venues, transportation, events, merchandise, and meals were all brought together by the COS gang, and the result was an event worthy of the name 60-yr Reunion. Thirty-one Classmates were in attendance; spouses, family, and guests brought the total up to seventy-two.

J.T. Smith provides the following recap of the reunion activities: "Thursday began with a memorial service at the USAFA Cemetery Pavilion, ably conducted by Jim Waddle and Wayne Kendall, with technical assistance by Pete Roe. Next was a tour, guided by Ron Yates, of the Heritage Trail and the Southeast Asia Memorial Pavilion. After a lunch at Doolittle Hall, there was a guided tour of the National Museum of WWII Aviation, with a bonus visit to the co-located Westpac Restorations--an aircraft restoration facility where the old and abandoned are made whole and flyable again.

"Friday was consumed by activities at the Academy. There were the usual briefings by the staff attempting to assure us that things are not as bad as we think. This time we were given the unusual clearance to wander the Cadet area, including an 'open house' in the dorms. The dorms are pretty much the same. However, the wood-grain paneling is now an uninspired gray. The center-line dressers are now under-bunk storage drawers. Apparently, there is no longer is an AMI, because beds were not made. And there are now locks on the doors! Lunch at Mitchell Hall revealed just how well Col Echelberger fed us back in the day. Dinner at the hotel ended a busy day.

"Saturday was football day. The game with Florida Atlantic was changed to a night game; so, the tailgate, provided--with help--by Jim and Jenny Glaza, didn’t start until 1500. Food and beverages were plentiful, and the camaraderie was outstanding. The game was a 31-7 “no contest,” but that didn’t stop the post-game tailgate from being celebratory, and many hotdogs were consumed while we waited for the traffic to disperse.

"Sunday was a day of departure, but many took advantage of the traditional brunch hosted by Jack and Elaine Brush before heading home. A wonderful way to cap off a wonderful time."

Jim Alexander was in the original planning group for the, just-opened, Oconee County, SC, 9-11 Memorial. “I spent a lot of time raising funds doing briefings and making phone calls. We raised about $300,000,” writes Jim. “There are three main sections. From left to right in the photo [top] is a block of granite from the Pentagon. The dome shape middle section contains dirt from the crash site in Shanksville, PA and is topped with an eternal flame. The section on the right is steel from the World Trade Center twin towers.

Bob Heiges, whose road name is "Gramps," rides with various Veterans motorcycle groups. He writes, ". . . we rode about 90 miles south to Frankfort, KY, for the funeral of a Marine who served several tours in Afghanistan and tragically became one of the '22' [veteran suicides] for that day." The photo, "shows two old farts trying to look like really tough dudes. At 85 I am one of the oldest riders in Northern Kentucky, and the fellow with me, also a Vietnam Vet, is 72. ... When asked how long I intend to ride, my usual response is, 'As long as I can get the leg up and over the saddle to get on the bike'."

R.G. Head writes that two of his "Boelcke Series" articles are being published this year: The Ace Race: Oswald Boelcke & Max Immelmann, was printed in the summer issue of the Boelcke Echo--the Wing Chronicle of TFW 31 "Boelcke." Oswald Boelcke–a Role Model, co-authored with Luftwaffe Wing Commanders Gert Overhoff and Michael Kuhn, will be published in the Fall issue. R.G. also has a new book in the works: Air Force and Navy Attack Aviation, scheduled for publication in May 2022.