Ken Werrell reports: “Little new here, just most of the things that people our age do: hospitals, doctors, and changing habits and routines. One accomplishment for me was to finish up my book, Air Force Disappoints, the Mistakes and Failures, 1940-1990. It was interesting to do, and I enjoyed the challenge. To the critics, my best defense is: I gave it my best shot. I'd like to see the opposite view, Air Force Successes. Perhaps this book will encourage some of our classmates to write their own books about their views and their experiences.”

RG Head is well into the San Diago Beer Can sailing season. RG has retired from active racing, so now he works with the Race Committee, starting, officiating, and scoring occasionally. He has new articles coming out, a three-part series on the A-10, in the Daledalin Flyer. He is also building his latest creation, a 9-foot model of the A-1 Skyraider. The A-1 is actually an AD-4 Skyraider (1953, Korean War vintage). RG uses the Navy lineage because his San Diego Air & Space Museum is primarily a Navy bastion.

Sid Newcomb informs us that his wife, Marvann, had major back surgery September 2023: The recovery took about 2 months and was painful, but she’s OK now, working in their yard, and walking 1-2 miles 2-3 times per week. Sid helps Marvann with yard work and walking for exercise with her. Otherwise, they are active in their Presbyterian (PCA) church: they are both greeters frequently, and Sid occasionally helps in their Spanish service. After a long time doing nothing with/at the Austin Disaster Relief Network, lately it’s gotten Sid busy again with the Texas Panhandle wild-fires and crises at the border, helping survivors in/around Matamoros, TX.

Norm and Liz Haller’s many grandchildren are now fully grown, with most married and producing numerous great grandchildren. Norm noted that their extended family is currently experiencing a range of Navy commitments. Three grandchildren are on active-duty, two at sea out of West Coast locations, and another in a DC assignment along with his Navy wife, who separately addresses fleet nuclear power issues. The husband of a fourth is an instructor pilot at a Navy training base. A fifth does work for Naval weapons systems and a sixth is at a metals facility with processes that include some Navy large-caliber shell casings.

Bill Kornitzer and Linda are also doing well in the grandchild department. They took a cruise to the Bahamas in February on a smaller ship owned by Oceania Lines and were able to see of some of the smaller Islands and enjoy fewer tourists cluttering the landscape. Their ship had a crew of 600 and about the same number of passengers. They deemed it terrific. Another great grandson was born in February. That makes the fourth great grandson and 15 grandkids in total.

Charlie Liggett and Kathy enjoy spending quality time at the La Quinta Resort and Club where they often have a delicious lunch or dinner. They have been enjoying the desert environment for the last eight years after having lived in Cupertino for 33 years. They certainly enjoy a much slower pace of life in La Quinta.

Marty Richert has finally resurfaced. He is a permanent resident at the Good Life Assisted Living facility in Ruidoso, New Mexico. Norm Haller tracked him down recently and since then they have enjoyed sharing sometimes true war stories. Marty has two sons. One, John, lives nearby in Greenville SD. John is now the custodian of Marty’s extensive collection of artifacts from across the world. In addition to flying numerous airlifters over the years, Marty flew helicopters in South Vietnam. His favorite was the HH-3 because it was capable of in-flight refueling and other challenging activities.

Late in March, Jim and Jenny Glaza received a call from Dave and Camille Sweigart, who have recently moved to the San Antonio area, asking if arrangements could be made for a small gathering three days hence. Jenny sprang into action, arranging a special “chef’s table” at a local Thai restaurant with Ron and Connie Yates, and John and Deanne McCullough. All agreed the food and service were outstanding and the comradery was thoroughly enjoyed. Turns out the Sweigert’s granddaughter, Paige, who will be graduating from college next month, wanted to see “where Grandpa went to college”. That mission accomplished by Ron the next day, although we suspect Paige learned more than expected during an after dinner “dessert” gathering at the Glaza’s, where our 50th Reunion yearbook came prominently into discussion.

Jerry Farquhar is the owner of a 48-foot trawler, the Matecumbe, which accommodates three to four people. On an almost yearly basis, Jerry sails his boat to the Bahamas, where he travels to various Exumas islands, to enjoy the culture and sample a varied array of Bahamian cuisine. Jerry intends to repeat this sojourn again this year, but due to his, and our, somewhat advancing age, Jerry feels it prudent to travel with a compatible shipmate. Hence, the pitch. Jerry is seeking a companion classmate for his forthcoming trip in April 2025. Everything other than air fare will be covered.