January - March 2013
As Compiled by JT Smith
This relates to Jim Glaza's Africa-trip announcement posted below. Goose Gulbransen, who was then in Africa, is responding to a question from Ron Deep: "You asked about Africa. I would say Glaza's trip looks absolutely fine. One heck of a lot of travel for the money. But that trip is completely different from mine. We are doing a custom tour for four people, not a group tour. ... On advice we chose to be on safari only 9 days, 3 days in each camp with the same charter small aircraft air between camps.
"We flew to J-Burg for two days. Then took the Rovos Rail (two nights) to Cape Town (not cheap at $2,400 per person but absolutely a fantastic experience). Then 3 days in Cape Town, Flew to Kruger National Park, SA and light aircraft to Ratrays for three nights. We saw the Big Five (lion, leopard, elephant, cape buffalo and rhinoceros) on our first game drive in their private reserve. Then jet to J-Burg for an overnight and small a/c to six nights in two different camps in Botswana ... . Then small a/c to Victoria Falls for two days and then home.
"Take the Glaza trip for sure. . . baggage allowance on the small planes 20kg (44lb) pp including carry-on...let the wife try that!
"We are spending our kids inheritance. The Gosling"
Bob Fischer writes, "We made it back (1225 miles) in just 20 hours - eight hours day one and 12 hours day two. The weather here really sucks. It's cold and wet - but we are home. We wish you guys all the best and hope that Karen gets well soon. Bob and Lutzi , Stay in touch - we already miss Florida!."
Their annual trip to Florida included a visit back in late January with Les and Marty Querry on the way south and some good times with Brian and Carol Kaley while in and around Naples during most of February.
Jerry de la Cruz reports that AOC MGen Billy J. Ellis died on 12 March. He was 84. For those who would like to read an obituary, it is available here.
Rosie Cler writes, "Dear Classmates: click here for the announcement from Jim and Jenny Glaza to join them on a "Trip to Africa" in the Spring of 2014. Please contact Jim directly, at one of his telephones: 719-481-9222 or Cell 719-660-2060. Do NOT respond to me. Thanks. Rosie Cler, Secretary, Class of '60"
Les Querry offers the following:
"Happy 34th Anniversary to Bob and Liliane Badger"
This just in from Bob Odenweller: "I spent a week in Berlin last week, to attend the 125th anniversary of the Berliner Philatelisten-Klub, one of the three major philatelic organizations. The other two, the Royal Philatelic Society London and The Collectors Club (NY) joined with Berlin in the first-ever joint showing/celebration, at the Museum of Communication. I was asked to give a 20 minute talk on research at a symposium, and was asked to do it in German. I did, but only for the first two sentences. Then I apologized (in German; Herr Hauptmann Steffel would have been proud), saying that if I continued in German it would take twice as long and that the lunch period was already short. They were happy for the option.
"At the final meeting of the celebration, which had some 400 or so people, the president of the Klub announced the new recipients of the Carl Lindenberg Medal. It was first awarded in 1906, and only 60 times since then. It has been called The Nobel Prize for Philately (see the Wikipedia entry on it.) In any case, they gave no clue to the recipients that they would receive it until their names were read out. They had not had a proper meeting for a couple of years, so awarded it to a Brit for 2011 and a German (the usual recipients are either German or collect German areas) for 2012, but for 2013 they called out my name. It was totally unexpected and I had been sitting in the back row of the meeting space, thinking that if it got too long I could step outside.
"Anyway, it was quite an honor. Only six Americans have ever received it, and the other five are on the wrong side ofthe grass. Unfortunately, unlike the real Nobel, it has no nice check to go along with it.The location of the Museum is in old East Berlin, three blocks north of Checkpoint Charlie, which I also visited. Things are a lot nicer there than in 1958 when we terrorized the populace. I remember fondly the long gone Resi Bar, where the orchestra played for the dance floor, the stage had programmed water fountains that had projected lights, and each booth had both telephones and pneumatic tube devices where you could send messages to likely prospects in others, since each had a number above it on a lighted sign."
Rosie Cler has asked to share the contents of several Chrismas greetings he received from classmates, and the authors have agreed to have them posted here for all to read. To access them, simply click/tap on the name:
Gordon Savage sends, "A final reminder: My book launch party is only two days away (February 2nd). It will be from 1:00 pm till 3:00 pm, just east of I-25 at the Hampden exit at
"It will be a combination of a celebration and a book signing. I'm providing pizza and soft drinks (Anything stronger will be up to you). Youre invited. If you can make it, let me know. If you dont let me know, youre still invited. Please come
"The last free day on Amazon will February 5. The offer still stands. The next to review it on Amazon and let me know will get a free copy of the paperback.
"This is the last time I'll annoy you."
"I just put my copy of George Lester's autobiography in the mail," says J.T. Smith. "I've recently finished reading it, and I'm sending it back to George for redistribution. If you haven't yet gotten a copy, I can recommend it as an interesting read. George has led a more adventurous and varied life from mine, and he tells his story in the form of anecdotes dredged from his current memories of times and places from his pre-Academy youth to near present times.".
As a follow-up to his message in the May 2012 issue of Classnews, Les Hobgood wrote, 18 months after my Baby Deux (Corvette) was pulled out of a backyard where she sat 37 years, she was heading to the TCA Corvette Show to win Best-In-Class. Then, it was Chicago down Route 66 for 5400 miles, stopping in Palm Desert to let Earl Van Inwegen inspect the car for damage. In October, Baby Deux was awarded a Top Flight Blue Ribbon with a 99.1 score!
Gordon Savage sends: "A quick reminder: January 24th is a free day for the Kindle version Peacemaker. If you haven't downloaded a copy, please do -- even if you never plan to read it. For those who do read it and like it, I will give away an autographed paperback copy to the next person on my mailing list who posts a review of it on Amazon and lets me know they have done so."
Gordon Savage wrote, "After considerable agonizing and my wife's relentless logic, because of underwhelming demand and the Broncos' playoff schedule I have rescheduled the launch party to February 2nd. All the other details remain the same.
"I will make a point of bringing books with me next Wednesday for anybody who might be interested but can't make the party or just wants to see the book."
"This is a reminder, wrote Gordon Savage." I know! I know! The Broncos' first playoff game is on at 2:30. So leave early. The launch party for Peacemaker is on January 12 at Piccolo Pizza (3563 South Monaco Parkway Denver, CO 80237, just east of I-25 at the Hampden exit: 303-757-5166) from 1:00 pm till 3:00 pm, and youre invited. It will be a combination of a celebration and a book signing. Im providing pizza and soft drinks (Anything stronger will be up to you). If you plan on coming, Id appreciate you letting me know. I need a count to know how much to order ahead of time, plus the room only holds 70. However, dont miss it even if you havent replied.
"For those of you who haven't downloaded a copy of Peacemaker it will be available free on Monday, January 7, as a Kindle download. Even if youre not interested in reading it, Id appreciate it if you download it (There are apps for non-Kindle owners). It counts toward my ranking. For those of you who do read it, if you like it, I would love to get your review on Amazon. If you dont like it I would appreciate an evaluation to me personally. In either case let me know."
HAPPY NEW YEAR,
USAFA '60!
