October - December 2014
As Compiled by JT Smith
John McCullough writes: "Merry Christmas classmates. On Christmas Eve I spent about one hour of very pleasant conversation with Steve Bishop and delivered the card with your signatures and his gift provided by Jim Glaza. Steve was very appreciative of the thoughts from his classmates, recognized every name on the card, and was in a jovial mood throughout the visit.
"It was difficult to access any memory impairment, and he looks as healthy as a horse. The only things a little off were that he thought he had possibly been at the care facility for 'about 10 years' and that he was somewhere around 80, both of which we laughed about as it probably just seemed to have been that long.
"The facility is OK, nice actually, with a very caring staff. Steve's wife and 'daughter' live fairly nearby in Boulder and visit occasionally. He was visited by one of his motorcycle buddies while I was there and had received a big plate of Christmas cookies which two women from a table nearby promptly came over and ate most of them. Steve made no comment except 'I hope I get one!!' and laughed.
"He was obviously moved by the class gesture. We hugged tightly and said that the class loved one another and were all brothers.
"Since I have family in Longmont and will visit there often, I plan to continue to drop in on Steve, so if you have anything you would like for me to pass along, please let me know.
"Best wishes for continued good health and happiness in 2015....55 years since graduating and still going strong! John"
As many of you know, I have been updating our class roster, and some of our Classmates have out-of-date and/or missing information which makes it difficult to contact them. One such person was Steve Bishop for whom we had a mailing address and an email address, but emails were not answered, and a letter was returned as undeliverable (still a bit of a mystery). I knew that Steve had flown for United; so I enlisted the aid of George Lester who said he would undertake a search via the Airline Pilots Association. George was able to get some information that led to a phone number and the unwelcome news that Steve had been diagnosed with Alzheimer's and is living in a facility devoted to helping those with memory problems. The phone number was for his home in Boulder, and I was able to talk with his wife, Roberta. She confirmed that Steve was at an assisted-living facility in Longmont, CO, and she gave me a number to call to talk with Steve. I called that number, and the staff person took my number so that they could call me back when Stave was available (apparently a standard procedure). A few minutes later, the phone rang, and soon I was talking with Steve. He understands that he is having memory problems, but he was clearly able to recall the Academy and the Class of '60. We had a nice conversation. I told him about the Class website and gave him the URL. Hopefully, they have the facilities to allow him to access the site. I also told him of the tentative plans for the 55th next October, and he hopes that his situation will be such that he and Roberta can attend. He would love to get a call from anyone who wants to speak with him, and I'm sure he would appreciate a visit from any of you within reasonable distance from Longmont. Anyone wishing his contact information, send me a request and I'll be pleased to provide it.--J.T.
George Luck's report on Ed Leonard's funeral has been posted to the NW Falcons page on the website HERE.
Andi Biancur's report on the Colorado Springs Group's November meeting has been posted to the website HERE.
This just in from Rosie Cler: "Karen and I just got back from a week cruising the Caribbean...we took the entire family--ourselves; son Scott and wife Amy from Denver and their two daughters; daughter Brandy and husband from Fryeburg, Maine and their three children (including the boy+girl twins). This was all Karen's idea, and it worked just fine (except: I ate too much). Embarked Ft. Lauderdale, cruised to Cozumel for a stop, then back westerly and a stop in Key West (got to tour Hemingway's house, which I had missed on our last trip to Key West), then, our final leg into Ft. Lauderdale."
As many of you know, I have been attempting for some months to update our Class Roster and Database. Most of that has been done using email, but recently that quest has switched to making telephone calls, and I've had some nice conversations in the process. Today, after attempts to get in touch with Roy Jolly, I became worried that Roy might be in some sort of 'I've fallen, and I can't get up" situation (home phone always busy like it was off the hook; Cell phone voice mailbox full and not accepting new messages). So, I called the cops and asked that they drop by to check on Roy. Well, they did just that, and that about scared Roy out of his socks. The result: I got an almost immediate call from Roy. Needless to say, I was greatly relieved that he was okay, and we had a great conversation while catching up on years past. Roy has some rather significant health issues, but he is in good spirits and eager to talk with anyone who would like to give him a call or drop him a line.
George Luck writes the following: "Dear Classmates,
"Ed Leonard's funeral will be held on Sunday, December 7th at 1400 at the Ocean Beach Presbyterian Church, 5000 N Place, Seaview, WA 98644. Some of his ashes will be interred by his family in a private ceremony on the Columbia River, date TBD. The remainder of his ashes will be buried at the Air Force Academy in May, 2015 - date TBD.
"The Northwest Crew held a gathering for lunch at Hector's in Kirkland, WA on Thursday, November 20th. Attending were Nels, George, Vic, Chuck, Bill and Dennis.
"Deke Johnson phoned today and said that Sally was buried a couple of days age. Her brain cancer had returned. Deke said that he will try to visit in the Seattle area during the Christmas period. I told him that we would setup a gathering during his visit.
"Regards, George"
Tony Burshnick sends this; subject, Sad News: "Howdy Gents, Well I am afraid that this time it is bad news. Over the weekend I heard from a mutual friend of DK Johnson and me that Deke's wife Sally passed away over the weekend. In the recent past she had been diagnosed with cancer which lead to a wheel chair and moving to an assisted living facility. Then recently the cancer spread to Sally's brain and last week she suffered a stroke which lead to her demise over this past weekend. DK plans to stay in the assisted living place for now. If you want to send him a note his address is as follows:
Have a nice Thanksgiving gents, TONY*** NULLI SECUNDUS"
Charlie Folkart contributes the following: "I have just finished writing "In Memoriam, Ed Leonard." It is attached below. I would appreciate it if you would post it on our class page in its entirety without any editing. Thank you, Charlie Folkart, '60"
To read Charlie's complete and unedited document click HERE.
Also today Frank Gorham checks in with the message Subject Line: "Ed Leonard: My Friend, Roommate, Classmate, Pilot, POW, Hero--Gone West on Veteran's Day." He continues, "By this time I'm sure you have heard the news of Ed's flying West on Veteran's Day Here are a few details that may not have come your way. A life of service to all, a life well lived.
"He was always fun to be around and referred to his years as a POW, much of it in solitary confinement, as Boys Camp. His was the last bus to arrive at the C-141 for the prisoner release in Hanoi. In fact they turned his bus around when the USAF receiving officer refused to sign a North Vietnamese document certifying that all POW's had been released. Eventually that issue was resolved and the bus returned to the airport.
"I spent almost a full day alone with Ed at McQuire's Irish Pub in Destin some years back as he related his shoot-down, evasion, capture, and POW life in great detail. The next year we began a series of mini reunions for our USAFA 60 classmates here in this area. About that time he was elected the mayor of Ilwaco, Washington. (He described it as 'A Little Drinking Town With A Fishing Problem'.) At the most recent one I had the privilege of introducing Ed as our honored guest and speaker gave me a chance to again prod him to write his book about that era. If he had not done that before he passed I may have to write one for him based upon that long amazing day in Destin ... . Sadly, Frank."
Comments about and tributes to Ed Leonard continue to arrive. Here are excerpts from the most recent: Firstly, this from Jim Glaza: "I just returned from spending the last two days of Ed's life with him. After a long, laborious struggle for every breath, allowing all he loved to say goodbye, Ed was extremely and irreversibly exhausted and chose to exit gracefully on Veterans' Day, a choice he thought most appropriate considering he was shot down (the ultimate cause of his somewhat premature death) on Memorial Day. I can't begin to tell you how inspirational he was even in dying, exhibiting an unwavering faith and incomparable courage. He is a certifiable American Hero, one of the most (if not THE most) decorated graduate to date--and he earned every award in spades.
" [HERE] is the link to his bio from Veteran Tributes. This [does not] address the truly horrific treatment metered out to Ed in Laos as the (senior officer) camp commander. In addition to the three and a half years in solitary confinement, he was so tortured that after his release he had his lower jaw rebuilt and two knees (twice), two hips and one shoulder replaced. His back was broken three times during captivity and bothered him for the rest of his life. Much of the torture was the result of insisting on repatriating some of his fellow prisoners who had been colluding with the VC to obtain preferential treatment, by publicly (in front of the guards over the PA system) ordering them to cease their cooperation with the enemy--an order most of them obeyed. As a result of his injuries and all of the ensuing surgeries, he led a life of pain well beyond any common threshold, but NEVER ONCE did any of us hear a single complaint!
"His repatriation was another unique experience. Of all of the Airmen shot down over Laos and captured (several hundred?) only eight came out of the jungle. They were moved to Hanoi but not included in the group from the Hilton. Evidently, the North Vietnamese intended to gain some additional political capital from the Laos group (they referred to themselves as 'LULUs') at some future time. Our intelligence was, however, aware of their existence. Consequently President Nixon informed North Vietnam that if they didn't release the eight we would immediately resume carpet bombing. The North, as expected, capitulated, and the eight were released some two weeks after the rest of the POWs (tie that into the "Love Story" where Suzanne is waiting for Ed to deplane with the rest of the POWs). Even Ed's release from captivity was exceptional! "
And Vic Yoakum adds this: "Chuck Diver and I drove down to visit with Ed at the Portland VA Hospital on the 10th. Jim Glaza was present, and the four of us had a mini-reunion swapping jokes and stories. Ed looked good; he was alert and communicating well. We were previously briefed on Big Ed's condition, but his appearance and demeanor masked the diagnosis. I can only hope to have one tenth the courage and dignity as Ed and his wife Suzanne when facing the end of life. Chuck and I said our goodbyes and while driving home we discussed our visit, and we both stated if Ed checked out tomorrow it would be a Veterans Day we'd never forget. Well, Ed did leave us on 11 November 2014 representing the best a veteran has to offer; We can be so proud that Ed was a classmate and representative of USAFA."
This from George Luck: "Dear Classmates, I received this forwarded email from Ed's daughter, Tracy, at 4:33 PM today. She asked that it be placed on the Class Website." Read Tracy's message, a marvelous tribute to her Dad by clicking HERE OR on the link in the panel below.
Andi Biancur sends the following regarding planning for our 55th Reunion:
55th Class Reunion Planning Thoughts
Yes, we have begun planning a Class of 1960 Reunion to commemorate 55 years of life after the Academy. Unlike previous reunions, we are planning to keep this one fairly simple with as little movement as possible.
If you plan to come early, let me know. Becke Fries has asked that George's remains be interred during our reunion. We plan to offer Thursday afternoon (1400 hrs. 1 October) for that ceremony.
We are planning no class gift or registration gift, just the opportunity to re-connect a la most university homecomings.
We recognize we are not all as mobile as we were; so, we are intentionally holding individual movement and exposure to minimums.
NOTES: 1. the main reason to schedule a class meeting is to elect back-ups for the class leadership--so give it some thought. As we age, in an effort to preserve class leadership continuity, we suggest electing a "shadow" for each leadership position to step into any leadership position (President, Vice President, Secretary/Scribe, Treasurer, & Class Senator if left vacant). It will also provide opportunity for your feedback, ideas, and suggestions. Should you have any issue you wish to have considered, please take advantage of this opportunity.
2. Although we will attempt to accommodate any and all physical limitations, and we have tried to limit movement as best we can, remember the environment and do what is necessary to allow full participation. (We hope to be able to provide personal auto parking close to Arnold Hall, provide limited golf cart transportation between Arnold Hall and the chapel, and park close to the stadium press box.)
You know your limitations better than we do; so, ensure adequate support if you need it, and let us know.
3. A tentative reunion agenda [HERE] has been developed. Further updates and details will be noted on the class website.
Here's another Ed Leonard update from George Luck: "Dear Classmates, Nels and I visited Ed and Suzanne last Monday and Tuesday. On Wednesday, he was moved to a hospice room in the Portland VA; Room 145, 8th floor. Suzanne reports that Ed grows weaker each day. Jim Glaza is there for a few days. Attached is a poem [click HERE] that Ed recently wrote. Regards, George"
George Luck sends another update regarding Ed Leonard: "Dear Classmates, Last Monday morning, Nels and I drove down to Portland to visit Ed and Suzanne at the Portland VA Medical Center, and we returned on Tuesday afternoon. Ed was in Room 15 of the ICU. He was to be moved to another room Tuesday afternoon after we left. I do not have the current room number. On Monday, Ed was given a life expectancy of 3 to 8 days. I would say after our visit, that he is now day to day. He is totally dependent on the pressure breathing machine. He is bright and cheerful with his keen sense of humor. However, he is very weak and every breath is vital. I took down with me a large lithograph of a Skyraider rolling in on a target is a CSAR situation - he alerted on the picture and briefly told of CSAR stories - it seemed to perk him up. As we left, he told us, "...I'll see you on the other side." I told him the Roy Rogers sign off, "...may the Good Lord take a liking to you." The attached video [click HERE] gives you a taste of Ed and Suzanne's bitter-sweet love affair and marriage. Suzanne told me that she plans on having Ed's body cremated, and, in a private family ceremony, scatter his ashes into the Columbia River at high slack tide, so that the outgoing tide will carry them across the Bar and into the Pacific ocean.
Your Classmate, George."
George Luck sends this update regarding Ed Leonard: "I am sorry to have to tell you that Ed is very sick. He has congestive heart failure. He is not a candidate for heart surgery because of his pulmonary fibrosis--he has significant lung scaring. He is on a I-PAP pressure breathing machine. He is in the Portland, OR VA Center in Intensive Care Unit. Suzanne asks for your prayers. Her cell is 360-244-0327."
This from George Luck regarding Ed Leonard: "Suzanne phoned me today and said that Ed was in intensive care at Oregon Health Science University (OHSU) in Portland. He was admitted to hospital in Astoria on Friday with pneumonia and heart problems. He was transferred to OHSU on Saturday. He has recovered from pneumonia but he has scarred lungs and a narrowed heart valve. She said that he does not qualify for heart surgery. He is on oxygen. She hopes to have him transferred to VA rehab if he improves. Her cell is 360-244-0327. She asked for your prayers."
Charlie Liggett sent this report: "Kathy and I recently spent three weeks in France; Paris, Normandy and Provence. One of the highlights was walking down a street returning from the Eiffel Tower to our hotel on the Champs-Elysees and seeing a four bladed propeller mounted on the exterior of the Aero Club de France building. After a few inquires we were able the next day to have lunch at their club restaurant and a short private tour of their facility. It's an amazing bit of early aviation history. Among the founding members of the club are the names of Jules Verne, and Alberto Santos-Dumont. The artifacts in their club include the Gordon Bennett trophy retired in France in 1920 and an early wicker basket that would have been suspended from an observation balloon. "
