11 November 2004
Well, yesterday's luncheon will go down in DC '60 history as one of the best exchanges of ideas, thoughts and feelings! Very well attended and we were sorry that some of you could not make it, but here is what transpired.
For starters I need to thank Tom Burke who came to the rescue after a last minute notification that our usual meeting place at Ft. Myer would be closed. Tom arranged for a great lunch, the room, and the booze with less than 24 hour notice. Well, done, Tom, and many thanks.
One of the non attendees was Bill Taylor who just could not get away from the job. He did want to pass on that he has recovered very well from that problem he had with his hip replacement. He also expressed his appreciation for the cards and e-mails wishing him a speedy recovery.
We opened the discussion with a super review by Mike Loh on the graduates conference he attended earlier in the year. Mike was very articulate in explaining to us the officer development system, (ODS) and the changes to the fourthclass system. He has a lot of confidence in the Superintendent, Gen. Rosa, and is convinced the Academy is getting back on the right track. Bill Goodyear talked about a meeting he had with the Commandant, Gen. Weida. Bill feels Weida is trying and would really like to have him come to DC and explain his ideas on the ODS. We will try to make that happen. Both Bill and Mike had the face to face discussions but neither seemed very comfortable with the way the Honor System is being handled. Bob Badger was not bashful in expressing his thoughts on the Honor Code problems but again we found that there were no easy answers.
We moved on to the latest controversy brewing at USAFA with the present AOG Board and the group of eight disgruntled alumni. Our take on this was that the present board is a better way of running things than that recommended by the Group of eight. Our only concern is that by-laws should not be changed by the Board but should be sent to the entire graduate community for a vote. We also felt that elections must be advertised and votes taken by individual e-mails or even snail mail and not the Checkpoints Magazine.
This exchange prompted a discussion of the lack of communication between the AOG and the alumni. We feel the AOG has to get a web site similar to USAFA Today. Alumni need direct access to the AOG Board and not through a non elected group like those who run the USAFA Today site. At the same time Mike Loh, a proponent of that site, was very complimentary on the exchanges found at that site.
We talked about naming Academy facilities and found no one was current on just who the Academy Heritage Committee is, how they get put on that committee, what the process is to select individuals to be honored nor what the criteria is for selection. We were all adamant that their should be long period of time from when a person meets his demise and when he is chosen to be honored. So, Andi, we were all opposed to changing the name of Falcon Stadium at this time and would hold off on naming the Academy Airfield until we find the answers to our questions. We do feel that the alumni should have a say in the naming process.
Well, all that took a few hours but it was time well spent We were sad to have to say farewell to one of the founding members of the DC '60, BOB WEINAUG. Bob recently retired from the Social Security Administration and will be moving to Florida. He should be in the Land of Sunshine by mid December. George Fries presented Al Johnson with a coveted skiing award, but I cannot remember the name of it. GJC explain that award please. Rosie sorry but there are no pictures of this momentous occasion. My two photographers, Alnwick and Odenweller were absent and the cameraman I hired failed to show up with a camera. Andi, if you have any questions please give me a call.
Tom Burke, thanks again for your hospitality. The check is in the mail. Clarke, Badger, and I also appreciated the use of the Club Verand to smoke cigars and along with Norm Haller tell a few more war stories. But that is what you do on Veteran's Day.
Next meeting is scheduled for Founders Day, 1 April 05. Have a great holiday season.
9 July 2004
WE HAD AN EVEN DOZEN SHOW UP AT FT MYER FOR CELEBRATION OF THE 48TH. THE SMALLEST GROUP WE EVER HAD BUT CERTAINLY ONE OF THE LIVELIEST DISCUSSIONS. MIKE LOH WILL ATTEND THE GRADUATE MEETING AT THE ACADEMY AT THE END OF THE MONTH SO EVERYONE HAD THE CHANCE TO EXPRESS TO MIKE THEIR FEELINGS ON USAFA. IF MIKE CAN REMEMBER IT ALL HE WILL CERTAINLY DOMINATE THE MEETING. LOTS OF GOOD THOUGHTS AND GREAT IDEAS FOR REFORM TO KEEP THE ACADEMY MOVING IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION. AS PROMISED HERE ARE THE WEB SITES TO FOLLOW FURTHER DISCUSSION ON USAFA( www.usafatoday.com or www.usafatoday.com/discussion/index.php )
FEW TIDBITS. BOB WEINAUG WILL RETIRE FROM THE SSA IN A FEW MONTHS AND WILL THEN MOVE TO FLORIDA. GEORGE AND EVELYN ELSEA ARE SPENDING THE SUMMER IN SCOTLAND. (CURRENT E-MAIL: elseage@yahoo.com) RALPH AND DARLENE LALIME WILL SPEND THE NEXT THREE WEEKS MOTORING IN NEW ENGLAND. AFTER HAVING THE FT MYER MEMORIAL ROUND TABLE SET FOR HIM AL JOHNSON DECIDED HE WOULD RATHER BE IN MAINE. JERRY IS STILL DOING ART SHOWS IN THE DC AREA. KEN ALNWICK IS HARD AT WORK WITH SOME INTERESTING WAR GAMING PROJECTS, HELPING THE AF HISTORICAL SOCIETY, AND WRAPPING UP HIS WORK ON THE JOHN MCLUCAS MEMOIRS. I THINK KEN IS ALSO WEAKENING AND WILL SOON JOIN THE SABER SOCIETY. LES QUERRY WAS KIND ENOUGH TO PROVIDE PICTURES OF THAT GREAT EVENING AT HIS MOUNTAIN RETREAT. IF YOU MISSED GETTING ONE GIVE LES A CALL. BILL TAYLOR IS STARTING TO GET BACK IN SHAPE AFTER A MINOR SETBACK WITH HIS NEW HIP.
ROSIE, KEN ALNWICK TOOK THE CLASS PICTURE SO HE WILL SOON BE SENDING YOU A COPY.
RIGHT NOW WE HAVE NO PLANS FOR THE NEXT MEETING OF THE DC '60. PERHAPS WE WILL HOLD OFF UNTIL VETERANS DAY. A REMINDER THAT I AM LOOKING FOR A MILITARY RELATED LAPEL PIN FROM EVERYONE TO ADD TO THE DC 60 WALL HANGING THAT YOU LOCAL GUYS SHOULD BE FAMILIAR WITH.
ENJOY THE REST OF THE SUMMER AND THANKS AGAIN TO THOSE WHO WERE ABLE TO ATTEND THE LUNCHEON. IT WAS A REALLY GREAT TIME.
31 March 2004
And, if you are a late arrival..
Well, I have to say that today's luncheon was one of the best ever. The conversation was stimulating, relevant, thought provoking, brilliant and right to the point. I only regret that I cannot capture it all and send it to the CSAF. I appreciate all that you had to say and in my contacts with the administration, AOG and others will try to express the feelings of the DC '60. Mike Loh, I wish you were there because the questions you raised on the honor code and the ODS were explored but we needed your input. Perhaps next time.
George Fries talked about going to the AF/Navy game next season at USAFA. It looks like a few of the gang will attend. If you missed today's luncheon and need info on the game contact Rosie or give George a call. He is definitely going out to the game. The Washington DC AOG will probably arrange a trip to the AF/USMA game at West Point so we will get that info out when the time arrives.
We are planning the next luncheon and it will be to celebrate the 48th anniversary of our entrance into the USAFA. Mark your calendars for Friday the 9th of July. I made reservations today for our room at Ft. Myers. As you know four meetings ago we decided to stop sending the extra money I collect for lunch to the class fund at the USAFA AOG. I have been keeping the excess in my academy foot locker. Well, after today I have enough money to sponsor the 9 Jul luncheon. So if no one has any objections I will pay for the reunion luncheon. That should turn out a good crowd!!!!!!!!!!!! Today's group of 20 was the largest we ever had. Al Johnson, I am sorry you had to sit in the corner. Next time you have to get there early!!!!!!!!!!!
Again I thank all of you that could attend today's lunch. I really appreciate Bob Odenweiler and Bill Carnegie coming down from New Jersey and George Fries driving up from Southern Virginia. Bob Fischer coming from Penna. was also a pleasant surprise. Remember Les Querry has invited us all out to his house on the 1st of May. I hope that you can all get out there to christen his new mansion. Look forward to seeing you all at Les and Marty's.
December 2003
1 April 2003
Another great luncheon!!!!!!!!!!!!! Many thanks to the 15 stalwarts who were able to make it to the Fort Meyer Club. Bob Odenweller and Bill Carnegie took the prize for coming the longest distance, but George Fries gets a kudo for the longest solo trip. Joe Higgins, Bob Badger, Norm Haller and Les Querry also had a ways to come. I really appreciate your effort. Ralph Lalime is vacationing in Florida, Al had a meeting. Leon and Bill Taylor had to work and Rek and Mike Loh had another commitment. However, we are worried about Ken Alnwick since he never responded to the E-mail invite and I could not reach him by phone. Is all well, Ken????
Jerry, did a great job telling us all about the exciting time at the yearly Al Johnson Ski School. He was particularly adept at explaining all the aches and pains and regaling us with stories about the new wives and girl friends.
We decided to keep the excess funds from the luncheons and spend them as necessary right here in DC rather than sending them to the AOG. I will keep them but I don't know if I can stand an audit, so just trust me!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Tom Burke will sponsor the next get together at the Springfield Country Club. Tom will select the date after checking with the Club so all who want to play golf will be able to do so. It will be in June or July.
What a great discussion of events at the Air Force Academy. Bob Badger kept us straight with the law. RG Head had some interesting insights since he just talked to his brother who is a professor at the Academy. No one was pleased that the BRING ME MEN sign was removed. Lot of discussion about the firing of the four Academy senior officers and the testimony by the CSAF & the SECAF in the Armed Services Committee meeting on Monday. The discussion ranked just ahead of the last luncheon when we discussed drugs and fighter pilots!! Missed you input Mike Loh.
Again, many thanks to those who attended. Tom will get back to you about the next meeting.
14 January 2003
It was a rather cold day here in DC but the folks at the Ft. Meyer O Club had the room warmed up, served a delicious brunch and provided just the right atmosphere for a very enjoyable get together for thirteen of the class stalwarts. Sorry that more of you could not attend a very lively discussion of class antics, current events and what we like and don't quite care for in the AOG.
Mike Loh did a great job of presenting both sides of the issue on the two Illinois ANG F-16 pilots who will soon meet the board that will decide if a courts martial will decide their fate. He also covered the use of drugs to keep fighter pilots awake. It was a rather heated discussion but Mike, as usual, made some great points and gave us a lot to think about. We also discussed the merits of allowing cadets, who have violated the Honor Code, being allowed to join the enlisted ranks rather than pay back the cost of their education. We spent a little time discussing the merits of the DODO on line. If you have not visited the EDODO take a look at the web site: www.edodo.org. Also take time to look at the Class of 60 home page. Aaron Thrush does a nice job with the latest Academy sports. Also those of you that attended the last luncheon will recall we spent some time discussing the demise of George Hines. His son has a letter there to all of us asking for info on his dad. Those of you who knew George may want to correspond with the young man. One other big issue was the upcoming Capital Campaign the AOG will soon unveil. Needless to say nobody was excited about giving money to the AOG without a lot of info as to why it was needed. Lots more to follow on this subject in the months ahead.
Bill Carnegie, was again awarded the prize for traveling the longest distance as he came down from North Jersey. It was also great to have GJC Fries, Mike Loh and Bill Taylor come up from the Williamsburg/Langley area.
Bill Taylor is recovering nicely from his recent operation that replaced his right hip. He is very busy now working on the future fighter manning and force structure. Sure cannot take the fighter pilot out of the old vets. Bill Carnegie's son will soon be heading to Ecuador for another career challenge. Ralph Lalime's son, Chris, just left Charleston with about sixty Iraqi linguists who will be part of the "WAR" when and if it comes. He will be with them in Hungary until the balloon goes up and then who knows where. The next generation carries on. Leon Goodson is mapping out plans for a visit to South Africa. One of those trips Leon always wanted to take. There were two offers for golf thrown out. Tom Burke will always play regardless of weather. He challenged Loh to play today, but Mike had warmer plans. Joe Higgins, someone threw your name on the table, and said you would sponsor a group at Wintergreen. Bottom line: You golfers need to contact Tom and Joe and get on the list. Jerry de la Cruz reminded folks that is still in the art business. He has showings at the Torpedo Factory in Old Town, the National Press Club in DC and, if you conservatives can handle it, the Democratic Women's Club. Get in touch with Jerry if you are interested.
I passed on the regrets of those DC '60 members who could not attend. We look forward to seeing you at the next get together. That will be on Tuesday, the 1st of April. You all remember that day is the annual celebration of the USAF Academy Founders Day. We will also get together either in June to remember graduation or in July to recall our first day at USAFA. Somewhere in that time frame Tom Burke would like to host his golf outing. So mark your calendars and I will send out reminders as the days get nearer. Looking off to the fall, Bill Goodyear and some of the guys are looking into making this years Air Force/Navy game a day to be remembered. More about that at the April luncheon.
Bob Fischer (back problems) and Norm Haller (kidney stones) are a bit under the weather. Don't send flowers!!!!!! Hope you two can get a good quick fix. Chaplain Ralph will work his connections to get a bit of divine intervention.
Again a great luncheon, thanks to all of you that could come. Hope to see the rest of you next time.