9 July 2013
The only thing that would have made it better would have been to have a few more of you there. However, the nine of us had a great lunch with some neat stories.
First off the absentees. Ralph and Darlene Lalime are spending the rest of the summer in Okinawa with their son and his family which now includes a new grandson, Remington. He will get back stateside in October after a stay in Hawaii. George Fries is having medical problems with the back and hips so he could not make it up. The Odenwilers are traveling and Bob had to visit his eye doctor. Got to have good eyes to work with stamps and books. Doug Rek was somewhere between Wisconsin and Hilton Head. The Hallers were with family as was Leon Goodson with his grandkids. Mike and Barb Loh were up in Wisconson visiting Bill Kornitzer and his family. Al Johnson just cannot handle the heat and humidity here in VA so they stayed up in Maine. Mike Clarke cannot drive but he wished us all a good day and a great luncheon session.
Bill Carnegie spent a lot of time in the Philippines with his son and family. Their son is getting ready for a new assignment with the State Dept. Bill is not having any problems with the lymphoma. Ken Alnwick just finished the spring lacrosse season with his junior players. Ken is building some more cut glass treasures. If you need a nice Christmas present just let him know. He does a terrific job that will delight any recipient. Can you believe Bob Badger had a nose job? He and Lil are doing Ok and Bob spends a lot of time playing with his old dog. That is when he is not mowing his many acres. Tom Burke reminded us that you have to order you AF/Navy tickets. He is still working but finds time to run around the golf course. He did finish second in a special old timers tournament. Jerry de la Cruz just got back from San Diego where he visited the Van Inwegans. His back is coming along fine and he even played tennis this past week. Bill Hockenberry is still in the AMERICAN home remodeling business when he gets time off from all his law work. BOB FISCHER IS HOLDING DOWN THE FORT IN PA. His wife Lutzi is recovering well from eye surgery. Les Querry is still playing with the black bears at his rural home. He did remind us that he keeps a rifle handy when he goes out to play with them!!!!! Not much new with me. The stenosis laden back gets no better and I am still confined to two canes. I envy you guys that can travel.
Well, that was it. Just another great get together. Les Querry will finalize a date for the next get together which will be at his house. It "will not" be on the AF/Navy weekend. Watch for an e-mail from him with more details.
1 April 2013
I tell you these luncheons get better every time we get together. This one was extra special since our ladies joined us. Pat Warack again honored us with her attendance.
A few could not make it. Virginia is too cold so Ralph and Darlene Lalime are spending some time in Florida enjoying the sun and the sea. Doug Rek is down south on a family vacation. Mike Loh is enjoying time in Colorado with his son and will be at the AOG Founders Day Dinner at USAFA. Bill Hales stayed south too. Mike Clarke picked up a strange virus and had to stay in Richmond. Bob Odenweler is working on books and stamps and traveling.
Ken Alnwick is working on getting ready for the Washington National's race to the World Series. Then he continues to coach a local lacrosse team. Bob Badger regaled us with his knowledge of protecting our freedom and our Fourth Amendment rights. Liz and Norm Haller enjoyed an Easter visit with their Naval Academy granddaughter. Liz is also recovering from a broken arm after a spill in the back yard. Jack and Susan Schira made their first local luncheon. They live in Pasadena, Maryland near Annapolis. Their daughter is a cadet at USAFA. Jack is retired but is busy writing books. He lead a nice discussion on the future of military forces. Al Johnson could not stop talking about the wonderful time at the Johnson Ski School and his visit at the lodge of a pro skier. Al I forgot the name of the lodge. Al is also encouraging everyone to spend some time out in Utah during the next ski season even if you do not ski. Al and Gale are putting their local house on the market again and intend to move permanently to Maine. Bob and Lutzi are holding down the fort in PA. Lutzi had some eye surgery but is doing well. They had been to Florida and ran into an old friend Don Livingston "59. Bill Hockenberry is still working on house improvements. GC Fries has decided to go overseas to the Canadian side of the Niagara Falls for a short visit. He still has some back problems but the docs are working on him. At least they are advising him. The Goodsons have been enjoying a nice visit from the grandkids. Tom Burke finally broke down and bought a new car. Oh, he has 13 grandkids. Tom again offered to set up a golf match for anyone who loves the game. He will also be the contact for those of you going to the AFA/Navy game on 5 OCT. If you are planning to go let Tom know and he will get all the tickets together. You will have to pay him though. Not much new with me. I am going to try some massage therapy to see if I can get this back to work right. Sure glad they make canes, right Jock?
We discussed the proposed 55th Class reunion. Everyone agreed we should have one. Only one person thought the spring would be a good time but all the rest preferred the fall football season. However, the majority of us thought watching the game inside was a better deal than going to the stadium. Three wanted to be outside even if it snowed!!!!! No one is interested in a meal at the Cadet Dining Hall. They also agreed with a limit on mass movements between venues. Ken Alnwick did recommend that we consider visiting the Wings Museum at Lowry AFB.
Well that pretty much covers the luncheon. I had enough money from previous luncheons to pay to pay for the ladies lunch. I am building a new pot with ten dollars. If I forgot anything please send us all a note in reply.
The next luncheon will be on 9 July to commemorate the day we entered USAFA. Hard to believe that was 57 yeaars ago!!!! Then on 6 October Les Querry will again have the Falcon's Roost at his mountain retreat. more to follow on that.
Well enjoy the spring season.
7 January 2013
Well there were 13 Stalwarts at the 2013 luncheon telling some great stories. First off those who could not come. Bill Carnegie and Anne are tearing up the Far East. They are spending a lot of time in the Philippines with the family but took time to explore Taipei and Hong Kong. Keep us posted Bill on when you will return to the USA. Hales, Taylor and Req are too far South to come to the cold of the North in VA. GJC Fries is having back problems and at the last moment had to see a neurosurgeon. He would have brought Mike Clarke and so Mike at the last minute did not have a ride. Mike is doing OK health wise. No big changes. I don't remember if I told you he is retired now from the NAS.
Bob Badger regaled us with talk about his book, THE SUM OF ITS PARTS. You may receive an e-mail from a publisher asking for comments. Be sure to answer the e-mail. We may get a few more books sold. I think you all should read his book. It is really good!!!!! Meanwhile Bob is working on a second and third book in his spare time. Norm Haller's daughter had cancer removed from her arm. She is doing OK but still needs medical care. Norm brought a copy of George Lester's biography. It is an interesting book. Read it when you get a chance. Leon Goodson had the Kentucky kids up for Christmas and then he and Maryn headed out to Washington state to visit the other kids. Mike Loh says he is living a dull life but then on to regale us with stories about athletics at USAFA. He is watching out for the best interests of USAFA, believe me. His grandson is doing well in his Doolie year. Ralph Lalime has his son, Jay and his family here for a few weeks. Ralph will head to Sanabel, FL. next month while Darlene heads up to Mass. to help with the birth of Jay and Amy's new baby. His other son, Chris and his wife will have an arrival in the April timeframe out in Okinawa. Ralph is trying to catch up with Burke and Haller with grandkids. Bob Fischer drove down from PA. His Air Museum at the Willow Grove Air Station is coming along fine. He just needs a bit of local support. Bob also bragged on the book about General McDermott "BATTLING TRADITION" He recommends that we all read it. I did and it is a great book bout our years at USAFA. Bill Hockenberry has to keep working since he and Cathe are renovating their house. Jerry de la Cruz is working on fused glass with Ken Alnwick. He even had a piece on display at his private art museum. Betty is doing well with her knee replacements. Tom Burke enjoyed a great Christmas with all his kids and grandkids. Still has not caught up with Norm. I am still hobbling around with the two canes. No great pain but the unsteadiness is getting worse. I have given up on doctors with all the practice they did on me. Karen had to have a family of cysts removed from her spine and hopefully that will all turn out OK. We will know in a few weeks. Son, Joe is still with the AF Reserves at Dobbins AFB, GA. This spring he will check out in the C-130 J.
Like I said another great luncheon. We missed all of you that could not attend, but we did talk about you. Our plans are for a luncheon on the Founders Day Anniversary on 1 April. That one will include wives. Then we will meet again on 9 July to celebrate our USAFA entry date.
Enjoy the rest of the winter and if I forgot to mention something feel free to send out an amendment. Les will forward the pictures from the luncheon
P.S.Just as I suspected my secretary did not mention Al and Les. Al Johnson came down from Maine early just to get a seat at the big table, He was wearing his beautiful "AL JOHNSON SKI SCHOOL" sweater. He also wanted to remind everyone that skiing out West is on again for February. That is despite the fact that he still has back issues. Al also wants those of you that may be thinking of moving to know that he has a beautiful house in Mount Vernon that he will sell you at a very reasonable price. Les Querry and JT Smith along with Rosie Cler have been doing a great job with the class news both in CHECKPOINTS and the computer news letter. Thanks guys for a terrific job of getting our stories across to all the classmates. You need to blow your horns in some of those articles.
