Ladies and Gents, some of us are still willing (and able) to enjoy a reunion during our 65th year since graduation, and Jim and Jenny GLAZA are seeking input. A football weekend at the Academy is usually the most desired, but they are open to all suggestions. They currently favor a long weekend early in the football season with accommodations at our new, splendiferous (six dining venues) Hotel Polaris at the north gate. Rates (group/grad) are yet to be determined but will undoubtedly reflect its four-star status. Please let Jim and Jenny know your preferences and availability ASAP: Call 719-481-9222, text 719-660-2060, or fax Jimglaza@yahoo.com.

R.G. HEAD checked in with, “I have just completed an AD-3 Skyraider (photo attached) with a 9-ft wingspan for the San Diego Air & Space Museum. It is painted Navy Sea Gloss Blue to represent the aircraft in 1952, the Korean War. The specific airplane modeled is the third model of the Skyraider assigned to Attack Squadron VF-54, the unit that destroyed the three Bridges at Toko-Ri! The donation will be made to the Museum in September.”

John MCCULLOUGH’s friend Mike McNally has provided an extensive list of habits and practices that, if followed, should significantly reduce the likelihood of falling and injuring oneself. John wanted to share the information with the class. It is too long for inclusion here, but it has been posted to the class website where you can access it in the Class News section HERE.

Jock SCHWANK is happily ensconced in his adaptive home in Polson MT. Jock spends a good part of his time on one of his three unique scooters and his “hands-only” car. His town of 5000 residents suites him well, and he enjoys using the town’s saltwater pool every day. Recently, he successfully experienced surgery on three arteries. Joc’s children visit frequently during the good weather seasons. Jock is supported by a small cohort of young helpers that help care for his house and garden. If you get a chance, you might call him at 406-883-9488.

Doug CAIRNS is a classmate who graduated with the Class of ’61. Doug sustained serious injuries during his Doolie year and chose to take a turn-back which allowed him to take some needed courses and return as a “recognized” cadet. Doug rounded out his career at Maxwell AFB as a member of the Air War College staff and later as civilian administrator at the Air University. Family engagement in a variety of fulfilling jobs induced him to remain in Montgomery, where he and his wife Bonnie now happily reside at a popular community-living facility called Crossing at East Chase.

Recently Sid NEWCOMB and members of his Austin church traveled from Austin to College Station TX to visit the George H W Bush Library and Museum. They found it very, very interesting and encouraging to be able to appreciate what a wonderful, selfless, generous man he was.

Frank GORHAM reports that, “... Hurricane Helene’s cat 4 eye thankfully went by maybe 50-60 miles to our East with storm preps here, but nothing nasty except 8.5” of rain over 2 plus days.” Thanks, Frank. Always open for good news these days.

Jack BRUSH recently made a flight that extends his list of aeronautical records. He writes, “I claim to hold the Class speed and altitude record in a PBY.” Jack is a volunteer simulator instructor for the Navy N3N biplane at the National Museum of WWII Aviation in Colorado Springs. He continues, “A few days ago, as a reward for being a volunteer, I got a chance to fly a PBY--in the copilots seat, racetrack pattern at 8k feet and 90 indicated. The wing is too big and the rudder too small so it is sort of an airplane that thinks it is a sailboat. Very unhappy in yaw. It flies like a C-124 with somebody messing with the rudder. I loved it, and I can perhaps do it a few times a year in the future.” See the details posted in the Stake Your Claim section of the class website, HERE.

Like many of us, Bill KORNITZER and his wife Linda, are great fans of the Viking Cruise Lines; they enjoy the relatively small ships, the absence of children, and the truly attentive staff and crew. Recently, they embarked on a 10-day cruise to Northern Alaska. Their ship was of modest size, holding roughly 1500 passengers and crew. They flew into and out of Alaska. They put into five ports of call and then sailed North to enjoy the grandeur of the North Sea, the Inward Passage, and the giant ice formations.

The local COS '60 group met for lunch on October 16. Attending were GLAZA, KENDALL, MCCULLOUGH, PORTER, ROE, SAVAGE, SEXTON, and WALSH. Wayne KENDALL wrote, “Fred PORTER had the floor and talked to us about … calculating how much pipeline would be needed to cross the plains of Colorado and the difficulty of making this calculation with maps that are flat and an earth that is not. He was somewhat disappointed when we stared blankly as he talked about the simplicity of using the sum of squares calculation to come up with the answer. It seemed that many of us have lost more than a few of our little gray cells.”.