AOG Magazine Class News
160 Arequa Ridge Drive
Colorado Springs, CO 80919
Would you believe it? There are some '60-types who can write or call (autovon 259-2864), and thanks to classmates BIANCUR, VALLERIE, CREW and GLAZA there is a column this issue.
Andi BIANCUR called and sent a letter from Scott AFB, where he toils in the MAC Command Center. Andi reports that Bill KORNITZER and Neil DELISANTI left Scott last summer—Bill to AWC, Neil to maintenance at McChord (where Jack HARDISON has returned to aircrew duty). Still at Scott with Andi are Ken BIEHLE, Don STEVENS and Dave SWEIGART. Dave, I understand, has something to do with the new centralized T-39 operation—Boo, Hiss! Andi went on to say that numerous assorted '61-types can be found misbehaving at parties in the Scott area and also that he’d seen Steve HOLT who was PCS'ing from Dyess to Sembach AB, Germany.
My summer 1965 roommate, Paul VALLERIE, called from Omaha, where he is spending his second SAC headquarters tour working in missile requirements. Buck CONGDON and Doug REKENTHALER are likewise at the "peace is my profession" center.
Another of my former roommates, Gary CREW, wrote from TAC headquarters where he finds himself in the comptroller business. Gary and classmate Howie BRONSON have an interesting additional duty—they’re USAF Advance Agents for Presidential Flight Support. They go where Air Force One is to go. Gary also mentioned: he had gotten back on flying (excused) status after being medically grounded while in Taiwan; that Vic THOMAS is also at Langley; and that he’d seen Norm HALLER, a Pentagon GS-17, in Washington.
Since they took my T-33 away in August, I don’t see as many folks as I used to, but the return of Liaison Officers to USAFA keeps me up on what the reservists are doing. Ned WHITMAN was here in November. Ned’s been in and out of school since leaving the Air Force in 1964. He studied at Princeton for four years, was a political science professor for four years, then went to law school at Cornell and has been practicing law in Suffern, New York, since 1973. Ned mentioned that Dick KINGMAN owns two restaurants in Fun City.
This year’s reunion was sparsely attended, but Jim and Linda GLAZA, Paul and Delores SULLIVAN, Earl and Pat VAN INWEGEN plus Anne and I partied hard enough to make up for those absent. Paul and Van are both stationed downtown at Ent AFB.
While the more plebian among us anxiously await this year’s Lt-Col board, the fast burners continue to blaze. Congratulations to full Colonels Leon GOODSON and Fred WALKER.
Jim GLAZA, bless his heart, has provided a guest column (I plied him with scotch then twisted his arm). Before I give you Jim’s message, I’d like to urge and invite any and all others to contribute future guest writings, or to write or call me with news. And now Jim’s words:
"It’s been a few years since I last attempted to generate a reaction in this column, but my attachment to and concern for the Class of ‘60 hasn’t (happily) diminished. It was a considerable disappointment to Linda and me, then, when we returned to ‘The Ranch’ for what should have been our 15th reunion, to find that only three other ‘60 graduates had chosen/been able to attend—especially disappointing when you consider that only one of the many stationed at the Academy was in attendance.
"While it is undeniable that our ranks continue to diminish and our locations (along with certain parts of our anatomy) spread, I hope the reaction of the Academy-based grads is not indicative of general malaise toward either the class or the Academy. Both need our continued dedication and enthusiasm to maintain a productive identity. With the Academy's having to face continual criticism from other agencies, a strong, vocal, supportive role for its graduates becomes more of a necessity than a luxury. Reunions, while hardly as important as other Association- of-Graduates programs, serve a helpful purpose by reminding each of us of our origins and can restimulate dedication to goals too many of us have compromised. After everything, our ability to meet those goals will measure the Academy’s success.
"Enough lecture! I assume John will fill you in on reunion happenings; suffice it to say we had a helluva great time with those present (as best we can remember)
"While few could be present in Colorado, many of us continue to get together in Washington. The Pentagon ‘60 contingent meets periodically to drown our mutual misery in shared commiseration—or whatever. Most of us (the figure hovers around a dirty dozen) made it to a 15th Anniversary bash at my digs that started on the 7th of June and proceeded well into the 8th (when we graduated—remember?). We even had some out-of-towners from Langley (Gary CREW) and McGuire (Bob FISCHER) for the occasion. We kissed-off (is that the right word?) Tony BURSHNICK to AWC and congratulated a number of new (brevet) LCs. Alas, some (few) of us remain to test the full fury of the primary zone.
"More recently, we welcomed Charlie HART and Ken ALNWICK to our baffled-but-unbowed ranks.
"Shades of ancient Wingdings, Al JOHNSON is at it again! In concert with DEKE of the same name and one each Hal BROST, a Christmas Bash will be (was, by the time you read this) enjoyed by all. On that note, we in the Washington area wish all of you the happiest of holidays and a most successful new year. Hope you found in your stocking what we all so ardently desire in ours—PCS orders!"