I find myself agreeing with previous scribes; this chore routinely comes around just about when you receive the Checkpoints containing your last effort. Consequently, it is somewhat difficult to provide proper continui­ty and to realize that whatever is submitted now will not be read for several weeks and by then will no longer be topical. With that in mind, I will strive to remain newsy.

I am sure I don't have to jog any minds to recall the names Don and Eileen THURMAN. We were all very moved by Don's passing in 1971 and are aware that Elaine has remained a member of our class. It was, therefore, very pleasing recently to get a call from Roy JOLLY to drop by and visit with Elaine and her new husband, Ken Sullivan, as they were passing through Colorado on vacation. Elaine mentioned that their very happy lives are "enhanced" by their combined 11 children--five of whom are in college. Wow, what happiness means to some people.

On a very sad note, Ron and Carolyn DEEP lost their son Gregory in an automobile accident in August. Ron and Carolyn, our hearts go out to you, and we share your loss as only true friends can.

On a recent trip to Washington DC to attend the Air Force Association Annual Convention, I bumped into some of our number, taking the op­portunity to represent their current interests within that atmosphere. John KUENZEL is admirably supporting his employer LTV Aerospace in Dallas, TX. I swear, he gets taller every time I see him. He promptly directed me to M.A. CLARKE, whom he warned me I wouldn't recognize, because "he had changed." Well I am happy to report that I recognized Mike immediately, and he has changed no more than the rest of us. John was just demonstrating that he still has that great luxury of historic recall. Mike professes to identify with the renowned Beltway Ban­dits. It may be a subterfuge, as he is president of his own company--resumes anyone? Also wandering the exhibit area, I ran into a very fit Gerry DE LA CRUZ, who, in complete distain for work, was eagerly looking forward to the upcoming Air Force--Navy grid encounter and the oppor­tunity to swap recently-fabricated fairytales with the crowds of '60 grads expected to join him. I will not be there, but I have commissioned an "unknown reporter" to gather dirt for the next column. As a side note, rumor has it that although the game is already sold out, we may have a like gathering at the Academy for the upcoming Air Force--Notre Dame tilt.

Happy Birthday! I think it only appropriate that we use this issue to share birthday greetings with each other on the memorable passing of our first half century of life. Recent 50th Birthday celebrations by one or two of our "older" members leave little option for the rest of us. There are only two kinds of '60 Grads, those who are now in their 5Os and those who very soon will be. Let this serve as our acknowledgement of achiev­ing that most noteworthy milestone and a remembrance of those who were not so blessed.

Following the usual summer migratory patterns, I have received several change-of-address cards. Both Mike and Barbara LOH and Dale and Cherie THOMPSON have set up housekeeping at WPAFB. Bob HEIGES must have gotten word they were coming, because he beat feet from Beaver Creek, Ohio to Union, Kentucky. Neil and Sueann DELISANTI relocated from Gig Harbor to Olympia, Wash. Sid and Marvann NEWCOMB returned to Bergstrom AFB, Texas, while Chris and Pat WARACK gave up their heaven in Hawaii for a shot at California living in Roseville and duty at McClellan AFB and 4th AF. Charlie and Mercedes THOMPSON and Billy DELONY completed local moves, which surely indicates upgrades in their lifestyles as a direct measure of success.

This photo of Dick and Sharon SCHEHR is ample proof that the an­nual, ever-popular Class of '60 tailgate for home football games is alive and well. For the San Diego State game, the menu includes Mexican food, for which Sharon required Dick's culinary advice and direction. The meal was no doubt the catalyst to the subsequent discussion below between Wayne KENDALL and Gary CREW on the possibility of Robert Bork's confirmation by the Senate.

Since, along with Wayne KENDALL and Jim GLAZA, I serve as a director on the AOG board, I thought I would exercise some editorial prerogative and discuss a current issue before the board. First, the AOG is alive and well. We are solvent and well on our way to establishing several viable endowments. Our most important effort to date is just getting off the ground and needs all our support. We are initiating a fund-raising campaign to build and operate an AOG building. Situated on land im­mediately west of the Officers' Club, it will house all of the activities of the association and serve as a focal center for all graduate matters. The design of the building has been approved; the land, set aside; and the initial funding plan, formulated. You will receive, by separate mailing, more in­formation on the project. I would encourage you to join the groundswell of support early to assist in the major fund raising which will be necessary. If we, as graduates, demonstrate solidarity of purpose, funding efforts will become far easier.

If you will recall, two columns back I mentioned Jim ALEXANDER's war wound. Well more of the truth is now coming to light, as I have receiv­ed a "partial" explanation from Jim; however, a few of the details reside only in the memories of Charlie GEORGI and Chuck DIVER. It seems Jim was helping a little old lady across a Denver street one dark and gloomy night when he became a target for a long hat pin and an umbrella. C.G. and C.D. either wouldn't or couldn't help; so, it wasn't much of a match, since the old broad had a black belt in karate. That is the way he remembers it. As to the real world, Jim is at Shaw AFB playing RM, ably supported by the ever beautiful "aging sex goddess and school teacher" Martha. Their oldest son Andy is in his final college year at USC in Col­umbia, majoring in rocks and dirt, while their youngest, Doug, is a local disc jockey under an assumed name.

I have sent some 40 individual requests for info, and response has been slow. This column is only as good as the information I have or can manufacture. If you haven't seen your name in print in some while, the remedy for that is to put something in the mail--even if it is just a resume. Who knows, that may be the action which preserves your family name from the ravages of time.