The 50-year Reunion Memorial Service

As we look upon the cadets up in choir loft, we can think about the situation of our being in that loft in 1960 and looking at a 50-year class reunion. It would have been the Class of 1910 and they would have been preparing to go to World War ONE.

Going back over the past 54 years, there are many memories that we share. On July 9, 1956, 306 mostly teenage boys entered the gate of Lowry AFB, were told to drop their bags and the USAFA class of 1960 began along with 11 former members of the Class of 1959. What happened next was a blur of orders, hurrying, needing to sleep, being totally fatigued and trying to stay awake. A general named Harmon, a major named Gabriel and a group of F-86 flying lieutenants called AOC’s became our world. Hudson High, Canoe U, the Citadel. To dimple or not dimple the tie. We went to the bayonet course and learned to keep going with emotion alone. We memorized statements we had never heard before “The discipline that makes the soldiers of a free country reliable in battle, is not to be gained by harsh or tyrannical treatment. On the contrary, such treatment is far more likely to destroy than to make an army", "On the fields of friendly strife are sown the seeds that on other days and other fields will bear the fruits of victory”. On Sunday afternoons, we watched every episode of victory at sea. While standing in formation we saw beautiful Colorado sunsets through the corners of our eyes. We marched to church - some sat in the back rows.

"We will not lie, cheat, or steal nor tolerate among us those who do." What a concept!

“All Right Sir."

We went on a camping trip to Buckley and learned about blowing things up.

Miracle of miracles, we went to Arnold Hall, met Mrs. McComas, learned how to dance while wearing white gloves AND met some Colorado Girls! Words like CWC and St. Marys were on our tongues while "AND SHE OWNS HER OWN CAR" was nirvana. Have you ever heard of Colfax Avenue?

We even had a football team with a coach named Buck Shaw. No stadium, no problem. We borrowed Denver University's.

Christmas in Colorado, not all that great. Demerits, tours, confinements weren't either.

Ski buses to A Basin, T-29s, box lunches with cigarettes, all part of the routine.

We finally moved South to Aluminum U. We learned about terrazzo repair, gale force winds, Mitch's and Michael's down town. We finally got a car. President Eisenhower and Bob Hope came to visit.

Then came June 8, 1960, when 227 of us proclaimed that "Happiness is the Air Force Academy in your rear view mirror." A lot of weddings followed and we were off.

Over the next few years we learned about the "real" air force, pilot training, Viet Nam, the cold war, the meaning of PCS and TDY, and the responsibilities of parenthood.

Stay in or get out, loomed large. We went for more education, played musical chairs with assignments and with airline jobs.

All of a sudden, we learned about reading glasses and hearing aids, had grandchildren, got to know our physician, retired for the first or second time, and wondered where all the years had gone.

Then at the end of September 2010 we had the strange recognition that "Happiness is seeing the Air Force Academy in your front windshield." We are still the class 1960 and may not look exactly the same. But after we talk to one another for a few minutes, we recognize the same classmates that left here together in 1960.

Our class is not just those who are here today, or those unable to attend. Also with us are those that have passed away during this journey. We have lived our lives, done our duty and are here to celebrate our bond and to rejoice now in the memories of those who have passed on.

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Wayne Kendall states, "Would you please stand for the call of the roll for our five classmates who died since our last reunion?"

Now we will call the roll for the remaining forty-three of our missing friends:

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