HELLO '68! We are truly living in a "Brave New World" with technology advancing so rapidly that our cell phones are becoming infinitely more intelligent than we are. Stay tuned for more changes to come as we embrace all that AI, or Super Intelligence, will be bringing with it!

 "Mt Fuji Gathering: Left to Right: Front Row: Jan Rose, Karrel Stevens, Mimi Torreano, Connie Staley, and Katie Wood;
Back Row: Gary Hoffman, Gene Rose, Ben Stevens, Jim Aubrey, Garry Dudley, Mark Torreano, Don Genna, Steve
Staley, Bill Wood, and Tim Davidson"

'68ERS DO LUNCH: My offspring decided that it would be easier, with their school-aged children, to move my 80th
birthday in August to July so we could all get together in Colorado for the celebration. I sent an email to Gary Hoffman to
see whether our '68 Colorado crew would be doing lunch while I was in town, so he made a reservation at the Mt Fuji
Japanese Steak House in Monument for a sumptuous feast of hibachi and sushi. Many thanks to Gary and our Colorado contingent for sharing conversation and allowing me to get in some relationship catch-up time.

NEWS FROM HERE AND THERE: Jim Thompson wrote that Brinda and he are enjoying life in Oaxaca, Mexico. He informed me that you can access all past USAFA Polaris yearbooks online by going to customerservice@usafa.org. He is
helping one of his friends on a new science fiction book about space. I put Jim in touch with Tom Taverney to give him
real expertise on space-specifics.

Darrell Knudson wrote about USAFA grad breakfasts in Albuquerque, organized by Gary Nordyke over the past several
years, at a local Shoney's. He said attendance includes grads from '59-'89. Jim Terry is also a frequent attendee.

Steve Staley writes: "Professor Connie has been awarded another Fulbright Teaching Scholarship, in this case teaching at
the University of Salzburg, Austria, under U.S. State Department sponsorship for a six-month stint beginning in September.
She lived in Salzburg for three years as a kid, speaking Austrian German like a little native and becoming the family's
interpreter."

Brooke Bailey and many other classmates sent a congratulatory message through me to my daughter, Melissa (USAFA '96),
on her reinstatement to the Air Force with her brigadier general rank and back pay restored after a four-year hiatus while
her case on failure to take a Covid-19 shot was being adjudicated. Brooke writes: "What great news!! We have always been
very proud of her successes and accomplishments-Good news for the country!!"


                 "Dinner at Hondo's on Main: Left to Right: Jane Pavelko, John Graham, Bob Pavelko and Cris Graham"

68ERS DO DINNER: Bob Pavelko writes: "Enjoyed having dinner with John and Cris Graham during a stay in
Fredericksburg, Texas. John and I were both in 15th Squadron before the shuffle in 1966. In May, Jane and I attended our granddaughter's graduation from Colorado State University. She majored in biomedical sciences and graduated with a perfect
4.0. I know she didn't get her smarts from grandpa! While in Colorado, we stayed at the Polaris Hotel for a few nights and I
highly recommend it."


"Idaho Hikers: Left to Right: Clark Gerhardt, Colin (Pat's grandson), Karen (Pat's daughter), Pat & Rusty McBride, Maria Gerhardt, and Cindy (Pat's daughter)"

'68ERS DO TRAILS: Pat McBride writes: "Rusty and I spent a week in the Sun Valley, Idaho area with two of our
daughters and a couple of grandkids. While there, we were able to visit with Clark and Maria Gerhardt. Clark is still doing serious mountain and ice climbing in the US and Europe, with Maria into climbing, as well. We took a four-mile hike with
them on a beautiful trail just north of Ketcham, Idaho. It is easy to see why Clark and Maria live here in this scenic part of the country."

THOUGHTS AND PRAYERS: We have been through a rough few months of classmate losses.

George Robert (Bob) Durham passed away on 12 May 2026 in Woodbridge, Virginia after a battle with Alzheimer's
Disease. He was a member of CS-30.

James Wesley Thomas passed away on 15 June 2026 in Bellevue, Nebraska. He was a member of CS-03.

Warren Charles (Monty) Lamont, Jr. passed away on 22 June 2026 in Lewes, Delaware after succumbing to the effects of
Agent Orange and Parkinson's Disease. He was a member of CS-01, CS-12, and CS-30.

Joseph B. Michel passed away on 1 August 2026 in Chula Vista, California after battles with cancer and Alzheimer's Disease. He was a member of CS-07 and CS-22.

William Walter Maywhort passed away on 15 August 2026 in Athens, Georgia. He was a member of CS-01 and CS-03.

Gregory Neal Shuey passed away on 25 August 2026 in Overland Park, Kansas. He was a member of CS-08 and CS-13.

Michael John Thompson passed away on 19 September 2026 of a heart attack in Sand Point, Idaho. He was a member of
CS-07, but did not graduate.

Please keep all of these people and those that are suffering from loss and disease in your thoughts and prayers.

THAT'S A WRAP: Mind the flak; keep 'em flying, and keep those cards, letters, e-mails, and photos coming in to Pat Russell and me. Ciao for now. Tim