HELLO
'68!! Is this a great country or what?! One political party wants to give
me a stimulus check, the other wants to cut my taxes, and a whole bunch of neighbors
carrying signs just invited me to tea! Could life get any better than this?!
FOUNDERS
DAY WITH THE CHIEF: Whilst celebrations for the founding of our alma mater
were occurring throughout Checkpoints Land this past April, your DC-based
crew had the pleasure of joining our Chief of Staff and his bride, General Norty
and Suzie Schwartz, at Maggiano's Restaurant in Tysons Corner, Virginia
for a great meal and thoughtful presentation on the legacy of USAFA's Long Blue
Line. After citing a host of graduates' honors and accomplishments in America,
around the world, and outer space during the past 56 years, General Schwartz
emphasized the need for our graduates to provide the wherewithal for our Academy
to remain a top educational institution that produces Air Force officers of the
highest moral character and integrity. He said we are lagging far behind our sister
service academies in giving back to the institution that gave us our start in
adult life and we need to come together as a graduate community to preserve the
greatness of our Academy. In addition to formal proceedings, we had spirited conversations
about politics, the wars in the "Great Sandbox," work, and grandchildren.
All in all, it was a wonderful evening with dear classmates and friends.
Founders
Day with the Chief: L-R: Ladies: Mary Gonda, Polly Seifert, Karen Eberhart, Suzie
Schwartz, Karla Lamont, Bonnie Coolidge; Gentlemen: Scribe, John Gonda, Charlie
Seifert, Ed Eberhart, Norty Schwartz (USAFA '73), Warren Lamont, and Charlie Coolidge.
BETTER-HALF
NEWS: Greg Varhall was elated with the 15 March 2010 Assistant Secretary
of Defense (Public Affairs) News Release which reported: "Air Force Colonel
Linda R. Urrutia-Varhall has been nominated for appointment to the rank of brigadier
general. Urrutia-Varhall is currently serving as the senior military assistant
to the under secretary of defense (intelligence), Office of the Under Secretary
of Defense (Intelligence), Pentagon, Washington, D.C." To Greg and Linda,
a very hearty '68 congratulations!
MORE RENDERINGS FROM THE HOLIDAYS:
With the largest source of our class' information arriving at "chez Scribe"
during the Holiday Season, I am digging deeper into the mailbag to bring you up-to-date
on the comings and goings of our fellow '68ers.
From Hendersonville, NC,
our favorite mayor, The Honorable H.T. Johnson, checked in with rhyme in
mind. In his own words, "And Henry and Fair, well, another year's passed;
we're starting to notice, they really go fast. As kids-Christmas Day, why it never
would come; yet now it's upon us, didn't we just finish one? No matter our blessings,
and challenges, too; our hearts are wide open, to your families and you."
Within the poetry were happy notes about daughter Caroline who managed to stay
busy in Hollywood in 2009. Her "gigs" included: a role with TNT in a
series called "Dark Blue;" a role as a very happy consumer in a commercial
with Ford Motor Company; and a role with HBO in a new series titled "Enlightened."
Finally, H.T. mentioned that Fair is dealing with the effects of Parkinson's Disease
and both of them are maintaining a positive attitude.
From Buffalo, NY,
Dave Kozak writes that his wife, Vera, and he are enjoying his retirement
from the airlines with the "busy-ness" of their lives now under their
control. He also noted that much of the joy for 2009 was overshadowed by the loss
of Dave's mother and former father-in-law (a WWII B-26 pilot).
"RK
& Kathleen Brown In Stars and Stripes"
From
Temple, TX, Rayford and Kathleen Brown write, "We had the joy of visiting
friends and family in Colorado, Tennessee (where RK, a former Commandant, took
part in the celebration of the last officer training class at the Knoxville Airport),
Florida, Georgia, and Oklahoma." They are grateful for the life they lead
and are celebrating 10 years in the same abode. As Kathleen states, "it's
the longest we have pitched our tent in one place during 26 years in the military,
18 years of retirement (for RK), and 41 years of marriage (to our first draft
choices). RK continues to teach flying in and out of Civil Air Patrol while Kathleen
seeks a job opening at the VA Medical Center. In addition, she is communicating
with other music therapists about putting together programs for our soldiers and
their families at Fort Hood.
Chiming in from Ann Arbor, MI, Ernie and Jo
Houghton placed heavy emphasis on quality of life events with their two
married daughters, Marcy and Shana, and their adorable grandchildren, Brodie and
Colby. Highlights of 2009 included spending the holidays in Hawaii and relishing
in family reunions with Ernie's mother and father, who are both in good health.
From Universal City, TX, Steve and Henrietta Polk sent holiday greetings
from the Lone Star State. Their home places them in close proximity to their son,
Hank, who works as an IT program manager at Randolph AFB; and their granddaughter,
Teal, who is completing her senior year at Canyon City High School. As written
in their note, "Steve continues to enjoy his board of directors' work with
Sourcefire, Inc.; the Daedalian Foundation (where he presides as National Commander);
and the AF Retiree Council (where he serves as the Council's Co-Chairman). He
also teaches an occasional course for Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University and
is active in several community groups. Henrietta stays busy with reading, traveling,
and looking after the house. She likes to spend time on Canyon Lake and on the
Guadalupe River and even lets Steve play a round of golf."
"Mike
and Fran Lawson Finally Pictured in Checkpoints"
After eluding class columns for more than 40 years, Mike and Fran Lawson
surfaced long enough during the USAFA - San Diego State football game last fall
to be ambushed by your friendly, special operations-rated, paparazzi scribe with
camera at the ready and Carl Janssen's assistance to distract them while
I snapped the photo. Not even the exploitive national gossip journals could have
executed this coup so craftily. Many thanks to Carl, Mike, and Fran for playing
along! For those, like me, who have not seen this couple for a while, Mike and
Fran hang their hats in comfortable quarters in Stanton, IA. When asked, as in
the Field of Dreams movie whether Iowa was like heaven, Mike opined, "It
is pretty close."
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. Please go to the Class Website to see
photos included in this column in color and in full size by clicking on Scribe's
Page. Ciao for now. Tim