| HELLO ’68!!
As members of USAFA's 10th graduating class, please take a few moments
to welcome the 61st graduating Class of 2019 to our heralded Long Blue
Line. "In echelon we carry on!" 68's CLASS SENATOR WINS ELECTION TO AOG BOARD: We were ecstatic about the 2019 AOG election results that saw our very own Class Senator, Garry Dudley, being swept into office as a member of the Board of Directors with a wave of support from his classmates and many others within our graduate community. It is alleged that Garry's campaign chairman, Carl Janssen, was quoted as being quite pleased that Garry ran a clean campaign with not a scintilla of evidence of collusion with any foreign powers. Mucho congrats to Garry and his lovely wife, Tina, on this prestigious honor and for his years of selfless service to our Class and our alma mater.
HALF-CENTURY + 1 EAST COAST REUNION ANNOUNCED: In coordination with the powers that be the greater D.C. area, Ed Eberhart announced that Karen and he will be hosting the Half-Century + 1 East Coast Reunion at his well-apportioned estate at 3444 Roberts Lane North in Arlington, Virginia on June 1st, 2019. The gala event is scheduled to begin at 6:30PM and the attire is casual. For those who have never attended this gathering of the faithful, you have clearly missed one of the seminal musters of our Class outside of our reunions at the Academy. If you will be in the D.C. area on June 1st you are highly encouraged to join the crew. REESE AFB UPT CLASS OF 70-01 50-YEAR REUNION INFO: With about half of the Undergraduate Pilot Training Class of 70-01 from Reese AFB being comprised of USAFA '68ers, it is noted that this class is holding its 50-Year reunion from September 25-29 at the Island Beachside Resort, By Hotel Red Lion located at 1500 Miracle Strip Parkway SE in Fort Walton Beach, Florida. Activities will include tours of Eglin AFB and Hurlburt Field and a class banquet. Please refer any questions about this event to your Scribe.
'68ER SEEKS SEAT IN VIRGINIA HOUSE OF DELEGATES: Our classmate, Bill Drennan, called in February 2019 to tell me that he is a candidate for the Commonwealth of Virginia's House of Delegates in District 87. In light of his strongly held beliefs and core traditional values, Bill said he felt compelled to get off of the sidelines to offer the citizens of Loudon County an alternative to more liberal policy positions espoused by his political opponents. As a former aide to President Reagan, Bill's principal issues include: education, economic prosperity, taxes and spending, veterans affairs, transportation, sanctity of life, and protection of the 2nd Amendment. If you care to help Bill in his quest or simply desire to get a better handle on his policy positions, please refer to his website located at DrennanforDelegate.com. Any moral and/or financial support you can render would be greatly appreciated. Best wishes for success in your campaign, Bill!
THOUGHTS AND PRAYERS: Our class has suffered the loss of two more of our classmates in 2019, Al Blumberg and Paul Gosnell. Colonel (Ret) Alvin Earl Blumberg, Jr., passed away on January 26, 2019 in Colorado Springs from Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia (CLL), a result of chemical exposure while in military service during the Vietnam War. A funeral service was held on January 30, 2019 at the Memorial Pavilion at the USAFA Cemetery where he was buried. He graduated from Brainerd Senior High in Chattanooga, Tennessee, where he led the basketball team in his senior year as captain and starred as a three-year captain of the golf team. Al was part of the first class from Chattanooga selected to attend the Air Force Academy. He was a member of CS-02, majored in Political Science and played on the varsity golf team all four years, competing with the likes of Hale Irwin and Johnnie Miller. After graduation he went on to serve as a command pilot with over 3,000 flying hours, while concurrently earning his Master in Business Administration from the University of Utah. Al had a gregarious personality, and a deep love for his family and friends, particularly his wife of 35 years, Sue, and his children, Beth and Jacob. Outside of work, Al was an enthusiastic participant in the Woodmen Valley Sertoma Club and served on the USAFA Association of Graduates National Board. Al's gift for numbers and teaching emerged as he went on to a successful career as a financial planner, banker and accountant. Most recently, he was a Fleet Ground Instructor for United Airlines, where he was able to share his love of flight with fellow "Ph.D.'s in flying". Condolences may be sent to his family in care of his wife, Sue: Mrs. Sue Skiffington-Blumberg; 1816 Strasbourg Point; Colorado Springs, CO 80905-2194. Lieutenant Colonel (Ret) Paul Alva Gosnell passed away on February 22, 2019 following complications from leukemia in Fernandina Beach, Florida. A funeral mass was said on March 2, 2019 at St. Michael's Catholic Church in Fernandina Beach and a graveside service will be held on July 1, 2019 at 1000 hours at the USAFA Cemetery. Paul was born in Baltimore, Maryland and was an avid Baltimore Orioles fan for his entire life. In high school (Baltimore City College), he was an outstanding baseball player and was recruited by the Pittsburgh Pirates. At the same time, he was awarded an appointment to the Air Force Academy. While at the Academy, he was a member of CS-18 and met his future wife, Valerie Phillips. During his Air Force career, Paul and Valerie were stationed in Colorado, Texas, England, Hawaii, Okinawa, Japan and California and traveled to the Caribbean, Italy, Greece, Spain, France, Austria, Germany, Belgium, and Holland. Paul earned a Master's Degree in Systems Management and a Master's Degree in Human Development Counseling. His career included a few years in intelligence service, including a year in Vietnam. Afterwards, he entered pilot training and became an F-4, O-2, and finally an F-15 pilot. After leaving the Air Force in 1991, Paul worked in management services with ServiceMaster for 10 years and was a founding member of the Knights of Columbus Council 14295 at St. Michael Church. He leaves behind his wife, Valerie, their son, Colonel Timothy (Mairead) Gosnell of San Antonio, Texas, their daughter, Kelly Shea of Burke, Virginia, four grandchildren, and 19 nieces and nephews. Condolences may be sent to his family in care of his wife, Valerie: Mrs. Valerie Gosnell; 2726 Jean Lafitte Dr; Fernandina Beach, FL 32034-4836. Please keep all of these people and their families 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 |
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