HELLO 68! I am writing this column on June
29th, 2025. Some 61 years ago, we all raised our right hands, swore
allegiance to the US Constitution, and joined the Air Force as members
of the USAFA Class of 1968. Do you remember our first trip to the barbershop
and then having our ID photos taken? Our mugshots were more akin to
prisoner photos from El Salvador than visages that belonged on military
ID cards. Do you remember the evening meal formation when the Class
of 1965 was directed to fall out and make corrections as we stood in
ranks outside of Mitchell Hall? Do you remember hearing the loud speakers
from Security Flight blaring the song I Was A Big Man Yesterday,
But Boy You Ought to See Me Now? Do you remember how we spent
the 4th of July in 1964? For my crew in Cougar Squadron our first classman
had us celebrate the day by having us repeat the following after him:
He shouted, Bang! and we responded Bang, Sir! He repeated
this two more times as we barked out our similar responses and then
said Happy Independence Day, Squats! Ah, those were the
good old days. NOT!! And, so began a legacy that now leaves
us with a tsunami of memories across six decades of love and loss, sacrifice
and service, and accomplishments that belie mere mortals. We are all
offspring of the Greatest Generation. It is my sincere hope
and prayer that we have made them proud.
HERITAGE MATTERS: The D-Day remembrance on 6 June elicited stories
from a number of classmates and spouses about the roles their fathers
played while serving during WWII. Thanks to Neil Starkey, Carl
Janssen, Dana Drenkowski, Jeff Parrish, Dick Ewers,
Bill Eckert, Steve and Connie Staley, Bob Johnston,
and Valerie Gosnell Nash for sharing their fathers
heroic exploits. In addition, you may remember that Charlie Coolidges
father was awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor for his extraordinary
heroism during the Battle of the Bulge. For my family, my Dad served
in the Army in North Africa and my Mom served as a Navy Communications
Officer stationed in New Orleans. We came from a fine stock of patriots
who preserved the freedoms we enjoy today.
VIETNAM WAR: For most of us, this was the conflict of our generation.
The rows of combat medals and ribbons on our uniforms are testaments
to the courage and skill we displayed when face-to-face with a determined
and deadly adversary. Many came back with Distinguished Flying Crosses,
Air Medals and campaign awards. One of us, Rhip Worrell, was
awarded the Air Force Cross. Jeff Feinstein was an Ace with five
credited Mig kills. Bill Gauntt, Tim Ayers, Bill Beekman,
and Tony Marshall were shot down, captured, and spent time in
the Hanoi Hilton as POWs. While others paid the ultimate sacrifice and
returned to loved ones in flag-draped caskets. We remember and honor:
Jack Duffy, Tex Fehrenbach, John Ryder, Russ Voris,
Elmon Caudill, Charlie Kollenberg, Grant Uhls,
Walt Sigafoos, Skip Jackson, and Ted Hallenbeck
and pray for their eternal peace. They will never be truly lost as long
as we continue to remember them.
NOTABLE ACHIEVEMENTS: There is no way I could begin to describe
the monumental impact our Class has had on our communities, country
and the world. These achievements encompass military and civilian careers
that show demonstrated excellence and acclaimed recognition. Dick Covey
slipped the surly bonds of earth and gave the Hubble Telescope
the new lens it needed for our scientists to explore the universe. In
terms of military leadership, we had 13 general officers: Gen Bill Begert,
Maj Gen Mike Boots, Lt Gen Charlie Coolidge, Gen Ed Eberhart,
Maj Gen Bobby Floyd, Brig Gen Mike Guth, Gen Charlie Holland,
Brig Gen Mike Moffitt, Brig Gen Scott Pilkington, Lt Gen
Steve Polk, Gen Tony Robertson, Maj Gen Bob Siegfried,
and Maj Gen Tom Taverney. For superior airmanship we had two
Air Force Thunderbirds, Bill Gregory and Steve Mish. We
have also had our share of authors, champions of industry, winery owners,
engineers, scientists, attorneys, medical doctors, and elected policial
leaders. And, to make the point that we aint done yet,
our classmate Dave Kozak is in the Guinness Book of World Records
as the oldest certified Ninja and Chuck Corley recently graduated
from the University of Texas (Austin) with a PhD in electrical and computer
engineering with a dissertation on radiation effects in microprocessors.
Oh, what a Class!
THOUGHTS AND PRAYERS: We were saddened by the loss of three of our
classmates. Colonel Thomas Noble Kramer, CS-17 passed away on
12 April 2025 in Glen Ellyn Illinois. He retired from the Air Force
in 1989 with a career as a pilot, medical doctor, and professor of Osteopathic
Medicine. Major Raymond Douglas Broussard, CS-29, passed away
on 13 April 2025 in Stephenville, Texas. While in the Air Force he was
a weapon systems officer/navigator and then became an environmental
engineer for his civilian career. Major and Doctor Felix Evan Morgan
CS-25, passed away on 22 June 2025 in Truth or Consequences, New Mexico.
THATS A WRAP: Mind the flak; keep em flying, and keep
those cards, letters, e-mails, and photos coming in to Pat Russell
and me. So many of the excerpts with photos mentioned in this column
may be found on our Class website. I encourage you to click and remember.
Ciao for now. Tim
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