HELLO ’68! As I write this
column, the 2022 mid-term elections are just four weeks away. My prayers
are for a bounty of great leaders to steer our country in the right
direction.
“LPGA Stalwarts Officiate, Again, in 2022. L-R: Steve Mish
and Steve Polk”) |
TOUGH DUTY: You may recall a similar photo from
2021 where Steve Mish and Steve Polk officiated at the
US Women’s Open Golf Tournament. They were called to do it, again,
in 2022 on the 54t anniversary of our graduation date. Their golfing
schedule after the Open was to Boston the next week for the Men’s
Open and to Pennsylvania on the following week for the Men’s Senior
Open. In between events, they went to Baltusrol for two days of
golf at that historic venue. The smiles in the photo tell it all!
GARRY DUDLEY SEEKS YOUR VOTE FOR THE AOG BOARD: Our classmate Garry
Dudley has decided to enter the 2023 AOG election to be re-elected a
member of the AOG Board. Not long ago, you saw a Checkpoints article
about Garry in July 2021 receiving the USAFA Distinguished Service Award.
He is so much more than a “representative” by listening,
stepping up, and getting things done for the benefit of the broad USAFA
community. Garry lives only a couple minutes from the North Gate, where
he can enter the fray and play to win on issues from warfighter culture
(he’s a combat veteran) to how the AOG can do more for grads. His
experience includes service as the President of the USAFA Class Advisory
Senate and the ’68 Class Gift, Reunion, Memorial, and Legacy Committees. Deeply
involved with cadets, Garry has served as a a guest lecturer with the
Dept of Management for 15 years—and he and his wife, Tina, have
sponsored 35 different cadets. After successful USAF and private
business careers, Garry remains the energetic, no-B.S. real deal who’s
happy to listen to you any time. When the time comes to vote, I
hope you’ll support Garry’s willingness to serve us all for
another term on the AOG Board.
"Thank
You for Your Service!: L-R: Scribe and Tom Kroboth” |
TRIBUTE TO TOM KROBOTH: With more than 40 years of service as the
AOG’s Checkpoints Class News Editor, I want to express my gratitude
for his friendship and steadfast and faithful support to all of our
graduating classes in editing and publishing the news that connects
us all to each other and our alma mater. This will be Tom’s last
issue as our editor and I wish him future happiness and serenity without
deadlines.
STAY TUNED FOR FUTURE UPDATES ON OUR 55-YEAR REUNION: The latest
info I have from our Reunion Chairman, Gary Hoffman, is that
we are still shooting for a reunion date in September 2023 for our 55th.
Check our Class website
for the latest information.
“Rescheduled
Dark Ages Party. L-R: Ben Stevens, Dale Oderman, Barney Mills,
Carl Janssen, Eli Bebout, Neal Starkey, Garry Dudley (front
center), Larry Cole's forehead, Tim Davidson, Mark Torreano
(front row), Carl Hite (back row), Hartsel Beckett, Rock
Buraglio, Bill Wood, Doug Wilson, and Dave Allen.” |
THOUGHTS AND PRAYERS: We were saddened by loss of three of our classmates.
John Edward Malloy, Jr., of CS-12, died on 13 July 2022 in San
Jose, CA. Lowell Gary Hebenstreit, died on 22 August 2022 in
Colorado and was interred at the USAFA Cemetery on 31 August. Michael
James Rengel did not graduate with us, but is still remembered as our
classmate in his passing. His memorial service was held in Lakewood,
CO on 20 September 2022 and he was remembered at a rescheduled Dark
Ages Party at Carl Janssen’s house on 21 September.
“Photo
After Mike Rengel’s Memorial Service on 20 Sep 22, L-R:
Neal Starkey, Michael Burgamy, Frank Palermo, Larry Cole, Carl
Janssen, Carl Hite, Tim Davidson, Doug Wilson”
|
“Photo
at Dark Ages Party Before Gary Dudley and Mark Torreano showed
up.
L-R: Ben Stevens, Dale Oderman, Barney Mills, Carl Janseen,
Larry Cole, Tim Davidson, Carl Hite, Hartsel Beckett, Rock Buraglio,
Bill Wood, Doug Wilson, and Dave Allen”
|
“ Photo
of Late Arrivals. L-R: Gary Vasek, Michael Burgamy, Carl McPherson,
and Jim Carr" |
“Four
’68 Football Stars and One Track Guy, L-R: Front Row: Larry
Cole, Neal Starkey, and Eli Bebout (Track Guy), Back Row: Dave
Allen, Barney Mills, and Carl Janssen”
|
“The
Gymnasts. L-R: Garry Dudley and Mark Torreano”
|
“The
Ladies" L-R: Melissa Cunningham (Scribe's daughter), Sandy
Mills, Katie Wood, Dee Wilson, Jeanne Allen, Susan McPherson,
Tina Dudley, Linda Cole, Sharon Starkey, Clare Hite, Lorraine
Bebout, Char Burgamy, Debbie Janssen, and Vera Oderman" |
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
|