Class of ’73, thank you for your great reunion inputs. I know there are hundreds of good pictures and stories to match from the reunion. Please continue to send all for the next three editions. We have limited space in the hard copy Checkpoints, but most of your inputs will be included on our web version of the Checkpoints article at http://usafa73.org. Also, Mike Nishimuta reports that all links to photo albums, and individual photos, will be posted on the website, so please send them to him at mike@nishimuta.net. Respectfully, Joe Kahoe, CS-07.
I hope everyone had as much fun at our 35th reunion as I did. It just seemed to go too fast, especially considering the many months of planning and preparation. We had some very good feedback about how we might do it better for our 40th.
This reunion was especially meaningful with our Class of ’73 holding the reins of power in the AF … Norty as CSAF, John Corley as ACC Commander, Steve Lorenz as Commander AETC, John Regni at USAFA, Frank Klotz as Assistant to the Vice Chief of Staff at the Pentagon, Jack Hudson as Commander, Aeronautical Systems Center at WrightPatt, Donny Wurster as Commander AF Special Operations Command, Mike Edwards as The Adjutant General of Colorado, and Dan O’Hallaren as the Commander of the Oregon Air National Guard. Many others are “generals of industry.” I believe our brotherhood as a class has grown over the years and many of us are at a point in our lives where we want to reach out and reconnect with our class and cadet squadron, as evidenced by the great turnout at the 35th reunion.
Speaking of reins of power, we elected new class officers: President: Bob Munson; VP: Ron Scott; Treasurer: Trapper Carpenter; Secretary: John Stefonik; Sgt At Arms: BJ Stanton; Senator: Mike Mosier; and Web Master: Mike Nishimuta. And “THANK YOU” to the past officers for your service to our class: Mitch Mitchell (President), Mike Turner, VP; Trapper Carpenter, Treasurer; John Stefonik, Secretary; BJ Stanton, Sgt At Arms; Al Maurer, Minister w/o Portfolio; Kirk Samuelson, Morale.
Mike Turner just became the Chief of Legislative Affairs for the Wounded Warrior Project in the Washington office. Congrats Mike. Keep us posted.
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| CS-13 group picture -- Dennis Haugh, Nick Gatel (left for California after 3rd class year), Mike Chalifoux, Don Stewart, Dave Schrupp, J.J. O'Conner and Steve McDavid. Check out CS13 web page created by Dennis Haugh for more pics: http://s489.photobucket.com/albums/rr256/acad73/reunion35/ |
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Jim Silver & Mike Edwards of CS-13 |
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| CS40: John Crandley, Mike Nishimuta, Jack Christensen, Larry Balash, Tim Cooper, Don McMillan, Russ Chapman (associate) Caption: Caption: Ali Baba and the 40 Thieves represented by: John and Michaela Crandley, Mike and Catherine Nishimuta, Jack and Norma Christensen, Larry and Janie Balash and daughter Katrina (not in pic), Tim and Wasana Cooper, Don and Grace McMillan, Steven and Mindy Diehl (not in pic), and Russell Chapman. |
CS-40 from Mike Nishimuta: Roger Winburg who is a retired Air Force Chaplain in Dayton, OH, drove out, only to be called on Thursday that his mother-in-law had passed away, so after greeting us Friday, he returned back to Dayton. On Saturday, we had dinner with our AOC, General Jim Johnston III, and Sally, at the Edelweiss Restaurant. Jim was our AOC for most of the four years we were in CS-40, and since we started and finished together, we have a great relationship. Tim and Steve are our medical school graduates, still working. Don and Grace are still at USAirways, Jack at Northwest Airlines. John is at Lawrence Livermore Lab, Larry in defense work in Pennsylvania, Russell an attorney, and Mike is in San Antonio.
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CS 11: Bill Diffley, AJ Ranft, Dan O'Hollaren & Ernie Maravilla. |
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Mike Griffith, Ernie Maravilla, Dan O'Hollaren & my son Paul O'Hollaren at Reunion Golf Tournament |
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CS 34 |
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CS-02: Back row - William Rake, Tom Swertfager, Bob Summers, Wayne Holum. Front row: Ed Frazier, Clay Stewart, Randy Sage, Rocky Avvento, Mark Ralston, Brian Beard. |
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CS-02 |
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CS 27: L to R: Bill Fox, Kenneth Vargas, Mick Schlabs, Don Walker, Seated: Karen Fox, Hermila Vargas, Jan Walker (Mick’s wife Pattie arrived following day.) |
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| CS 07: Back Row, l to r: Al Nacke, Tom Grayson, Dick Ulmer, Al Kinback, Jim Almeida, Adrian Moroles, Stalker Reed. Front Row, l to r: Jim Amos, Ed Whitt, Mike Davenport, Glen Johnston, Bill Patterson, George Doris, Joe Kahoe. |
Donna Felton (Charlie’s better half) invited General Clark, who lives here in the Springs, to our dinner. He assured he would love to have been there, but his age (95) prevented him from doing so. He wanted to pass on that the class of 1973 was one of the best! Donna reports that the movie "The Great Escape" was filmed about his life. He was one of the prisoners from the camp that made that daring escape.
Johnny Whitaker reports that he is no longer the Director of Communications at the Academy; last day was 10 Oct. He started a week later as the new Director of Marketing and International Communications for Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Co. in Fort Worth, TX. Congrats Johnny!
Monnie Gore report: Frat Five had 8 guys show up for the reunion. Pete Cooper, Roy Hart, Larry Faber, Robert (Sandy) Marsh, Dave Thomas, Jeff Knight, Jack McCalmont, and Monnie Gore. Cooper tried to drive his original zoomie Porsche from Southern California and only made about 60 miles before calling the tow truck. He did have free towing! Monnie Gore claims to now be taller than both Knight and Marsh but that is unconfirmed. The gang reunited at the General Palmer horse to re-enact the famous October 1972 horse painting incident. The horse didn't get painted this time, but no one got arrested either. Larry Faber probably had the most hair with Thomas and Cooper at the bottom of the standings. The group had a great Mexican dinner Saturday night at Gore's house in Manitou Springs. Lots of magaritas and war stories, but a great time until the wee hours (which is about 9 PM for most of us). Hope to see you all at the 40th!
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CS 05: Jack McCalmont, Larry Faber, Monnie Gore, Roy Hart, Jeff Knight, and Paul Cooper Standing in back: Robert Marsh, Dave Thomas |
Correction to last Checkpoints: Doug Richter… “I just got back from the reunion, and had I great time. I just opened up the Sep 2008 Checkpoints and found I was moving to Virginia! Actually we’re staying here in Fredericksburg, Texas. We just moved to a different neighborhood.” … sorry Doug.
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CS 18: Nancy, guest of Jay Beard,Erik Vogel and Patricia , Ted Kammire and Beaulah, Scott Parker and Janet, Bob Pastiak, Mike Hay. |
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CS 18: Dennis Geesaman, Scotty Parker, Bob Pastiak, Rick Vandam, Mike Hay, Jay Beard, Eric Vogel and Patricia, . Not pictured: Brian Jones and Sandy |
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CS 25 party on Saturday night (left to right: Dave Hannan, Jack Hudson, Tom Kroessig, Steve Hoit, John Mann, Dave Stonehouse, John Flavin, Denny Boyce, Matt Hannan (Dave's son, now a firstie), and Mike Griffith); |
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CS32 at the Golf Course: Patric Jordan, Barry Scheinost, Bruce Adriance, Paul Taylor, Mike Reynolds, Dave Ellis, Joe Kahoe |
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Paul and Sharon Motley (CS-39) |
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Bill and Claudette Rothwell (CS-34) |