Class of ’73, thank you for your great inputs to our Winter 2007 article. Please start sending me good stuff for the Spring article now or I will be forced to put you to sleep with stories of my kids and grandkids. My email is joekahoe@gmail.com and cell is 719-210-5568. (Respectfully, Joe Kahoe, CS-07, Class of ’73 Scribe)
Words from Tom Kennedy (CS-31, Grim Reapers)
… Nearly half of 31st Squadron's Grim Reapers converged on Roxboro, NC, on Nov
16-17, 2007, to spend a great weekend honoring John and Ann Garrard and
supporting them in their trying times. John flew KC-135s and VC-137s before
retiring and flying for the airlines, but is now on long term disability with
brain cancer. So the Squadron rallied in their support. John and Ann were
wonderful hosts and provided their most gracious southern hospitality as 9 of 20
grads spent two great days of quality time burning some steaks and embellishing
quite a few stories. While we were told John would take care of the grilling,
he took control of the grill. It’s a guy thing; we were guests at his house; he
was the host, and it was his grill. We all looked at each other and nodded and
smiled while Mitch discretely helped him. As the sun began to set on the
beautiful North Carolina fall day, Bud Gammon presented John with a
framed photo from the 20th Reunion and a Falcon football flag, both
signed by all who were there. In addition to the Garrards, our group in Roxboro
included Howard Mitchell, Mike Hub (and his wife, Callie), Tom
Kennedy (and his wife, Betty), Charlie Meyer (and his wife, Pam), Sam
Torrey, Ken Adams, Bud Gammon and Rich Hayes. While
some of us have crossed paths many times over the years, others had not seen one
another for 34 years, but we reacquainted quickly and agreed the winner of the
"Best Preserved" prize was Sam Torrey. As we gathered with John and Ann, it was
a bittersweet time, and we could not help but also think of Tom Sporte
and his wonderful family who lost a loving wife and mom, Betty, only a few days
earlier. As Buddy Gammon said, it is times like these that we understand why we
went to USAFA, and how strong the bond is that we have as the Class of' '73
continues to make a difference supporting our Country.
rear – Howard Mitchell, John Garrard, Mike Hub, Ken Adams
center – Rich Hayes, Tom Kennedy, Sam Torrey, Bud Gammon, Charlie and Pam Meyer
front – Ann Garrard and Callie Hub with Buffy
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| Buddy Gammon presenting Falcon flag to John Garrard | Ann, John, Elizabeth, and John Garrard | |
(L to R) Dr. Mark Coffman, Bill Patterson, Dr. Greg Chapman, Stalker Reed, and Al Nacke (all from CS-07) relaxing at Mark’s lake house in Texas. (two doctors and three airline pilots)
(L to R) Bill Patterson, Greg Chapman, Stalker Reed, and Mark Coffman.
From Johnny Whitaker (julwis@aol.com; H: 719-488-6862; O: 719-333-7714)… Ten '73 CS-16 Chickenhawks (most accompanied by their wives) rendezvoused in Colorado Springs for the AF-Army game on 3 Nov. We were "practicing" for next year's 35th reunion. Included in the mini-reunion were Gene Ogilvie, Tom Mayberry, John Lauten, Don Sutula, Bill Gillin, Gregg Reinecke, Willy Culbertson, Bruce Meyer, Charlie Stallworth and Johnny Whitaker.
Taken at Chickenhawk tailgate at Falcon Stadium before the AF-Army game. Kneeling (L-R): Don Sutula, Tom Mayberry; Standing (L-R): Charlie Stallworth, Willy Culbertson, Gene Ogilvie, Johnny Whitaker, Bill Gillin, John Lauten, Gregg Reinecke
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John Mann is running for school board, D38, I guess to keep in touch with his former employers; he stopped teaching math to Lewis Palmer HS students to take on a part time job as USAFA tow pilot. John and Debby Regni’s daughter was recently married. Leader Leaves Distinguished Mark On Space
Spacewar, by Master Sgt. Kate Rust, Air Force Space Command Public Affairs Peterson AFB CO (SPX) Aug 20, 2007 Headquarters Air Force Space Command honored its outgoing vice commander Aug. 16 with a Distinguished Service Medal recognizing his service to the command, its people and programs. Lt. Gen. Frank G. Klotz, who leaves Aug. 22 to take on his new duties as the Assistant Vice Chief of Staff of the Air Force, received praise for providing combat forces and capabilities to North American Aerospace Defense Command and U.S. Strategic Command with a combat ready intercontinental ballistic missile force and through a global network of satellite command-and-control, communications, missile warning and launch facilities, according to his citation. "I am deeply honored and humbled to have served alongside the consummate professionals of Air Force Space Command," said General Klotz. He thanked the staff for their groundbreaking work for the command as well as the commander for "setting in motion a cultural change in how we think about our business in space and how we resource that business." General Klotz served as acting commander of AFSPC from March to June 2006 when the previous commander, Gen. Lance Lord, retired and before the new commander, Gen. Kevin P. Chilton, was confirmed. During this time, he forged a fundamental new relationship with the National Reconnaissance Office, and worked through a remarkably challenging budget year. Among his many achievements, he significantly influenced space combat support, space professional development and budgetary and acquisition processes with his testimonies before Congress. "There were some huge issues going on at that time," said General Chilton, AFSPC commander. "You were the right guy at the right time for this command." What
many people might not realize is the extensive capabilities General
Klotz brought with him to the position of AFSPC vice commander.
According to his biography, he served as a defense attach? at the
American Embassy in Moscow, Russia, and was also the Director for
Nuclear Policy and Arms Control, National Security Council, at the White
House. Among his many career-related academic accomplishments, he also
holds a Doctor of Philosophy degree in politics from Oxford University,
Oxford, England. |
News from Ken Vargas …our son Erwin (USAFA 1999), boxing OIC at USAFA, got married in September to another grad: Courtney Hamrick (USAFA 2002). Courtney flies C-17’s at McChord AFB. It was a nice wedding in Atlanta Ga. and many of their classmates and family attended. My wife Hermila & I are still running our Oil & Gas Engineering Business out of Calgary Alberta Canada. We have been operating for 12 years, and have about 20-25 engineers & technicians. If any of our classmates are in ever the area, contact us and stay with us. Best regards, Ken V
Bill Lauritzen has a website: www.earth360.com for more details about his activities. He just published an ebook, called, The Invention of God, available on his website.
Don Rightmyer (drightmyer@yahoo.com) wrote: Six months into my new job as Reference Librarian for the Kentucky Historical Society's Research Library and loving every day in the job. Mainly busy myself with various "Reference Librarian" desk duties and when I'm not doing that, I get to do the paid historical and genealogy research that folks can't manage to come to central Kentucky to do themselves. I encourage all of our '73 classmates to go check out ZoomiENation and join in with at least Class of '73 contacts and discussions. Lots of groups and opportunities to interact on a variety of topics and with fellow grads from the early USAFA days up through those who've graduated in recent years. Best wishes to all of you -- and happy holidays in the weeks ahead. Don
Joe & Debbie Kahoe with Grandkids: Tyler (8), Brandon (6), Rachel (4), Nathan (3), Samantha (2), and Camden (7 months)
At the Navy Game, a mini-73 Reunion erupted completely coincidentally. From l-to-r: Lee Zimmerman (Nancy), Vic Thuotte (Connie), Bill Carpenter (Jennifer), Don Pettit (?) and Gordy Bendick (Alimony) met to "Drown" their disappointment at the USAFA loss and enjoy the great day of reuning.
Lee Zimmerman: Lee and Nancy Zimmerman (CS-15) now live in Columbia SC. He is a lawyer in a law firm and Nancy is a professor at University of South Carolina. Their daughter Renee '02 (CS-15) and Chris Thuotte '02 (CS-09) are married and working at Andrews AFB. Renee is currently deployed to Iraq.
Vic Thuotte: Vic and Connie Thuotte are still living outside of Boston (for a while....too cold up there in the winter!) and looking for a climate that HAS been hit by Global Warming. Vic is a Senior IT Director specializing in IT protection and preventing Identity theft. Vic has also been serving as a Member of the USAFA AOG Nominating Committee. Bill Carpenter: Trapper recently retired as the Registrar at USAFA after more than 34 years of continuous Active Duty. He then moved across the Terrazzo and part way down the Hill to become the Associate Athletic Director - Recruiting Support (replacing Jim Bowman). Replacing the "Iconic Bo" will be an awesome task, but if anyone can do it - it's Bill. ) After that Plug Bill...can 73'ers count on you for tickets next season??) Don Pettit: Don has retired from years of Lockheed-Martin and is running his own Consulting business in Virginia and Maryland, giving his expertise any "3-letter agency" that needs it. To beat traffic he frequently stops in Old Town Alexandria to meet Gordy Bendick. Don also retired recently from the DC National Guard where he commanded the F-16 outfit. Gordy Bendick: Gordy recently "retired" again from industry and is taking a hiatus from paying his daughter's college bills..only because they are paid up. He is hanging out in Old Town Alexandria and welcomes anyone to give him a call when they find that they "have fallen and need a drink to get back up" along King Street.
Tim Dulcimer notes on CS-14 … mini reunion at Ralph Broderick's place in Georgia… becoming an annual event. DulcimerT@gmail.com
Mike Patton … A little update with me and mine. I’ve been working with FEMA for the last 2 years (3 disasters, 2 in California and, of course, New Orleans), and my wife, Cynthia and “little” girl spent a year in Cuernavaca, Mexico. Cindy was increasing the size of her publishing and publisher representation business, Annabelle was going to school, bilingually, and both returned last August. I’ll be returning to NJ in Mid-Nov after being in New Orleans for 9 ˝ months. I’ll probably be coming back to New Orleans at the commencement of 2008. Two sons, Casey and Donovan, are both prospering. Casey has just returned from Iraq, Army E-6, after being involved in an IED encounter of the very close type. He is recovering with concussion injuries. His brother, Donovan, has been the star of the TV show, “Blues Clues” for the last 4-5 years. He’s moving as a “voice” on another Nickelodean production later this year. I’ve been truly blessed with my wife and children, and we are keepin’ on keepin’ on. Hope to see everyone at “OUR” reunion (35th and 35th Squadron). Many thanks and God Bless, Mike Patton
HMitch08@aol.com: Note from Mitch about Class of 1973 35th Reunion … next years schedule does not come out till after the 1st of the year and therefore cannot yet schedule our reunion, but we are starting the dialogue. Chair - H. J. "Mitch" Mitchell - I'll do it but would like a co-chair that is in the local area; Co-Chair - Doug "Spider" Richardson - spends most of his time in Omaha so would like a local to Volunteer to pick this up. Memorial and Wedding Vows - John Stefonik; Prep School Reunion - Joel Carlson; Class Gift - Jim Vitelli, Mike Turner and Ron Thomas; Golf Tournament - Dave Brown -- I GOT A KICKBACK ON HIS E-MAIL -- ANYONE HAVE IT!!; Merchandise - Kirk Samelson; Class Dinner - Dave Harmon; Optional Events - Trapper Carpenter; Lost Souls - Dennis Haugh; Squadron POC Coordinator and Adviser to the Chair - Sam Grier; POC at the AOG - Lani Wing. Also we need to start thinking about the slate of officers to be re-elected at the reunion. Current Officers Elected at the Reunion: President - Mitch Mitchell, Vice President - Mike Turner, Treasurer - Trapper Carpenter, Secretary - John Stefonik, Sargeant - at - Arms - BJ Stanton; Morale Officer - Kirk Samuelson; Mister Without Portfolio - Al Maurer; Appointed After the Reunion: 1973 Rep to the AOGs Class Advisory Senate - Bob Munson.