Regretfully, I have to start with the passing of two more of our classmates. On December 11th, Frank J Karasienski died of a heart attack in Saginaw, MI. Funeral arrangements are pending at this time but Frank’s wife, Maria, was coordinating with the Academy for an internment at the Academy Cemetery after the first of the year. Condolences may be sent to Maria Karasienski, 535 S. Warren Ave #804, Saginaw, MI 48607. The AOG also recently learned that Dennis Haycraft died on February 13, 1998 in Merced, CA. Denny was buried in the San Joaquin Valley Memorial Cemetery in Santa Nella, CA on Friday, February 20, 1998.
Our Class President, Jim Diffendorfer, requested we include the following status on the Class Cups. “Greetings: Here’s a quick review on the Class Cup situation. I have had several ideas emailed to me; and, I have shared my thoughts with several of you. We are NOT running out of time to find an acceptable way to ensure the longevity of the cups; and, more importantly, the ideals they represent. The “buzz” about adopting the class of 2003 as our “agent” to carry forward the cup tradition is fine, but not timely. I pulsed a few of you about this and received your agreement; it is too early in our lives and too early for the class to turn over the responsibility to anyone else. My thoughts were to delay the decision of having another academy class take on the project to give us more time to think this thing through. IF we eventually ask another class to take on the task, I felt it should be closer to 2063, so the tasked class would not be so old (graduation plus 60 years for the Class of 2003). Your responses were supportive. So, my plan is to talk more about it; by email, at the 40th, discussions at mini reunions, etc. I see an eventual team of 63ers who would take the folder of ideas and shape a plan. There would be time to publish the plan and allow class comment. Eventually, we will reach a decision and it will be a good one, we have the resolve to do it. Meantime, let me hear from you. This short exercise brought in a couple more good ideas. That’s what I need from you – your thoughts. When I feel we have the makings of a good decision, I will ask you to form a Team and create the plan. Thanks to those of you who have sent me your thoughts.” Some of those “pulsed” by Diff who responded were John Borling, Jim Kuhn and Gil Merkle.
I got a large coffee table book entitled The Air Force for Christmas. It is a terrific piece of work! A must have. More importantly, Drue DeBerry, had a lot to do with putting the book together. The book is one of a collection about the Army, Navy, Marines and Air Force. Each book contains photographs, paintings etc. plus articles including personal accounts. Drue was the Managing Editor and Bob Venkus and Ron Fogleman contributed articles. Jimmie Butler told me COSTCO bought about 30,000 copies of The Air Force for their Christmas selection. If you don’t have the Air Force version, run, don’t walk, to your nearest COSTCO store.
Jimmie Butler’s Web Site (try http://jimmiehbutler.com/) has a large photo gallery covering the annual Class gathering at the Air Force--Navy game in October. Enclosed is a copy of the annual class picture. The caption says the primary requirement for being in the font row was to be able to get back up without too much assistance.
Gathering of the Golden Boys of '63
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Ralph Wetterhahn’s latest book, a novel entitled Shadowmakers hit bookstore shelves in December. According to Tom Fryer, Ralph was selected as the 2002 Colby Award winner for the work he did on his first book The Last Battle. Congratulations on both accounts! A third book is in the works.
Neil Sorensen says the commute from his home in Mukilteo, Washington to teach classes at the Bellevue Community College had become too much to endure so he quit teaching. He and Ilene sold their place in Mukilteo and moved to Whidbey Island where they are enjoying the relative peace and the lack of traffic by living on the beach waiting for their new house to be built. Linda and I have looked at Sequim, Washington on the Olympic Peninsula as a future home site so when I questioned Neil about their choice of Whidbey Island, he said that although they had considered the Peninsula; there was a problem with health care providers. Not many Doctors there would take TRICARE Prime. One of the reasons they decided to look at Whidbey was the Whidbey Island Naval Air Station. Good point. Neil also reports he is hoping to be at the reunion next fall.
Mike Davis is really looking forward to the 40th reunion. Mike was able to spend some time in Colorado Springs on his last day in the Air Force Reserve (June 16, 2001 -- the day before his 60th birthday), before boarding a flight back to Indiana after a TDY at Peterson. Mike’s words and I quote: “It was a privilege to start and finish my AF career at the Academy.” Mike’s new e-mail address is mijdavis@iupui.edu.
Class Web Site: posted on the Discussion Forum of our web site was a request for someone who might be able to help provide or locate info about Frank Ralston. John Young, a cousin of Frank, is interested in anyone who can help him in this quest. You can contact John at 10135 Grover St. Omaha, NE 68124 Ph:(402) 397-7987 or via e-mail at sarayoung14@cs.com. Also, checkout the Web Site.
Bob McBeth is still in South Carolina. After selling his Company a couple years ago Bob and Rita did some fun things like travel, but then his banking friends called and asked if he would do a little turnaround management consulting for them. Bob says it was supposed to be part time—right! He is now working with two companies; a manufacturer and a national distributor of sporting goods. If (a big if) the economy improves and the companies turn profitable, maybe Bob can get back to traveling or tennis or golf or something else. Like everyone I hear from, Bob is looking forward to the reunion.
Interesting Web Site to visit from Bill Marvel ‘69: dedicated to the Viet Nam wall, the site allows you to upload remembrances in text, photos or audio associated with the name of anyone on it. Take a look: http://uploads.thevirtualwall.org/index.asp.
That’s it. Have a great 2003! Don’t delay--get your plans set for November now! I’m bringing my whole family!