Winter 04 Class News: 1963

 

 

Again, we have to note the passing of another classmate.  Just before Christmas, the AOG notified us that William F. Bryant, Class of 1963, passed way in Niceville FL on December 8th of cancer.  A Memorial service for was held on Jan 31st at the Hurlburt Field Officer's Club.  Condolences may be sent to his wife, Mrs. Helen Bryant, 825 Turnberry Cove S, Niceville FL  32578-4074.

 

Each time we get a report of the passing of a classmate my thoughts eventually turn to our Class Reunions.  Those few times we as a Class have left to come together are very precious moments in our lives.  I look forward to each reunion with great anticipation and when the event is over I go way with a renewed sense of how much we mean to each other.  October 2008 is already blocked off on my calendar and hope you are doing the same.

 

So, did we have a great reunion last month or what?  Even the weather cooperated.  The game was exciting—and we won; the gatherings on Friday & Saturday were terrific; the Squadron get togethers were a great idea; Borling for Senate buttons showed up everywhere; the ceremonies were impressive and the camaraderie—priceless!  We were all especially proud of the honors rendered to our Classmates, Chuck Bush, Ike Payne and Roger Sims.  By the way, Roger says he moves to a new Condo on the island of Oahu, Hawaii—near Kahala—in the spring.

 

Chuck, Ike & Roger

 

The reunion turnout was truly impressive.  The attendee list in the packets we received at check-in contained 214 names but I think it was Bob Hayes who said several more folks showed up after the list was compiled.  With spouses, friends and family members the banquet room was packed—somewhere around 425 party goers in all—it was an amazing sight.  Those involved in pulling the event together are to be congratulated on how smoothly things went and I am unable to express just how much their extraordinary efforts in this the best yet reunion meant to all of us.  Please accept our wholehearted appreciation for a job well done.  Here is Diff’s put on the subject:  “You’re a tough crowd to calm when partying!  Since I was unable to make myself heard at the Fri. evening dinner, I’ll repeat my ‘thankyous’ here.  First, Donna Porter at the AOG.  Teams:  Golf—Jerry McClellan, George & Sharon Frederick; Friday Fun—Jim & Jo Gaston: Merchandise—Denny & Colleen King, John & Gay Helinski, Dick & Lynne Shutack, Drew & Betty DeBerry, Corwin & Josette Kippenhan, Joe & Linda Coates; Memorial—Bill & Nancy Ball, Gordon & Diane Bredvik, Ken & Bonell Kopke; Reunion Team Leaders—Butch & Carolee Verdier, Bob & Charlie Ann Hayes.  Huge Thank You—Great Reunion!”

 

One commenter wanted to know how the golf tournament ended up being won by the Army team.  Good hosts I guess.  I also have a few follow-up observations:  1) the down side of great attendance was, as the Class Scribe I was unable to sit down and talk with each and everyone of you; 2) the Memorial Service at the Cadet Chapel was very moving and again it reinforced our deep bonding as a class;  3) due to my own procrastination I missed out on the great jackets that were part of the commemorative merchandise—could there be enough interest in getting the some of the merchandise available through the AOG; and of some importance, 4) the lines at the bar were too long.

 

 

What a crowd!

 

A special event held on Thursday was the final farewell given to Pete Hammerton by Judy Hammerton, her beautiful family and many classmates at the Academy Cemetery.  We also really enjoyed having Judy’s family at the social events where we could reminisce a little about Pete.   Dick Slowik tells me that he knew Pete when they were both in AFROTC at the University of Michigan together before USAFA.  I got to know Pete a little when we were on the Color Guard together during our Second Class Year.  Pete was a contributor to this column over the years.  One thing we talked about several times was the benefits to moving to AZ.

 

Butch Verdier’s After Action Report included some suggestions on what to do next.  Butch said several classmates thought that we should consider moving away from a football weekend to a warmer time, maybe even off site. While not pressing at this time, should we consider annual or biannual reunions at some time in the future?  Please join in and add your own suggestions for the next celebration.

 

Dick Troy posted a note on the Class Web Site that demonstrates a unique view of our situation:  “As always, I still think I’m 22 years old at reunions.  I put it into perspective Friday morning when musing with a classmate over the prospect of having lunch at Mitchell Hall.  If we, in 1959, had been granted the privilege of sitting at ease so we could host visiting alumni commemorating their 40th reunion, we would have had guests at our table from the Class of 1919!  Suddenly, I no longer thought of myself as 22.”  Ouch!

 

Did you take any photographs at the Reunion events?  There certainly were a lot of camera flashes going off throughout the 4 days.  Gil Merkle says he will post photos he receives on our Web Site—stories of the reunion or stories told at the reunion are also welcome.  Just send to Gil (merkleg@texas.net) and he will post them on the Web Site: http://www.usafa63.org/.  Many thanks to Dick Slowik for the CD full of photos he took at all the events.  As I write, Dick is working to get many of the photographs to Gil.

 

Jim Hannam sent us some of the pictures he took.  One is a picture of the Doc's in our class.  Jim says he has been led to believe that the Docs plan to buy the wine for the toast at the 45th.  Jim also sent along two pictures of some in our class who flew one of the great USAF airplanes—the F-105.  Both copies of the pictures are needed to get most of the guys in but even then there were one or two who were the vicinity but are not in the picture—they were probably in line at the Bar.  Note that Steve Savonen is in both sets—Doc and Thud Driver.  These pictures are a fair representation of the camaraderie enjoyed by all.  Can you name everyone in the photos?

 

 

Where’s the wine?

 

The pictures of the Doctors and Thud Pilots were in themselves stories to be told.  An Oral Class History could help find some of those stories and preserve them.  Drue DeBerry talked about doing something of that nature but it is only in the planning stage.  Maybe by the 45th we can have such a concept up and running.  What do you think?

 

Doug Power wrote to say he was disappointed he couldn't make it to the reunion but he did hear a report about it from Steve Suby who visited for several days with Doug and Marian at their home in the Florida Keys.  Doug and Steve were roommates for several semesters.  Doug forwarded some pictures Steve took and one photograph of Doug and Marian’s home is very impressive.  I’ll try to include one of the pictures in a future column.  Thanks guys.

 

There is a great (non-reunion) story placed on the Class Web Site by Wyman and Gay Harris.   The story is the log from their boat trip from San Francisco Bay to Alaska and back.  They spent 134 days (4 May to 15 September) on the trip.  The boat, named Safari, is a 54 foot Offshore Pilothouse powerboat.  Unfortunately, Wyman’s piece is much too long to be included here—not even a good summary would do it justice.  So, if you don’t have a computer or the internet available I recommend you go to your local library, community center, senior center, whatever and take a look—it will be worth the trip.  Hey, Wyman, any chance of a photograph?

 

We heard from John Roush via AOG Mail.  John says he has lost his 1963 Class Ring and is looking to replace it.  Any ideas out there?  If so, let him know at jroush@cros.net or 877-334-9504.

 

One more Reunion story:  when we were returning from the Cadet Chapel Friday afternoon Linda missed a step getting of the bus and suffered a severe sprained ankle.  She was unable to attend the Friday banquet, the tailgate and the game on Saturday.  She was determined; however, to not miss the Saturday evening festivities or Sunday’s breakfast and with the help of many of you she was able to do so.  She is now pretty much back up to full speed now but has not yet gotten back to her regular exercise routine—walking 3 miles a day.  Thanks to all who helped including one of our own Docs—Steve Savonen.

 

That’s about it for now.  Many thanks for the positive comments many of you made about this Class News column.  It is a labor of love.  Take care and have a great and prosperous new year!