Greetings 78ers…

It is with an extremely heavy heart that we acknowledge the passing of three of our classmates this quarter. Those of you who are AOG members most likely received the announcements from the organization but for those of you not members and reading this on the class website this may be the first awareness that you have received.

The first classmate (as of passing dates) is Bill Holway who passed on 31 Jan 2021 in Pensacola, FL. His funeral service was held on 16 Jul 2021 at the USAFA Cemetery followed by internment. Mary would greatly appreciate any condolences at 202 Dolphin Street, Gulf Breeze, FL 32561. Mary also asked that in lieu of flowers please consider donations be made in his memory to the Air Warrior Courage Foundation or to any Veterans Suicide Prevention Program of your choosing. Am including each classmate’s graduation photo below. 

Steve Durham who passed away on 10 Jun 2021 in Broomfield, CO. Services were also held on 28 Jun 2021 at the USAFA Community Chapel followed by his burial at the USAFA Cemetery. Camille would certainly appreciate any condolences you may wish to send her at 16441 Prospect Ln, Broomfield, CO 80023-4607. I don’t have any info on what Steve had been up to the past few years. His graduation picture is below:

Finally, Vic Carpenter passed away on 20 Jun 2021 in Mesa, AZ. A celebration of life was held on 3 Jul 2021 at the Gilbert Presbyterian Church in Gilbert, AZ. His obituary and condolences may be viewed and left at http://buelermortuary.com/joe-victor-vic-carpenter-jr/ . Vic’s graduation picture is also below and a more recent one is included in his obit.

I have to confess that the passing of these three classmates hit me hard. Maybe it’s getting older and seeing friends pass, especially ones that I knew at USAFA (all three) or served together with (Bill and I were in sister squadrons at Torrejon in the early 80’s). It just doesn’t seem appropriate to talk about anything else this quarter (I realize that I normally do and will include the info I had next quarter). Of course, many classes are losing classmates as well…it is the natural order of life. The “Gone But Not Forgotten” section in Checkpoints as well as the website is getting way too long sadly. 

For some reason, I thought of the 3^rd verse of the AF Song that we sang after every football game and most of us probably remember the words to. Vic was not an aviator although Steve and Bill were. 

Here's a toast to the host
Of those who love the vastness of the sky,
To a friend we send a message of his brother men who fly.
We drink to those who gave their all of old
Then down we roar to score the rainbow's pot of gold.
A toast to the host of men we boast, the US Air Force!

Vic was not an aviator although Steve and Bill were. I believe the sentiment of the words however transcends an AFSC. Please take a moment to remember them.

May each of them find peace in their final rest and may God Almighty provide peace and comfort to their families.

I should be better composed next quarter…

God Bless

78 is Great!