Greetings 78ers…

 I hope you all are well as we are in the throws of winter (writing this in late January).

I need to start off by correcting a couple of erroneous (read buffoonerous) statements I made last article. Brent Falkenberg thankfully wrote and reminded my senile brain that the reunion was in NOVEMBER and not October as I wrote…no matter how many times I proof these! I said the AOG wasn’t aware of Dave London’spassing however, the CS-19 78’ers were made aware of Dave’s death shortly after his brother notified Dave Brown In July. Brent informed John Paterson of Dave’s passing and was remembered during our reunion memorial with Rick Lehman responding during the roll call. In Dave’s honor squadron mates offered to buy a bottle of bourbon from Ugly Dog Distillery (https://uglydogdistillery.com/...Dave was a founding member/investor) so they could appropriately toast him during the reunion. The distillery ended up sending them 6 bottles at no charge! Further, Brent’s wife Nancy decorated special shot glasses with the Ugly Dog logo on one side and the Starship 19 patch image on the other. Several of the guys gathered at the Monument home of ‘79er squadron mate Jeff Walter for an Army v. AF watch party (the Walters have generously hosted the 78 contingent the past two reunions). A few other guys rolled the bones on the weather and attended the game in person: Dave Brown, Mike Christensen, Rick Lehman, Al Reyes, and Scott Snively.

Below is a great pic of the gang toasting and providing “a fitting tribute to a great friend, officer, dad, and husband.” From L to R: Pat Walter, Steve Crittenden, Bob Berger, Silvio Silenzi, Tom Hallett, Brent Falkenberg, Steve Barrett, Jeff Walter. Thanks for keeping me honest Brent!

I also received a very nice message from Aaron Byerly’s sister Jennie McNeil (youngest of the five Byerly siblings). Jennie was reading last quarter’s article and noticed my statement of not knowing Bill Chamblee’swidow Anne’s address in France to send condolences. She passed on the address (1.Impasse du Coteau 37420 RIGNY USSE) as well as sharing some history. Aaron and Bill were extremely close with Bill going to Aaron’s home during every USAFA break. So close that Jennie thought Bill was her brother until she was around 5 years old! Jennie’s daughter also followed in her uncle’s footsteps by joining the class of ‘27 as a swimming recruit. She sent several pix of Anne and Bill with the best one below at Anne’s ’99 wedding. Thanks Jennie for the info and great pix!

At the reunion I briefly said hello to Jack Anthony in Fairchild who was in a conversation with Roger Burg. Given that we didn’t have much time to chat, Jack wrote bringing us up to date: “On 9 Nov 2023 I actually retired (some say it was my 3^rd attempt) and we moved here to Longmont 2 years ago, we are caring for our first granddaughter (we are Gigi and Pop Pop). I was down at the national Space Defense Center 2-3X a month to help, they gave me the call sign "Sensei"....it was a rewarding time helping the kids and elders on watch. 

• Retirement 1: AF Colonel, 2004
• Retirement 2: SSDP space organization Mar 2019
• Then was asked to help part time and eventually served 4.5 years as advisor to national Space center...Nov 2023”.

Jack also sent a great shot of he and bride Margo hanging out with their adorable granddaughter in Costco. Thanks and hope retirement sticks Jack!

Fellow Bulldawg Bill Chambers missed the reunion and his bride Bonnie shared why. Their youngest daughter Emily was born 35 years ago, with a severely underdeveloped heart. God provided abundantly in preserving her life, growing her heart and Emily into a healthy wife and mother. Emily gave birth 6 weeks early on September 11th, to twin daughters , Willow Joy, and Hazel Grace Staudt. Due to Emily beginning to experience congestive heart failure her cardiologist decided the girls needed to be born then. Bill and Bonnie had the delight of helping to care for Emily’s oldest daughter during a difficult time which extended into the reunion. They are indeed blessed in many ways…thanks so much Bonnie and prayers for Emily’s continued health.

On a closing note, believe it or not, the class that is competing for an appointment as you read this is the class of 2028…yeah, let that sink in! That would be our Legacy class as in the one that will graduate 50 years after us. The AOG runs a robust Legacy Class Program that you can access here:

https://aoglegacyclass.usafagroups.org/class-of-1978-legacy.html. Please take the online poll so we can see how many of us plan on partaking (at this point and of course your response isn’t binding) of the key events that are explained on the site. The initial plan (which hopefully will be refined over the next 6 months to 4 years thereafter) is for each cadet squadron to have guys who are willing to attend (and travel to USAFA if required) key events with your cadet squadron. You guys living in the Springs will of course be key to this. Thanks in advance for your time and hopefully future participation!

Filled up the space for this quarter…thanks to everyone who contributed.

78 is Great!