Class of ’73, the more I collect, read, and assemble your inputs, the more proud I am to be a member of the Class of ’73. So many of you have accomplished such great things and contributed immensely to our American way of life … as leaders of military and industry … as teachers, clergy, parents, husbands, pilots, doctors, congressmen, and other countless endeavors. Please continue to send pictures and stories about your lives … families, careers, retirements, etc., and always come to this web site to read the full Checkpoints. VR, Joe Kahoe, CS-07.
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Left to Right,
Joe Kahoe, T Thompson, Sully Sullenberger, John Regni, Ron Scott at Gen Regni’s quarters on 15 April |
Our national hero classmate, Sully Sullenberger was the guest of honor at USAFA on the 15th and 16th of April, where John Regni presented the Jabara Award to Sully for his exceptional aviation skills. John Regni hosted a small reception for him at his home on the 15th and at 1900 that evening, Sully spoke to a packed Arnold Hall. He began his very motivational and inspirational talk with “Fast, neat, average, friendly, good, good … I’m one of you.” Sully claimed to be an “average cadet,” although he did graduate as the number one aviation cadet in our class, with over 1000 hours of flying time at the Zoo. Sully stated that with 40 years of experience since entering the Academy, he has learned a little that he may be able to pass on to the next generation. He urged the cadets to “value education, never stop learning, find your passion and invest yourself,” which will “serve you and society.” Sully talked about remaining true to ideals. He talked briefly about the value of the core curriculum at USAFA and stated that smart people learn from their experiences, but that wise men learn from the experience of others. Sully talked about the events of 15 Jan 2009 as a life changing experience. He talked up the “team effort” and talked down his “individual” accomplishments. Sully said that when our ideals are true, we can accomplish anything when working together. He went on to say, in response to numerous questions from the cadet wing, that “when your values are clear, your choices are clear.” Sully talked about the “practiced calm” that pilots learn with years of flying, but assured the cadets he was “very concerned” when the birds took out both engines. Sully talked about integrity as doing the right thing even when it is not convenient. Sully finished his talk with a little philosophy from Kalil Gibran’s “The Prophet” about children. He talked about our kids or our cadets as living arrows and that all we can do is to “provide the base for the trajectory of your lives.” “You have your own thoughts and you are your own persons. It is up to you to live your lives with integrity and values.”
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Ron Scott, Sully Sullenberger, Mary Scott April 2009 at Carlton House |
Congratulations to Lt Gen John Regni, who is retiring on Jun 9th from the USAF 40 years after entering the Academy! John and Debby have built a home in the Phoenix area. … more to follow in the next edition of Checkpoints.
From AirForce-Magazine.com: Klotz Gets Nuclear Nod: Defense Secretary Robert Gates yesterday nominated Air Force Lt. Gen. Frank Klotz to be commander of Air Force Global Strike Command, the new nuclear-centric major command that the Air Force is standing up to oversee its nuclear-capable bombers and ICBMs. Klotz has been assistant vice chief of staff since August 2007. He has extensive experience with Minuteman ICBMs and nuclear matters, having served, for example, in posts such as director of nuclear policy and arms control on the National Security Council staff, commander of 20th Air Force (which has responsibility for the nation’s ICBMs), and vice commander of Air Force Space Command. AFGSC is expected to stand up in September. The Air Force announced last month that Barksdale AFB, La., is the preferred location for its permanent headquarters, pending completion of the environmental impact analysis. A provisional HQ has been operating out of Bolling AFB, D.C., since January under the command of Brig. Gen. James Kowalski.
Ken Vargas reports that he and his wife are planning a CS-27 reunion celebrating the 40th milestone of Jack's Valley. This will take place in Calgary during Stampede (Rodeo) week (starting 2 July 2009) in Calgary, Alberta, Canada.
Dave Lesser (CS-1) reports Dick Fickes celebrated his third anniversary of providing Missile Defense Agency test event support at the Missile Defense Agency Integration and Operations Center (MDIOC), Schriever AFB, CO. Shari is a home health care nurse manager/supervisor making sure home health patients are receiving the right care.
Tom Kennedy reports from the Grim Reapers of CS-31: Don Sloan participated in the annual "Polar Bear Plunge" in support of Special Olympics Delaware, where they raised $490,000. In Don’s words, "… a note to thank all of you for your support to Special Olympics DE and this year’s Polar Bear Plunge. Some last minute donations have helped me raise over $2500, the most I’ve ever collected. That’s entirely due to your generosity, and it’s especially meaningful with today’s economy.” Tom Kennedy also passed on a “small world story” from 8 Apr 2009 at Virginia Military Institute (VMI) in Lexington VA. “My son, Andrew and I, were in room with another father and son awaiting an Air Force ROTC officer to discuss ROTC options at VMI. The other father and I shared a few tidbits with each other, and to our surprise, almost 40 years after entering the Academy, here we were, two classmates with their sons, myself from CS-31 and John Pretz from CS-6. Turns out the AF ROTC officer was also a CS-06 grad from 2003.”
John Stefonik offered a few notes on our ongoing "class gift: “National Character and Leadership Symposium 2009 was held Feb 19 - 21 at USAFA. Although we are not yet able to "endow" the seminar as we resolved at our last reunion, we are the funding force behind the program. Thanks to many generous classmates (John Muse in particular) we remain at about the $60k/year level. Participants this year included: Bob and Pam Munson, Ron and Mary Scott, John and Lynne Stefonik, Trapper Carpenter, Mike Mosier, Robert Decker, Dale Birch, Mike and Amy Smith, Al and Sandy Maurer--I'm sure I missed someone. Oh yes, and the guy in charge of it all, John Regni. Participants acted as discussion facilitators, presenter contacts, and “present-and-accounted-for-how-can -I-help” resources. Attendees were treated to Coach Tom Osborn, CIA counterintelligence operative James Olsen, POW Barry Bridger, Journalist and CBS reporter Kim Dosier, NASA's Gene Krantz (remember Apollo 13?), plus our own SSgt Rowe Stayton, to name but a few. Our class crest and acknowledgement of our support was part of each presentation. We make a huge impact and in the words of the Director Col. John Norton "We couldn't do it without you." Next year is already on the drawing board as is our class participation. Any class officer (Bob, Ron, Trapper, John, Mike, B.J.) has the information.
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Rowe Stayton at the NCLS |
This year’s National Character and Leadership Symposium was the best yet. All cadets participated in the three day event; 36 speakers addressed the cadets and visitors from other schools. Rowe Stayton was one of the most popular speakers; the cadets seemed impressed that the class of ’73 has both the most senior and most junior ranking grads on active duty…of any service academy. A good number of ’73 grads attended NCLS to see how our money was being spent as well as to help with the program. Some first-time-to-attend classmate impressions follow. Bob Decker: “The conference was spectacular. The speaker line-up was phenomenal. I couldn’t get to hear every one I would have liked to have; you had too many excellent choices. And nearly as important, the team kept to the schedule in an impressive manner.” Grant Gillig: “The talks were extremely interesting and very passionately presented, but by far the most powerful aspect for me was the breakout, to see what the attendees were taking away from the experience. It was refreshing to learn that the talks succeeded in getting people thinking about where they fit and how they should approach their relationship to the ‘Country's Call’.” One of the NCLS OIC’s sent the following: “To the AWESOME Class of '73-- THANK YOU for your support and for your feedback! I can't tell you how encouraging it is for us to see your class embrace and champion the mission of USAFA in such tangible ways. As a graduate, I am particularly proud to be associated with you. Now if only I could get my own class as involved...”
The Class of ’73, in keeping with a decade of tradition, will sponsor the Class of 2013. Don Rightmyer (historian, author, and head of the Cadet Heritage Committee 37 years ago) is writing the lead page of this year’s Contrails. For the last nine years, 40 year legacy classes have presented these Contrails to the doolies at the Acceptance Parade; this forms the basis for knowledge testing over their first year up to and including Hell Week. It’s a bit different than our time when we were already memorizing the book as we in-processed. Anyway, reps from our class will present these Contrails to the doolies at the Acceptance Parade…and they will have this message from us for as long as they keep their Contrails. If you are interested in being a part of this let one of us know. Over the next four years your officers will be looking at ways to ‘mentor’ this class. They will be attending our NCLS events already, but there are other events that the Academy hopes grads will join in on for the fun. Examples: Acceptance parade was mentioned but also the ‘Bed and Breakfast’ program for kids arriving the day prior, Hell Week Run to the Rock, etc. Later on we might be invited to join in for the Ring Dining In, 100th Night, and graduation. We’ll let you know.
From Rich and Karen Leeman: We recently returned from a visit with our daughter Sandy and her husband, Capt John "Stu" Sisler (USAFA, class of 2003)at their home in Bury Saint Edmunds, UK. Mildenhall AFB. We had a great visit, but much too short, especially with Stu. He left us to go back to Albuquerque to finish AC upgrade in MC 130's. We enjoyed all the times we were able to go visit them but it will be nice when they come back to the US in 2010.
Rick Karvosky passes on congrats to all our very accomplished classmates, including Nortie Schwartz as the CSAF; Steve Lorenz as the Commander AETC; John Regni as USAFA Superintendent; Sully Sullenberger landing in the Hudson; and many others. Rick very much enjoyed our 35th Reunion and is proud to be a member of the Class of ’73.
Steve McCauley, web guru Mike Nishimuta and a number of our classmates have put together the 73Stories website that is worth a visit over a mug of coffee. My latest favorite is Row Rogacki’s exhortation to not let one’s dreams die, and the pleasure that comes from the pursuit. If you like it, Steve would love to have all of you submit. Go to http://www.73stories.org.
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Grace and Don McMillan (CS40), Julie and Steve Diehl (CS40) in Jupiter, Fl. Jan 2008 |
The Diehls escaped a blizzard in MD to catch record lows in south FL. This photo was taken while our classmate Sully was in the Hudson River. My cell phone starting ringing about 10 minutes later as I still fly for US Airways.”
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(L to R) Mary, Queen of Scotts and master practical joker; Kim (pregnant with Addison); Aaron; Chad; Boni; Kian; Ron (aka Chico), latent philosopher and enthusiastic granddad; Katie; and Kodi. |
From Ron Scott: Attached is a year-old photo of the Ron Scott Clan. We all met in San Diego for a mini-reunion. Our daughter Katie and her husband Boni, and sons Kian and Kodi, came all the way from a western province in China, where they are supporting the Environmental Protection Agency to harness coal-produced methane for markets. Boni also brokers energy credits from Chinese coal companies to Japanese companies. Mary and I, and our daughter Kim and husband Chad, came all the way from Colorado. Kim (pregnant with our granddaughter Addi) and Chad are both executive-level accountants for international companies operating out of Denver. Mary and I spent a considerable time overseas during our Air Force career; but we marvel how our children seem to have put these experiences in full after-burner!
Mike Mosier and I (Ron Scott) were recently in the DC area supporting a consulting client. While there we joined Bruce "Orville" Wright for breakfast at an Irish Pub in Arlington. In case you're wondering, we passed up the beer; but we took a rain-check for the next rendezvous. We all truly appreciated the opportunity to catch up on the good 'ol days and to compare notes on the new chapters we've started since our Air Force days. We also have classmates doing great things for our nation that I have recently learned about during the recent National Character and Leadership Symposium: Grant Gillig is an entrepreneur with a successful medical technology business operating out of Colorado. Bob Decker is keeping our financial world grounded as an honest analyst in the Chicago area. Al Mauer is quite the political philosopher (badly needed to keep us centered during current times) in addition to his IT consulting efforts. Rowe Stayton is preserving his youthful athletic prowess by fighting bad guys in Iraq--Rowe should be the next protagonist in a W.E.B. Griffin novel. I also appreciate the examples of three other classmates: our Scribe (yes, you Joe), Dr. Bob Munson, and Dr. John Rabins. Dr. Bob finds time to volunteer his medical expertise in support of a local hospice in addition to providing leadership for our class and the AOG. Dr. John, besides being the absolute best optometrist in the world, volunteers time for the homeless and is an annual participant in the global doctors without borders program. Grant, Bob, Al, Joe, Dr. Bob, and Dr. John are the ones I single out for this column--but there are many of our classmates doing great things. They all truly set an example of our core values--integrity first, service before self, and excellence in all that we do!
Bob Munson (Class President) ... “The Class Gift drive has just about ended; and tremendous thanks are due to all of you that gave, particularly in this terrible economic environment. We donated a total of $183K, a bit over half of our goal. Though it was very disappointing to not achieve the target that we approved at the reunion, we did well compared to anecdotes coming from other charities raising funds at the same time. The amount we raised will still enable the Center for Character Development to continue the NCLS program at the same level, but they will have to cut back on some of their plans (some we recommended) for expanding the program. Treasurer Trapper Carpenter will be sending a final note out to those that the AOG could not get a response from; if you haven’t given, and want to support this key USAFA character program, please do so.
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Rich Comer and John Corley at AFA Orlando 2009 |
From James L. Shumate … I'm a member of the class of 73 from CS-09. I only show up in the 1970 Polaris because I got tossed out on a medical discharge right after our Dooley year. I developed diabetes (Type-1, Insulin Dependent) just before our squadron soccer team won the wing championship in May of 1970. I was in the hospital there at USAFA when they won the final games. I got back in touch with my old squadron mates through an odd set of circumstances. To wit: After leaving USAFA I got VA benefits for my medical discharge and had just enough months of training to get my law degree from the University of Utah in 1975. I had married my junior high school sweetheart in 1972, and we have raised three sons. I practiced law as a trial lawyer in my home town of Cedar City, Utah for 15 1/2 years and was appointed by the governor to be a judge in 1991. I have served as a District Judge in the State of Utah for the last 18 years. My Court is in St. George, Utah which is in the desert southwest corner of the state. The climate is much like Las Vegas, but the surroundings are a lot more scenic. I was the trial judge in the case of State of Utah v. Warren Steed Jeffs, and earned my 15 minutes of fame by being on CNN and Court TV for three weeks in September of 2007. (Mr. Jeffs is the self-proclaimed "Prophet" of the polygamous Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He was also the head of the folks in El Dorado, Texas, whose compound was raided and where all the kids were taken and then returned. He was charged and convicted in my Court with two counts of Rape as an Accomplice for arranging and conducting a marriage between a 14 year-old girl and her 19 year-old first cousin.) My old Basic roomie, Ed Hageman, saw some coverage of the trial back in Kansas where he is also a lawyer, and figured it had to be me. He called my court one day following the trial and re-connected after 38 years and I'm back in contact with everyone through Mike Arnett who seems to run the e-mail for the Niners. It seem that a lot of class members have offspring who return to USAFA and my oldest, Maj. Jon L. Shumate, is a member of the class of 97. My wife Cherie is a registered pharmacist and we are now happy empty nesters living quietly in the desert. My kids are doing quite well considering that their mother sells drugs and their dad wears a dress to work. We are the proud grandparents of two boys and two girls. I hope this is the kind of info you were looking for.