From: Frank Mayberry

23 November 2009

Dear Classmates,

We have all been looking forward to the 50th Reunion beginning 29 September 2010. Many of us married either upon graduating or shortly thereafter. Other classmates waited a while before taking that step. Still others found happiness in subsequent marriages. We thought it would be nice to invite all our classmates and their ladies to join us for a Dutch Treat luncheon "celebration of marriage," with special recognition for those having their 50th Wedding Anniversary in 2010.

Thus we are inviting the entire Class (along with their ladies) to join in the celebration at 1130 on 29 September -- before registration opens. The venue is the new Colorado Mountain Brewery's eatery being built across the highway from the Academy. They will have a nice dining room with quite an extensive and inexpensive menu. Remember, everyone is welcome to participate.

Would those of you who wish to join us please let me know so I can get a tentative count? (Any form of reply is welcome (e-mail, snail-mail, or telephone), but I can only count the ones that reach me!)

Thanks, Frank Mayberry

Michael A. CLARKE's Status

On 17 Dec. Tony Burshnick writes:

"This morning Ralph Lalime, Jerry de la Cruz and I went over to spend some time with Mike Clarke. Overall he is doing pretty good. The knee is coming along fine. He is able to control the swelling in his legs which was a major problem causing hospitalization a few weeks ago. He is still taking medication. However, he still has problems with his vision. He still says it always appears to be dark out. He also cannot see up very well. For now he would need the latest vision enhancements to see well enough to read. Glasses will not do the trick. He is working with the experts at Johns Hopkins to get some relief. He is able to get around without a walker or a cane and has been told by the doctors to walk as much as he can. However, he has to be careful of tripping since he cannot see the hidden hazards that outside walking will bring.

I asked if he would be able to make the 12 January luncheon and he can but obviously cannot drive. So Norm Haller has graciously offered to pick him up and bring him to the lunch. If you have any questions about Mike's health I know he will be glad to answer them at the lunch."

12 October 2009

DC  '60 et.al.

Well yesterday Jerry de la Cruz and I took time off from watching the terrible REDSKINS lose their Sunday game and drove on up to see Mike and Nancy Clarke. I thought you would all appreciate the pictures that Jerry took.In the pictures Mike and I were trading off our walking assisters. Mike uses the walker and I use either the walking sticks or my cane. Incidentally the walking sticks were recommended by Jock Schwank.Mike seems to be doing quite well. His right knee was replaced by a metal knee and right now it is working really well. i.e. no pain. During and right after the knee operation a blood clot formed and cut off blood and subsequently oxygen to the brain and other vital organs. As you know there was a time during the first few days that the docs thought he might not make it. For a while the kidneys quit working and he needed dialysis. But time healed that. Now his problem is vision. Mike told us that it seems he is walking in the dark and can only make out shapes. However,  he says things are getting brighter and he can make out more details. The doctors feel it may take up to six months to get the vision all the way back to normal.Mike receives physical therapy at home which evolves mostly around walking. The PT is for the effects of oxygen starvation, but obviously it has helped with the new knee. Mike has no idea when he might be able to return to work.

Meanwhile feel free to call him and shoot the breeze. E-Mail is no good since he cannot see to read and Nancy is just too busy to be reading all the e-mails to him. Those of you in town can go over and visit with him. Just give them a call since Mike still has doctor appointments a few times a week. Questions????

TONY***

5 October 2009

From Tony Burshnick:

I talked to Mike Clarke this morning. He is coming along but still has a way to go. A big problem is that is vision is blurred and darkened so it makes it difficult to get around. He uses a walker but should soon transition to a cane or nothing. He planned to be at the Roost but when he got up Sunday morning he had too much swelling in his feet and lower legs. Jerry de la Cruz and I will try to get to see him this week.

18 September 2009

From Tony Burshnick

I just got  off the phone with Mike. He was getting ready to leave the hospital and head for home. He is doing well especially since the kidneys are functioning and he no longer needs dialysis. He has some trouble with his vision but that too is improving. Right now he needs a wheel chair to get around and is working on using a walker.

In all it sounds pretty good. He may even be able to make Les Querry's Falcon Roost. Feel free to give him a call or even set up a visit when you can.

From: Patmon, Zeida

Sent: Fri 9/18/2009 3:38 PM

To: Schneider, Marguerite; Garcia, James; Woods, Urrikka; Ford, Carter; Talmage, Daniel; Thomas, Shannon; Brown, Kamara; Brokenburr, Jessica; Jones, Chris

Subject: RE: Update - Mike Clarke

I told him we all say hello and miss him a lot!  He's doing very well!  Has graduated from the rehab hospital to rehab at home. He's able to get around with the assistance of a walker and wheelchair. His sight however has not returned to normal. He told me he can read a font from about 70 - 90 but anything below that is unreadable. There is nothing physically wrong anywhere on his body but it seems that his brain is not sending and interpreting signals correctly to his eyes. So no email or anything like that is possible. Nancy is reading the scores of cards he received to him. They told him that it may take up to 6 months before everything is back to normal, but knowing Mike, it will be shorter. He sends his regards to everyone and says for us to keep doing good work and making money!

Zeida Patmon

National Academies

Air Force Studies Board

Program Associate

202-334-2411

Fax: 202-334-1553

9 September 2009

From Norm Haller:

Good morning, some good news about Mike ... see below from Chris Jones at National Academies!

... just heard from Nancy that Mike's off kidney dialysis as well. Really good news.

Bye for now, Norm

*******************************************************************************************************

Yesterday evening I had the opportunity to talk to Mike.

Mike is in good spirits and will be discharged from the hospital in 10 days (18 September). He expects to be living on the first floor of his house for awhile, but at least we will be home. There are still a few challenges for Mike to over come (short term memory lapses and his eyesight), but his doctors think both will come back to normal in time. Of course Mike wants a hard date,  he is a little impatient with abstract dates. But again his doctors do think he will make a full recovery. And Mike expects to return to work.

His sense of humor is still intact--he told me he has 'the mother of all knees and it work great', and he is 'buff now'. He has lost about  45 pounds, but doesn't recommend this diet plan to anybody!. When I asked about his plans for the other knee --  he said 'are you nuts --  you think I'm going to let anybody come near me with a knife or volunteered for another surgery'!  Which was the answer I was looking for. So needless to say, he has no plans to have surgery on the other knee. 

He requested I send him a telephone roster, so I'm sure he will be in contact soon. Please feel free to forward this email if I have left someone out.

Thanks

Chris.

6 September 2009

Dear Classmates:

This is a short update on our class gift fund progress toward our 50th Reunion Gift. Almost all of the outstanding pledges are being honored. In fact, all but 7% of those previously made are current. In my opinion, that is a great record. I have heard from some classmates who were disappointed with the direction of the AOG, and were thinking of stopping any and all financial support to them. May I remind everyone that funds designated for our class gift program benefit us and the Academy, and are only administered by the AOG--at a very good service charge. So, all funds collected for our class gift are administered by them, but managed by us in completing our Heritage Trail Project.

Several of you have indicated some uncertainty concerning their individual pledge status. If you are unsure of your status as it concerns a previous pledge, or wish to start or change a pledge, please contact Sandy Lockhart at the AOG by calling (719) 472-0300, extension 130. She maintains a current running status of the individual pledges, and is the only person who is in a position to make any changes or adjustments you may need. Some have contacted her, while others have been dropped from her reminder list because of no response. If you have a existing pledge and she hasn't heard from you, she has no idea how to carry you on her books, and has no alternative but to carry you as a dishonored pledge.

Thank you for your time, and I hope that this brief reminder helps those classmates who have questions about this very important project for the Class of 1960.

Very Respectfully,

Andi Biancur

President, Class of 1960

Message from Terry Green, Class of '60, 29 June 2009, Naples, FL:

My name is Terry Green. My nickname at the Academy was "Tag". I was a member of the class of 1960, but resigned in the spring of l958

My roommate was Marty Richert. Over the years I thought a lot about him, wondered what and how he was doing and how he fared in the Air Force. I did not try to contact him because I was, and am, under the impression that when a person leaves the Academy prior to graduation, his life is so disparate from those who remained that they live in two different  worlds, i.e., the cadet wing is a closed society.

However, recently I gave in to my desire to contact Marty. He was my best friend. I discovered the "60 class website and managed to contact him. This led to a visit by my wife and I to him and his wife. I discovered that he is the same terrific guy I remembered him to be and thoroughly enjoyed a couple of days with him. I hope our newfound relationship will continue.

As a consequence of discovering the net, I began reading the submissions made by my former classmates. The primary purpose of this writing is to tell them that I am extremely proud of their commitments, their military accomplishments and their sacrifices.

I was saddened to read of their being killed in combat, devastated by the stories of enemy imprisonment, elated by their accomplishments and generally uplifted by their stories. As I read their names and their stories, I recalled many individuals with whom I shared the good times and the bad times. Let's face it, the first year had a lot of bad times.

I  have always been a strong supporter of the military, despite my opting out. I am pleased that I had the opportunity to consort with such a wonderful group of people during the time I was a cadet.

Although I did not complete my cadet training, the experience at the Academy was the most important phase of my life. It changed me in many ways and was directly responsible for my ultimate success in life.

I wish that the entire citizenry of this country could become aware of the work, sacrifices and heroism of my former classmates.

Tony Burshnick's status

02 July 2009

Hi, back from the North country, I had a nice visit with Tony. He has progressed very well in the past 10 days. He is in less pain; has strengthened his arms and seems to have a more positive attitude. He was able to get in and out of a wheelchair and with a walker,and in and out of bed on his own. I'm hoping we can get him to the 9 July luncheon. He still needs to stay in rehab until he can negotiate stairs.

Tomorrow, Jerry de la Cruz, Ken Alnwick and I are going to take our lunch and visit with Tony during his lunch. We could get lunch at the Rehab center if we notify them in advance, but Jerry checked the menu and hence we are bringing our own lunches . Karen is still under a lot of pressure , visiting every day and keeping the home front, but the rehab place is only 25 minutes away as opposed to the hour and a half to Walter Reed.

v/r, Semper Fi, check six, whatever,

Ralph

29 June 2009

Karen indicated today that Tony is making improvements in his movements and is able to move about using a walker (even though they don't have one high enough for him). He in gaining strength but does have occasional unsteadiness. His pain has subsided a bit, especially in the legs, but he is still on medications. He'll probably be in rehab for several more weeks. He can best be reached at 703-360-3625 in the afternoon.

Les Querry

18 June 2009

Ralph writes: Hi Tony is doing better but he is still on strong pain medications. He has moved to Rehab at the Mt. Vernon Nursing & Rehabilitation facility at 8111 TisWell Drive, Alexandria VA, 22306. I will be out of town for about ten days but he could use some spirited encouragement. He is in room 213. See you soon.

Jerry adds: He looks very good, has an excellent attitude and is anxious to get on with his therapy and go home. When Ralph and I saw him yesterday, he was sitting up in a chair as he is able to get up and move around using a walker. He started his therapy yesterday with two very good physical therapists. Tony has a ways to go, but all indications are that there will be good progress ahead.

Jerry de la Cruz wrote on 11 June 2009:

Hi, Tony is still at Walter Reed but is presently slated to go to a rehab facility on Monday. The operation appears to have gone well, but he has a low grade infection and is in a lot of pain. When he gets into rehab he is going to need encouragement to fight through the pain and regain some muscle strength. He seems to be a little discouraged right now. I will let you know when and where he is in rehab. Nulli Secundus, sed Dei, Ralph

Sent: Friday, June 05, 2009 5:33 PM

Subject: Re: Update on Tony

Ralph and I visited Tony today and I am pleased to report that Tony looked very much better than he did while he was in the ICU. He has been moved to another ward where he is still being watched closely, but not to the extent of the ICU protocols.

He was very much awake, joking with us and aware of all that was going on. He was eased into a chair where he was more comfortable and able to do some mild exercise.

It's too early to tell when he can go to a rehab facility, but his improvement has been remarkable.

Jerry

Les Querry wrote on 5 June 2009:

I spoke with Karen today and Tony has had a rough time of it with blood clots in his lungs and legs. Earlier this week, the heavy medication had produced stroke-like behavior but today he is more lucid. He will probably be in the hospital for two more weeks followed by rehab for several weeks.

Jerry de la Cruz wrote on 31 May 2009:

Tony's surgery on Wed. went well. The doctor was pleased with the result. On Thur. Tony was recovering, but very much out of it with all of his medications. Fri. was slightly better and he was able to get up and sit briefly with much help. He was still affected by the meds. Saturday went very well. He was coherent and able to get up, walk a few steps (still with much help) and sit in a chair for awhile. Sometime early this morning he developed a blood clot in his lungs and was taken to the ICU where he is now and will remain until the clot clears up. He again is heavily medicated and totaly bed bound.

Karen is well, but has been at Walter Reed daily.

The no. of the ICU is 202 782 1449. When Tony goes back to the ward the no. will be 202 782 1772.

No word on when he can be released yet because of the clot. When he does get released , he will be at some therapy center for awhile until he can get home.

Ralph Lalime wrote on 29 May 2009:

Hi guys, I visited Tony in the hospital and told Karen that I would give you an update. He had the operation on wednesday and it appears to have gone well. He is in pain and a little off from the drugs. He is on the 7th floor in ward 72 and I expect he will be there for at least a week. Visiting hours are when you get there. Karen is doing the early shift so she goes to bed after 8 and heads out in the morning at 5 AM to minimize the traffic. I plan on seeing him again early next week. If i hear anything more,I will let you know. take care,

Ralph

From: Jerry de la Cruz, 30 April 2009

By now you must have read George Elsea's story of the Tuy Hoa Ace in our War Stories section. You should also know that while George was at the Air War College, there mysteriously appeared on a regular basis in all of the student's mail boxes a series of cartoons that depicted the life and foibles of a war college student and his family. The cartoons were spot on and totally hilarious. Nobody knew the cartoonist's name, but everyone had some suspect in mind. It was not until graduation day that George was revealed to be the artist. The whole series was collected and published for the class. It remains a cherished part of my AF memorabilia.

From: Nels Delisanti Sent: 06 Jan 2009

Les,

I had this web site sent to me and thought it might be of interest to a lot of folks, as it shows main gates at places we've been...and a great many that are not there any longer.

Nels Delisanti

Col. (Ret) Theodore J. Stumm,
USAFA Class of 1960, died on 25 May 2008.

"Ted died from pneumonia at the hospital in Jacksonville on Sunday morning, the 25th of May...Jerry Farquhar called me the day Ted died, gave me the news. I've been in contact with Ted's former wife, Dona, and their two sons. Memorial services are set for the last part of June in Jacksonville. I've got Jerry Farquhar writing an obituary for Ted, notified the Class Officers the night of the 25th of May. Ted's remains will be cremated, and his wishes were to place them at the Academy."

Rosie

Condolences: The Family of Theodore J. Stumm C/O Association of Graduates.