Checkpoints Class News

Doug Cairns, classes of '60 and ’61, is happily settled in a senior living facility with his new wife Bonnie in Montgomery, AL. He says that the city has upgraded the area around Maxwell AFB and other locations throughout the city, creating a delightful place to live. He informs us that the class of ’61 will hold their next reunion in San Antonio to avoid the thin air of Colorado Springs.

J.P. Browning had the unique experience of serving as an active-duty pilot in the systems-development programs for both the Air Force and the Navy. As a civilian, he was involved in the FA-18 simulator program with Hughes; and with General Dynamics and Lockheed in the F-22 and F-35 programs, respectively. J.P. says that he saw the light and chose working with the Navy, because their aircraft were more sophisticated and challenging than those for the Air Force.

Gary Van Singel was interviewed earlier this year by The Military Heritage Museum in Punta Gorda, FL. The museum has a program to record video interviews with veterans in their area for use in their museum displays. The videos include personal pictures as well as material from the internet that fit in with the narrative. They have successfully completed about 25 videos to date. They also send the videos to the Library of Congress to be included in the national archives. Gary has made the video resulting from his interview available for display on the Class website. It may be accessed at General Interest/Class History/War Stories.

J.T. Smith is still dancing. He's preparing for more "showcase" performances put on by The Ballroom of Nashville dance studio where he takes lessons. For the showcase in late April, he's been working on an Argentine Tango routine choreographed by his instructor. He recently danced a dress-rehearsal performance of that routine with friend Gioia Fazzini at an event hosted by The Clarksville Dance Club. Here's a picture taken at that performance.

Ron Deep writes, “Carolyn and I have nicely downsized to our new home at 2756 Silver Maple Lane, Beavercreek, OH. One of our first friends to drop in were my USAFA roommate Gary Gulbransen and his wife Susan.

“I had written a book on Probability and Statistics and coded software applications in the language LISP. Since then, I have learned the language PYTHON and use it for coding now.

“I still enjoy creating a monthly puzzle column for the local Dayton Mensans.*

“[Primary] pilot training mate Greg Boyington had the great idea of watching the coming October football game from the comforts of the local hotel rather than from the stands. Great idea.

“I am greatly impressed with our class site and kudos to those responsible. I am both saddened and awe-struck at seeing the names of our deceased classmates.”

Bill Gillis is still in the tender care of his wife, Kathleen (Kath), and the Sims State Veterans' Home. His mobility is very limited, and Kath tries to visit him every other day. Kath maintains an active domicile for two cats, two dogs and two or three children and grandchildren. From time to time, Bill is brought to their Panama City home, but less frequently now since the Sims facility has more amenities for him.

Gordon (Gordo) Flygare is recovering from a major fall this April and is now gracefully maneuvering in a wheelchair. Happily, he was able to get his taxes in on time, which allows him time to encourage his granddaughter to join the long blue line. Gordo resides in Norman, Oklahoma, and his home has occasionally been the perfect stopping place for J.T. Smith to stop-over on his motorcycle sojourns back from Colorado Springs to Clarksville, TN.

Dennis O’Keefe writes, “Joy and I have just wrapped up our move into the Emerald Heights retirement community.  It has everything, independent living, assisted living, and skilled nursing.  It's the last move, finally.  This last move not only was difficult as they all are, but I physically hit the wall on this one.  Glad to have gotten through it.

Sid Newcomb reports that his daughter Nanci is recovering nicely after having undergone surgery to implant an anti-seizure device. Both he and Marvann have enjoyed having daughter Holly with them while she has been in town supporting her sister.

In Tucson, AZ, Johnnie Townsend, a former rescue navigator, serves as a local example of the bionic man. In close proximity, he experienced VA brain stem stroke surgery; arterial-valve replacement; bovine aortic-valve replacement; right-knee replacement; and, earlier, shrapnel-removal procedures. Among his post-Air Force activities, Johnnie has traveled to 58 countries as an investigator for the ITAR (International Traffic in Arms across International Borders) program.

Jim Glaza has found a Social Security Administration site that has developed a most intriguing series of analyses that are directly of interest and importance to every couple, particularly those of our age—especially regarding personal finances. Just Google “Longevity Visualizer Users Guide.” You will need to download the visualizer zip file, “but don’t let that scare you,” he says, “even he was able to manipulate the data with minimum effort.”

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*A sample of Ron’s puzzles may be viewed in the Checkpoints NOTAMs Section HERE.