Checkpoints Class News

Dr. Dave Reed suggested that Jim Glaza’s Christmas Message was "exceptionally well done, and I am sure the rest of the surviving members of '60 would agree—WELL SAID, JIM!" Dave’s comment was echoed by Norm Haller, Jim Alexander, Greg Boyington, Les Querry, Jim Kerr, and Dennis O’Keefe.

For those who haven’t checked their email lately, Jim’s message was:

Bill Hales checks in with, "Back to the Future. I had the opportunity to see and compare the historical Academy and pilot training that we experienced to the Academy and pilot training of today. Jacob Pegues, ’24, and his mother visited us recently. We had an extended conversation that ranged wide. Jacob explained how COVID distorted many of the academic, military and athletic functions that we would not have believed. All-in-all the 64-year interval gave quite a contrast.

Bill continues with some examples: "During our conversation, I explained who designed our uniforms (Cecil B. DeMille). Jacob didn’t know who that was (ancient history?). Jacob enjoyed viewing my class yearbook. It was seen as a history book.

"During COVID, many classes were remote; cadets were isolated, with the 1st class sent to local hotels; and entire programs were distorted. It was a very different place from what we knew.

"Second class Cadets now have cars. In their senior year, Cadets choose either Air Force or Space Force career paths. I think I heard him say that 4th class recognition is gone or completely different.

"I got a little better sense of what pilot training is like now. If students have a private pilot certificate, they go directly to initial flight training; otherwise, they get a 2-month program to qualify for the private. It’s about 30 hours in a very light plane. Next is a 7-month program at a base like Vance for about 130 hours in a T-6A Texan 2 turbo prop. At the conclusion, they are rated and go either to T-38s for fighter school or to train for the ‘big guys’ in C-17s."

Norm Haller’s family keeps growing. He reports his, "34th grandchild (one of 20 greats) born yesterday [29 Dec] … So far I've been able to keep track of ~5 dozen family members with spreadsheets, which some claim are hard to read and understand; but, as ages progress, AI could become necessary."

Dick Sexton writes, "We have moved! We have absolutely loved it in Colorado for the last 25 years. However, as we got older, we decided that we needed to be closer to the children & grandchildren; so, we bit the bullet and moved to New York.

"The weather here sucks. The cost of living is higher here than in Colorado, but there is a wide range of services; so, it just about balances out. We have our name on several places & will just see what comes up. In the meantime, we have a nice apartment in Ithaca but hope to be closer to Syracuse."

J.T. Smith danced another "showcase" performance in late October at the vintage Franklin Theater in Franklin, TN. He and his dance partner, Gioia Fazzini, danced an Argentine Tango routine which included an introductory violin cadenza played by Gioia. As special treat, Gary Sheets’ son Jeff and his wife Wende, Dean Vikan’s daughter, attended as J.T.’s guests.

After a year of recovery, Johnnie Townsend has mostly recovered from a massive stroke. He attributes his success to the excellent care and treatment by the VA and to the USAA’s special program for recovered disabled drivers. It also helps that his daughter and her husband are both certified surgeons. Johnnie is now living on his own, tending his yard, and enjoying his vast book collection.

In early January, Ralph and Darlene Lalime, Jerry de la Cruz, Les Querry, and J.T. Smith represented the Class at Leon Goodson’s Memorial Service in Bethesda, MD.

Ed Haerter has tweaked his description of the final F-100 strikes in North Vietnam on the class website. Read The Last Rolling Thunder under "War Stories" on the website. If you haven’t browsed the website recently, it has a lot of interesting reading available to stir memories and entertain. Check it out.

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