HELLO ’68! I am writing this column on June 29th, 2025. Some 61 years ago, we all raised our right hands, swore allegiance to the US Constitution, and joined the Air Force as members of the USAFA Class of 1968. Do you remember our first trip to the barbershop and then having our ID photos taken? Our mugshots were more akin to prisoner photos from El Salvador than visages that belonged on military ID cards. Do you remember the evening meal formation when the Class of 1965 was directed to fall out and make corrections as we stood in ranks outside of Mitchell Hall? Do you remember hearing the loud speakers from Security Flight blaring the song “I Was A Big Man Yesterday, But Boy You Ought to See Me Now?” Do you remember how we spent the 4th of July in 1964? For my crew in Cougar Squadron our first classman had us celebrate the day by having us repeat the following after him: He shouted, “Bang!” and we responded “Bang, Sir! He repeated this two more times as we barked out our similar responses and then said “Happy Independence Day, Squats!” Ah, those were the “good old days.” NOT!! And, so began a legacy that now leaves us with a tsunami of memories across six decades of love and loss, sacrifice and service, and accomplishments that belie mere mortals. We are all offspring of the “Greatest Generation.” It is my sincere hope and prayer that we have made them proud.

HERITAGE MATTERS: The D-Day remembrance on 6 June elicited stories from a number of classmates and spouses about the roles their fathers played while serving during WWII. Thanks to Neil Starkey, Carl Janssen, Dana Drenkowski, Jeff Parrish, Dick Ewers, Bill Eckert, Steve and Connie Staley, Bob Johnston, and Valerie Gosnell Nash for sharing their fathers’ heroic exploits. In addition, you may remember that Charlie Coolidge’s father was awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor for his extraordinary heroism during the Battle of the Bulge. For my family, my Dad served in the Army in North Africa and my Mom served as a Navy Communications Officer stationed in New Orleans. We came from a fine stock of patriots who preserved the freedoms we enjoy today.

VIETNAM WAR: For most of us, this was the conflict of our generation. The rows of combat medals and ribbons on our uniforms are testaments to the courage and skill we displayed when face-to-face with a determined and deadly adversary. Many came back with Distinguished Flying Crosses, Air Medals and campaign awards. One of us, Rhip Worrell, was awarded the Air Force Cross. Jeff Feinstein was an Ace with five credited Mig kills. Bill Gauntt, Tim Ayers, Bill Beekman, and Tony Marshall were shot down, captured, and spent time in the Hanoi Hilton as POWs. While others paid the ultimate sacrifice and returned to loved ones in flag-draped caskets. We remember and honor: Jack Duffy, Tex Fehrenbach, John Ryder, Russ Voris, Elmon Caudill, Charlie Kollenberg, Grant Uhls, Walt Sigafoos, Skip Jackson, and Ted Hallenbeck and pray for their eternal peace. They will never be truly lost as long as we continue to remember them.

NOTABLE ACHIEVEMENTS: There is no way I could begin to describe the monumental impact our Class has had on our communities, country and the world. These achievements encompass military and civilian careers that show demonstrated excellence and acclaimed recognition. Dick Covey “slipped the surly bonds of earth” and gave the Hubble Telescope the new lens it needed for our scientists to explore the universe. In terms of military leadership, we had 13 general officers: Gen Bill Begert, Maj Gen Mike Boots, Lt Gen Charlie Coolidge, Gen Ed Eberhart, Maj Gen Bobby Floyd, Brig Gen Mike Guth, Gen Charlie Holland, Brig Gen Mike Moffitt, Brig Gen Scott Pilkington, Lt Gen Steve Polk, Gen Tony Robertson, Maj Gen Bob Siegfried, and Maj Gen Tom Taverney. For superior airmanship we had two Air Force Thunderbirds, Bill Gregory and Steve Mish. We have also had our share of authors, champions of industry, winery owners, engineers, scientists, attorneys, medical doctors, and elected policial leaders. And, to make the point that we “ain’t done yet,” our classmate Dave Kozak is in the Guinness Book of World Records as the oldest certified Ninja and Chuck Corley recently graduated from the University of Texas (Austin) with a PhD in electrical and computer engineering with a dissertation on radiation effects in microprocessors. Oh, what a Class!

THOUGHTS AND PRAYERS: We were saddened by the loss of three of our classmates. Colonel Thomas Noble Kramer, CS-17 passed away on 12 April 2025 in Glen Ellyn Illinois. He retired from the Air Force in 1989 with a career as a pilot, medical doctor, and professor of Osteopathic Medicine. Major Raymond Douglas Broussard, CS-29, passed away on 13 April 2025 in Stephenville, Texas. While in the Air Force he was a weapon systems officer/navigator and then became an environmental engineer for his civilian career. Major and Doctor Felix Evan Morgan CS-25, passed away on 22 June 2025 in Truth or Consequences, New Mexico.

THAT’S A WRAP: Mind the flak; keep ‘em flying, and keep those cards, letters, e-mails, and photos coming in to Pat Russell and me. So many of the excerpts with photos mentioned in this column may be found on our Class website. I encourage you to click and remember. Ciao for now. Tim