HELLO ’68! MUSTER TIME! 55-Year Class Reunion from 14-17 September at the Colorado Springs Marriott. Make your reservations today!! More info on our Class Website.

DUDLEY PREVAILS: Congratulations to Garry Dudley in his successful bid to be re-elected to the AOG Board of Directors. Garry sent out a notice to the Class thanking them for voting in record numbers to help him achieve his objective. The Class extends many thanks for Garry’s diligent and selfless years of service!

“Hummingbird Whisperers. L-R: John Dunham, Fred Bassett, and Alan Price”

‘68ER HELPS TO TRACK HUMMINGBIRDS: I received an email from Alan Price telling of a January visit from Fred Bassett at John Dunham’s home in Sea Island, Georgia. Beyond a catching up among old friends, the purpose of the visit was for Fred to catch and band some hummingbirds. In toto, Fred has banded more than 30,000 hummingbirds and is one of Mother Nature’s true professionals. Alan joined John to watch Fred practice his craft and said it was a truly amazing experience. Fred is also the owner of another interesting piece of ’68 history. As you may recall, USAFA began its undergraduate pilot training program with “supercharged” T-41 Cessnas during the second semester of our Firstie Year. By virtue of initial cadet takeoffs being performed in alphabetical order. Fred Bassett was first, Elmon Caudill was second, and I was third.

“68ers at Wing Open Boxing Championship. L-R: Frank Moore, Doug Wilson, Carl Janssen, Dana Drenkowski, Garry Dudley, Gary Vasek, and Scribe.”

‘68ER’S ATTEND 2023 USAFA WING OPEN BOXING CHAMPIONSHIP: With many thanks to the leadership and organizational skills of Carl Janssen, a bunch of us were able to get outstanding seats to watch the blow-by-blow action of this year’s USAFA Wing Open Boxing Championship. This was not an event for the faint-hearted and “Yes” there were more than a few matches that needed some rapid, between-rounds, corner-work to stop the bleeding. Some of the major differences from the Wing Opens of our day included live streaming cameras, a hired announcer to hype each bout and herald each fighter, seating at ring-side tables with food and beverages served while watching the matches, and paying for tickets with assigned seating to watch the event. Oh, yes, there was one other change that is probably worthy of mention—it also featured matches between female cadets. “The times they are a changin’!”

“Wing Open Boxing Champions Frank Moore and Gary Vasek.”

FORMER ‘68 BOXING CHAMPIONS RECOGNIZED: In an effort to honor former Wing Open Boxing Champions, the Academy invited them to come back and recognize them for their past performance and prowess in the ring. Frank Moore returned as a two-time champion for our Doolie and Third Class years and Gary Vasek returned as one of the very few four-time champions in USAFA’s history. Carl Janssen organized a get-together at a local restaurant for all of us to share remembrances of those athletic triumphs when we were all still invincible cadets.

THOUGHTS AND PRAYERS: We were saddened by loss of two of our classmates. James Eugene DeFazio and Bruce Alan Gerrity.

Jim DeFazio died from injuries he received on 13 February 2023 when the bicycle he was riding in downtown Fort Collins, Colorado collided with a car. Jim and I went to pilot training together at Reese AFB and shared a common bond with the Band of Brothers from the Class of 70-01. He went on to fly the C-123 and KC-135 in combat and after completing his Air Force commitment, received an MBA from Wayne State University. In 1976, he became a Special Agent with the FBI and built a solid reputation over more than 20 years working both domestic and international law enforcement matters. Our prayers go out to Sherry and Jim’s family as they deal with Jim’s loss. Please see the Memoriam section of our Class website for more specifics about Jim’s life and contributions.

Bruce Gerrity passed away on 13 March 2023 at his residence in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. He served as an Air Force officer for 26 years and retired in the rank of colonel. Among his many Air Force duties, he flew Air Force One for Presidents Jimmy Carter and Ronald Reagan. In the late 1980s and early 1990s, Bruce and I served together in the Pentagon in the Office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Special Operations and Low Intensity Conflict and then, again, in the newly formed Air Force Special Operations Command at Hurlburt Field, Florida. He was a good and faithful friend and he will be missed.

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. Ciao for now. Tim