HELLO ’68! Sorry - We are living in interesting times in D.C.! Some disgruntled residents are protesting the elimination of wasteful government spending, while others, who champion the ills of climate change, are burning electronic vehicles. It gets curiouser and curiouser!

SCRIBE MEA CULPA: Apologies to the Barnard family for misinterpreting Rhip Worrell’s Christmas letter. Doug passed away in March 2019 and I reported he was with Rhip on a trip to Easter Island. I am sincerely for the error. May he rest is peace.
 
                                                                         “John “Sully” and Charlotte Sullivan"

‘68ER CONTINUES TWO-STATE LIFESTYLE: Not content with spending the cold months in the natural splendor of Spokane, Sully and Charlotte Sullivan have been packing up their belongings and jetting to Honolulu for many years. Sully says he gets to enjoy the fruits of his working years by making his home where the comfort is. As a member of my pilot training class, I can attest that this happy couple looked great and well-rested at our Reese AFB Class of 70-01 reunion in Pensacola Beach last October.

HOLIDAY MAILBAG: Notable stories from around the Class are as follows:

Charlie and Bonnie Coolidge broke free from their home in Northern Virginia to take in some relaxing time with family and friends in Atlanta, Chattanooga, Okracoke Island, Cape Hatteras, and Nags Head. They are seriously looking to relocate nearer to their family with top options being Tennessee, Georgia, Texas and Florida.

Vic and Mary Bonfiglio had a very nice surprise when two of her sisters and their niece, Brittany, came to visit for a month in September. Lots of time at Bellows Beach was on the agenda! Vic is justifiably proud of his work at the Pacific Flight Academy where three of his students were awarded $10,000 scholarships and the school was voted by YELP as The Best Aviation Academy in Hawaii.

Du and Margie Mrosla sent a catch-up greetings letter telling of their August 2023 50th Anniversary trip to Maui when after four days into their vacation the Lahaina fire happened. Du said, “It was a devastating event for many lost homes and lives. We were luck to return home safely after some challenging events.” The final big event for 2024 was a trip to Yellowstone National Park to celebrate Du’s and his brother DJ’s 80th birthdays. Margie writes, “Pearl and I planned it a year in advance, and it was a fabulous trip!”

“Thai Dinner in Niceville, Florida: Around the Table: Kerry and Barbara Killebrew, Carl and Susan McPherson, and Vern and Marilyn McGraw"

68ERS SHARE SPRING ROLLS IN NICEVILLE: Vern McGraw writes, “Kerry and Barbara Killebrew split their time between their North Carolina mountain house and their condo in Niceville, near their son Stephen and his family. Carl, like Marilyn and me, is ‘fully’ retired while Susan is still a top area real estate agent. After dinner, Barbara treated us to a dessert at their condo and we enjoyed reviewing some Falcon News articles from back-in-the-day.”

MID-CYCLE REUNION PROPOSAL: Our classmate, Bill Wood did a spot survey of the interest in participating in a Class gathering prior to our 60th reunion in 2028. Out of 94 emails sent to assess interest, he received 17 responses with 11 expressing support. After suggesting gatherings in Branson, Missouri; Washington, D.C.; and a cruise between Nashville and Memphis, the only potential option still available is the cruise in the September – October timeframe. If any of you are interested in participating in this venture, please contact Bill. His email address is: woodncolo@comcast.net.

68ER GOES GREEN: Roger Dean writes that Carol and he “made the leap at the end of 2023 into solar power. We had 24 panels installed on our roof in the week after Christmas and they were operational in early January. We may not live to break even on the cost, but it sure is comforting to thumb our noses at the power company and their ever-increasing rates.”

                                                         "Irish Celebration: Pat Hurley and Dave Barrs"

68ERS DRESS FOR ST. PATRICK’S DAY: Dave Barrs writes, “Pat was kind enough to invite me to his St. Patrick’s Day get-together. Apparently, the green hair is a long-standing family tradition!” Pat’s Christmas card started with “Another busy year with kids, family and dear friends. Tarpon fishing with the boys in Mexico and the Keys. Then, Italy and Copenhagen with friends and a trans-Canada rail trip through the magnificent Rockies with new dear friends from the neighborhood.” He also managed to have an epic steel-head fishing adventure on the Blackfoot River in Montana. Sounds like someone checked off a bunch of his bucket list items in 2024!

THOUGHTS AND PRAYERS: Prayers are requested for those affected by personal health issues and those who are now responsible for becoming care-givers to loved ones. We also pray for so many fellow countrymen and women who are still dealing with the devastation caused by traumatic weather events across our nation and the wildfires in California. Finally, we pray for our country with a call for civility and an end to senseless violence at home and abroad.

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. Reunion photos and news are most welcome! Ciao for now. Tim