May2007news
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USAF Officer Candidate School -- Class 1957C
Newsletter: May 2007 Our Staff: President . . . . . . . . . . Jack Fox Vice President. . . . . . . Dale Shipley Secretary/Treasurer. . . . . Phil Meek Webmaster. . . . . . . . . Dick Nagel Photographer . . . . . . . Bobby Sims Golf Pro . . . . . . . . . Milt Jones Bar Tender . . . . . . . . . Frank Walls
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Our Website:
WWW.Webspawner.com/user/ocsclass57c/index.html
JACK'S CORNER: (JACK FOX)
By earlier email to all members, I solicited opinions on the success of the big 50th anniversary reunion in San Antonio last month. Most, if not all, attendees will agree that it was a special event for several reasons. Our committee representatives, Dick and Val Edwards, are to be commended for a terrific job in planning events, coordinating with the hotel staff and attending to the myriad of details that reunions entail. A special thanks to Dick and Val and their supporting cast for a job well done. Ambassador (57-B) Tom Boyatt's keynote speech brought us up to date on current U.S. foreign policy and was followed by a lively question and answer session, sprinkled with humor in Tom's inimitable style. The river walk and downtown San Antonio tour were highlights and, although hampered by steady rain, the Lackland basic training graduation parade was an impressive display of patriotism. We are already thinking about another reunion in 2009 - more on that later.
Jack
DALE'S Domain (DALE SHIPLEY)
One nice thing about the reunion is the fact that the costs came in below budget. The fees exceeded expectations and all who attended received a one year extension of their dues. Thanks to the hard working, budget minded committee.
During the reunion, a class meeting was held. The current association officers were reelected by unanimous vote. A discussion was held concerning whether or not to have a memorial from our class. There was general agreement that we should. The association officers indicated that there is a slight surplus in the treasury and that approximately $500.00 could be used for a memorial. Therefore, John Ferris and Bob Lee were appointed as a committee of two to determine the What, Where, and When. They can use your ideas so send them your thoughts on this subject. We hope the committee can arrive at a decision and make a recommendation before the end of this year.
While on the subject of reunions I want to mention again that the 63rd OC Wg Assn (the last four OCS classes) is holding a reunion in Tucson, Arizona November 11-15, 2007. It is open to all interested USAF OCs from any class. Point of contact for registration - David Streeter, 520-885-5302 or dstreeter@juno.com
Dale
PHIL'S BILLS (Phil Meek)
Financial Report
(as of April 30, 2007 )
Beginning Balance $2,929.32
Receipts : Dues 250.00
Disbursements 0.00
Ending Balance $3,179.32
We now have 36 dues paying members of the association. Members who wish to stay in touch are encouraged to maintain current membership. Dues are only $10.00 per year. Some members have allowed their active membership to expire-their membership status on the class listing is shown as "Exp". Dues may be sent to Phil Meek, 1319 E. Palo Verde Dr., Phoenix, AX 85014
Phil
Miscellany
Reunion 2007 After Glow:
From Dick Nagel: Betty and I are truly sorry we will miss the reunion. We will miss seeing
you all. Please pass on our regrets to all.
From Phil Meek-We certainly had a great time the reunion. Nice accommodations at the hotel, good treatment and transportation. There were just enough events for diversion and wonderful fellowship with classmates from all of 1957. Al McNeal called me and sent his regrets from Florida. It seems his mother was having a birthday-number 100.
From Jim Hovingh-- Hope you recovered from your ice chest escapade. It was rather humorous to everyone except you understandably. I hope you didn't suffer any residual aches and pains.
Jeralyn and I really enjoyed the reunion. Perhaps one reason is it being closer to home and therefore we were not worn out from three days driving. The banquet was the highlight of the week. Yes we do enjoy good food and
fellowship but always enjoy Tom's talks. He is obviously a pretty smart guy and has had tremendous exposure at the international level. We were really humbled by the fact that he would take the time to come and talk to us old retired folks.
The viewing of the BMT ceremony was very memorable, wet weather and all. T/Sgt English also made the Lackland experience something to remember as he tied the present to the past in a very professional way.
I wish I played golf yet because It appeared to be enjoyed by all
participants. Maybe next time.
I would like to again thank all the people who planned and then worked the plan to make sure we all had a super great week.
From John Ferris-- I thought the entire committee, especially Jack, did a fantastic job as usual. The only thing, I had seen thunder and lightning and rain like that before, so it was no big surprise. Our room was on the end corner of the building and when the rain came, it came in UNDER our double door and I thought they might charge me for a swimming pool in our room. Then we were in the hospitality room, the room lit up like it was a flood light and then the thunder hit. Someone guessed it was less than a quarter mile away. It is close but still does not meet or exceed the boat trip of days gone by. It was fantastic meeting the guys from the other classes. One 57-A classmate took basic training at Sheppard AFB a few weeks ahead of me and we got the dubious distinction of reopening the base. Our training consisted of taking plywood off from the windows, going to supply and drawing cots and taking them to the barracks and sweeping the floors of the vacant barracks. Thrill. He remembered the parade when a check was given to the Red Cross. We were all wearing ODs and it was hot on the ramp and the new recruits in my flight were dropping like flies. They had only been there a couple of weeks. They had several medics behind each flight to pick up the ones that dropped. That was the first time that I learned you can stand at attention and not lock your knees.
The trip to Lackland was certainly unusual. With the BMT parade, IN THE RAIN, it was quite impressive. I am still confused about taking the oath, AFTER, completion of basic training. We had taken it when we enlisted and before we got to basic training. Maybe it was only for show for the attendees in the stands. The visit to the Air Force Village was also great. What quarters, rooms and houses. They were simply great and the meal was outstanding.
All in all, while 57-D started the reunions, I feel that our officers have put on the best programs at each and every reunion and had the best turn out. GO 57-C. A friend of mine, a bowler, was in 60-A, and they never have any reunion or any other get to gather. They only have their flight reunions. BUMMER.
Vida and I are looking forward to the next reunion whether in Las Vegas or Laughlin. She has gotten to renew friendship with Patty Lee; she babysat Bob and Patty's children while Patty worked to help put Bob through OCS. She also got to renew friendship with Ted Goodwin's wife, Chris. They were both in the same WAF Squadron in Great Falls AFB, Montana. Ted and Chris were married Feb 1, 1952 and Vida and I were married May 1, 1952. This was kind of like a first honeymoon for Vida and I as we celebrated our 55th wedding anniversary a few days after the reunion. We only had a 3 day pass when we got married.
Keep up the outstanding work to both of you and the rest of the committee.
From Gene Fenstermacher: Gene sent a letter expressing his regrets for not being able to attend the reunion. He is heavily involved in tracking Federal Veteran Legislation. He is the Legislative Affairs Director, AFA and MOAA Southeast Arizona Chapters. If you are interested trying the tracking system you can contact him at fensteg@cox.net or (530) 378-1471.
From your editor: One thing I can say about the San Antonio reunion is that Texas weather really cooperated. My wife was dreading the trip to San Antonio because she remembered what happened in 1965. We had PCS'd from Alaska to Randolph AFB in August. For the previous three years the highest temperature we had seen was 78 Degrees. And for next three months the lowest temperature in San Antonio was 80 degrees. This time it could not have been better-thunderstorms or not. Also the drive through a fair share of Texas was wonderful with lots of wildlife and fields full of blooming flowers.
How Are They Doing:
Since many of you are not aware that Bobby Sims had an emergency situation with a massive blood clot in one leg from hip to toe, here is an update from a phone conversation on May 8, 2007. Bobby returned home and shortly thereafter was taken to the hospital with the clot which totally immobilized him. He was given blood thinning injections for three days in the hospital, followed by five days of injections at home administered by wife Margaret. The clotting occurred as a result of stopping his daily drug treatment of blood thinning in preparation for a melanoma operation on his forehead. The result was the clogging of the main artery, a painful experience to be sure. Bobby is on the mend and in good spirits and wants all who are waiting for reunion photos to be patient while he recovers. Knowing Bobby, he'll get to the photo work at the earliest practical date - he expects to be back to full strength shortly and we'll see the great photos taken in San Antonio. Our thoughts and hopes are with Bobby and Margaret during this trying time.
In February Nan Burer sent an update on Art. Here it is. "Hi one and all. Just thought I'd bring you up to date with Art. He is now in Edgewater Care Center in Kerrville, under a VA contract. This is really a much better place than he has been - at least from what I've seen so far. His behavior became a serious problem and the old Care center sent him to the psyche ward of one of our hospitals. I think I'm now able to become a "head shrinker". The doc who evaluated him said he had advanced dementia, hallucinations, and could not remember anything - something we all have known for some time. Anyhoo, the main reason for the psyche eval was to see about changing meds. He has become combative, agitated, aggressive and unhappy. He still knows me and our daughter, Winnie Ann. It's an hour + drive to where he is but the facility is a lot better. I plan to go see him twice a week."
Jack Fox talked to Nan on April 11th and she gave him an update on Art. Here's what she said. "Apparently Art has settled down to a more tranquil state and is being well-cared for. True, he only recognizes Nan and their youngest daughter but Nan is thankful that Art's status is not volatile at this time."
Your editor talked with Nan on the phone today, May 14, 2007. She said Art has his ups and downs and she is pleased with the facility and care he is receiving at the Kerrville VA facility. She frequently makes the 150 mile round trip to see Art. He, according to her, acts the part of an "eternal colonel" and tries to give her and the VA staff direction where no direction is needed.
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