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OCS CLASS 1957 C

CLASS NEWSLETTER

STAFF REPORTS FOR DECEMBER 2002

USAF Officer Candidate School -- Class 1957C

Newsletter: December 2002

Executive Committee:

President . . . . . . . . . . Jack Fox

Vice President. . . . . . . Dale Shipley

Secretary. . . . . . . . . . Dave Harvey

Treasurer. . . . . . . . . . Phil Meek

Specialist Committee:

CINC Website. . . . . . . Dick Nagel

Photographer . . . . . . . Bobby Sims

Cruise Investigations. . John Ferris, Bill Weimer, and Dale Shipley

JACK’S CORNER: (JACK FOX)

To cruise or not to cruise, that is the question. Your executive staff has chosen the Royal Caribbean 4-day Baja cruise sailing from Los Angeles 13 October 2003. It will be a reunion of sorts regardless of the number signing on. Eighteen association members responded to Dale Shipley's survey - nine preferred the Baja cruise as first or second choice. Our classmates in 57-B and 57-D have been invited to join in on the fun - Glen and Della Robbins, 57-B, have already reserved a cabin. We have a block of 40 cabins through AAA with prices guaranteed until 1-6-03. Let Dale Shipley know when you book your reservation; he'll be maintaining and publishing a sign-up roster.

Our biennial reunion is about 18 months away and preliminary plans should begin soon. John Ferris is looking into the situation in the Reno/Tahoe area because, if a proposal from our midwest and eastern members isn't forthcoming, we in the west will be hosting the 2004 gathering once again. Members of 57-B and 57-D have inquired about a joint reunion in the near future. If it becomes a reality, San Antonio would be a logical location for the gathering of our three classes. What are your thoughts on the 2004 reunion? Look for an announcement in the 1 March 2003 newsletter. Jack

Cruise announcement rewrite including updates:

Your executive staff has reached a decision on the 2003 Cruise. Based on Dale Shipley's survey, the four-day Baja cruise out of Los Angeles is the preference of a majority of the fourteen who responded in the affirmative. The Tampa and New Orleans cruises were a close second and third in the voting.

A 13 October sailing date has been reserved along with a block of 40 cabins in various categories. The number of cabins in each category is adjustable until 6 January 2003 when our price and availability guarantee expires. It behooves all who wish to lock in a cabin at the quoted price to act without delay. Your first deposit of $50 per cabin ($200 for cabin with balcony or extra guests) is due 30 days from date of reservation. All bookings must be paid in full by 8-14-03. Credit card or personal check acceptable. You may change category at anytime based on availability, but the price is subject to change after 1-06-03. Cancellation insurance is available for $49 per person. Full refund is allowed for medical situations involving passengers and immediate family - defined as parents, children, brothers and sisters. Doctor verification is mandatory. The insurance payment must be made by separate check, no credit cards, and is due 8-14-03. Picture ID plus an original or certified birth certificate or passport are required to board ship.

The cruise departs 10-13-03 from Los Angeles on the Royal Caribbean "Monarch of the Seas" with stops in Ensenada, San Diego and Catalina Island, returning to port 0800, 17 October 2003. The ship was launched in 1991 with Norwegian registry, has a passenger capacity of 2744 and a crew of 827. Brochures will be available soon at AAA offices nationwide. Dress is casual except for the Captain's dinner (last evening on board) when coat and tie are required. This cruise was announced just recently and closely follows a previous offering in 2001. Royal Caribbean provides nine cabin categories - five basic levels with sub-categories at slight cost variations depending on location and deck level. Prices are per person based on double occupancy. Add $49 pp for cancellation insurance.

Category Q: 6 cabins reserved - inside stateroom, no window - $362.55 pp*

Category L&N: 8 cabins reserved - inside stateroom, no window - $392.55-$412.55 pp*

Category F,G,I: 11 cabins reserved - Ocean view, porthole - $442.55-472.55 pp*

Category D: 10 cabins reserved - Ocean view, window - $522.55 pp

Category C: 5 cabins reserved - Ocean view, balcony - $622.55 pp

* Up to two guests allowed at additional cost of $152.55 pp.

To reserve a cabin, contact Mike Curley, AAA travel agent, at 13331 Jamboree Road, Tustin, CA 92782, phone: (714) 734-4474, email: curley.michael@aaa-calif.com, Fax: (714) 730-0801. Furnish the following:

1. Booking code: The OCS 57 C Group.

2. AAA membership number. (Membership not required)

3. Legal names, ages and addresses of passengers.

4. Category of accommodations desired.

Send deposit to reach the Tustin AAA office NLT 30 days from date of booking.

AIR TRAVEL: Airfare can be included as a package deal, but it should be recognized that discounted fares can be significantly lower than those offered by the cruise line. The advantage of a combination package is that the cruise line is responsible for getting you to the port. If you book your own transportation, AAA can provide transfers or recommend shuttle service from Los Angeles airport to the departure dock. The ship departs at 1645 so there is time for a morning fly-in. Check-in time is 1445. The ship returns at 0800 on 17 October in time for reasonable-hour return flights. Thus, if an early flight can be arranged on the 13th, a hotel is not needed.

Let Dale Shipley know if you plan to join our OCS group cruise. An attendance roster will be published and updated regularly. Bernice and I have made reservations and look forward to reuniting with classmates on what promises to be a memorable event. OCS 57-B and 57-D members have been invited to join us.

Jack

DALE’S DRIVEL (DALE SHIPLEY)

The holidays are upon us with stuffed turkey--some stomachs too--and parties and traveling and visitors and snow (at least for some of us) and all else that goes with the joyful events of this season. Elaine and I wish everyone a blessed Christmas and a happy and prosperous New Year. Thanksgiving is past Christmas is future today is a gift-that is why we call it the present.

My thanks go to everyone who completed the cruise survey. It was close, but Los Angles had the most votes as the desired port of departure. Now Jack Fox has landed what sounds to be an exciting cruise for October 2003. Details about specific dates, ports-of-call, etc. are in Jacks e-mails and in his notes in this newsletter. I keep tabs on those who make reservations. There will be e-mail every couple of weeks to let you know who has signed up. For those without e-mail, watch for an announcement in the next newsletter. Now, if you haven’t made your reservation yet, please do. And DO IT NOW before the January deadline so you can lock in those great rates. Remember you can pay later. Call or send e-mail to Jack or me if you have questions. Here’s another thought-get another classmate to sign up too--the more the merrier.

Sincerely, Dale

DAVE’S DROOL: (DAVE HARVEY)

As is normal for me, I must sadly announce that during the period since the last newsletter we have lost more of our class;

Edward A. Blevins lost his battle with cancer and has left our midst. We shall all remember Ed, for his constant support, his ever happy love of being with us at reunions, and for his courage through the toughest of times. Our hearts go out to Jerry and their family as we too grieve the loss.

Marilyn Barnes, wife of our classmate Kenneth C. Barnes, has passed on and again we the members of class 57C have been faced with a significant loss. If there are any of you still in contact with Ken, please assure him of the grief we all feel for his loss.

I, like the rest of you I hope, am looking forward to the 2003 Class Reunion Cruise. For the first time we won’t have a few of us being overworked with coordination, planning, and preparation. We will all be able to enjoy and relax, not just those of us who get to just "attend" as it were. Now I don’t know about you guys, but the last time I was on a boat with a bunch of other military guys it was hardly called a cruise. Across the Atlantic in December on the USMSTS General William O Darby on C Deck was definitely NOT a cruise. Neither was the return, three years later, on the USMSTS General Patch on D Deck.

We can all be quite happy that Art Burer is getting better and the back problems seem to be improving, he and his wonderful wife, Nan, are planning to accompany us on the coming cruise so long as his health and the doctors allow. Another proof that our prayers and support really do help.

We are about to celebrate the Christmas season once again and we will all be encountering family gatherings, reunions, and the joy of what Christmas means to each and every one of us. It will be a time of hectic as well as happy times. It is my prayer that we all have a merry, joyous, and great time without mishap or negative outcome. The Harvey family wishes all of you the Merriest of Christmases and the Happiest of New Years.

Dave

PHIL’S BILLS: (PHIL MEEK)

Only two transactions in the last three months for the treasury. Report as follows:

Beginning Balance: $3,191.59

Receipts:

Dues Payments $100.00

Expenses: -0-

Ending Balance: $3,291.59

Treasury activities for the last quarter have been routine. Dues for association membership are $10.00 per year (multiples of $10.00 are accepted for payment of more than a year. Dues for each year expire of Sep 20--the date of our graduation. Any member wishing to make payment please send your checks to Phil Meek, 1319 E. Palo Verde Dr., Phoenix, AZ 85014

In Brotherhood Phil

FROM THE CLASS HISTORIAN (DAVE HARVEY)

The following report was sent on to me from brother Neil Sanders, originally from Stan Lowry

Nancy and I attended the graveside services yesterday at Arlington National Cemetery for our classmate and brother Ed Blevins. The services were conducted with full military honors including, Caisson and horses, Honor Guard, Firing Party, Band, Bugler and Chaplain. Ed's whole family was there. We had the opportunity to meet Ed's four sons and wives. We also spoke briefly with his wife Jerry, during which I expressed condolences on behalf of our classmates. The weather was beautiful -- a cool, brisk, fall morning. The Air Force Honor Guard provided pallbearers and a firing party. The USAF Band played in the procession to the Columbarium where Ed's cremains were inurned, and the band provided the bugler who played "Taps." A USAF Chaplain conducted the services and presented Ed's burial flag to Jerry. In all, a very fitting send off to an old "war horse" and a great guy, and good friend. Cheers,

Stan Lowry

Hand Salute……