This Newsletter is dedicated to:
Leo Bayles Reilly Jr. Major USAF Retired
Our Fearless leader as O/C Colonel Wing Commander
deceased February 7, 2001
JACK'S CORNER:
A tribute and a eulogy for Leo Reilly, a fellowmember of Second Squadron who passed away February 7, was compiled by Dave Harvey and is included in this newsletter. Following is an anecdote from second-class days with Leo.Leo found second-class training in "Tiger Two" to be considerably more than anticipated because he wasin the spotlight from the very beginning of the ordeal. No other officer candidate had as many "panic" calls as Leo. Managing time and organizing personal affairs seemed to escape him at the most critical times, usually just before inspections and special events such as big parades. Tiger Two was a madhouse for the first three weeks, as it was for most squadrons, especially when first-class singled out individuals for "special scrutiny." Hazing is the more appropriate description of what some unfortunate candidates endured. Leo, being nervous and rather high-strung, projected an aloofness that attracted the wrath of some of our snippy "upper-class," as they wished to be called, and as a result, Leo set records for white-ones and ramp hours. He was oblivious to the hounding except when the turmoil caused a "Panic in Reilly's room" call. Leo became a special project for our stern first-class and the extra attention afforded him an opportunity to demonstrate a capacity for leadership. Through all the frustration, confusion, and pressure, Leo remained undaunted. His determination served him well when he was selected as our Wing Commandedr, a thankless and prestigious job he coveted but never expected to hold. Leo may be gone, but he will never be forgotten. As we parted after the 1999 reunion, it was acknowledged that he was waging an uphill battle for life.
This newsletter will reach most of you just a short time before our reunion planning committee meets in the first week of April. The meeting hasn't been advertised or promoted as a reunion, but will be such since, in the common vernacular, a reunion is a gathering of two or more people after a period of separation. You no doubt have concluded that I would like to bring our classmates together more often. This is true and sums up what I believe to be the most important and enjoyable legacy of Officer Candidate School; our most intense and lasting feelings stem from togetherness and common bond of fellowship initiated when we were thrown together for that wild six-month ride in San Antonio. In summary, your executive (hate that word) and reunion committees exist for, and work towards, a single simple goal...provide opportunities to keep in touch with each other and enjoy the time spent together. The fact that six of our three connected classmates (57B, 57C, & 57D) have died in the past year should point toward more rather than less, frequent reunions. In that spirit, Gil and Jean Whiteman's laid-back, blue-jeans, weekend in Connecticut in June promises to be a fun event. Hopefully, others will follow this example and stage area gatherings open to all classmates.
Ample time remains to register for the Las Vegas meeting and mini-reunion. Contact Dennis Goudy for details and, if you wish to play a round of golf, contact me ASAP. Tee times for early April are limited at the beautiful course made available to us through the special efforts of Frank Walls. Come and join the fun in the OCS spirit.
JACK
NOTES FROM GIL:I'm looking forward to meeting with a few of the guys in Las Vegas in early April, to plan for our next classwide reunion in 2002! The older I get, the more it seems to me that I want to "reune" with my OCS classmates more often! Toward that end we're looking forward to our "off-year" mini-gathering, for the "laid-back blue-jeans weekend" in Connecticut, on June 15,16, and 17, 2001. Connecticut is beautiful at that time of year. So far about a dozen couples have signed up for that. If for some reason, you didn't get the details earlier, E-mail me at Whitemanct@hotmail.com or give me a call in Florida (941) 947-5310 before April 11, or in Connecticut (203) 453-4079 after that. I'll send you the scoop on travel, lodging, etc. We have folks coming from California, Florida, Colorado, Virginia, New Jersey, Maryland, Texas, and Connecticut. Come and enjoy a long weekend sharing war stories, fish stories, jokes, lies, good food, and brotherhood. See you soon!!!
GIL
WORDS FROM LEO, SOME OF HIS LAST....A MEMORY, FROM OUR WING COMMANDER:
One Mid-Day Meal Formation
I am not sure what follows is entirely accurate. Time blurs the detail. But, its how I remember it anyway – or at least, as I want to.We were well into Second Class days then and although still spring, on this particular day it was hot. Swelteringly hot in the noonday sun. Like most, I’d had some low points since arriving those several weeks before but with help I’d managed to work out of them. However, that particular day was different. It had all finally gotten to me. I still didn’t want to quit but I was convinced I was not going to make it - and had the depressing feeling I couldn’t no matter how hard I tried. The morning had been bad enough. More marginal academic grades with a clear warning that I was at risk of elimination because of them. The departing handshake with yet another fellow candidate going back to NCO ranks who, had he remained, I knew would have made a far better officer than I was ever likely to be (A view still held). The prospect of yet another Saturday afternoon on the “Ramp” while others enjoyed a brief respite. The paranoia of knowing with certainty and with plenty of supporting evidence, that the prime mission of Tiger Two upper-class was to ensure that me above all others, would never pin on gold bars. Then it got worse. Yet again, I’d had practically no lunch. Every attempted bite thwarted by maliciously timed first-class harassment. Breakfast had been no different nor it seemed had any meal since I arrived. Lautersteins was making a fortune out of altering my uniforms. I was starving, weak from hunger and experiencing an inner, almost primeval feeling of aggression in being prevented from eating.
Out, “driving” to join the formation at the rear of the dining hall for return to academics – dreading what was to come. Who will forget those 15-20 minute periods each day when first-class unleashed their contemptuous wrath on us. A melee of scurrying troops, commands being barked, voices screaming abuse into the faces of quivering, sweat-drenched second-class in the broiling hot sun.
Then, there he was! Just to the left of me as I “drove” by. God himself (Smith, O/C Wing Cmdr), clustered with his apostles (the O/C Wing Staff). All immaculate with epaulettes that signified they ruled the world. Everyone, it seemed, 9 feet tall. Shoes like patent leather. It wasn’t planned and it wasn’t very smart. But, as only you will know, it was the single, one and only way you could get back at them – if you wanted to risk it. All of the frustration, depression and anger surfaced. I gave Smith a left-handed salute and for a fraction of a second I thought he’d taken it. His right hand fingers stretched and his arm began to move up. But, only momentarily and only slightly. Then I entered Hell.
Well, I’ll tell you pard’ner they were good at it! Better even than Arthur Burer who later became a master! I was surrounded. One after another they took turns at tearing strips off flesh off me until there wasn’t anything left but raw nerve endings. Firstly, they convinced me that offering a left handed salute was an act of deliberate insubordination and as such was grounds for instant dismissal which would come immediately after they were finished with me. Possibly even a court martial.
Then came torrents of the most personal abuse. I “smelled” and hadn’t washed. My near record ramp time reflected my failure to meet military training standards and this insubordinate act was yet further proof of that. My mediocre academic standing indicated I lacked the intelligence required of an AF officer and this folly proved that it was worse than that. I was stupid. The dismissals and SIE’s of classmates was to a large extent my fault as I had selfishly not helped them enough. Clearly, this insubordinate act of daring to offer a left-handed salute was purposely intended to cause personal embarrassment and insult to the O/C Wing Commander in a conspicuous place. My uniform was a disgrace. My shoes were a disgrace. I was a disgrace. My continued presence in OCS was a disgrace to the rest of my class. I would be a disgrace to the Air Force if ever commissioned and that was never going to happen.
Words cannot convey the extent of the humiliation they inflicted or the depths of self-doubt they instilled in those minutes of uninterrupted, vicious, penetrating hyperbole. I was by that time soaked with sweat, beginning to quiver and feeling faint on my jelly–like legs. Time was getting short but seeing and hearing the commotion, a few of the O/C Group Staff came over to observe and join in the fun. Vigorously so once they learned what had precipitated it all.
Conscious that the formation might be late leaving, Smith dismissed all but two of his gun bearers. One, Jones (Wing O&T), switched to the “good cop” role and quietly in a kind, gentlemanly and sympathetic tone explained how disappointed he was as he had been “watching me” and now regrettably found I lacked what it took to be an Air Force officer. With Smith’s nodding concurrence he suggested I return to the barracks and complete my SIE form.
Smith then asked, “Isn’t that what you want to do now Mister?” to which I replied, “ No Sir.” Then, looking at his watch he said, “I will send for you tonight Mister! Dismissed!” On leaving, with Smith, Jones and Redman (O/C 2nd Group Cmdr.) wheeling away so as not to be late for their class I gave them a left handed salute which Smith, out of the corner of his eye, took!! He stopped dead, turned, looked me straight in the eye and then, wholly out of role, showed just the trace of a smile. I saluted him correctly and he returned it. Not another word was said.
The next time I spoke to Hedrik Smith was weeks later when he called me to his room to tell me I had been selected as 57C O/C Wing Commander. Leo B Reilly
PHIL'S BILLS AND THINGS...THE TREASURER'S REPORT:I am pleased to report that our treasury remains "healthy." We do, however, anticipate expenses for the 2002 reunion and our quarterly newsletters. The association membership is now at 45 paid-up members with one new member and two deceased during the last three months. For anyone wishing to join, or to extend their membership, please send dues checks directly to me and I'll advise Gil of your new date for the final class register that he and Dave Harvey keep current.
THE FINANCIAL STATEMENT
The beginning Balance $1597.13
Two 5 year memberships $100.00
One 2 year membership $20.00
One 1 year membership $10.00
Total receipts $130.00
SUB TOTAL BALANCE $1727.13
December newsletter expense $67.25
Room Deposit for Las Vegas mtg $500.00
Total expenses $567.25
SUB TOTAL BALANCE $1159.88Assets are Cash on hand $1159.88
Return of advance room deposit $500.00
TOTAL BALANCE $1659.88The hotel advance room deposit for the rooms at Las Vegas for the April planning meeting will be repaid by the attending members bills and returned to the treasury as shown once the meeting has been held.
PHIL
HARVEY'S HARPINGS...THE SECRETARY'S REPORT:Welcome to the new year and new mellinium. For me it is almost as if in a new lifetime since I have just about overcome the very significant surgical reconstruction of my lower body arterial system. The recuperation I went through for the three aneurysm repairs began with the surgery itself on voting day, November 7, 2000, and finally resulted in the deliberately left-open incisions closing on Inauguration Day, January 20, 2001. I guess my healing os somewhat akin to the national problems of getting G.W. elected...or was it the other way 'round??? Whatever the relationship, both have been accomplished and I seem to be on my way toward a better and healthier way of life. Others among us have not been as lucky. In Class 57D classmate Eldon Oldnettle, a gentleman that I grew to know fairly well at the 1999 San Antonio reunion, passed away after a long siege with health problems. Our fearless leader, Leo Reilly also died, on February 7th of this year, and the loss of both of these people have left me with a void that will be hard to fill. Our classmate, Jim McGuire, who started with us and then had some problems and went to 57D for some more, has spent time recently having his carotid arteries cleaned out (a procedure that both Gil Whiteman and myself have endured) and needs the continued support of our prayers and such. All of this serves to remind us of the nature of OCS graduates being a "vanishing" breed. That each of us has been and will continue to be of support to each other is a very staisfying and special thing. I know that the supportive notes, prayers, cards, letters, e-mails, and even visits by classmates have been strongly responsible for my well-being.
And now...something I do not like to do...but...we all are facing the inevitable and here is one guy for which my "termination" will always be there...
MAJOR LEO BAYLES REILLY, USAF RETIRED...dECEMBER 17, 1931 - fEBRUARY 7, 2001
THE FOLLOWING E-MAIL WAS RECEIVED ON fEB 9, 2001 AND IS REPORTED HERE FOR THE BENEFIT OF ALL:
"It is with deep deep sadness that James and I have to write that Leo died on Wedneday morning. The last two weeks of his life were spent at St. Nicholas Hospice which he had entered to stabilize an irregular heartbeat and stop a chect infection. He deteriorated rapidly to a point where he couldn't breathe or stop coughing and needed two nurses to assist him in everything. We were with him when he died peacefully and without pain. To the end Leo fought with the strength you all know he had, and which we know you all have too. He is now being subjected to a coroner's inquest to determine the actual cause of death. James and I are having to carry on the fight he started to prove that non-hodgekins and other cancers were directly attributable to Vietnam service and to the benefit for James to attend a University education in the United States, which was everything to Leo. We feel devastated that Leo suffered enough but have been advised by the USAF Casualties Officer that we must continue his fight. All I can say to you is that your e-mails, comradship, and friendship meant everything to him in these last three years. Through your biographies both James and I have grown to know you all as well. Please pray for Leo, James, and for me. We can only think that Leo is free at last. The funeral is set for Friday February 16, 2001, at Culford Church Culford School, James' school. James and I will be bringing Leo's ashes home to New England for a full military burial later this year and you are all warmly invited to attend. Our love and thoughts and prayers are with you all. Signed : Sarah and James Reilly.
If I may be so bold...I would like to add my two-cents worth...I really didn't know you while at San Antonio in 1957, you were my Wing Commander and as such received my utmost respect. I grew to know you later, at San Antonio in 1999 at the first reunion that we both attended. From that point on my respect and admiration for you grew and I feel blessed to be included as your friend. You, and for that matter, every classmate from OCS, has and will be remembered for a devotion to duty, honor, and country that is truly "Above and Beyond the Call"...Leo, I salute you, I honor you, and I will miss you here with us, but I look forward to reuniting with you and our Father in a future roll call. From a fellow New Englander...David Calvis Harvey.
And now...more support is needed...for Arthur Burer, battling congestive heart failure, Gil Whiteman, fighting all sorts of agrivating problems which don't seem to keep him from the support of others, and for me, who needs all the help I can get to say nothing about my wife Jean who is still "cancer free" thank God. My heartfelt thanks go out to Jack Fox for having to do without me for a while, and to Gil Whiteman who had to fill in for me last quarter. Every soul on earth should have friends like these...and like all of you.
News from the Helms family..."Shirley slipped and fell (ice?) on February 5th, and broke her hip. She's out of commision just now. She had surgery and is recovering nicely here at home. I finally got the slipped disc in my back repaired in November, and I'm back to about 80% right now. I also had my left hand operated on a couple of weeks ago, and have another month in a cast...with that...ain't old age great?" "Some good news from Howie and Shirley...we're expecting our first grandchildren (twins) in April so we are excited about that. Hoping we will be able to help out with them a little by then. Tell everyone 'hello' for us and don't work or play too hard." signed: Howie and Shirley Helms
An "ALL-NEW" "ALL-REVISED" and "TOTALLY RE-DONE" Class register is nearly finished and should be ready for publishing about the time you read this epistle. The format will be far different from the previous edition I printed in 2000 for the Laughlin reunion. I hope it will be easier to have, use, and correct and updtae. I will announce when it is available and will provide either a printed copy, or a CD version for keeping on your computer. All that I will require will be the meager cost of production. I intend to cost the treasury nothing and prevent a loss to my meager income. No profits allowed here.
One final thought...we all need to be in support of the bills now being offered to assure our medical and dental benefits and that would be a great tribute to Leo as well.
DAVE HARVEY
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