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OCS CLASS 1957C

CLASS NEWSLETTER

STAFF REPORTS FOR SEPTEMBER 2002

USAF Officer Candidate School -- Class 1957C

Newsletter: September 2002

Executive Committee:

President . . . . . . . . . . Jack (The Ripper) Fox

Vice President. . . . . . . Dale (Da Man) Shipley

Secretary. . . . . . . . . . Dave (Alzheimer) Harvey

Treasurer. . . . . . . . . . Phil (Anderson)Meek

CINC Website. . . . . . . Dick (Rogaine) Nagel

Photographer . . . . . . . Bobby (Eagle Eyes) Sims

Cruise Investigations. . John (Who Me) Ferris, Bill (Da Judge) Weimer,and Dale (I Love Dolly) Shipley

JACK'S CORNER: (JACK FOX)

Just a few words before we depart on our summer vacation: The last two weeks of August are commonly called the "dog days." I don't know the derivative of the term, but aside from the heat and work pace, what else could it mean? Perhaps dog days explains the tedium for some of us bearing up to the long period between reunions.

The cruise planned for next year is still about 14 months away, but to get the best deal for our group, some preliminary planning is necessary. For that reason, VP Dale Shipley is initiating a survey for all classmates to determine interest in gathering for a four to five day ocean cruise. Please return your reply to Dale without delay. Several members have verbally committed to joining in on the fun so there will be a cruise in October-November 2003. The only issues to be settled are selecting the cruise line, destination and date.

Another item of equal importance is the 2004 reunion. There will be a gathering at some location to be sure. The reunion committee and location issues are yet to be determined, but we still would like to get a proposal from an eastern or central source. Any ideas or thoughts about a joint reunion with 57-B and 57-D? There are areas such as San Antonio with a wealth of member talent and numbers from all three classes that could put on a good show. Unless a proposal emerges in the next 6-8 months, it will be necessary to resurrect a committee for a get-together somewhere in the west. Now is the time to submit your suggestions and preferences. Your views and opinions are important!

Our membership is growing steadily with latest count at 45. Since this newsletter is being sent to all 57-C classmates, I'm urging non-members to consider joining in on the fun. There's nothing more satisfying than the spirited discussions, comradery, and brotherhood resulting from membership in our special group. It's the best bargain going.

In the OCS spirit, Jack

DALE'S DRIVEL (DALE SHIPLEY)

At the Las Vegas class meeting we had strong interest in joining up for a 4 or 5-day cruise in 2003, the off year from our 2004 biennial reunion. Jack Fox, Bill Weimer, Neil Sanders and John Ferris have found many alternatives--too many in fact, but never fear. They have sorted the important from the irrelevant and here is a synopsis of their findings.

Possible departure port comes down to New Orleans, Los Angeles, or Tampa. That's one in the east, one centrally located and one in the west. With these three, transport to the cruise dock is simplified. Bill Weimer advises to avoid Miami and that Port Canaveral would entail extra transport from Orlando. Prices from one cruise line to another are usually competitive with the exception of Disney. Their prices are higher and they are more oriented toward entertaining children.

This far in advance prices aren't real firm but per person, double occupancy, basic cost, usually goes from a bare bones inside room at about $100/day to $250 or even more/day for outside or balcony suites and staterooms. Getting to the port, port taxes and gratuities are additional. On some cruise lines third and fourth guests in the same room get a reduced rate but usually four guests is the limit in one room. Sometimes there are group and/or senior citizen incentives. Anyone checking the "More than four" block of the below survey will have to book added room(s).

We'd like every newsletter recipient to complete the survey. From your input we hope to identify a specific cruise. It will be open to association members first and then to non-association members on a space available basis. Everyone who signs up will have a choice of accommodations to fit their budget and group size.

Liability disclaimer: The association will not be responsible for any losses or damages that participants may incur.

If you cannot or will not be joining us, please answer the first question and give us any comments/remarks you may have. Please make your response on or before October 15,2002.
Dale

DAVE'S DROOL: (DAVE HARVEY)

The amount of volunteer effort that has been expended this summer has astounded even the most skeptical of liberal thinkers. One look at the amazing assistance that Police Forces, Fire Fighters, concerned citizens, Mine Rescue Experts, and the general population of these United States has been in the past year as well as this last summer season more than miraculous. We of OCS training remember our entire career as Air Force Officers was totally due to the same volunteer spirit as it was appropriately titled “Cooperate to Graduate” for us. That same effort seems to be continuing as we are all learning more about the possibilities of reunion gatherings in the near as well as the more distant future. I claim it to be akin to miraculous for folk that are all in their early seventies (with precious few exceptions which will be very soon)

Please take note of the attached survey to be filled out by all so that we can proceed with the planning of the 2003 Reunion Cruise possibilities. The sooner we get the responses the sooner we can all begin our savings plans and such for the very special occasion of a cruise/reunion. For those who are worrying, since my remarks and comments of April 2002 about cruise destinations etc, Hell is not among the expected destinations. The survey, however, will help a great deal in presenting a definite set of plans at the earliest possible date allowing personal family planning and the like.

Dave

PHIL'S BILLS: (PHIL MEEK)

September Treasurer's Report:

Beginning Cash Balance:		$3,153.67
Receipts:
Dues	$120.00
Expense:
June 2002 Newsletter	$40.17
Website Hosting (1 year)	$41.91
Total Expenses	$82.08
Ending Cash Balance (Total Assets)		$31,191.59

Treasury activities have been routine during this quarter. The cash balances sufficient to maintain activities for the foreseeable future. We encourage all OCS Class 57-C members to become members of the association. At present 45 members belong to the association. Dues are $10 per year or $150 for lifetime membership (multiples of $10 are accepted). Dues paid for 2001 expire on Sep 20, 2001, (our graduation date). Please send your dues to Phil Meek, 1319 lE. Palo Verde Dr. Phoenix, AZ, 85014
Phil

A BIT OF A MEMORY…FROM THE HISTORIAN (THE HISTERICAL HARV)

One of the few places that a second class OCS member could find rest and relaxation was to be found at a Motel and Restaurant on Highway 90 near the gates that led to Lackland’s infamous Officer’s Training Area. The owner of the restaurant was Mister Jack Odom, who fancied himself something of gourmet steak broiler par excellance’. When I went there, usually with CJ Ballot, JJ Egan, and Nick Ludington, the fare was RARE, with a wedge, and lots of Blue Cheese. When the final week arrived, and was augmented by the arrival of my wonderful wife Jean, I simply had to treat her to one of Jack’s juiciest. Ordered as Medium Well, after all she is from Pennsylvania, she received one that was just a bit north of almost mooing. I gleefully sent it back, always wanted to do that. It returned as if it was a Louisiana blackened bully beef. Back it went and Jack saw it go. He came over, apologized and asked my Jeannie just exactly how she wanted it, “I’ll do it fer ya mah own seFf.” He said. It was perfect and my child bride was duly impressed.

Five years later, while I was stationed at McGuire Air Force Base, I received a letter which turned out to be a handwritten bill from Jack Odom for $2.00 that I owed him for that second steak. No notes, no words, no anything, just a bill for $2.00. I wrote him back and told him that I’d rather owe it to him than cheat him out of it and never heard from him again. In 1999, at the 57D reunion I went looking for the place…it is gone…and so is Jack I guess. Third Squadron will always remember the place I’m sure.
Dave

THE CLASS SURVEY FOR A POSSIBLE CRUISE IN 2003

* * * * * * * * * * S U R V E Y * * * * * * * * * *

Please send your response by snail mail to:

Dale Shipley
1405 Red Oak Ct
Ft Collins, DO 80525
or via e-mail to:
dale.shipley@mail.biz.colostate.edu

If you use snail mail, just clip the survey, complete it and mail it. If you use e-mail, copy the survey then paste it into the body of an e-mail to Dale. BE SURE TO ANSWER THE QUESTIONS before clicking on send. (If you want to complete it while off-line, paste it into Notepad, Word or a similar editor where you can complete it before repasting into the body of an e-mail. Please do not send it as an attachment.)

1. Do you plan to go on the cruise?
/__/ Yes /__/ Probably will /__/ Probably will not /__/ Will not

2. How many will be in your group?
/___/Myself /___/ Two /___/Three /____/Four /___/More than four

3. What month in 2003 is your preference?
/____/September /____/October /____/November

4. What is an acceptable dollar amount per person per day not including,
port taxes, gratuities, and transportation to/from the port?
/____/100 to 150 /____/150 to 200 /____/200+

5. What is your preferred debarkation city?
/____/Tampa /____/New Orleans /____/Los Angeles

6. From the following possibilities, enter three choices. Use "1" for
your first choice, "2" for your second choice and "3" for your third
choice. The prices are best estimates per person.
_____
/____/From Los Angeles, 4 day cruise to Baja, Ensanada, San Diego,
Catalina, from$429 to $619
_____
/____/From Los Angeles, 4 day cruise to Baja, Ensanada, one day at sea,
from $459 to $659
_____
/____/From Tampa, 4 night cruise to Freeport and Nassau,
from $350 to $450
_____
/____/Tampa, 4 night cruise to Cozumel and Key West,
from $400 to $500
_____
/____/From Tampa, 5 night cruise to Cozumel and Grand Cayman,
from $500 to $600
_____
/____/From New Orleans, 4 day cruise to Cancun and Cozumel,
from$300 to $500
_____
/____/From New Orleans, 5 day cruise to Cancun and Cozumel,
from $400 to $500

7. Comments:
Thank You Mate--hope to see you on board!