The Washington DC Bunch held their monthly luncheon at the exclusive Springfield Country Club on Tuesday 14Jun11. We were honored to have an out of town guest, Jimmy Rogers, who regaled us with tales of life in wonderful Naples, Florida. Jim and Linda were visiting Northern Virginia in order to attend the US Open Golf Tournament where they will be acting as Marshalls. Jimmy also showed us his beautiful full body sun tan. Bill Foster and Jack McDonough briefed us the results of the Class of 1961 Mini-Reunion held at USAFA in May and during which our class presented 2nd Lt bars to the graduates of the Class of 2011. Lowell and Sandy Jones have been studying for their "acceptance mental tests" at the Falcons Landing Retirement Community. Lowell seemed very alert and was confident of passing the test. Here is the luncheon bunch looking super healthy:

From left to right, Charley Dixon, Jack McDonough, Hector Negroni, Bill Foster, Lowell Jones, and Jimmy Rogers.

Date: 13 November 2010

Subject: Post Deployment Report—61st Tactical Fighter Squadron (TFS) (Mythical)

Reunion, 4-7 November 2010

The 61st TFS (M) again deployed to West Point and its environs for the Army-Air Force football game. These reunions have occurred every two years since the A-AF Games at the Military Academy began. I can testify, and have photographic evidence, that these gatherings have been in full swing since 1984 when Betty and I were first invited to attend.

By way of background, the 61st TFS (M) was organized in the vineyards of Sonoma in the late 1980s when Brice’ classmates, and pilot/pinot buddies would gather at Sonoma Cutrer Winery to attend the Annual World Croquet Championships and then the following day run the Bay to Breakers. At first we reserved tables using the 61st moniker. In 1991 the designation became official when we appeared in a Wine Spectator ad for Clos du Bois—the caption was: 30th Reunion of the 61st Tactical Fighter Squadron. Attendance at Squadron activities is open to all members of the AFA Class of 1961 and any other social misfits with a flight, military, or a viticulture background. I trace my involvement and duties as Squadron Adjutant to my previous association with Brice Jones, as a classmate in Anchorage HS and member of the Elmendorf AFB Air Scout Wing. In addition Betty’s brother, Bob Strauss (USMA 1961) commissioned AF and attended flight school with Brice, Brick, and other 61ers in Big Spring, Texas. Squadron membership is on the rise since individuals previously on active duty and working on their careers are no longer sensitive to the possible downside of being associated with us.

This year’s reunion began on Thursday night (4 November) in the Big Apple. It was necessary for certain squadron members to attend remedial classes in social behavior and decorum conducted by Brice Jones at the Harvard Club. Officially the biannual gathering of eagles and turkeys began with a Friday evening catered dinner and wine consumption at the Upper Saddle River, NJ residence of Kathleen Kennedy and our now deceased Squadron Colonel, Randy. Since 2004 Kathleen’s husband, Mike Magro, has graciously shared in the hosting of these soirees. In the past wine selections included Brice’s Shooter Cooter Chardonnay and now his screw top Fighter Pilot Red. Fortunately, our selection has of late been supplemented by Louis Foppiano’s extraordinary wines.

Responding to deployment orders were the following Class of 61 members/associates (aka “usual suspects”) and their significant others: Anderson, Boesch (ex-61), Boyington (60), Buckley, Cairns, Cubero, Eller, Jones (Brice and Dean), Lane, McConnell, Neel, Dennis Parks (78), Saunders, and Wagner (Bob and Rees). USMA was represented by Burke Mucho (61) and Bill Kosco (62). More distinguished attendees were: Bob Norman, Mike Spivey, Gerry Dawes (Squadron Limerick Laureate), Kay Balun, Louis and Helene Foppiano, our hosts Kathleen and Mike Magro, Gene and Doe Stringer, Jim Wiltjer, and the entire Fred Westerberg family. The evening’s food and wine, friendship, and salutations were excellent and for a second reunion in a row without objection. However, new to the routine was Carol McConnell (a first time attendee) who turned her ankle leaving the festivities (claiming she slipped on leaves) and spent the rest of the weekend either crawling or in a wheel chair. Carol earned our wounded warrior and trooper award for gutting it out to the end.

On Saturday morning at 0700, after a fair amount of grousing, we departed for The Academy; attending the parade and then the AFA AOG tailgate at the Officers’ Club. The Corps, upon taking the Plain, rousted a large flock of geese that took flight and passed right over our heads in perfect formation. After the tailgate shuttles took us up to Michie Stadium for a display of Army precision sky diving and a 1200 kickoff. It was a beautiful day for a game and Air Force made the best of it winning 42-22 and again securing the Commander’s Trophy. In good spirits we took shuttles to West Point’s South Dock and boarded the Pride of the Hudson to further consume our Class VI supplies and enjoy the magnificent weekend weather and scenery. As the sun set we disembarked and boarded our coach for Restaurant X in Congers, N.Y. where we were treated to a most memorable dinner organized by Gerry Dawes. We left for our Upper Saddle River lodging at 1100 after our driver, Mr. James Alexander, passed word to our maitre de that he was close to his maximum permissible cockpit time.

On Sunday morning, November 7th, we reported back to Reunion Headquarters and enjoyed a light breakfast and a dose of Brice’s Fighter Pilot Chili. After recounting the excitement of the previous day (and subjecting each other with photos of the grandkids) we bid our adieus and it was wheels up for either HOR or NYC. Thirty of us attended a Sunday matinee at the Nederlander Theatre. We saw Million Dollar Quartet featuring the circa 1956 music of Jerry Lee Lewis, Elvis, Johnny Cash, and Carl Perkins. This has to be Broadway’s finest production and was the ultimate in live entertainment. After the play it was off to dinner.

The only casualties of the weekend were Carol’s ankle and the 9 cases of wine and champagne that will not be going home. The 2012 Army-AF will be played at Yankee Stadium for the first time since 1959 requiring us to look at how to adjust, but the 61st will deploy. We will take the opportunity to again gather with old friends.

l to r: Twy Williams, Lowell Jones, Hector Negroni, Pat Buckley, Bill Stackhouse, Charley Dixon (Host) and Spike Nunn.