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Several years ago Jack Taylor, ’61 heard about someone graduating posthumously from the Academy and inquired of the Academy Registrar’s office to learn the ground rules. Ultimately we found out that our classmate, William Michael Gibbons, who died in an auto accident in April 1961 just weeks before our graduation, was eligible to be considered for posthumous graduation. With the help of the Registrar Dr. Dean Wilson, the Academy Board approved Mr. Gibbon’s graduation. The Registrar’s office worked with us and with the manufacturer of the diplomas to create a diploma exactly like the ones the rest of the class received on 7 June 1961---etched metal plate on a walnut shield, complete with the same signatures: W S Stone, Superintendent; H R Sullivan, Commandant of Cadets; and Robert F. McDermott, Dean of the Faculty and bearing the original academy seal with the prop and wings on the shield, and in the traditional shiny blue box. The Class purchased the new-antique diploma and prepared to present it to a Gibbons family member during its 50th Reunion. Without telling the family the nature of the event other than that we would honor William Gibbons, we proceeded. On Friday, 4 November 2011, during the reunion banquet at the Marriott Hotel in Colorado Springs, Tom Eller, Class President presented the diploma to Carol Roman, Sister; Ed Gibbons, Brother; John Gibbons, Brother; Ray Edwards, Nephew; Liz Edwards, Niece; Cheryl (Sheri) Edwards, Niece. This placed another link in the Long Blue Line from over fifty years ago. _____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
by Jack Taylor Class of 1961 Alexander McCall Smith writes about fictional characters’ lives in Botswana. In his book, Tea Time for the Traditionally Built, his lead character, Madam Ramotswe observes, “We all have a time when the world was at its most exciting for us. Usually that time is somewhere in childhood, in that faded, half-remembered land – that we all once dwelled in; that time of freshness and hope.” I would argue that our childhood years included the four years before June 1961. We were full of freshness and hope. And for me, one who always found a way to help make a day a lot less stressful and certainly much more fun, was my roommate, Bill Gibbons. By his example, he always made his classmates and friends happy, gave us a fresh outlook on our challenges, and certainly gave us hope that whatever they threw at us, the supervising officers, academic department professors and those in the military system, in general, we could and would prevail. I’d like to take a few minutes to tell you about Bill Gibbons. He was my roommate for three years, 12th squadron, 1958 – ’61. As you know, he died on a Sunday in April, a month and a half before graduation, when he lost control of his car while driving back from Denver. That Sunday evening, Bill didn’t sign in before the dinner formation. And he was absent throughout call to quarters. This was so very unlike him. I learned what happened when Captain Bobby Carter, our AOC, came to my room and told me that Bill was dead. The squadron was shocked and we grieved and felt this great loss. It was the first personal tragedy I would experience. In the next couple of days arrangements were made to transport Bill by train to Philadelphia where he would be buried at George Washington Memorial Park, near the city. I learned that I could escort the coffin so I departed Colorado Springs on a Denver and Rio Grande overnight train to St. Louis where the Scott AFB mortuary reps met me. We transferred the coffin to a Pennsylvania RR train, another overnight trip to Philadelphia. A day later, the rest of 12th’s first classmen and Capt Carter came in to be honorary pall bearers at Bill’s graveside service. Interestingly, both my parents are buried at George Washington, not far from Bill, so I’ve had chances to visit his grave. In the film, “The Bucket List”, Morgan Freeman’s character says to Jack Nicholson, both coping with life threatening issues, “You know, the gods asked the Egyptians two questions before they were admitted to the afterlife: ‘Have you found joy in your life and have you brought joy to others?” Bill could have easily entered their afterlife. He had an absolutely grand time as a cadet and he had a marvelous way to make us laugh. Bill had two years of prior enlistment in the Air Force, so when he arrived as my roommate, he had a lot more maturity and definitely and much more reasoned way of coping with the stuff that I found so challenging. And from that point on, he not only brought smiles to me but also to the rest of us down the dorm hall and in the squadron. He knew how to “tweak” the system. He was very smart. While I struggled with academics, he often spent study time doing everything but study. He drove me nuts. From January and into spring our senior year, he spent the time painting in oils two of his favorite subjects. One was a picture of Brigitte Bardot…one that showed a lot more than the calendar photo that made Marilyn Monroe famous. Yes…anatomically correct. He liked “traditionally built” ladies. The second painting, he dedicated to Jim Cassidy. Both Bill and Jim were going to be commissioned in the Marine Corps. After six years in the blue uniform, Bill figured he wanted other challenges. He would have been an excellent leader and officer in the Marine Corps. Jim has the original painting. Here is a copy of that picture. It shows, Bill’s second favorite topic: BEER! He spent weeks trying to figure out how to represent a foamy mug of beer against the backdrop of a tavern. Note the cheese bloc, and the knife. I’d say he gets an “A” in artistic arrangement. And he would have received an “A” on the Bardot painting as well - Talk about arrangement and realism! Jim and I would like to give this picture to Bill’s family as another memento of their older brother. As I said, academics hardly challenged Bill. Instead of studying, he’d often spend time visiting classmates. But he did it with style. His favorite evening dress uniform was a red smoking jacket, not unlike Hugh Hefner’s, a beret, and carrying a Marine Corps swagger stick, with a pipe or some combination thereof. Jim Cassidy can tell of the times when they would try to rid the world of as much beer as they could. For example, when he and Bill were at the Officer's Club in London, they were both competing for the attention of a beautiful young girl from Ireland. Jim prevailed as warm beer or Beefeaters gin got to Bill first. It must have taken a lot of beer! Jim, Bill and several others of us would often spend time at a host’s home in Denver on weekends. The Drummonds had several children. One daughter was Laurie, about 13 or 14, and another just a little girl. They would curl up around Bill on the sofa where he would read the Sunday comics to them. They said that they always looked forward to “Uncle Bill” visiting because he would crush beer cans on his head. Doesn’t that sound like the perfect father? Bill’s nickname was “Flash”. He got that name from an incident when we visited Fort Benning. At the time, Bill had a walking cast from an injury when he fell off of the high bar in gymnastics. One night, several of us decided to sneak out and go to the NCO club where we could get a beer and not be seen by any officers. We stealthily crept out of the barracks and all was going well until someone yelled, hoarsely, “It’s the OIC!” We all ran like hell, made it back safely – and with Bill in the lead….he couldn’t run, but he sure could hop, skip and jump fast. So from then on he was known as, “Flash”. By the way, the OIC turned out to be an Army warrant officer who had nothing to do with us. Don’t know which one of us had the lousy night vision. Jim says he owed Flash a few beers for an incident at Minot during Operation 3rd Lt. The F-106 squadron wives thought it’d be great if one of the cadets took the daughter of the Squadron Commander to the Officer’s Club to a dance one Saturday night. Jim says she was very cute but only a senior in high school. No one volunteered… Flash suggested that since Jim was the youngest that he take her to the dance. He did and had a great time. When it was Jim’s turn for his F-106 ride, he rode with Major Scott, the father and squadron commander, and it turned out that he was the only one of them, and maybe the first one in our class, to go to Mach 2. He doesn’t know if the dance played a part in any of that but he feels he owed that to Bill. This picture of Bill is the only one I have. It’s actually a picture of both of us but I was able to do a passable job cropping myself out of it. I had it printed and would also like to give this to Bill’s family. I don’t know if they have any of him like this. Buck O’Neil, Negro Baseball League and Hall of Famer once said that funerals were for people who died too young; everyone else deserves a celebration. We had a funeral for Bill Gibbons, but it should have been a celebration. After 50 years, let us celebrate Bill’s short life as he would have wanted it. The next time you have a beer, hoist it to him. Rest in peace my dear roommate, comrade and our classmate.
________________________________________________________________________________________ ANNIVERSARY, biennial, triennial, quadrennial, quinquennial, sextennial, septennial, octennial, decennial; tricennial, jubilee, centennial, centenary, ...
Class arrangements with the AOG regarding funeral flowers/donations---Eller Secretary---Charlie Neel Treasurer---Mark Anderson Historian---Hector Negroni Scribe---Nelson O’Rear AOG Senator---Richard Fairlamb Brief on Out Year reunions---Jim Wilhelm and Randy Cubero Class of the Month on AOG website---Tom Eller Brief on Memorial Service---Terry Storm Brief on Banquet Seating---Terry Storm New Business--- Adjourn for bio-break and load buses __________________________________________________________________________________ Class of 1961 Leadership Roles in the Association of Graduates Charles F Stebbins----President-Executive Secretary Thomas J. Eller---- President, Vice President (Acting President and Chair) James E Wilhelm ---- President-ChairmanRichard M Coppock ----President-CEO-Executive SecretaryJames P Ulm ----President-ChairmanMarcus A Anderson ----ChairmanTerry L Storm ----ChairmanRuben A Cubero ----Vice PresidentWilliam E Alysworth ----Board MemberGeorge L Butler Larry B Freeman Arthur D Kerr Hector A Negroni Michael J Quinlan Byron W Theurer Edward A Zompa Founding members: Charlie Stebbins, Hector Negroni, Tom Eller ________________________________________________________________________ Welcoming and Introductory Remarks for Dedication Ceremony—Tom Eller Prayer –see separate page Welcome: Ladies and Gentlemen, I am Tom Eller, President of the Class of 1961. We are pleased to have the largest gathering of classmates assembled anywhere since we graduated on the Parade Field, about a mile and a half west of here over 50 years ago. I will introduce our guests for this dedication here today. As I call your names, please stand. Please hold your applause until all have been introduced. Mr. Duane Boyle, USAFA Architect Mr. John Lajba. Sculptor Mr. Al Burrell, AOG Gift Project Manager Nancy Burns + Marty Jayne Steve Simon & Mrs. Simon Janet Edwards, USAFA Mortuary Affairs Officer Lt. Gen. Gould and Mrs. Gould, Superintendent Brig Gen Born, Dean of the Faculty Brig Gen Clark and Mrs. Clark, Commandant of Cadets William “T” Thompson, President and CEO of AOG General (Ret) Steve Lorenz, President, the USAFA Endowment Mr. Jeff Gosch; Project Manager, JBI Construction, 9439 Bandley Drive, Fountain, CO 80817 Mr. Kevin McLaughlin; Master Mason and on site foreman; JBI Construction, 9439 Bandley Drive, Fountain, CO 80817 Mr. Jerry Brady; concrete foreman; JBI Construction, 9439 Bandley Drive, Fountain, CO 80817 People from the Zahner Company in Kansas City, fabricator of the Wings of Refuge Angela Bolger, Project Manager, Zahner Company o Kansas City, MO 64114 Personnel on the program today: Dr. Joseph Galema and the cadets of the Cadet Chorale, the Honor Guard, and the Air Force Buglers Gen Butler and his wife Dorene, and their children Lisa and her husband Mike Herring and Brett Butler and his wife Patti, who all comprise the Butler Family Foundation. Brice Jones and his Guest Becky Lorie; and my patient and supportive wife, Anne and two of our three children: Julie Lafitte, Elizabeth Byerly, and her husband Steve Byerly. I am sure that all of our class can recall the following. Having spent our Doolie year at Lowry in Denver, we had moved into the new site on 29 August 1958, brand new 3rd classmen. On a bright and sunny 28 September 1958, a little over 53 years ago, we donned our solid white parade uniforms---white trousers, white parade jacket, white wheel hat, white gloves, M-1 Rifles, but no sunglasses and marched, sometimes at “slow march” from the cadet area down to the parade field, out Faculty Drive, Cross Drive, and east on Parade Loop for a mile and a half for the first interment in the new USAFA Cemetery—that of the remains of the First Superintendent, Lt. Gen. Hubert Riley Harmon, who had died in February 1957 before we became cadets. I recall suffering snow blindness from all of the white uniforms and watching Don Madona of ’59, who was one of those holding the US Flag over the grave, pass out and fall flat of his back while others in ranks were also falling—one in 3rd Squadron whose sabre went through the side of his parade jacket. That was the first military funeral we had participated in. That poignant scene took place about 200 yards south of where we right now. That funeral became the archetype for military funerals for us. As Lee Butler has reminded me, there are a number of parallels with our ceremony, including the fall season, music (on that day) by the Cadet Choir and Academy band, a fly over, and Taps played by a distant bugler.
Thus, as we gather here today, we are grateful to Brice Jones for providing the excellent keepsake program book for this dedication. The Class of 1961 Pennants on the graves of Class of 1961 members and their families were provided by Richard Fairlamb. Here is an overview of the remainder of this ceremony: Lee Butler will present our gift. General Gould will accept on behalf of the Air Force. Following the singing of the Air Force Hymn by the Cadet Chorale, I ask that all of you move to the south part of this pavilion terrazzo, behind the seats and move toward the opening in the wall for the ribbon cutting for Wings of Refuge. Immediately following that ribbon cutting, please walk west past the turnaround and gather on the streets to the northeast, east, and south around the Airman on the Meadow. There we will hold the unveiling of the Airman. At the conclusion of the ceremony you are free to more closely inspect both the sculptures and visit the graves of classmates prior to boarding buses back to the hotel. I recognize Lee Butler to present our class gift to the Academy. I recognize Lt. Gen. Mike Gould to accept this gift on behalf of the Air Force.
General Gould and Cadets Blach, and Rahan will now join me to cut the ribbon to the East Plaza, site of the Wings of Refuge. Please move to vicinity of the Airman for the remainder of the ceremony. Ladies and Gentlemen: Please give your attention to the Cadet Chorale. I recognize Brice Jones for the reading of the information plaque. General Gould and Cadets Alleveto, and Patience will now join me to unveil the Airman on the Meadow. Please listen to the playing of Taps by the Air Force Buglers. {Spontaneous singing of the refrain of the Air Force Song by the Chorale and the Class of 1961} Fly By You are free to visit the sculptures and the graves of our classmates _______________________________________________________________________________________ Class of 1961 Gift Dedication United States Air Force Academy Cemetery November 3rd, 2011
General and Mrs. Gould, members of your terrific leadership team and talented staff, ‘T’ Thompson, my dear friend General Steve Lorenz, and other very special guests. Let me add my own welcome to you and to my classmates and their families who bring to mind so many treasured memories for me, Dorene, Brett and Lisa -- but none more meaningful than today’s gift presentation. Looking across these hallowed grounds, I am keenly mindful that while this is a landmark occasion for the Class of 1961, it is also poignant for us on many levels, both personal and professional. From the latter perspective, we have come full circle from that bright September afternoon in 1958 when we assembled here to honor a man we so greatly respected. Today, we return to honor all those who lie here, but on a very personal level, to mourn those we so deeply loved. General Gould, you and your staff have been instrumental in making this moment possible. Special appreciation goes to Duane Boyle, the Academy architect; Nancy Burns and Steve Simon of the Alumni Affairs Office; and Janet Edwards, Academy Mortuary Officer. They all took ownership of our project some 27 months ago to shepherd it through the long approval process. Our hearts are touched as well by the presence of the cadet Honor Guard and Chorale, who bring an added measure of dignity and grace to this ceremony. Equal acknowledgement is due Terry Storm and Al Burrell who, on behalf of the Association of Graduates, provided meticulous financial oversight and project management; we could not have been in better hands. That same accolade holds true for Jeff Gosch from JBI Construction whose talented team led by Kevin McLaughlin and Jerry Brady lived up to their reputation for first rate work. That excellence was mirrored by our Wings fabricator, Zahner, arguably the world’s best, represented today by Angela Bolger, who directed our project. I must also make special note of a visionary whose faith in our class and iron-willed determination fueled a fund raising campaign that produced a jaw-dropping result: one hundred percent participation. Brice Jones set the bar at record height, only took “yes” for an answer, and eloquently described the outcome: a tribute to our indivisible brotherhood. Finally, I want to acknowledge the irreplaceable role of our class president, Tom Eller, who helped worry every detail of this project; Mark Anderson, whose advice was invaluable in crafting the extraordinary detail you will see in the Airman statue; and Charlie Neel whose unwavering friendship was my constant companion. As I survey this gathering of classmates, families -- especially the spouses and children of our fallen comrades -- and dear friends who are so much a part of our brotherhood, I feel very privileged to speak for you today. As many of you know, I have been engaged with the gift undertaking from its inception, and so can comment on its rather circuitous path. We began with Sam Hardage’s bold vision of a hotel on the Academy grounds, but the hurdles were too many and too high. We grudgingly fell back on an option from the Supt’s wish list, then at my behest switched gears and undertook an enduring tribute to our profession, to our colleagues and to our loved ones. I must confess to a very personal stake in this outcome, one born of my E-ticket ride as an aviator spanning thirty years, three thousand hours in a dozen types of aircraft, and two ejections within six years after earning my wings. As I fell into an Alabama cornfield just off the end of the runway at Craig AFB in 1963, and five years later to the day into the roiling seas off the coast of Vietnam, I not only had visions of my Maker, but was certain I was about to enter his kingdom. Happily, my prayers for salvation were answered by the Almighty, embodied in the first instance as an aging Alabama farmer who climbed down from his tractor to greet me with a sweet smile and a kind word; and in the second as a youthful pararescue man who plucked me half-drowned from my swamped life raft. That dual confrontation with impending death became permanently imprinted on my psyche; it changed forever how I regarded my profession, my role as husband and father, and most recently, how I came to contemplate our gift. As you might imagine, the Airman standing on the Meadow at the approach to the Memorial Pavilion has more than symbolic meaning for me – he is the embodiment of my faith. That said, the challenge was to transform my rather sketchy vision of deliverance, inspired by the closing lines of the iconic poem High Flight, into a work of art. For that, I turned to an immensely talented sculptor in Omaha, Nebraska, with whom Dorene and I had worked some years ago. Let me now intro-duce John Lajba for whom our class gift became not simply a commission, but a true labor of love. John immersed himself in the history of the Academy and its architecture; the extra-ordinary ties that bind this class; the detail of our flight gear; and the abiding faith that sustained us in peace and in war. His vision and artistry quickly won the confidence of General Gould and his staff, prompting their request for a concept of a second sculpture that would join spiritually with the Airman to create a defining artistic theme for the cemetery. He responded with a work that is so exquisite, and so intimately linked to the Airman, that the class elected to incorporate it into our gift, rather than leave its realization to the vagaries of future funding. His gleaming steel Wings stand on what was a vacant East Plaza of the Memorial Pavilion that now serves as a comforting sanctuary bearing the name, Winged Refuge. This, General Gould, is the mark we have come here today to make on this magnificent Academy. This is the first opportunity for most in this audience to see what had only been described, what they took largely on faith, but nonetheless supported unanimously with their contributions. I should say, in all candor, there was some debate amongst our class as to the concept and placement of our gift, and understandably so with such original works of art. But now that they are fully realized my fondest hope is that we have put any lingering doubt to rest. What other setting on this vast campus could be more meaningful? Where else in this majestic place can one more fully grasp the sacrifice of our brothers and sisters who fall in battle or more deeply mourn all of those taken too early from our ranks and from our side: classmates, friends, husbands and wives, sons and daughters. However familiar the glass and steel of our alma mater’s storied buildings, its sweeping terrazzo, its fields of friendly strife, it is here on this field of honor where we honor all airmen, without regard to rank or specialty. Here is where we bear the full weight of our calling, where is taken the last full measure of our devotion. Here is where we confront our mortality; here is where we embrace our destiny. For what all of us gathered here know is that only by the grace of our Creator do we count ourselves among the living rather than with the departed. We know that there is no accounting for this blessing; we wore the same uniform as did they, marched to the same drum, swore the same oath, loved the same flag, served the same glorious call of freedom. Yet here we gather, humble in the presence of those who are absent from our ranks, heavy of heart but proud in spirit, indivisible in brotherhood, celebrating a half-century since that June morning of 1961, come now to enshrine a tribute for the ages. Generation upon generation will look upon this Airman and find comfort in the faith that he is heaven bound, secure in the promise from Psalm 91 inscribed in the marker for Winged Refuge: “He shall cover thee with his feathers, and under his wings shalt Thou trust.” General Gould, on behalf of the Class of 1961 I commend this gift to you and now entrust it to your keeping. _______________________________________________________________________________________________________ Tom Eller Remarks for Presentation of 50th Reunion Award, 4 Nov 2011, Class Banquet, Marriott Hotel Thank you Terry. In responding the AOG’s request for our class to be the first to present such an award, class officers worked together to be the selection committee for our class—the officers include, Charlie Neel, Secretary; Marc Anderson, Treasurer; Hector Negroni, Historian; Nelson O’Rear, Scribe; and Richard Fairlamb, our Class Senator in the AOG Class Advisory Senate. We sent out a call for nominations in July. As you all know, classmates provided two nominees and our classmates voted to select which one of the nominees would receive the award. 61% of the class cast votes and 78% of them voted for tonight’s recipient – clearly there was widespread involvement and support of the class for Brice Jones to be the recipient of the award. Brice would you and your children please join Terry and me here at the podium. It is my pleasure to introduce Brice’s children: Brice Victor, grad of Wyoming Tech, entrepreneur living in Austin, Texas. e.g., largest secondary–market seller of Ford pickup tailgates in America. Was vineyard foreman of William Wesley Vineyard for one year. Monte, West Point 06, baseball team, star pitcher, Stryker company commander, one tour Iraq, currently out and doing a little consulting. Mari, Colgate 09, two years Telluride Adaptive Sports Program, director of development. Currently re-located to DEN and doing a little consulting. Terry and I will present a medal to Brice. Brice will also be listed on the 50th Class Reunion Award--A Lifetime of Commitment to Core Values plaque to be displayed in Doolittle Hall. Here is the citation to accompany the award:
Brice Cutrer Jones is a Decorated Combat Pilot, a Successful Businessman, an Active Philanthropist and a Class Leader. Brice is a driving force in the creation and growth of U. S. Air Force Academy traditions of integrity, service, excellence, class unity, esprit de corps and an enduring “Long Blue Line.” Decorated Combat Pilot. In 1964, Brice volunteered to fly A1Es with the 1st Air Commando Sq in Vietnam. During his 2nd voluntary tour, he was selected to be 7th Air Force Chief of A1E Combat Tactics. He earned the Distinguished Flying Cross, The Bronze Star and 14 Air Medals. Successful Businessman. With his Harvard MBA, Brice integrated Wall Street investors, ideal land and talented people to establish Sonoma–Cutrer Vineyards in 1973. He applied modern system engineering and process integrity to create award-winning wines that won international acclaim. The Viticulture History of Napa and Sonoma Counties featured Brice and Sonoma–Cutrer Vineyards as The Chardonnay Pioneer. Since 1988, Wine & Spirits magazine annual poll of “The Most Asked–For” wines in America’s 3500 Zagat–rated restaurants has named Sonoma-Cutrer the number one Chardonnay, and in all but 2 years, the number one wine overall. The Chevaliers de Tastevins, (international organization of wine experts) inducted Brice as a member in 1998 in Burgundy. Induction in France vs. the USA was a special honor recognizing Brice’s promotion of international cooperation to improve quality on both sides of the Atlantic. In 1999 Brice negotiated sale of the company. The premium price of about 8 times annual sales or 70 times earnings was the highest multiple ever paid in the industry. In 2001 Brice and key management decided to create a noble Pinot Noir. By 2008 they were producing and selling two Estate Grown and Bottled Pinot Noirs that exhibit the soul of the vineyard and the expertise and spirit of the team. In 2011, after only three years in the market, Emeritus was listed in the Annual Wine & Spirits poll as the third–most–asked–for Pinot Noir in America’s restaurants. Brice’s colleagues and employees maintain his dedication to integrity and honesty are the foundation of his success. To paraphrase one, Brice’s handshake is worth more than a written contract. Active Philanthropist. Brice shares his success with his classmates, his community and the less fortunate. In 1985, Brice initiated a Sonoma–Cutrer Vineyards sponsored annual charity event for the Make a Wish Foundation, the Polly Klass Foundation, and the Magic Moments Foundation to support children in life-threatening circumstances. Over the course of 17 years, Brice grew the event to achieve net contributions over $1 million/year. More recently, Brice and Emeritus Vineyards have sponsored 5 Hospices of Sonoma charity events to benefit local charities, wounded warrior and local foster children support organizations. In 2009, Brice began donating two weeks each winter to helping Wounded Warriors learn to ski with their disabilities. In 2010 he provided financial support to bring an additional 16 Wounded Warriors to the slopes for a week. Brice is also an active Board Member of the Air Warrior Courage Foundation, an organization dedicated to providing support to Veterans in need. Class Leader. Brice is a leader in developing a strong sense of unity and esprit de corps as shown by Class of 61. Brice directed and partially funded Class Histories for our, 25th, 30th, 35th, and 45th Reunions. Brice is a founding member of the 61st TFS (Mythical), a multitude of Classmates who have rejoined at West Point every 2 years since 1968 to support USAFA at the biennial Air Force/Army Football Game. Brice helped to establish and endow the annual Roger Stringer Award for Excellence in Inter Collegiate Debate. In 1985, Monte Moorberg’s remains were repatriated to Travis AFB, CA, Brice arranged for the USAF to fly Monte and two of his children to Andrews AFB to be met an Honor Guard of Classmates. Brice led the fundraising effort for the Class of 1961 50th Anniversary Gift to the Academy. The Class responded with a 100% participation rate. This record has not been equaled in the past and will probably never be equaled in the future. USAFA Promoter. Brice actively promotes awareness of graduate heritage among alumni and cadets by his active participation in the AOG activities. He was a founding member and principal financial supporter of the AOG Reconciliation Committee to promote member participation: in the development and approval of bylaws; in the nomination of Board Candidates; and in AOG affairs. Brice initiated efforts to include Alumni in graduation ceremonies to give old and new graduates a sense of continuity and awareness of joining the “Long Blue Line.” As a result the 50 year Classes of 59, 60 and 61 have participated actively in graduation ceremonies of the Classes of 2009, 2010 and 2011 including presentation of their first set of 2nd Lt Gold bars at commissioning ceremonies. In summary, as a cadet, combat pilot, businessman and person, Brice has demonstrated our core values of integrity, service and excellence throughout his life. Brice’s numerous and valuable contributions to the International Wine Industry, the U. S. Air Force, the Academy, the Class of 1961 and the Graduate Community clearly make him first choice for the Class of 1961 50th Year Outstanding Graduate Award! _____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Remarks by Lt Gen Gould for Class of 61 – 50th Reunion Gift Dedication (3 Nov 11) Good afternoon distinguished visitors, guests, Team USAFA, and cadets – and a very special welcome to the class of 61 celebrating their Golden Anniversary – Paula and I are deeply humbled to be with you on this special occasion. General Butler – Sir, thank you for your inspirational words. For this day, we come together as an Air Force family on this hallowed ground, to dedicate “The Airman in the Meadow” and “The Winged Refuge.” Today, these magnificent structures take their rightful place on this sacred ground of reflection, where they will stand for all time. For just a minute I want to explain to you the special significance of these impressive monuments. The Airman in the Meadow is symbolic of our storied culture of military aviation championed by brave men and women. The Airman’s features are nondescript – that is, the statue is intended to represent all Air Force Academy graduates rather than a specific graduate or any one individual. Still, we pay homage to the class of 61 - the Airman is clad in a flight suit and carries a helmet representative of equipment worn by pilots serving in the early to mid-1960's. Additionally, the Airman wears the Class of 61 ring on his right ring finger. On the name tag is the word “VALERE”– Latin for "Valor" – the Airman looks skyward and reaches toward heaven, inspired by the poem all graduates memorize as Four Degrees, “High Flight” by John Gillespie McGee, Jr. - “And while with silent, lifting mind I’ve trod the high untrespassed sanctity of space, I put out my hand, and touched the face of God." Taken as a whole - the statue is a symbol of a graduate’s loyalty to USAFA, the Air Force, and indeed, America. It exemplifies a shared, common, challenging experience that we all have as graduates of this institution. The Winged Refuge also stands in our midst. This beautiful memorial showcases two 19-feet tall art deco styled wings intended to emphasize the power and majesty of flight. Inscribed in the dedication stone are the words, "This work, the spiritual haven of the Airman, symbolizes the promise, 'He shall cover thee with his feathers and under his wings shalt thou trust.’ "May all who enter here find comfort in their sorrow and peace in their hearts." I join the class of 1961 in their expectation that this artwork, this inscription, and the quote from Psalm 91:4, add to the sanctity of this hallowed ground. In its entirety - The Airman in the Meadow and Winged Refuge stand together to represent an unbreakable bond between all USAFA graduates…past, present and future. _________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Invocation for Class of 1961 Gift Dedication Ceremony 3 Nov 2011---Tom Eller [References to Psalm 8:1, 85:6, 97:9; Isaiah 53:5-6; Jeremiah 10:16; Revelation 10:6] Acknowledgment and Adoration: Our Lord God of Heaven and Earth, maker of the universe, of all that is in it, and of us, how excellent is your name in all the earth. We revel in your creation. You revealed particular aspects of your creation to Archimedes, Charles, Boyle, and the Montgolfier Brothers to enable lighter than-air-flight. Through Bernoulli, the Wright Brothers and others you have enabled heavier-than-air-flight. You placed the Class of 1961 to live at the right time to attend this Air Force Academy and to study in this beautiful setting. You allowed us to see both aviation and space flight and to serve our country as airmen. Everywhere we go you are there with us. Contrition: Yet, Lord, we are ashamed to admit that we continue to ignore you and go our own ways so often. We fail to measure up to your standards and desires for us. For this we ask your forgiveness. Thanksgiving: We thank you for your many blessings on this group—for the opportunity to attend the Academy, for safety in flight, for good health, for the many contributions to our nation from the members of this class, for the resources to travel to this reunion, for the many years of camaraderie, for the leadership and resources of those who initiated our class gift, and for enabling all of us to give. Supplication: We are mindful that many of our class and of our families have passed on and several are seriously ill. So we ask that you would continue to be with their families, their children and grandchildren. We ask that you would bless the gift we are about to dedicate so that it can provide comfort and solace to those who mourn in this place. Finally, Lord, we ask that you bless the cadets and cadre who currently serve at the Academy and spread your sheltering wings over the many Americans who are in harm’s way today. In your Holy name we pray. Amen __________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Memorial Service Comments and Benediction—Stu Boyd I am honored to share some thoughts regarding those who are not here to answer today’s roll call. I share with you this afternoon not only as a member of our class, but as Wing Chaplain for Utah Civil Air Patrol. Some of you may wonder how my life moved from fighter pilot to Chaplain and Pastor. This may answer some of those questions. Like all of you, I have experienced many changes in my life since I left the Air Force. As we have had a chance to share the changes in all of our lives, I have been struck by how many of us are involved with volunteering in our community in one form or another. I believe that “giving back” is part of the DNA of the Class of 1961. Some time ago I heard a teaching related to living out your remaining years. That teaching was based on Scripture from Paul’s Epistle to the Hebrews. “And now I want each of you to extend that same intensity toward a full-bodied hope, and keep at it till the finish. Don't drag your feet. Be like those who stay the course with committed faith and then get everything promised to them.” (Heb 6:11, 12 – Message Translation) The title of his talk was FINISHING WELL. That idea caught my attention and has stayed with me over the years. As I have made decisions in my later years the concept of FINISHING WELL has been part of that process. During the last several days the subject of bayonet training has come up more than. I am sure there have been hotter summers, but for me August of 1957 had to have been a record. Lieutenant Joe Yeager seemed to experience real pleasure in our pain. I can recall how senseless that training seemed to be at the time. I kept asking myself “what is a future jet pilot” doing with a knife on the end of gun. Yet it clearly made an impact on all of us. After a morning of slashing and parrying, we were asked to finish our morning with a mile run around the parade ground. With our M-1 rifles held over our head at high port, each squadron set off. With every step the rifle got heavier and the pain got greater. There was one criterion. We were expected to FINISH WELL. That was defined as everyone completing the run together. For some, the eleven pound M-1 rifle over their head was too much and a classmate would take an extra weapon and carry it to the finish. For others, the heat and the exhaustion required us to put an arm around the shoulders of those too tired to go on and to carry them to the finish line. Some crossed the finish with three rifles over their head--others carrying a classmate. We did this day after day, and every day we all finished. We FINISHED WELL. The Class of 61 FINISHED WELL that summer – and we are a class that continues to do so. We are assembled this afternoon to remember those who have already FINISHED WELL. Each of those whose name is acknowledged with an “Absent” is a classmate who FINISHED WELL. They left behind a world that was better off. Let me share a quote from Billy Graham. “Our days are numbered. One of the primary goals in our lives should be to prepare for our last day. The legacy we leave is not just in our possessions, but in the quality of our lives. What preparations should we be making now? The greatest waste in all of our earth, which cannot be recycled or reclaimed, is our waste of the time that God has given us each day.” The legacy our absent classmates left behind is something we all should strive to match. For all of us, there is still time to leave an even greater legacy. Another of my favorite passages is from Joshua, Israel’s first great military commander. As the tribe of Israel crossed over the Jordan to claim their nation, they paused. Here were their instructions. “Joshua directed them, ‘Cross to the middle of the Jordan and take your place in front of the Ark of the Covenant of God. Each of you lift a stone to your shoulder, a stone for each of the tribes of the People of Israel, so you'll have something later to mark the occasion. When your children ask you, 'What are these stones to you?' you'll say, 'The flow of the Jordan was stopped in front of the Ark Covenant of God as it crossed the Jordan—stopped in its tracks.’ These stones are a permanent memorial for the People of Israel regarding what we did.” (Joshua 4:4-7 – The Message) Each of our absent classmates placed a stone in the river as he crossed the river of life. We pause this afternoon to remember the rocks left by our absent classmates. Today we recall those stones and remember. We remember them. Their families remember them. And, as Joshua says, their children and their brothers and sisters in arms remember them. Yesterday our class dedicated a final resting place for those who have been part of this Academy. In years to come some of us will join them. The Class of 1961 placed a rock in the river of that holy place, and all will remember a class who FINISHED WELL. I believe the spirit of the class of 1961 was established on that parade ground at Lowry Air Force Base in August of 1957. For all of us our legs will get tired and the weights we are carrying will get heavier. We have the examples of the men we honor here today to give us the strength to carry on. We also know we have classmates who will come alongside to share our load. We too will someday leave a legacy – a rock -- that we will be remembered by. We share a time of remembrance and conviction this afternoon – Memories of those who have already finished – and a Conviction that we will all continue to strive to FINISH WELL.
BENEDICTION There is a story about one of the Chaplains at Takhli Air Base, Thailand who would be in the arming area at the end of the runway as the F-105s would depart on a mission into North Vietnam. The time frame was 1966 and the losses over North Vietnam were high. Some of these men and their machines would not return. He would place his hand on each aircraft as the aircraft was readied for takeoff and bless it. I don’t know what he said and nobody ever recorded it. Here are my thoughts on what his final blessing may be been. May God grant you the power to embark on those things important to you be successful May God grant clear weather for your flight May God provide a wingman to protect you as you go May God be a source of courage when attacks come in your direction May God grant you a successful landing at your home base when your mission is complete ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Memorial Service Comments—Thom Schutt
Good afternoon and welcome to this service to honor the lives and memories of those classmates who are no longer with us. It has been good to be together once again toenjoy fellowshipand spend time with each other. I want to thank the Class Reunion Committee and the AOG staff for the extensive time and effort everyone has put into the planning and execution of the reunion activities. I also want to thank the Cadet Choir for their participation in this service. This has been a wonderful time to: Renew friendships Get updated on what has been going on in people's lives Reflect on the meaningful associations and experiences we've shared with each other Revive stories that have been told before and seem embellished each time they're told again
It is appropriate to gather for this meaningful service as a central part of our reunion activities. During the past few days we've enjoyed laughter and fellowship but have also experienced poignant times of reflection as our focus has been directed upward toward God; during yesterday's dedication service and this morning as many gathered to support Margie and her sons at the service and intermentof Bob Dingle's remains. And once again this afternoon, as we gather in this place of worship, we look to God to be present with us.Please join me in prayer.
"God, we have come apart to honor the lives and memories of classmates no longer with us. Guide the words that are shared and quicken them to each one here, that we will leave this service, comforted, uplifted, and eager to affect, in a positive way, the lives of those we interact with in the days ahead. We pray especially for Gina, Margie, and the family and friends of Charlie Thomas and Bob Dingle; and also the family and friends of those other classmates whose memories we honor today. May Your comfort and peace rest upon and abide with them. We ask that You fill the void in their hearts and their homes with Your presence. Now we ask Your leading during this memorial service. These things we ask in the name of Jesus. Amen"
At this memorial service, and at this particular time in our lives, it is appropriate to look into God's Word. I am reminded of the way King Solomon, in the book of Ecclesiastes, written near the end of his life,accurately described the physical things we are now experiencing inour lives. In the last chapter of the book, he writes of the time in all men's lives when:
"...the keepers of the house tremble, and the strong men stoop, when the grinders cease because they are few, and those looking through the windows grow dim; when the doors to the street are closed and the sound of grinding fades; when men rise up at the sound of birds, but all their sounds grow faint; when men are afraid of heights and of dangers in the street; when the almond tree blossoms and the grasshopper drags himself along and desire no longer is stirred."
Did you recognize some of our symptoms? The keepers of the house would be our hands The strong men, our legs The grinders, our teeth The windows, our eyes The doors to the street, our ears Men rising at the sound of birds, troubled sleeping Almond tree blossoms, gray hair The grasshopper dragging and desire no longer stirred .... will be left for each to decide for themselves.
In my case, you may have noticed that I've been walking with a slight limp. I have recently found that I havea torn tibial tendon in my ankle. Since I have not experienced any trauma, I attribute the injury to the PWO Syndrome .... Parts Wearing Out. Some of you may be able to relate.
I am reminded that life is fragile. We all have an expiration date, and only God knows what it is.
King Solomon's intent in writing the book of Ecclesiastes was to reflect on his own life and his efforts to find the ultimate purpose and meaning of life. In earlier chapters of the book, he states that even though he became the richest man in the world, the real purpose and meaning of life cannot possibly be found in riches. He also concluded that even though he was gifted as the wisest man who ever lived, an educated man is not necessarily a happy man. Finally, realizing that all of his riches and wisdom had no lasting value, he threw himself into the pursuit of pleasure. He then alsofound that the purpose and meaning of life cannot be found in seeking pleasure.
Ultimately, in the last verses of the book, he stated what he found as he looked back on his life:
"Now all has been heard; here is the conclusion of the matter: Fear God and keep His commandments for this is the whole duty of man."
I believe that is a message for us as well. That principle is repeated from a different perspective in Psalm 90:
"Lord, from everlasting to everlasting you are God. You turn man back to dust saying, 'Return to dust O sons ofmen.' The length of our days is seventy years, or eighty, if we have the strength; but they quickly pass and we fly away. Teach us to number our days aright, that we may gain a heart of wisdom."
I pray that this will be a useful principle for us to consider and apply to our lives today. __________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
He cast his line out from the boat Then reeled it back again. How firm his hold, yet God controlled, What happened at the end. From dawn to dusk, he fished each day Ever seeking out a prize Accepting they who came his way— No need to say goodbyes. Though seas were calm, a sudden storm Capsized his boat and gear. Amidst despair and uttered prayer He faced his greatest fear. A sinking boat, a swirling sea, A whirlpool made of air Yet through the mist, he felt the kiss Of One who’s always there. He gathered strength and found resolve To fight and swim some more. With dimpled smile, that stayed awhile, He reached toward the shore. Upon the bank he saw the face That buoyed him on and on. It is the face that gives us grace . . . And fishing, when we’re gone.
John Moore December 2006
In memory of Bob Dingle who loved fishing almost as much as he loved his beloved wife, Margy. _______________________________________________________________________________________
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