These are the guys who set us loose in the skies above Enid, Oklahoma
We may not be able to get all of our "old" instructors to come an join us, but Dick Reynolds has begun his magic of contacting them. So far, we do not have many - please reach out to any you may have stayed in contact with over the years. Let's try to get as many to The Springs as we can. As we make contact, I will add each of them to our list. This could be as much fun as "Graduation Night" back in Enid.
Mike Kelly
Mike was the Section II T-37 Training Officer - Leader of Men, trainer of Pilots. We know he had is hands full with 73-01. Dick Reynolds made contact, and it looks like we will see Mike at the reunion. Below is an excerpt from an email exchange:
Your timing is perfect as my lunch meetings for 24, 25 and 26 August all just cancelled and Pat and I would love to join you and the rest of 73-01.
See you in August.
Bob Schornstheimer
Bob was our Section I T-38 Training Officer. None of us saw him wearing flowered shirts and having a flowered lei around his neck, but, hey, what the heck. Dick Reynolds was able to make email contact with Bob and we got a great update Bob is up to these days. Unfortunately, he will not be able to join us at the reunion. Below is info from the emails:
Bob was left seat of famous Aloha Air that shed half its fuselage.
Hi Dick,
Thanks for writing. I will think about your kind invitation a bit, but think it's unlikely I'll be attending your reunion, since I have a trip planned in June with a very firm schedule. Mary and I don't make too many trips from my home on Oahu back to the mainland--usually it's just once per year, at most. I do have friends and relatives in Colorado. The one who lives in Colorado Springs has been urging me to come there for several years, but it's hard to get away a second time during the summer.
In retirement, I play lots of music, both upright bass (for my 5-peice bluegrass band, the Bluegrass Barnstormers, plus some for ukulele classes here), and guitar (some bluegrass rhythm, but also spending a lot of time learning Hawaiian Slack Key guitar in classes). I started playing guitar about age 50, but did not start Hawaiian Slack Key styles until I retired from airline flying at age 60, when I also started learning upright bass (in simple bluegrass and Hawaiian music styles). I think music is a wonderful outlet for anybody, and it's certainly taken the place of flying for me; I'll never have to worry about running out of things to learn, since I am not especially gifted at it, but enjoy it greatly! Hope you guys have a wonderful reunion! It sounds like a great spot to tell old "war stories!" And thanks again for contacting me.
Aloha,
Bob Schornstheimer
A few photos from Bob's retirement from Aloha Airlines
Don Feld
We all remember Don - great guy. Here are some excerpts from email exchange with Dick:
On Apr 3, 2012, at 10:47 AM, Don Feld wrote:
Dick, that site is fantastic. I really enjoyed reading the replies that have come in about what people have done and are doing now. It is good to hear from you. I'm totally retired now, well almost, I still do some coding part time for my old employer when they need my expertise, but Ruth and I plan to do more vacationing. We have a motorhome and pass by your place on occasion when we're headed to Boston to see our son, his wife and our grandson. We have two sons. Our oldest is an architect in Houston, married with one son, and our youngest runs a lab at MIT in boston is married and has a son. It's great to be a grandfather! Are there going to be any instructors at your reunion? Give Joni a big hug for me and lets talk some more soon.
On Apr 3, 2012, at 10:47 AM, Don Feld wrote:
Dick, that site is fantastic. I really enjoyed reading the replies that have come in about what people have done and are doing now. It is good to hear from you. I'm totally retired now, well almost, I still do some coding part time for my old employer when they need my expertise, but Ruth and I plan to do more vacationing. We have a motorhome and pass by your place on occasion when we're headed to Boston to see our son, his wife and our grandson. We have two sons. Our oldest is an architect in Houston, married with one son, and our youngest runs a lab at MIT in boston is married and has a son. It's great to be a grandfather! Are there going to be any instructors at your reunion? Give Joni a big hug for me and lets talk some more soon.
Don and Ruth on a recent trip to Italy
Check out this "believe it or not" from Mike Huber sent after our reunion
Mike Huber sent this note to Krum after our reunion:
Hello, John
Melissa and I had a great time at the 73-01 reunion, and we enjoyed sitting with you at your table during the Saturday night dinner. I particularly liked your "small world" story about you and Cliff meeting Dick and Joani enroute to Vance back in 1971.
After leaving Colorado Springs, we went to Fort Worth to visit our son, Charles, his wife, and two granddaughters. There, we encountered another "small world" story that involved you!
Our son flies F-16s in the AF Reserves at the Carlswell NAS JRB, and also went through pilot training at Vance. I showed him the glass we got from Andy with the "trucking on down the line" slogan, and he paused, thought a bit, then went and found your business card that he had kept since meeting you a few years ago on an airline flight. On that flight, you told him you were in 73-01 at Vance, and about your class slogan, which he remembered because he had written it on the back of your card. He couldn't remember when or where the flight occured, but he certainly remembered you and the slogan.
We both found this to be a very intriquing set of circumstances. Perhaps you recall the incident (his picture is attached; maybe it will jog your memory).
So, cliche or not, it is certainly a "small world".
Keep on truckin' !
Mike and Melissa
And here is the email reply sent by Krum
Mike,
Now that you have helped me dust off a few brain cells and delved deed into my memory banks, I remember meeting Chuck and his family very well. I was on a trip from McKinney to Portland, Maine. I was originally scheduled out of DFW on Continental Airlines to Portland via a stop in Newark. For what ever reason, Continental cancelled the leg from Newark to Portland. Needing to get to the northeast to meet my corporate flight obligations, Continental found me a seat on an American flight to Boston.
As it turned out, my seat was right beside Chuck, and his family was right across the aisle from us. We struck up a conversation when Chuck noticed a flight chart in my carry on when I went to pull an aviation magazine. If I remember correctly, Chuck, Susan, and the children were heading to Boston to vacation in Cape Cod. We had a very enjoyable conversation all the way to Boston. We talked Air Force war stories and one in particular comes to mind when Chuck told me his father, Mike Huber, had been an IP at Vance during my visit there with 73-01. It took me a minute or two, but I remembered you.
After arriving in Boston, we said our pleasantries and went our separate ways.
Mike, you have a delightful family and it was a pleasure meeting them for a brief moment. On your next visit with Chuck, please tell him and his family hello for me. I wish them the very best.
Indeed our time at the reunion was beyond my expectations. I am so thankful Cliff and Dick had a martini moment and pursued this endeavor.
"Keep on Trucking'!"
Krum & Sandi
Hello, John
Melissa and I had a great time at the 73-01 reunion, and we enjoyed sitting with you at your table during the Saturday night dinner. I particularly liked your "small world" story about you and Cliff meeting Dick and Joani enroute to Vance back in 1971.
After leaving Colorado Springs, we went to Fort Worth to visit our son, Charles, his wife, and two granddaughters. There, we encountered another "small world" story that involved you!
Our son flies F-16s in the AF Reserves at the Carlswell NAS JRB, and also went through pilot training at Vance. I showed him the glass we got from Andy with the "trucking on down the line" slogan, and he paused, thought a bit, then went and found your business card that he had kept since meeting you a few years ago on an airline flight. On that flight, you told him you were in 73-01 at Vance, and about your class slogan, which he remembered because he had written it on the back of your card. He couldn't remember when or where the flight occured, but he certainly remembered you and the slogan.
We both found this to be a very intriquing set of circumstances. Perhaps you recall the incident (his picture is attached; maybe it will jog your memory).
So, cliche or not, it is certainly a "small world".
Keep on truckin' !
Mike and Melissa
And here is the email reply sent by Krum
Mike,
Now that you have helped me dust off a few brain cells and delved deed into my memory banks, I remember meeting Chuck and his family very well. I was on a trip from McKinney to Portland, Maine. I was originally scheduled out of DFW on Continental Airlines to Portland via a stop in Newark. For what ever reason, Continental cancelled the leg from Newark to Portland. Needing to get to the northeast to meet my corporate flight obligations, Continental found me a seat on an American flight to Boston.
As it turned out, my seat was right beside Chuck, and his family was right across the aisle from us. We struck up a conversation when Chuck noticed a flight chart in my carry on when I went to pull an aviation magazine. If I remember correctly, Chuck, Susan, and the children were heading to Boston to vacation in Cape Cod. We had a very enjoyable conversation all the way to Boston. We talked Air Force war stories and one in particular comes to mind when Chuck told me his father, Mike Huber, had been an IP at Vance during my visit there with 73-01. It took me a minute or two, but I remembered you.
After arriving in Boston, we said our pleasantries and went our separate ways.
Mike, you have a delightful family and it was a pleasure meeting them for a brief moment. On your next visit with Chuck, please tell him and his family hello for me. I wish them the very best.
Indeed our time at the reunion was beyond my expectations. I am so thankful Cliff and Dick had a martini moment and pursued this endeavor.
"Keep on Trucking'!"
Krum & Sandi
Wayne Purser
Wayne has been contacted as well by Dick - looks like we will get to see some of the old team. Below is an excerpt from an email exchange:
Like Mike, I too am flattered to be included in the August gathering of such as august group of steely-eyed defenders of democracy as The Truckers of Vance Airplane Camp's Class of 73-01. As I mentioned in a previous email, it would truly be a hoot to see the faces of the members of my first T-38 class. Will stay in touch.
Also
Polly just sent me your email address saying she had heard from you in an attempt to get in touch with me. What's it been? Close enough to it 40 years now to call it four decades. If memory serves when last we served together, I left Vance in '74, and as I recall it you were rising star in squadron air-ops management. I beat around the system for the next 26 years finally retiring outta Langley AFB in 2000, about the time you were honchoing the AFFTC. As a matter of fact, again if memory serves, in the late 90's Langley commended into your charge the guy I was working for at the time (then-Colonel Perry Lamy). He indicate you were classmates. Since my retirement, Polly continued her career with DOD, and I became caregiver for aging and failing parents and in-laws. We are currently living in a 100-year-old fixer-upper in Moose Lake, MN (Polly's home town), and Polly is now doing HR at the EPA Lab in Duluth for another couple years until she retires.
You can catch up more with more of what Wayne has been up to at the following link: http://duluthlisc.org/files/2011%20Heroes%20from%20Linda.pdf
And from the Military Times Hall of Valor, here is a blast from the past regarding Wayne:
Rowland W. Purser
Awarded for actions during the S.S. Mayaguez Incident
The President of the United States of America, authorized by Title 10, Section 8742, United States Code, takes pleasure in presenting the Air Force Cross to Captain Roland Wayne Purser, United States Air Force, for extraordinary heroism in military operations against an opposing armed force as an HH-53 Helicopter Pilot of the 40th Aerospace Rescue and Recovery Squadron, Nakhon Phanom Royal Thai Air Base, Thailand, in action on 15 May 1975 at Koh Tang Island, Cambodia. On that date, while engaged in the recovery of the S.S. Mayaguez, Captain Purser disregarded intense ground fire and successfully landed two contingents of United States Marines on Koh Tang Island. Captain Purser then elected to attempt the withdrawal of United States Marine forces. Despite the hazards of flying a battle damaged aircraft, intensive ground fire and darkness, removal of the forces was successfully accomplished. Through his extraordinary heroism, superb airmanship, and aggressiveness in the face of an opposing armed force, Captain Purser reflected the highest credit upon himself and the United States Air Force
General Orders: Special Orders GB-583, 7/14/1975, USAF
Action Date: May 15, 1975
Service: Air Force
Rank: Captain
Company: 40th Aerospace Rescue and Recovery Squadron
Division: Nakhon Phanom Royal Thai Air Base, Thailand
Like Mike, I too am flattered to be included in the August gathering of such as august group of steely-eyed defenders of democracy as The Truckers of Vance Airplane Camp's Class of 73-01. As I mentioned in a previous email, it would truly be a hoot to see the faces of the members of my first T-38 class. Will stay in touch.
Also
Polly just sent me your email address saying she had heard from you in an attempt to get in touch with me. What's it been? Close enough to it 40 years now to call it four decades. If memory serves when last we served together, I left Vance in '74, and as I recall it you were rising star in squadron air-ops management. I beat around the system for the next 26 years finally retiring outta Langley AFB in 2000, about the time you were honchoing the AFFTC. As a matter of fact, again if memory serves, in the late 90's Langley commended into your charge the guy I was working for at the time (then-Colonel Perry Lamy). He indicate you were classmates. Since my retirement, Polly continued her career with DOD, and I became caregiver for aging and failing parents and in-laws. We are currently living in a 100-year-old fixer-upper in Moose Lake, MN (Polly's home town), and Polly is now doing HR at the EPA Lab in Duluth for another couple years until she retires.
You can catch up more with more of what Wayne has been up to at the following link: http://duluthlisc.org/files/2011%20Heroes%20from%20Linda.pdf
And from the Military Times Hall of Valor, here is a blast from the past regarding Wayne:
Rowland W. Purser
Captain Purser was Pilot of HH'53 "Jolly Green 43" during the Mayaguez recovery operations, and was one of FOUR men awarded the Air Force Cross during this, the last combat action in Southeast Asia.
Awarded for actions during the S.S. Mayaguez Incident
The President of the United States of America, authorized by Title 10, Section 8742, United States Code, takes pleasure in presenting the Air Force Cross to Captain Roland Wayne Purser, United States Air Force, for extraordinary heroism in military operations against an opposing armed force as an HH-53 Helicopter Pilot of the 40th Aerospace Rescue and Recovery Squadron, Nakhon Phanom Royal Thai Air Base, Thailand, in action on 15 May 1975 at Koh Tang Island, Cambodia. On that date, while engaged in the recovery of the S.S. Mayaguez, Captain Purser disregarded intense ground fire and successfully landed two contingents of United States Marines on Koh Tang Island. Captain Purser then elected to attempt the withdrawal of United States Marine forces. Despite the hazards of flying a battle damaged aircraft, intensive ground fire and darkness, removal of the forces was successfully accomplished. Through his extraordinary heroism, superb airmanship, and aggressiveness in the face of an opposing armed force, Captain Purser reflected the highest credit upon himself and the United States Air Force
General Orders: Special Orders GB-583, 7/14/1975, USAF
Action Date: May 15, 1975
Service: Air Force
Rank: Captain
Company: 40th Aerospace Rescue and Recovery Squadron
Division: Nakhon Phanom Royal Thai Air Base, Thailand
Chet Guerin
Andy Johansen is in contact with Chet - hope to have some info included soon.
Andy did receive a note from Chet - family issues will preclude Chet joining us for the reunion. He did wish all well - here are excerpts from his note:
"Sounds like it will be a fun time for both 73-01 & IP's....
Good Luck and don't drink too much!
Chet"
Andy did receive a note from Chet - family issues will preclude Chet joining us for the reunion. He did wish all well - here are excerpts from his note:
"Sounds like it will be a fun time for both 73-01 & IP's....
Good Luck and don't drink too much!
Chet"
Art Hasse
Dick Reynolds provided this excerpt from an email exchange with Art (he sent him a blind LinkedIn note) - It would be great if he could join us in The Springs this summer:
I was a bit hesitant to answer with a message as your name, I'm afraid, is not at all familiar. You have collected quite an impressive list. I can provide only a inimum of additional information.
Barry Grote went to work for Eastern Airline and I believe was still with them when it went out of business, I have no follow up from there.
Jim Bender went into maintenance test flight and re-qualled in the 38. Some time later he went to Holloman and flew "against" our guys, still in the 38. After he retired, he went with Boeing.
Rusty Sellers was killed as a passenger in a sea plane accident somewhere in the Carribean many years ago.
I took an early out and eventually wound up with the FAA in Flight Inspection testing and certifying nav-aids and made a career out of that. I retired in 2005 and am still living in the Oklahoma City area.
Dick is still in contact with Art - expect more soon.
I was a bit hesitant to answer with a message as your name, I'm afraid, is not at all familiar. You have collected quite an impressive list. I can provide only a inimum of additional information.
Barry Grote went to work for Eastern Airline and I believe was still with them when it went out of business, I have no follow up from there.
Jim Bender went into maintenance test flight and re-qualled in the 38. Some time later he went to Holloman and flew "against" our guys, still in the 38. After he retired, he went with Boeing.
Rusty Sellers was killed as a passenger in a sea plane accident somewhere in the Carribean many years ago.
I took an early out and eventually wound up with the FAA in Flight Inspection testing and certifying nav-aids and made a career out of that. I retired in 2005 and am still living in the Oklahoma City area.
Dick is still in contact with Art - expect more soon.
Scott McCabe
Guppy was able to track down Scott's email address and we were successful - Contact !! Scott gets to Colorado on travel - hopefully he will be able to join us at the Reunion. Here is an excerpt from an email:
I'll be very interested in my former future pilots and how their careers advanced. Interesting enough my last assignments were as the T-38 Squadron Commander as the Pilot Instructor School for T-38 instructors at Randolph AFB & Deputy Commander of the Instrument Flight Center before I turned down O-6 to retire.
Mark Erickson
In a note from Dick Reynolds:
Mark Erickson may try to make the reunion--per our phone conversation tonight.
More to follow.
Mark Erickson may try to make the reunion--per our phone conversation tonight.
More to follow.