United States Air Force Academy
Class of 1977
"Pride Rides" (Just Passin' Thru)

Graduated: 867 1 June 1977

Active duty AF: 71 Guard/Reserve: 106
Deceased: 23
Retired: 365
Separated: 418
Other Services: 14
(from the 2008 Register)

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June 2010 CHECKPOINTS
By J. J. "Lou" Michels, '77 Class Scribe
 On Watch: Well, they are putting the buoys out in the harbors here on Lake Michigan, which can only mean one thing--the lake is ice-free enough for people to bring their hideously expensive boats out of storage and back into view, where they will torment me as I look out my window during the summer. I always wonder what the people in the boats on the lake during the week do for a living — those of you who are members of this club, please feel free to drop me a line.

Technology Push: As part of your humble scribe's efforts to improve the overall well-being of the class, I am now providing you with a reason to learn how to use Facebook — we have our own affinity group there. Look under "USAF Academy Class of 1977" and register. We have several ongoing dis­cussions, lots of really interesting and embarrassing pictures from then and now, and links to timely articles, topics, etc. relating to class members and activities. The group is open to class members and spouses / significant others, so kick your kids (grandkids) off the computer and check us out.

Bill Brandt (Susan) dropped some pictures of his recent trip to the Phil­ippines on the site, and reported that he's got four grandchildren with num­ber five "on the way." Congrats, Bill, and I hope you are reading Kipling to all of them. Tom Jones (Liz) put up a link to his op-ed piece noting the problems with the current administration's space flight proposals. Excellent analysis, Tom, but I wouldn't hold my breath for new space funding or jobs from the Chi­cago bunch. Paul Higgins (Nancy) caught up with John and Kathy Burke in lovely Big Canoe, Georgia. Paul and John were attack-jet types once upon a time, and got re­connected after a thirteen-year hiatus. Dan Jarka (Pam) shipped their son to basic training at Fort Benning. With any luck, he'll be headed into Special Forces following graduation. Good luck to you guys, all of you.

Jim McAnulty (Anna) wrote a nice message outlining where he's been since we tossed our hats. He and Anna have five kids, but are almost empty-nesters. They currently live in Abuja, Nigeria where Jim is the political counselor at the U.S. Embassy. He started with the Foreign Service in October 1983 and his assignments have been fascinating — Caracas, Mexico City, San Jose, Costa Rica, Nassau, Brussels, and Nairobi, to mention a few. He served as a regional refugee coordinator in Nairobi and as the narcotics section director (interdicting narcotics, not procuring them) at the embassy in Mexico City, among some of his other jobs. Below is a shot of Jim with President Bush at the embassy in Nigeria:

Thanks again, Jim, and nothing but my best wishes out there.

Donna Clodfelter (Mark) dropped me a line from lovely Chapel Hill where she is in mourning over Duke's national title. Full disclaimer —I am a Duke Law alum, and could not be happier over the results. And Donna got to rub my nose in it last year. Anyway, Mark teaches at UNC and was visited recently by Curt and Ina Bedke. Donna reports that the highlight of the evening was Curt and Mark trying to figure out how to use their iPhones to mutual advantage. And how long did that take? There's a positive side of the story — at least they weren't using Jitterbugs.

San Antonio Rocks: The gentlemen in South Texas are apparently ready to party together at the drop of a hat (Stetson? Sombrero? Ten-gallon?). Scott Harrod not only sent me this picture, but wrote his own paragraph for insertion in the column! Now that is what I call "scribe courtesy." Or maybe he just wanted to make sure I didn't screw things up again. Mike Hainsey (Brenda), who works as the airport manager at Columbus, MS, was coming through Ran- dolph as part of an AETC commander's list of civic leaders. News like that can't be kept under wraps, and a group quickly formed up for lunch, as listed below:

From left are Eric Treland (Margaret), Scott Harrod (Anita), Al and Rita Becker, Dave and Rhonda Swiger, Mitch and Sue Dodd, the guest of hon­or, Mike and Brenda Hainsey, and Jim and Susan Darth. Eric handles the aero club issues for Air Force Services, Al is working at AETC for the F-35 training mission bed down, Dave is a regional director for Boeing, Mitch works in strategic planning with AFPC, and Mike, who started as a stimulator instructor at Columbus, is now airport manager. The other noteworthy thing about this gathering is that this marks Mike's first appearance in Checkpoints. Jim is teaching high school and college math courses in San Antonio. Thanks for the quick pull-together of this group, Scott. My best wishes to all who attended. Just to show you the interconnectivity of this group, I then got a quick message from Bob Soucy (Vivencia), noting that he and Mike had touched base in Vegas, where Bob was temporarily residing, the week before. Bob splits his time between the Philippines and Vegas on multiple business trips running his own consulting company.

Dave Gragan sent me a quick link to a press conference he did with the mayor of DC regarding procurement issues for the District. Dave, along with all the other class members in the DC area weathered a terrible winter, which Dave thoroughly enjoyed, saying it reminded him of some of the Zoomie snowstorms we experienced. Always the optimist, that's Dave.

Doug Beason (Cindy) wrote me a very nice message updating his ac­tivities. Doug has always had one of the most esoteric set of interests of anyone I know, and his update shows how. He retired from Los Alamos in 2008 after serving as the Associate Lab Director running the threat reduc­tion part of a lab for the last four years. After leaving, he and Cindy traveled through the South Pacific, and ended up settling in Castle Rock where he has been doing some more writing (science fiction, natch) and consulting for Auburn University. At the end of last year he got pulled back into public service and is now the Chief Scientist of SpaceCom working directly for the commander. Doug reports that it is about the most fun he has had on a job since he was a second lieutenant. At this stage of our lives, may we all find jobs that are more fun than work. Thanks, Doug, and congratulations to you both.

Finally, I want to close with an update from Gary Hamor (Ellen) who's living up in Meade, CO running his own consulting and process improve­ment business. Here's a shot of Gary with his grandson: on vacation at Glenwood Springs.

Gary also reported that Ellen is working as a flight attendant for Frontier. Thanks for the quick update, and the great photo, Gary.

Off Watch: That's it from the western side of Lake Michigan. Wear light clothing, use sunscreen, and stay hydrated. Be seeing you.

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