OCS Class 58B

 

What they are saying about the 1999, OCS Class of 58B, Reunion:

From: J. Colvig

To: All Classmates; OCS 58-B

Subject: Recap, 41st Year Reunion, April 29 - May 1, 1999

The 58-B Shavetail lists 153 individuals as having graduated on 20 June 1958. John Quinn had located 82 alive, 32 deceased, and 39 "not found" as of 11 Feb 1999, when the Reunion invitations were sent. Names of the "Found" appear on the two rosters enclosed. The 39 "unfound" are still being sought. If you know any of the "Us", please have them REE-port to the Quinn.... We need them for the next reunion...but digress....

The gathering went even better than expected. Eighty-five invitations were sent. Jay Tressler and Bob Thompson of 58-A, and Jim Bowler of 58-C, expressed interest and were invited along with our 82 58-Bers.

Sixty one formally responded. Of those, 35 attended. All but 7 brought a lovely lady. We had 63 attendees, total.

Events went as scheduled. Forty one years evaporated amid bear hugs, back slapping, and belly laughs. (Speaking of "belly", profile photographs were avoided whenever possible!!)

We were recognized at the Basic Trainee Graduation Parade on a cool, breezy,

and overcast "perfect weather" day. Perhaps the weather was arranged by our members

at Higher Headquarters. I felt it was.

The Tree and Plaque Dedication was masterfully conducted. Following a prayer by Reverend Jack Showers, Jack Walsh slowly read the names of our deceased while a bugler sounded "Taps". A Color Guard attended.

Reverend Teddy Jones presided over the luncheon Invocation. John Quinn invited each classmate to the podium to present a 5-minute post-OCS travel summary. About half spoke around lunch, and the other half around dinner. Pre-dinner prayers were led by Reverend Frank Carey.

Interestingly, our class has 4 ordained ministers .... Carey, Clawson, Jones, and Showers ... as well as Lay Eucharistic Minister Bill Jefferson.

We bus toured Lackland. Only Fermoyer Hall remains in the OCS area J we knew. That monument to high-pressure academics is slated for demolition as well. Many an hour of open-eyed sleep was garnered there... in discreet mini-minute snippets, of course!! After visiting museums and the BX it was back to the Gateway Club for Happy Hour and dinner.

Saturday's golf outing and general area touring were enjoyed, and the dinner on river barges was great fun. Much singing. "That Good Old Mountain Dew" and others were just as loud and harmonious (?) as you remember them.

On Sunday we were recognized at both the Catholic and Protestant Services ..... With standing ovations. Talk about feeling old ......

Thirty-five attended, but in spirit all 153 of us were there. While none of our Seventh Squadron ladies physically made the scene, they were especially near and dear to our collective memories. Jay and Lucy Tressler were there from 58-A as special guests.

Thanks go out to Gordon and Florence Brymer, Bill and Joyce Jefferson, John and Arlene Quinn, and to Lane Colvig for their outstanding efforts. This constitutes special thanks to all contributing members who sent funds for the tree and plaque.

Please keep 2003 in mind for a 45th year reunion. It's 1t'ke the credit card commercial now on TV...."Air Fare ... big ~, Hotel .... Big, the reunion and the time spent together.... PRICEL? $$!" Believe me when I say that.

" The Quinn is putting together a VCR using footage from his mini-cam efforts. Ask him about it. He also has a web site address of interest to those of you who are electronically connected.

Best wishes, good health, and God Bless. Plan to stay a piece when passing through Kerrville.

See ya in '03 be there!!




Submitted by: John M. Quinn
From: Los Angeles
Time: 1999-05-21 17:53:19
Comments: Arlene and I were so happy to be mingling with such a fine group of citizens, in San Antonio. It's a quick way to
lose 4l years of the aging process and feel young again. Good medicine for the price. Some of 6th Sq. won't wait until
'03...they're meeting in Ft.Worth on our 41st anniversary, June 20th, with Ben Halstead...for some singing, I hope. Sorry I'll
miss that hootenanny. Jim & Lane Colvig, Gordon and Florence Brymer and Bill and Joyce Jefferson were the best of hosts,
providing the good food and wonderful activities. Especially memorable was the tribute to our departed classmates, at
Lackland. Gordon set up the memorial project and Jack Walsh and Jack Showers made it most impressive A couple of
tears were the proof. We missed those classmates who were unable to attend, for whatever reason, but, we were keeping
them in our hearts.



 Submited by: Lou Stout
 From: Arlington, TX
 Time: 1999-05-12 05:27:38
 Comments: Had a great time at reunion in San Antonio. Hope to see ALL of you at the next one in 4 years.


Subject: 6th Squadron Get-Together Ft. Worth
Date: Tue, 1 Jun 1999 19:57:23 EDT
From: [email protected]
To: [email protected]

Savage 6th Get together is tentatively scheduled for Sunday 20 June 1999. Details to follow. Or E-mail Jim Marx and Ben Halsted.

The 1999 Reunion was the best event I have ever attended and we all owe a lot of thanks to those that planned, scheduled and managed the whole shindig.

Ben and Waggi Halsted, 20 Muirfield, Abilene, Texas (915) 695-7722