OCS Class 58B

 

40th Reunion - Graduating Class-58-B

As submitted: John M. Quinn


US Air Force Officer Candidate School Class 58B

40th Anniversary Celebration June 20,1998

Flamingo Hilton-Las Vegas, Nevada

We had a good time, with our classmates and wives, celebrating the very significant event in our lives ... commissioning as officers in the U.S. Air Force.

One of the best things is the friend's we've made as a result of that six-month program. It was well worth the effort getting together and observing the moment and renewing or initiating those bonds of fellowship.

It was with great expense that many hauled our bones to the Hilton, for the 19th and 20th. It cost Joe Rita a couple of gallons of gas to drive over from Henderson, Nevada and he gave us a new baby girl as our anniversary baby. Maia Rita was born June 19th. Welcome to the club, Maia. We were happy for Joe's good fortune and persistence.

Some of the wives, who were with us at Lackland in '58, have kept their husbands all these years. Many others have stayed together, fortunately, for better than 40 years. They include: June Kuttenkuler, Barbara Lane, Marlene Preston, Pauline Rollman, Betty Showers, Ruthanna Walsh and Edie Weidermann. Congratulations, ladies! It must have been a challenge to your patience, but you hung on to some good men. Thanks, too, for welcoming Arlene Quinn and Doris Cooter into the fold so graciously.

We started arriving on the 18th. By Friday, the 19th, we had some last minute changes to the lineup, which we expected. Personal emergencies and other commitments left us with 10 instead of the 20 classmates we had hoped to show. There were a couple of conventions going on. One was the UAW. The town was jumping. It's become a regular amusement park with a lot to see and hear, plenty of good food and especially desserts. We met some different critters ... Penguins and Blessed Ibisis' along with the ducks, gold fish and Flamingos.

Friday we began meeting in our greeting room to socialize. There was a lot of catching up to do for those who made the pilgrimage. Dick Cooter, Quentin Kuttenkuler T, Bill Lane, Chuck Preston, yours truly, Joe Rita, George Rollman, Jack Showers, Jack Walsh and Olaf Wiedemann. I can't describe the electricity that developed in that room, but, it was wonderful ... and not just because there were a few electrical engineers present. The stories told were most enjoyable to hear.

Joe's wife, Marybeth, was busy with their new baby girl, so she couldn't drop by, Betty Showers and Ruthanna Walsh, also, were not able to attend.

Jack Walsh was our 'Sparkplug'... naturally. He's still the absolute, ultimate and pure salvation of the Air Force. He, Dick and Chuck were in Pilot training together, so they had a lot of interesting stories to tell...many of which we could not recount here because of the sensitive nature.

Jack Showers was inspiring. He told us about his calling to the clergy, as a Southern Baptist Pastor, after completing 24 years AF AD. He is now retiring after 24 years ministering and 17 years a Pastor of a California church. His personality is very warm and a friendly Preacher we couldn't find, He acted as our Chaplain for the Saturday ceremony, leading us in prayer for our ailing family members, remembrance of those deceased and all others who were not present. He expressed some warmly impressive thoughts, for us.

The wives had many stories to tell about the "Billy Mitchell Village" days. From prowlers to laundry runs and new babies. There was some lively 'rap' going on. Edie told the classic story of delivering her baby to us on December 29th, as Olaf was reporting in to OCS campus.

Several other babies were exposed to the wonders of OCS, between Jan and Jun '58. My son, Eddie, was one, although he was born in Harlingen, Texas a couple of months later. We were a productive class ... in many ways. It is amazing how productive we've been both in and out of the Air Force. I am grateful to have been around so many giving people.

Dick Cooter's son, Mark, is assigned to Nellis AFB and got us an Air Force flag for our ceremony. Thank you, Mark. He gave his Dad a tour of the unmanned surveillance aircraft program where he is assigned to duty. Dick was impressed. He has an outstanding young man for a son. Mark attended our party. We reminded him that he might be attending one in 40 years, with his buddies.

Some of us took in a delicious meal at Caesar's Palace, after the ceremony. Then we did some touring to bum-off the extra calories we added to our frames. The sights were entertaining, some of us who tried a little gaming, found out where the money for all those light bulbs and electricity comes from ... the casinos don't like to part with the jackpots, very often.

Parting was 'such sweet sorrow' for us as we started back home. It was a gathering that enriched our hearts and made us realize the good people we have in the 'ol US of A. The bombardment, by the news and entertainment media, with stories of the bad deeds of people gives a warped view of our real values in this Country. Thank God for all our gifts and may our love for each other continue to grow.

There's a lot more I could say about what took place. I'll save it for the next get together, which, judging from comments I've received, may be in the next couple of years ... while we're still mobility prone.

Until next time...

Best of everything to all

JQ


Addition to 58B directory: July 3, 1998

Edward L. Callicotte, Col. USAF Ret, 209 Oakwood Circle, Niceville, FL 32578. E-mail [email protected]

 

Chamberland zip 62269

Kelley is Carl's name-not Kelly. Those error typists, boy!

Kezaes zip ... 57747

More on the '40th party.

Bill Lane told us about being Louisiana State Commander of the Disabled American Veterans, last year and how he cherishes his volunteer contribution to veterans. Jack Walsh mentioned how he and Ruthanna, a nurse, visit with hospitalized vets on holidays.

Quentin's stories about running a 500-acre spread with 100 head of cattle. That made us city boys feel like country bumpkins, June is the CEO of the whole circus. They make it sound so simple.

There was some lively talk about missiles and aircraft control by Jack Showers, Olaf', George and Quentin.

Of course there were the memories of out First Class tormentors and the Second Class whipping boys. The 'ramp!, studying under blankets at night with flashlights, memory work and "white ones" were all fun topics. Funny how the memory clings. What forty years?

Our 1200 ceremony in the Reno West Room at the Flamingo, included a touch of recorded marching band music (in appreciation of our drum and bugle corps), the Pledge of Allegiance, in our group prayers, brief comments by participants and Jack Walsh's very appropriate talk.

George's adventures with his new roto-tiller, in the Arizona soil, were described by Pauline.

Joe was Mama and baby-sitting and was unable to attend the ceremony, and his cheerful energy was missed.

There's more to tell, if I could only remember it ... forgive me if I left anything out ... we'll get it another time ... maybe '99 or 2000. Will it be San Antonio, or Florida? We need to get some input.

Also, some have asked to contribute to the cost of mail and phone expense. We'll take $5.00 toward that cost, with any excess going to printing. The help will be appreciated.

Another issue, was how to locate the rest of the Class, some 70 are still not known. There is a system of mailing self-addressed envelopes to AFMPC that we may try.