Start Note. He just couldn't seem to get to work on time. Every day. 5, 10 minutes late. But he was a good worker, real sharp, so the Boss was in a quandary about what to do about it. Finally, one day he called him into the office for a talk. “(Anonymous ’75 Best Aliver), I have to tell you, I like your work ethics, but your being late often is bothersome.” “Yes, I know Boss, and I’m working on it.” “Well good. That’s what I like to hear. It’s odd though, you’re coming in late. I know you’re retired from the Air Force.” “Yes”, the anonymous ’75 Best Aliver replied. “What did they say if you came in late there?” “They said, ‘Good morning, General’.” Thanks to Roy Rice for this one.
Retirements and Passings. From Bruce Mitchell: Jim; Dick Webber, Spence Roberts, and I from Stalag 17 are planning to take our wives to Dave Sprenkle's retirement from the post of Deputy Adjutant General of Colorado Air National Guard in Denver on 14 April. That will leave Gen's Webber and Volcheff (former CS-17er) as our remnants from the Stalag on active duty.
Mark Volcheff’s retirement Friday 18 May at Peterson AFB. In the photo find thirteen of us, including two Modern Major Generals and one previously retired, as well as at least one astronaut. It was a memorable family event, and a pleasure to attend.
From Dave Ehrhart: Brian (Barnes) Dad, Maj Gen Jack Barnes (USA Ret), will be buried with full military honors at 1300 hours on July 11th at Arlington. Gen Barnes was a 1942 grad of West Point and fought in WWII, the Korean War, and Vietnam (where he commanded the 173rd Airborne Brigade). His last assignment, while we were at the Academy, was as the Chief of the Military Assistance Advisory Group (MAAG) in Taipei, Chiang Kai-shek’s last American Military advisor. He retired in 1974 and went on to work for Boeing, then as a Real Estate Broker. He retired completely in 1986 to devote time to traveling and the Reserve Officers Association. Chris and I plan to attend but wanted you to know that one of our great American heroes and father of a classmate/CS-31 squadron mate would be honored Wednesday. Take care, Dave
Classmate Updates. From Steve Kent: I am an interventional cardiologist practicing in Santa Barbara, Calif, for the past 18 years. I have my wife Nancy, who is also a physician, and three children. My oldest daughter will start at Brown University in Providence, Rhode Island this fall while the other two are in high school.
Jim Carlson’s Solicitation to the MN State Fair: Hey Minnesota '75ers, I'm planning a trip to the State Fair again. I wonder if any of you are interested in getting together during my visit near the end of August? Attached is a photo taken at the fair from my trip last year – some of you were missing from the group photo.
And the response from Chuck Woods: Would love to attend the Great Minnesota Get-Together this year, but ...I've been running a private jet company in Macau for six years, building the fleet and one of the leading jet charter offerings in Asia. We have seven new aircraft inbound, so I'll have to wait till next year to get into the photo with you guys. Careful with the pronto pups ... they're their own separate food group ... Cheers, Chuck Woods. From Jim: Thanks Chuck! I hope business is going gangbusters for you! How about a photo with you and the fleet, or something? I want to see what a classmate looks like as a successful international entrepreneur. See you next year then!
Carlson to Jim Burling: Burr, looks like you lost one from your area, to my gain. :-) (in response to this mail from Bill Flickinger: This CS-33 email string was a good reminder to catch-up. At the 30-year reunion many of you learned that I had not entered the witness protection program, but that I was living peacefully with my wife of 20 years and two children in lovely Loveland, Colorado. Well I am still living peacefully, but no longer is colorful Colorado. My company saw fit to present me with an opportunity to transfer to Delaware and I decided after much prayer and deliberation that it was better to receive a paycheck in Delaware instead of seeking a new job in Northern Colorado where the economy is quite dreadful if you aren't with a hospital or university. Besides the opportunity to lead a new service offering was professionally interesting and has proved to be quite enjoyable. Actually Delaware is quite nice and no more uncomfortable in the summer than Houston! I can cross from the West side to the East much quicker than any other place that I've lived (it is only 16 miles from border to border –> it takes much longer to cross Philadelphia or Baltimore than it does to cross the state of Delaware). I can't fail to mention that our new home's claim to fame is that they are bigger than Rhode Island. Renee and the kids are doing well and have adjusted fairly well to the move. Bill. PS: Jim, I appreciate you sending along all of the other emails from our classmates – it is nice to see how everyone else is doing. I'll try and write every few .... years?
From Harry P. Mathis: Hi Jim, Thanks for tracking me down, yet again. Our class can run, but certainly cannot hide :-). You continue to amaze me with your gift of connectivity! Regarding Balad, here goes: Left Reagan National on 7 Jan, routed through Norfolk, Bangor, Leipzig, Al Udeid, and into Balad (about 40 miles due north of Baghdad) on 12 Jan. I got to leave my staff job behind to be a "real chaplain" for four months as I led a team of six chaplains and four chaplain assistants for 120+ day AEF tours there. We staffed the AF Theater Hospital (Discovery Channel Baghdad ER) 24/7, and that's where we knew for sure we were in a war zone. Also F-16s, C-5s, C-17s, C-130s, Predators, and everything the Army flies were landing and taking off 24/7. Balad/LSA Anaconda are co-located, and while the AF provides top cover, this is Army "convoy-central" with fleets of armored vehicles constantly coming and going. The base was formerly the Iraqi AF Academy – but not even in the same galaxy with ours. I also got to serve many wonderful parishioners through sacraments, preaching, teaching, counseling and visiting - all of which were a joy. Wing Commander, B/Gen Robin Rand ('79) is truly one of the finest leaders encountered in my lifetime, and I've been on the rodeo circuit awhile. Left Balad on 18 May, retracing the route going over, and arrived at BWI on 20 May. Am attaching a few photos for those interested. God Bless, always, Harry.
From Jim Carlson to Classmates in Omaha/Papillion: I had a very nice visit with a couple of you guys while I was in Omaha in-transit from a wedding of one of our classmates. John Charlton (firstie roomo in CS-33) got married to wife #2 in Nebraska City last weekend. After the wedding, I decided to look up all you guys while I had a few hours layover for my flight back to DC. Tom Peterson was out of the area in his vacation home in Minnesota. Mike Leuschen was out of town shoveling up some dirt and topsoil. And Dave Clough was scrubbing for surgery as the on-call physician that weekend. But I finally got a chance to meet up with Paul Narzinsky (for the first time) and Tom Freed (who was in my doolie squadron). I guess Paul finally gave up running away from me! :-) Unannounced, I walked up to his door and knocked. As I told Dave Clough later that day, it’s always with a bit of trepidation when I do this. One of two things can happen: (1) you guys could crack the door open a wee bit and yell, "Get off my lawn!" and slam it shut; or (2) you let me introduce myself and have a civil conversation. Well, so far, it's always been the second. :-). When Paul realized who I was, he invited me in, handed me a cold one, and we had a great couple of hours reminiscing and getting caught up on three decades of being classmates. Paul said he's ready now to reconnect with the class.
The number of classmates now unaccounted for has decreased from 7 to 6 (out of 730 or so). We had a lot of fun, and the beer was cold and refreshing! Next, I looked up Tom Freed. I hadn't heard from Tom since doolie year, except for a few desultory emails within the last decade. But Tom had a good excuse, he's cheated death several times lately. He was recovering from a serious post-operative infection and had lost 30 pounds in just a few weeks. He also had several stents put in place to help his heart keep the blood flowing through his system. Tom and I spent the afternoon filling each other in on the careers of some of the guys we knew as doolies in CS-22. It was great to see Tom again. He is as recognizable to me as he was as a smackwad, although with a wrinkle or two here and there (but not much). I managed to wrangle preliminary commitments from Narzinksi and Freed to attend our 35th reunion in 2010. It's up to the rest of you guys there in the local are to make sure they make it. I suggest getting together at least one time before then in order to give each other the encouragement to stay strong as a class. I think Dave Clough said he'd lead the charge to get the Omaha area '75ers together for a social outing in the future
From Jeff Chappell: I had a long layover in Fort Lauderdale a couple weeks ago, and Bill Caskey was gracious enough to purge his calendar for a hospitality check (actually, Tropical Storm Bubba erased our golf date and Barb's tennis tournament, along with everything else outdoorsy that day–in retrospect, it would have been great for kite-flying!). Attached are some pictures (Photos 8-9) you might be able to use in Checkpoints. Bill possibly has the second best-looking and well-behaved family in our class ;-) and we had a great time over some Florida seafood. In case it's not obvious, our door is always open to at least 750 guys and their families. We have had a few distinguished visitors over the years, and I hope more will give us a call when visiting the home of the once and future NBA champions (as well as the Alamo, Riverwalk, etc) Thanks for all you do (to Prez and Scribe. See you around the campus)!
From Al Van Epps: Jim, Long time, no hear from. You must be off on one of your globetrotting ventures. You know of course that even though we, some of your classmates, may snicker at your pictures and descriptions of your escapades, we are envious of your being able do those things and the obviously good time that you are having. All I can say is good for you for traveling to exotic places and trying things you may not have done before...I am one of those envious ones.
From Richard Yurko: Jim: I meant to email you yesterday. I was driving and listening to sports talk radio – and Tom Brennan, who was introduced as a college basketball expert, identified several teams that he believed had a legitimate shot at making the final four. USAFA was one of them. My greatest fear is that USAFA and Air Force will meet in a major athletic event. Not that my choice will be difficult - hell, I rooted for Navy when they played here at WVU, but boy did I catch grief from my brother-in-law and friends! Take care, Dink.
From Randy Chapman: Jim, Although I live in Northern Virginia, I mostly work in the Seattle, WA area right now– building "toys for boys" with SAIC.
From Rick Douglas: Thanks Jim, (for finding) Tom McClain & Pat Moran for me – so now all CS-34 '75er email addresses are accounted for again!
From Bill Davis: Jim, it is good to hear from you. I'll look forward to your get together for those in the western suburbs [with your move here near Dulles airport]. Annette and I will be moving to the Fredericksburg area on 21 Jul. We will be living on an airport – Dogwood Airpark. The identifier is VA42. Four-bdrm house, 50x60 ft hangar, three acres of land. About 35 homes share the 4100 ft paved runway. I've always wanted to live on an airport – this one has a great community. They meet at the "50-yard-line" (adjacent to the midpoint of the runway) at 6pm on summer evenings – don't forget to toss the jug of wine into the back of your golf cart. Should be lots of fun, great camaraderie. I'll have a Massey Ferguson TO-35 tractor with a 5 ft mowing deck. Should be perfect for linking up a small wagon for hayrides for the grandkids (of which we now have FIVE! how can that be??). Hope to see you soon.
From Bob Akers: Mr. President, thanks for your note. For some reason, I was particularly nostalgic about 4 June 75 this year. I, for one, greatly appreciate your notes and the connectivity it gives our entire class. 32 years since – adds an entirely different perspective to "an infinite number of days until." Keep smiling and thanks for your leadership.
From Roy Rice: Jim . . it’s interesting to note . . . 16 classes graduated before us . . now, 32 classes have graduated since we did . . .Exactly Twice As Many Classes Have Come After Us As Went Before Us . . .Were just getting older and better. Cheers.
From Jim Burling: Jim (Lucky or Pieface) and Kim Corrigan started a new upscale coffee business in the Montgomery airport. With all of his smooth talking in the article, he might be running for mayor soon! That's a thought . . . Corrigan welcoming all those SOS and ACSC students to Montgomery!!! Jim Corrigan responds to Burr: (RE: Montgomery Mug Article in today's Business Section): This is why I have been off the net for a while.... Been open since 1 May, and ribbon cutting Friday. Note the picture to the right of the story. Kim decorated it, leather couches, wireless. Bidness has been great so far.
Newest Class of '75 ZoomieNation (Now Defunct) Members. From Jim Carlson: Steve Duresky, Pat Moran, David LaFave. And some responses to my Requests to you guys to join the '75 Group in ZoomieNation: From Dan O'Steen: Thanks for holding my hand on this one Jim. I'm getting my resume together and will soon look actively for other gainful employment. If I keep at the airline gig I will die soon. Regards, Dano. John Brooks writes: Pink Panthers got no stinking message! Jim Foreman writes: Hi gang!! Bill Hughes writes: Jim, Thanks for being so persistent. I hereby request entry to the '75 Best Alive Class Group. Chris Commeford writes: I guess it’s about time I joined my fellow classmates. Bill Percival writes: Due to badgering...here is my request Jim... Eric Hoganson writes: Just logged on and want to be a member of the 75 Group.
From Pat Moran: Hi Jim, sorry to be out of touch, I didn't mean to. Coaching basketball, softball, and parenting 7 children (youngest is 4 and oldest is out of college, but not out of my life!!) and flying 15 days a month keeps me busier than I would like sometimes. This is my new email and you can send stuff to it. By the way, do you know who our classmate is who made that [DVD] of our class at the zoo? I got one last year I believe and lost his address to pay him for it. I'd like to get him paid (and I'll include interest!!) Thanks, [from Jim Carlson]: Pat, it's Bill Estelle, CS-22. He put in thousands of hours in research and scanning archival photos of us. At 5 bucks a DVD, you cannot get a better deal for a one-of-a-kind memento of our time at the zoo. It’s still a deal even at 10 bucks!
From Jim Burling: Guys–Check out the email trail below–start at the bottom. Rich Chanick isn't the only one venturing out to new horizons. Jim and Judy have taken the plunge into private business in middle America! If you are traveling I-70 thru Missouri, it's a must-stop. (I actually drive thru Boonville on my trips home to the "Center of the Universe–Carthage!") We wish you well in your new venture. Have fun! Burr.
From: Jim Arthurs: Here is a recap of our current status for all. We sold our COS house in March and have been moving into our Missouri house permanently. Right as we signed a contract to sell COS, a pipe froze and leaked in Missouri, flooding the basement from above (ceilings and all). Half of our stuff is in storage, waiting to rebuild the basement. So, we have had a crazy path to get to Missouri. But, we are settling more every day. We are also starting up our new business: Nick-N-Willy's Take-N-Bake Pizza and Restaurant. We are still working on negotiating a leased site for the business. But, we have moved other aspects of it along, such as registering our business name.
Birthday Wish Responses. From Jim Carlson: Below are a few responses to my Birthday Wishes to you guys: From Charlie Beadling: My wife wrote on my card, "55 - Best Alive". From Jim Blissit: Thanks Jim, & I need to figure out your organization scheme! From Kenneth Smith: Thank you for the Happy Birthday. Life is great. From Bruce Fritzsche: Thanks Prez [for the b-day wishes], This year it’s the "double nickel". I, John Gaughan and wives went to the NIT and ran into Julius Hargrove and Leon Smith-Harrison. Will send photos when I figure out the technology. From John MacDonnell: Jim, hate to fess up, but I've never been able to successfully log on to "ZoomieNation" and have long since given up trying. Too many passwords, gyrations and frippery. No big deal. But I do appreciate your [birthday] wishes, and especially your good efforts to stay in touch with all of us – even the ZoomieNation-impaired. I hope all is going well for you Jim, and assume you are still traveling all over. Hopefully I retire relatively soon and can do the same thing. There are no guarantees in this life, and I do so want to do my share of gallivanting around while I still can . . . Thanks again Jim for your kind wishes. Take care of yourself. From: Oleh Stefaniuk: Thanks bud, appreciate the shout out. A big part of my fun today was shoveling 7" of Colorado's finest white stuff out of my driveway today. Take the exercise when you can, right? From Bob Knauff: Jim, Thanks for thinking of me. I was never much of a 'joiner' while at the Zoo, nor after, but I remain heartened that some of our classmates have managed to keep the connections going. You are, obviously to me at least, one of the main reasons for that. So I guess what I really should be saying is 'thanks for all you've done on my behalf. Regards, Bob [Stealth Zoomie]
Reflections and Opinions. From Mike Abbott: Jim, I haven't been very active on the class email circuit, but Charlie Beadling's write-up on the missile heist has roused my blood. I've been telling that story to my kids for years, but the details have been blurred/embellished beyond recognition. Charlie's audacity has to go down as one of the ballsiest stunts every pulled at AFA, and I'm proud to be in his class. Thanks Charlie! How have you survived up till now? Did you do this in your bathrobes or is that a foggy embellishment? Only problem is that now I have to tell my kids that I really wasn't the one driving the tractor! Thanks Bill Murray for your great perspectives on prostate cancer! Thanks Jim for keeping us abreast! Everything sent was of great interest.
From Michael Anderson: (RE: 19 Cadets Admit to Cheating) Hey Jimbo, I am soooo compelled to comment because to me . . . geez . . . the answer is obvious. When we were smackwads, our focus was strictly on surviving our first year – at least mine was (I wasn't the world's best smack!). We didn't have cell phones, we didn't have computers with internet access to a plethora of distractions, we didn't have TVs, we didn't have a stereo the second semester, we didn't have privileges, we didn't have video games, we didn't have iPods. Today – these are all items that one enjoys primarily as an INDIVIDUAL. Our rookie year we focused on academics, intramurals, military, and for a while, mandatory chapel. But most importantly, we focused on helping EACH OTHER to survive. And if we got off-course and forgot that it was the TEAM that mattered, our squadron mates and classmates helped us to get back on track. The Academy is fighting an American youth culture that too often says that 'the one' is more important than 'the many'. That's not a principle that develops warriors who are motivated to serve their country and their fellow warriors. Time to get back to the basics .... again?
From Larry Bryant: RE: FYI - "Weekend of Reflection At Academy". I'll be here this weekend acting as a "facilitator" in a squadron to discuss honor and ethics with the cadets. It should be an interesting time. Actually, the Supt has asked us to let the PA guys pass out all the info. I can tell you that 160 of us are meeting with cadets this week– I'll have facilitator training Saturday morning, then spend 4 hours with the cadets Sunday discussing honor and ethics issues. There will be critiques on Monday and probably a report a day or two after that.
From Charles Beadling Subject: My missile story. Jim, First, I apologize for the delay. I actually wrote this a year ago while in Chad. Instead of sending it right away, I got distracted. For several months my laptop was locked up in the US Embassy and I was in the states. Now, I am reunited with my trusty computer in Switzerland (no, I am not applying for asylum – I am in a month-long course in humanitarian assistance). So...here it is, to do with as you like. Feel free to share the reminiscence with anyone. If it gives anybody a smile, that is good. You made me realize that I never took a photo with the missile. I have one of it "erected" with a couple of pushballs at the base I think. I will do that next time I get there [to the zoo]. You know, you really do a lot for our class. Even if we don't say it very often, we truly appreciate it.
The '75 Helo Drivers Digest. From Jim Carlson: "Steve [Hussey] and Ric [Lewallen], Were you guys helo drivers? I know that John Sims and Hugh Gray were." From Steve Hussey: I can think of two others - Walt Pekarsky and Rod Reay. And yes, I flew helos for my entire AF career (20 years AD and Reserve). I'm amazed that you would know that! :) Steve.
From Ric Lewallen: Hey Jim, we had 60 in the class (I think). I still remember the fateful day of drawing my number out of a 3x5 card box. Some names I remember: Steve Stich, Rod Reay, Jack Kummerfield, Walt Pekarsky, Hugh Gray, Jim Davis, Tom Finn, Steve Hussey, Phil Kendall, Rick Douglas, Ron Doeppner, George Cook, Denny Brooks, Randy Davis, Jim Schuman.
From Hugh Gray: Hi Ric -Your memory is lot better than mine on names. Good blast from the past. I think Wing allowed us 15 Helo slots, 4 went to medical guys who couldn't fit in a jet ejection seat, 11 in a lottery. They put pieces of paper in a cadet C-cap and we drew as I recall. They didn't really shake it up and the first 4-5 guys drew low numbers from the same spot. Then we grumbled and they shook it up. I drew the last one - #11 . . . Comm tried to talk us out of it in interview. Also, at Rucker ground school we had a class on strange noises - "noxious noise". On a flight that day, you heard all sorts of "noxious noises" and the IP was about to whack you...
From Ric Lewallen: Hugo, Actually, I only got about 5 of those names . . . the rest I did a search on IN the AOG online database, once I figured out what they would call helicopter training. I don't know how I got 60 . . . 15 is the right number. I think it was 60 who drew. I remember well that there were 4-5 people, Walt was one of them, Schuman another, who got designated slots due to height. Interesting thing is that several of them went on to fixed wing later on. A cap . . . OK . . . I did not remember that. What I did remember was that we drew in the order of our fixed wing pilot training lottery number, which we had already drawn. I was going to Vance. I drew in the bottom 3rd of the drawers. I had talked myself into a position that if I drew "8" or higher, I was going to give up my slot and go on to Vance. I drew number 3. I believe it was providential, as I met my wife at Ft Rucker. I don't remember the noxious noises, but I remember my instrument IP whacking me several times for being stupid in some way. I can't remember his name . . . think it started with a W or a Z. He was a DA Civilian, old as the hills, but smart. I do remember the Comm interview. I don't think they cared that much about me, though, considering where I graduated in the GOM.
Old Men Health and Medical Digest. From Jim Carlson: Here’s distressing news from Bill Lyerly (CS-40). Looks like we almost lost him a few days ago. :-[ I promised Bill I'd write his Checkpoints obituary someday, but frankly I never really thought I’d have to, and I ain’t ready to do so yet (sheesh, Bill).
From Bill Lyerly: I am quite happy just to be able to send this e-mail to you today. I was just discharged from the Washington Hospital Center where I was medevac’d last week from our local Medical Center in Annapolis. I suffered 2 heart attacks last week, a mild one on Sunday (a week ago) and then a significant one last Wednesday afternoon (after having finished a very quiet and pleasant 4th of July dinner with my "neighbor" Duane Lodrige and my wife, Sylvia). I am only here today, and able to write this e-mail - "but for the miracles of modern medicine." My boss, a senior Emergency Medicine physician, told me that I am really lucky to still be here, as one of my blocked coronary arteries (called the LAD) is referred to as "the widow-maker" in medical circles. Just after bidding farewell to Duane after our 4th of July celebration dinner at Mike's Crabhouse on the South River (where you may recall that we DC area USAFA 75ers had our "Summer Outing" last year along with Duane's boat), my attack occurred and Sylvia rushed me to our local Emergency Room in Annapolis "just before fireworks" time on the evening of the 4th. Having my own "fireworks display" while receiving the "royal cardiac patient treatment" there in the ER (with lots of nitroglycerin), I was then medevac’d to the Washington Hospital Center, which I understand is a national specialty hospital for heart problems). Once arriving in DC, I was then rushed into cardiac catheterization surgery where they inserted 3 "stents" into my heart (which will remain there "for life.").
Despite having had cholesterol levels within the "normal" range, one of my coronary arteries was "mid-90s percent" blocked, and another was "mid-80s percent" blocked (that LAD). I still have one other coronary artery that is "only 70 percent" blocked, but they couldn't put a stent into that one. I don't even remember very much of a couple days of this past week. I am still having some problems (including a 10-inch long, two-inch wide, painful purple bruise starting in my groin where they inserted the catheter into my femoral artery), but I am up and around now and having my first access to my computer in almost a week. This was a real "shot across the bow" for me from a number of different perspectives, both personal and professional. Having been a real, "card-carrying" work-a-holic for the past 30-plus years, I am now "forced" into the "painful" process of trying to reassess those things that are really important to me, and to looking at future options. I sincerely hope that none of our other friends and classmates have to be "whomped upside the head" like I had to be, before they seriously start reassessing what is really important in their lives. Or maybe I was the only one who didn't get that memo, and thus I was the only one not to have done so already... I will get back into the swing of things as soon I am able to do so, and I will be REALLY happy to (be able to) see you and the rest of the guys at our next USAFA 75ers get-together...Cheers and very best wishes, Ebola Bill, "...'75-Still Alive..."
From Bill Murray: Back to Work. It’s been a while since most of you have heard from me, so I thought I would give you a short update. Again, thank you for your prayers prior to surgery and in my post-op recovery! Today it’s been 4 weeks exactly since my surgery..it seems like a lot more than that to me. I think I’ve had a pretty normal recovery. The first 2 weeks (10 days with a catheter) were pretty rough, but Judy was a great at-home nurse. I think the recovery has been harder on her than me! Week 3 I showed some progress and felt a little better. Week 4 was a turning point in that I got up less at night to go to the bathroom, and I was able to exercise a little. By this weekend, I was able to walk a mile, and I even chipped a few golf balls at about half speed. I’m still being pretty careful, as they don’t want me to lift more than 10 lbs for 6 weeks. My next event is a follow-up PSA Test (the blood test where they expect the PSA reading to go to zero). Living without a prostate gland is definitely a new experience for me. I’ll send one more email in about a week titled, “What I learned from having Prostate Cancer” that you might enjoy. Until then, thank you so much for your support.
What I’ve learned From Having Prostate Cancer: The prostate is a gland in the male reproductive system. The prostate makes and stores a component of semen and is located near the bladder and the rectum. The prostate surrounds part of the urethra, the tube that empties urine from the bladder. A healthy prostate is about the size of a walnut. If the prostate grows too large, the flow of urine can be slowed or stopped. More than 300,000 new cases and about 30,000 deaths are attributed to prostate cancer each year in the U.S. For reasons not fully understood, African American men have the highest frequency of prostate cancer in the world and the highest death rate from the disease. In other parts of the world – notably Asia, Africa, and Latin America – prostate cancer is rare.
80% of men by age 80 will be diagnosed with prostate cancer in the US
It has been said you will either die of old age or of prostate cancer
A network of advisors is invaluable
There’s wisdom in many counselors
I hear lots of people confuse the word prostate with prostrate
Different words, different meanings
Educating yourself and paying attention to your symptoms is important
Prostate Cancer for Dummies by Paul Lange & Christine Adamec is a good book
Prostate cancer affects mainly older men. Four out of five cases are diagnosed in men over 65, but less than 1% in men under 50. Though rare, prostate cancer can be seen in men even in their 30's and 40's. Men with a family history of prostate cancer are more likely to die of it than is the general population. On a case-by-case basis, doctors cannot say with certainty what causes prostate cancer, but experts generally agree that diet contributes to the risk. Men who consume large amounts of fat – particularly from red meat and other sources of animal fat – are most likely to develop advanced prostate cancer. The disease is much more common in countries where meat and dairy products are dietary staples than in countries where the basic diet consists of rice, soybean products, and vegetables.
You can’t underestimate regular physicals and check-ups
Monitor your own PSA by having yearly exams starting at age 50
A PSA <4.0 doesn’t necessarily mean you don’t have cancer
A PSA >4.0 doesn’t necessarily mean you do have cancer
PSA acceleration is important. Your PSA should not increase more than .7 per year
Begin PSA tests earlier if you have a family history of prostate problems or if you are in a high-risk category
If you have cancer, know what a Gleason Score is
If you have cancer, know what positive and negative margins are
If you have cancer, know the location and functions of lymph glands
Don’t be afraid to change urologists if you’re not comfortable with his approach
My #2 Urologist is the one that was suspicious of the PSA acceleration and ordered the prostate biopsy just to be on the safe side
Medicine is an art and not a science
Researchers know more about what will not cause prostate cancer than what will. No proven link exists between prostate cancer and an active sex life, vasectomy, use of alcohol or tobacco, circumcision, infertility, infection of the prostate, or a common non-cancerous condition called benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) that causes an enlarged prostate gland. Most elderly men experience an enlarged prostate to some degree. Your prostate gland continues to grow until the day you die.
Doctors, hospitals and laboratories, on occasion, make mistakes
Ask questions and double check your data
It’s important to explore new technologies
New technologies, processes and techniques can help you
This area of medicine is changing rapidly
Nothing about urology is fun, and everything is embarrassing
Having a catheter is not fun, but it takes the pressure completely off the bladder
The catheter is held in place by a small balloon inflated in the bladder
Having the catheter removed in more about fear than reality
Don’t forget to tell the doctor to deflate the balloon
Lessons About Life:
There’s nothing more important than faith, family & friends in life
Having a loving God to watch over and protect you
Having a loving wife and children who really care about you
Having a network of family and friends who encourage and support you
The new meaning of to have and to hold in sickness and in health
My wife is the best nurse ever
The power of prayer can never be underestimated, and it is real
The word cancer can be intimidating, but it’s not your greatest obstacle in life
Having cancer changes your perspective somewhat
You can live with the side effects of having prostate cancer
The rain falls on good people and bad people
Everyone has challenges in their lives and someone is always worse off than you are
Count your many blessings, count them one by one!
Bill Murray Book Review of “Lone Survivor” by Marcus Luttrell. I just finished reading a book given to me by my wife for Father’s Day titled, Lone Survivor. Its a great book, one that makes you proud to be an American; one that makes you realize the high price a military man pays to defend our country.
For me the book brought back vivid memories of my Academy days and the rigorous training and survival techniques taught to us by our dedicated instructors. It gave me a new appreciation for Navy SEALS, for Special Operations, and for the extremely difficult enemy we face in al Qaeda and the Taliban. It reminded me of the camaraderie of military members, the pride of Texans, and the extreme dedication and love they have for our country. This book will leave an impression on you.
In vivid detail you understand why we have not been able to capture Bin Laden. His descriptions of the topography, the character, the customs, and the tribal traditions along the Pakistan border make it plain why we face a nearly impossible mission. His descriptions of ROE (Rules of Engagement) and how they play out in a practical manner only add to the frustrations we face in this war on terrorism. Despite the rough language used in the book, his genuine faith in God comes through clearly.
Here’s a short excerpt from the book cover: This is the story of team leader Marcus Luttrell, the sole survivor of Operation Redwing, and the desperate batter in the mountains that led, ultimately, to the largest loss of life in Navy SEAL history. But it is also, more than anything, the story of his teammates, who fought ferociously beside him until he was the last one left blasted unconscious by a rocket grenade, blown over a cliff, but still armed and still breathing. Over the next four days, badly injured and presumed dead, Luttrell fought off six al Qaeda assassins who were sent to finish him, then crawled for seven miles through the mountains before he was taken in by a Pashtun tribe, who risked everything to protect him from the encircling Taliban killers.
The first four chapters move slowly through SEAL training, but after chapter 5 it’s difficult to put the book down. After page 360 have some Kleenexes handy. This is the story of a true American hero, who was awarded the Navy Cross for combat heroism in 2006 by the President. Despite his many injuries, has still serving our nation today. I recommend you read this book before September when Gen Petraeus gives his report to the Congress on the progress of our new strategy. It will put things into perspective for you.
Association of Graduates. The AOG has established a Class Advisory Senate, which is now up and running and providing input to the AOG Board of Directors. Our representative, (Larry Fariss) needs your thoughts and opinions on current issues facing the Academy and the AOG; right now they are preparing recommendations on the issue of an AOG Foundation, AOG restructuring, revision of AOG By-Laws, the honor code, and the results of last year’s member survey
As the scribe always tries to do, he will post a longer Checkpoints for Zoomienation as soon as the printed copy arrives in the mail.
Closing. From Jim Carlson: Classmates (via POCs), As 4 Jun 07 ends on the East Coast, I want to note that 32 summers have come and gone since we tossed our hats into the air in Falcon Stadium. Here's to great and enduring friendships, and an association with a fine group professionals and human beings that make up the Class of '75!! Thanks to all of you who have sent me emails asking about me since I've been noticeably and generally absent from cyberspace from about December. Unfortunately, I can offer no bizarre or mysterious reason: just the confluence of computer problems, increased tempo at work, and moving to a house in Sterling, Virginia after more than 15 years of urbanized apartment living. I'm inexorably getting back into living-the-life online again, having finally set up my "office" at home. There's a lot of news from you guys that are backed up in my inbox – so I'll be combing through them anon to put into my future '75 Notes to Class.
In my hiatus, our Scribe, Paul Kent, has continued to dutifully write the '75 Class News in Checkpoints Here's the neat thing about the article Paul posts online – it's longer, more detailed, and includes more photos than can be printed in the allotted space that we have in the Checkpoints magazine! Please continue to swamp him with your newsy emails! As a matter of fact, over 300 of you have logged into ZoomieNation (Now Defunct) and posted frequent blogs, and an increasing number of messages to each other and to the class in general. If you continue to use that forum and communication tool, my notes to the class may not have to be so incessant. :-) But I'm under no illusion of not having anything to pass on to you guys, no siree. Next year, we start the 2-year ramp-up to our 35th class reunion. This time, my goal is to reach the other half of our classmates who couldn't/didn't make it to the festivities e– and convince them to go. Especially those who have NEVER been to a reunion. Of course, you guys will make it happen. Once again, it's been a wonderful 32 years of professional service, amity, and camaraderie with all of you. Let's go at least another 32 years – heck, let's push that envelope to its limits and just keep going!
