UNITED STATES VETERANS

ALEMANY CLASS OF 1966

Mark Belmont (Air Force)
Bob Cosgrove (Army)
Leonard J. DiTrapani (Vietnam 1969-70)
Les Dunkin (Vietnam 1969-70)
Bobby Guerrero (Vietnam 1969-70)
Robert M. Johnson (Air Force 1970-72)
Wayne Jzyk
Bill Killian (Army, Vietnam 1968-69)
Bill Ludgate
Brad Kopp (Army, Vietnam 1969-70)
Ken Matwiczak (US Army Air Defense Artillery, 1971-93)
Martin D. Molidor (Navy 1969-72)
Bob Morneau (USAF, Nakhon Phanom Royal Thai Airbase, 1970-72)
Rex Olliff (U.S. Army, Fort Ord 1970-72)
Bob Orlando (Coast Guard, 1970-74)
Jay Pelzer (Air Force, multiple trips into Vietnam 1971-73)
Jim Poltl (Navy, 1966-69)
Guy Proto (USAF, 1969-73)
Ned Ryan (Navy)
Don Soberg (Army Green Berets, Vietnam)
David C. Surges (Viet Nam 1971-72)
Richard Weier (Navy, 1968-71)
Ronald West (Navy, 1969-72)

Details of Service

Bobby Guerrero. Drafted in July, 1968, took an extra year (3 year enlistment) to guarantee a school, ended up in Personnel School. Started active duty 9/30/68. Boot camp and Personnel School at Fort Ord, CA. Also assigned there for an additional 6 months. Shipped out to Vietnam on 10/1/69, landed in Cam Rahn Bay and was assigned to Personnel Services Company (the Fighting 518th PSC, WE DON'T RETREAT, WE BACKSPACE!!). Served 364 days, including 2 visits to Thailand for R&R. Left Viet Nam on 9/30/70 with a Bronze Star for Meritorious Service ... 11/1/70 assigned to Oakland Induction Center in downtown Oakland, at the height of the Black Panther Party movement. Oakland was more dangerous at that time than Cam Rahn Bay, there were daily demonstrations and protests at the Induction Center, including some vandalism caused by explosive devices. Wearing your uniform on the street was a no-no, although the haircuts were a dead giveaway. 7/21/71: Got an "early out" from my enlistment to return to college, was awarded a Joint Services Commendation medal for Meritorious Service. My cousin, Richard Guerrero (AHS '67), an Air Force vet at the same time period, likes to tell me, "We never got a parade." I think anyone who served, wherever they served, deserves the honor of their service. Thanks, Bobby Guerrero

Bob Johnson. Graduated Loyola University in 1970 and was commissioned a 2nd Lt, USAF the same month. Assigned originally to pilot training, but washed out due to a previously unknown eye condition which kept me from flying at night ... Assigned to Ellsworth AFB, Rapid City SD from August 1970 to December 1972. Executive officer in the 28th Bomb Wing. We flew B-52's and KC-135s on missions originating in Guam and Thailand (don't know if that is still classified!). Also ran the secondary Airborne Command Post for SAC headquarters on a rotating basis with Offutt AFB. Did some additional training at Keesler AFB in Biloxi MS, was down south right after the big hurricane ... The most positive thing that I did while in the AF was a volunteer assignment rescuing flood victims from the Great Flood of '71 in Rapid City, SD ... God gave me a reprieve on December 24, 1972 (a date which I still celebrate each year with a prayer for my lost friends) and let me resign my commission a year and a half early to head back to law school. Lt RMJ

Bill Killian. I was drafted in 1968 while attending (then) Valley State College. While stationed in Georgia I volunteered to go to Vietnam, spent 13 months there in the Central Highlands attached to a South Vietnamese infantry unit as a radio operator. I stayed an extra month to get out the Army early. That's it for me.

Brad Kopp. I enlisted in the military (Army) in Feb '68, because I knew my draft number was coming up. I was in Vietnam from July '69 until the end of June '70 as a helicopter pilot. Upon my return I was stationed at Fort Wolters, Texas, a basic helicopter training base. I was a helicopter pilot instructor there for three years. I had volunteered to go back to Vietnam a year later but was told no because I was needed as an instructor. Thank goodness, why I wanted to go back is beyond me. But when your 21 years old you think you are infallible. I retired from the Army in 1989. As far as other people in the military I know that Bob Cosgrove was in the US Army for three years but never went to Vietnam.

Bill Ludgate. Just to let you know I served at that time but didn't get to go over to Vietnam. Also seeing all these emails since I'm going thru chemo and radiation now is a great help. God bless all of you. Bill Ludgate

Ken Matwiczak. Commissioned 2LT, US Army Air Defense Artillery, West Point, June 1971. Retired as Lieutenant Colonel, August 1993 ... Did not serve IN Vietnam. (Volunteered to do so, but Army had other ideas) ... Places served: Karlsruhe, Germany, 71-74 ... Fort Hood, TX (Killeen - just north of Austin), 75-76 ... Fort Bliss, TX (El Paso), 77, 82-86 ... West Point (Faculty), 79-82 and 89-93 ... Purdue Univ (for Masters Degree on Army time and Army fellowship), 78-79 ... Texas A&M Univ (for Ph.D. on Army time and Army fellowship), 86-89.

Marty Molidor. US Navy Feb 1969 to Dec 1972 ... Bootcamp and tech training (Radioman) San Diego, CA ... Two years NATO Southern HQ, Naples Italy ... 16 Months aboard USS Nashville, Atlantic Amphibious Fleet - Caribbean Ready Group ... We attacked Puerto Rico (with Marines) repeatedly, just in case Cuba ever needed a Thumpin.

Bob Morneau. I enlisted in the USAF in September '68, and was immediately shipped to Keesler AFB, Biloxi, Miss. with no training as a security policeman! I learned the hard way! Then off to Nakhon Phanom Royal Thai Airbase, Thailand, in June, '70 for a year. We were a top-secret base supporting the war effort in a tactical fighter sense. Gunship raids and major rescue missions were staged every day from our base, and we were always on alert for incoming Pathet Lao sappers and bombers. I had the job of patrolling the perimeters with my "Heavy Weapons" crew, and was trained in mortar weapons by the Green Berets from Nam. The Air Force had a ridiculous policy of sending us on patrol in the jungle off base armed with only a bayonet, after receiving intelligence reports of Pathet Lao activity in the area assassinating village chiefs! I could go on and on. I finally finished at Luke AFB, Arizona, in September, '72.

Bob Orlando. I also served during Viet Nam. I was in the Coast Guard (June 70 - Sep 74) with time in Southern Thailand (remember the Stigo visit), in support of our efforts, for 366 days. Went to Con Son Island off the coast of So Viet Nam to assist with operations there on one occasion; flew in and out in a few days. I joined the Coast Guard to stay out of Viet Nam since my brother, Michael (AHS '64), had about all he could handle there; didn't kill him but nearly did in my parents. I came back in June 1972. The Coast Guard had me fly commercial air, TWA, out of Bangkok in civilian cloths, so I would not be hassled or spit on as I went through the terminals. I did look sharp though, in my custom handmade silk suit, but the short hair, that what was left, was my Achilles heel. My friends were supportive, event the hippy law students I hung with in San Francisco. I'm glad I can say I did; would not want to do it again.

Veterans Day is important to me. Having lived in a foreign country and seeing what a vote is worth and that it is worth fighting for, I take pride in my service. I've only missed one privilege to vote since I was of age. The Flag flies over my home everyday and night (with lights; solar lights). I think Ron's apology is not necessary; many served; the unfortunate took the brunt. Anyway, thanks for the thoughts. Regards, Bob O

Jay Pelzer. USAFA 1966-1970 ... Pilot Training 1970-1971 ... Mather AFB, Sacramento 1971-1976 ... multiple trips into Vietnam 1971-1973 ... Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio Graduate school 1976-1977 ... Offutt AFB, Omaha, NE SAC Headquarters 1977-1980 ... Offutt AFB, Omaha, NE Pilot, 55th Strategic Reconnaissance Wing 1980-1982 ... Hellenikon Air Base Athens, Greece 1983 -1987 Chief of Current Operations for Strategic Reconnaissance ... Yakota Air Base Tokyo, Japan 1987-1990 OIC Command Advisory Function ... Retirement July1, 1990.

Guy Proto. I was in the Air Force during the Vietnam War. I was in from February 1969 to February 1973. I was stationed at Eglin AFB in Florida for a year and Andrews AFB in Washington DC for three years. I was in the technology end of research and development.

Ron West. Enlisted in the US Navy in Nov. 1969 ... Bootcamp: San Diego, CA ... Air Traffic Control School - Glynco, GA ... 1969 to 1971 Naval Air Station Kingsville, TX ... 1971 to 1972 Naval Air Station Midway Island ... May 1971 to Oct. 1972 Naval Air Station Barbers Point HI "All Navy Volleyball Team" ... Discharged Nov. 1972.

WE SALUTE YOU.


If we missed any of our class's Veterans, please email us
so we can correct it. See email links on main AHS-66
Blog page, above in right column.


http://thewall-usa.com/summary.asp

http://www1.va.gov/opa/vetsday/

http://www.military.com/veteransday?
ESRC=ggl_mem_vetday.kw&np=1

http://www.army.mil/cmh-pg/faq/vetsday/vetshist.htm



Posted Veterans Day, Nov. 11, 2006

"TINGLY" REUNION REFLECTIONS

(Oscar Rivera and Leo, old buddies together again)

It has been 10 days and I am still tingly all over from all the emotions from attending the reunion.

Top kudos are definitely in order for the 1966 Reunion Committee who brought all of us together and put on the best celebration of our high school years. Thank you, thank you, thank you all!

The Grand Prize goes to Danny McMahon whose unselfish nature, long hours, and enduring love for our class gave us all a beautiful night and a moment in time to renew our friendships and to again bond as a class.

I was fortunate to attend the Mass and to get Fr. Kerry Beaulieu to hear my confession. I asked if anyone will be hearing confessions and he and I walked over to the side of the church past the pews and Kerry started, Let us pray. I figured that we would be there well past the reunion dinner so I asked if he could do a general confession. He obliged. I am pleased he did since I went blank and could not remember if I had eaten meat the previous Friday.

Ok, now. This question is for all the other recovering Catholics. When did the Church stop saying the Mass in Latin?

It was good to receive communion. It was even more special to be in communion with my fellow classmates and especially to attend the Mass being held by Kerry, Art Holquin, Larry Neumeier and Tom Benedict. That was quite an honor. And, it was also emotional when we honored our classmates and teachers who have passed away. The homage from Tom Benedict was quite moving as well.

Also thanks for the open bar. I had earlier sprained my back and those first 3 martinis did the trick!

I knew the reunion would be good but I never expected all the fun everyone was having. If you were not discussing old times you were catching up on new times. And, it did not matter if you were a great success or a shmoe. You were a part of the Alemany 1966 class and that in itself made you special and accepted. That is all that matters to this class. That is why we were honored to have people like Jay Pelzer and Chuck Abel, et al, who attended the reunion. Even they felt the calling to attend even though we didn’t graduate together. Now that is a great class to belong to!

You did not have to be talking about old times. You could just raise your eyes and view your fellow classmates enjoying themselves across the room to know that this night was a reuniting of special friends.

Master of Ceremonies, Danny McMahon, is a class act and a stellar organizer. His updated slide show was a phenomenal work of artistic quality and again brought the class back to the era of innocence of the mid 1960s. I vote that Danny be presented with an honorary Academy Award/Alemany Award Oscar (Rivera) statue next time we meet. I’m sure we can get Oscar to pose naked while someone chisels out the statue.

Kudos to Marty Molidor for his great expertise and technical achievement in getting the slide show converted to CD. We cannot wait to get it. I know several of my local friends will be blown away by this historical collage of the 1960s.

Kudos to my dear friend Bob Johnson for coordinating the pictures and website tasks. Bob, you did us a great favor in posting the pictures of us. I have misplaced my Recuerdos yearbook and this was a fantastic way to get to see our classmates. Bob, we all missed you!

However, it appears that a majority of our classmates do not age. There must be some elixir or additive someone put in the Alemany holy water. I want to say this for the record. We have the best looking group of people, period! The ladies are truly beautiful and the guys are, well, the ladies are truly beautiful.

It was great to see the old teachers. Mr. Diaz looks the same and Coach Phil Ahn has the memory of an elephant. Truly amazing!

Upon reading many of the post reunion emails I find that I too felt the reunion went too fast and we should meet again soon. I think we should all meet at the Meddock house next year, Saturday October 27, 2007. Whatdya all say to that? Ken, do you have a BBQ?

Kudos to everyone who posted and emailed pictures of the reunion and pre/post reunion events.

I missed the brunch. I was devastated. I forgot to set my clock back for daylight savings and went to the Odyssey too early. Noone was there so I left. I went to the church to see if our classmates were attending Mass. I went inside for Mass and found that I was the only person there who was not Japanese. I gotta tell you that was a strange feeling. I thought I was still feeling the effect of those 3 martinis. I did not remember everyone being so short!

Yet the joy and fun persist in memory today. I was not able to greet and meet everyone I remembered. I also wanted to introduce myself to all the classmates who I did not know personally and get to know them. I especially wanted to meet the ladies who never crossed the quadrangle and remain mysterious to this day. I did want to meet them and be continually amazed by their lives and achievements. But like I said, the achievements do not matter. What matters is that they were a part of our class and I'd like to get to know them.

I would like to tell everyone I did get to meet that I was privileged to know them and honored to be their friend. I choose not to mention names since I would forget one or two and probably run out of paper in the process.

This reunion made my heart glad and I look forward to our next reunion together.

Your classmate,

Leo Restrich

Simpsonville, SC

(Ed Note: It would not be appropriate to post this blog without a thank you to Leo's much better half, Marianne. To those spouses who trusted the Alemanians to return their loved ones undamaged, even if a bit weary, you have our heartfelt thanks.)

REFLECTIONS: "A MAGICAL REUNION"

I feel compelled to add my two cents and say how moved I was by the Magical Reunion last Saturday night. I know a large part of it was the unbelievable build up we all had with the months of planning and chatty e-mails and photos, but WOW! I guess I just didn't think it would turn out that everyone's energy would create such a powerful positive force there, that night, on that sparkling hilltop in that sparkling lovely room.

I thank everyone for coming and making it happen: for me, I think it's one of those things that you're not always sure right then what the repercussions of it will be, but you know you're glad you did it and were part of it, cuz somewhere down the line it's going to metamorphose or add to the whole roll of your better life. Anyway, as you can see, I'm still carried away by the night!!

All the arrangements were perfect! The beautiful location, the huge room, the formal tables, the pace of the evening, the slide show, anecdotes, roll-call, impulsive photographs of our grammar schools, the sold-out-ed-ness, but not turning anyone away, the lingering, pre-festivities, post-festivities, and now the thoughts and photos of the whole thing shared on-line. It's great knowing that others felt so touched also.

(Ann and Margie (Espinosa) Nelson at Charmaine's pre-festivities)

Don't know how the show could have been any better! What a great memory!

With love,

Ann Buchanan Gaines

Cottonwood, AZ

NOT JUST A CLASSMATE REUNION, A FAMILY REUNION TOO

(Chris (Belle) Monroe with cousins Christie and Marty)

I'm still floating on the reunion magic carpet cloud. I definitely need to join Barbara Broeski Tennis's reunion addiction support group, I am so hooked on connecting with all of you! The layers that were added by communicating on the Internet made this whole experience all the richer. I loved having some added context to greet each of you by having seen on the website and blog site your current pictures of family, grandkids, homes (so beautiful, Ron!), hobbies, not to mention the touching and hilarious commentaries. As Jude said today, laughter is the best medicine, and our group provides an abundance of joy, wit, and good will for each other!

(Linda, Jacci and I on our way to beautiful downtown Burbank)

I so appreciated the extra pre and post gatherings that were planned (and some also spontaneous), because the reunion itself did go by so fast. It started for me at the airport in Sacramento where Jacci Mahoney Hagen and I had planned to meet, and as we were chatting before the flight, who should be sitting right next to us, Linda Bishop Catlin! The time together at my older sister's home with Christi and Gary, Mary, Jan, and Paula, and at the Odyssey on Friday night around the "campfire" were delightful times to show pictures and have some in-depth time to get caught up with each other. Jan Zemba Wilkes came over on Saturday afternoon with her Mom, and helped me to materialize an Extreme Makeup Makeover that my daughters had coached me with in preparation for the reunion! On Sunday I took my Mom for a visit to Diane Mottola Belmont's and she and her daughters were so sweet to "Dottie Belle."

The Reunion Gala was a great tribute to the thoughtful, creative planning of the team, led by Captain Dan. I so appreciated Danny's gracious ability to spotlight our many accomplishments and just to honor each one of us by the "roll call." Sometimes I just stopped and watched and enjoyed the buzz of reconnection as we were milling around and people matched name tags to faces and memories. Marty's time-and-expertise-driven re-make of the slide show was a generous gift for all of us that reminded me of the amazing times that we grew up in. I loved seeing my cousins, Marty and Christy, and catching up on some family news. It was fun sharing all of this with my date, my daughter, Michelle. Some of you mentioned the resemblance of how much she looks like me in high school days. In a pre-reunion vanity fit, I had a fleeting fantasy of dressing her up in a tiara and formal and sending her in my place, and I was sure people would say, "Wow, look at how well-preserved Chris is!" Leo affirmed my wistfulness by coming up to her and inquiring, "Would you go to the prom with me?!!"

(Diane, Christi and Chris mugging for the camera)

The timeless nature of our friendships with the grammar school groups seemed to have an even deeper meaning when you realize that these are "kids" that we've known for as long as 52 years. Wow! So fun to see the St. Lizzie gang. I also appreciated the opportunity to give big hugs to so many of you who had sent prayers and encouragement for my sister, Maureen, and our family. She continues to grow stronger in little steps as she is going through the chemotherapy.

As I walked out to the parking lot of the Odyssey in bare feet (oh, those heels were killing me!) with Ellie McConnaughy, we were sharing our current passion in life, working with people to help them discover and develop their creativity and spirituality. It made me wish that I had the opportunity to discover and share with more of you on a deeper level what has made your lives meaningful, and what are your current dreams, hopes and visions. We've done some of that on the website, and I hope that dialogue will continue. We definitely need to gather again in 2011!!!

Sending lots of love and blessings to all of you,

Chris (Belle) Monroe

Somerset, CA

WIT AND WISDOM ACCORDING TO JUDE

Dear Class of 66, students and teachers, THANK YOU for the memories!

Re-connecting with long-lost Peggy Jones after 40 years was exciting in and of itself. To top off her surprise appearance, she even brought copies of her autographs of the Beatles and Stones and their 40+ year old album covers to share. Peggy and I saw the Beatles at the Hollywood Bowl in 1964. She was arrested for jumping onstage at the Stones concert in 1965. The Beatles and the Stones? Hell, Peggy (Wildest Dresser) Jones was MY idol, and it was so wonderful to see that devil-may-care look in your eyes once again! Those other classmates who braved their first reunion in 40 years, like Eileen McConnaughy and David Gieg, deserve a lot of credit. It is enough of a challenge to face the changes after ten years, let alone four decades. That is why I am joining the 2011 bandwagon. Ten years from now will be too long to wait.

Sitting with Ann Turner and Penny and Pam Mertens during the slide show unleashed in all of us some long-buried demons of being in class together for four years and trying every day of those four years to disrupt the orderly flow of education. When Danny was asking the crowd to stand up for recognition, we whipped ourselves into an adolescent frenzy by whispering parallel irreverent questions so our group could jump up with each query. For example, Those with PhDs? became -Those who dye their hair? Forgive us, Dan, if we got a bit unruly and tried to steal the glory, we were just transported back to a time when causing trouble seemed infinitely more important than Latin or liturgy, and so worth all risk of censure and punishment.

Laughter is the best medicine for the ailments of old age. Seriously, I was so impressed by the breadth and depth of the achievements that Danny acknowledged. In spite of our frequent attempts to thwart its influence, the superior education we received at Alemany was evident in the faces and the stories of all of you, not just the academic part, but also the humanitarian part, above all. I came home and decided to take the part-time teaching position at the Community College. If so many of you could devote your entire lives to financially unrewarding careers, this is the least I could do! You inspired me to be a better person, at least for one semester. For me, this spirit captures the essence of what it means to be a part of our class.

How gallant of Leo Restrich to wear the Gyoengyi Molnar nametag in silent protest of her absence. Gyng was one of my very best friends in high school and college and I miss her, which reminds me to say how happy I was to at least have Kathy Dunlay there; and how much I missed seeing their old friend Bob Johnson (aka Cuddly BJ)--not to mention Annie B.s and my co-wahines, Pat Maryon and Anne Talbot, and my other De La Salle chums, Cha-Cha, Mary O, and Steve Kohler. Thanks so much to Jim Dantona and John Stigmon for telling me that I was a tomboy and fist-fighting feminist since 5th grade. It was perhaps the nicest of all the compliments I received that night. I did not need to squeeze myself into that panty girdle after all: everyone made me feel incredibly lucky just to be alive.

How insightful of Charmaine to bring the girls side together in Hollywood, starting with the vague and haunting memories of the Sunset Strip nightlife en route to the Sunset Towers hotel. Sitting at the rooftop table underneath a brilliant blue sky with this eclectic group of 24, I truly appreciated the beauty of my hometown for the first time since my exodus in 1973.

It is a bit of a relief to read so many comments that echo my feelings of the dreamlike, surreal brevity of the experience. I did not take nearly enough photos, talk to so many old friends, or venture to meet classmates I never got to know in high school. It was like the Beatles song: You say good-bye, and I say hello, hello, hello. And the night was over. It was a moment in time that touched me deeply, and I am very grateful to Danny, Charmaine and the extraordinary committee who orchestrated turning back the clock, literally and figuratively, as Sr. Marie Gerard would've said (while banishing me to the corner of the room in English IV for mocking her).

Love and gratitude to you all,

Jude Judy Hawkes

Ketchum, ID

AFTERGLOW AHS '66

(Two friends with a lifelong bond, Peggy Jones and Marsha (Mankiller) Haney on Reunion Night)

Wow ! That's the most fun I've had in a while...Thanks to all who made my evening so sweet and memorable...there were so many great and unforgettable moments but the highlight of my evening has to be the reunion of the "Gertie" gang from St. Ferdie's...I had the best time with you guys as I always did when we were in grade school...so glad you crashed the party ! Does anybody have the St. Ferdinand's group picture they could send from that night ? I didn't get one but would love to see it !My biggest regret was the missed opportunity of not talking to / not talking longer to so many of you...Jude Hawkes, Christi Brecht, Jan Zemba, Kathy Krebs, Pam and Penny, Tina Cross, Jane Lind, Jacci Mahoney, Dan McMahon,and Ann Turner just to name a few. How time flies when you're having a blast ! And to think Danny had to sweet talk me into it ! My Thanks to all who put this together, good job. I also had no idea reunions could be so much fun, Marty. Marsha and I would have loved to have seen Suellen Keller and Patti Sellers... maybe next time.

Here are my "homies" from St. Ferdie's that I especially wanted to thank for my great evening last Sat. Are you wondering if this taking care of us all of us will never end ? You are the BEST reunion organizer I've ever met ! And I didn't even get the chance to tell you I had a crush on you in junior year...so little time...Thanks Danny.

PeggySt. Ferdie's "Gertie's" Gang (Shown L to R) Steve Modugno, Chris Fusano, Peggy "Gertie" Jones, Mike Modugno and Ralph LaPreziosa who were a gang of cousins that used to tease me constantly and nicknamed me Gertie after I was called upon during Health period to explain why it was wrong for "Dirty Gertie" to put her candy bar on the back of the toilet ! No one wanted to volunteer to answer that one ! Of course, I secretly liked the boys attention but don't tell them that. (Ooops, editor's blunder) They all left in 6th or 7th grade when they built St. Didacus school in Sylmar and St. Ferdinand's wasn't the same fun after they left. We really knew how to torment the poor teachers.

Until the next time we meet, All My Best to All,

Peggy Jones

Bellingham, WA