News and a photo from Charlie Jager in DC gets the lead this month. "Just wanted to give you an update on what's going on in the nation's capitol. Jim Ferguson arranged a lunch for the DC crowd. It was nice to see everyone. Unfortunately most were busy, so not all of the 25 or so people in the DC area showed up. In attendance were Kirk & Julie Hiles, Keith Curran, Tom Cullen, Bob Jackmore, Jim & Donna Ferguson, and Mary & me. Hopefully we'll be able to organize a bigger get together before the summer transfer season. Everything was going fine until George W. got up to talk. Maybe next time we'll get Colin Powell instead." Looks like 83 remains on the cutting edge as Charlie's message includes the cryptic waming popping up across all of cyber-land: "All your base are belong to us." Between Charlie'sGinger
A new era has begun:"CGA '83 Retired". The plank owner of this class club is Keith Curran who retired in stylish fashion at CGHQ on 27 April. Do you recall swab summer when we all came in without a clue and all of a sudden there is this bear of a classmate who is giving lessons on how to shine shoes? Keith's reward for putting in a few years on Army active duty before coming to CGA is to be the first to start collecting retired pay. By the time we read this, I assume that Keith will have perfected his golf game, optimized a routine to monitor his portfolio, and perhaps buying a winter house in Florida. Correct me if I am wrong, but that is what retirement is for, isn't it? Congratulations Keith and best wishes as you move into the new career. message and a strong rumor that a couple of 83ers have the first franchise it's true that the class motto "83 Leaders of Cyber Change" holds just as true today as it did nearly 20 years ago.
On a trip to San Francisco with a batch of Mechanical Engineering cadets, I had the chance to meet up with Matt & Kathy Bliven. The whole BlivenEmily and Karl, came out to cheer on the cadet team participating in a robotics competition. Emily and Karl took a liking to the cadets and Matt seemed quite happy that perhaps they were now thinking about CGA as a college choice in a decade or so. Kathy was quite the host as she led our group on a tour of downtown San Francisco, including a free visit to the top floor lounge of one of those hotels where the doormen dress as British Beef Eaters. Seeing the Bliven clan was awesome. All are doing well and are enjoying the extended stay in the Bay area. family, including
The Innovators came to the Academy in late April, including 83 innovators Brad Kidwell (conference organizer), Pat Philbin, Mike Leonard, Brian Marvin, and Todd Gentile. My apologies if I missed an 83 innovator that was there - I wasn't innovative enough to borrow someone's Palm Pilot and take notes. While the conference was impressive, the highlight was the Executive Panel Session of 3 Flag Officers and 3 classmates. 83 - Leaders of Change - I guess we've been innovative all along.
This issue brings the still active duty part of the class within two years of retirement. It certainly will be an interesting period for us all to move through. If you haven't started thinking about "what's next yet" it looks like now is the time to get busy. Talking with classmates now is quite interesting as many are making plans and taking action to be ready for their next job. The future will be interesting for sure.
Keep me posted on the news, true or not, so I can share the stories.