1935

For a variety of reasons, the Soviet domination of Eastern Europe has crumbled and the Iron Curtain has lifted, all with excellent prospects for peace and reduction of armed forces. Overnight the Middle East became a tinderbox. As these notes are being prepared, severe economic pressure is being applied to Iraq and hopefully Saddam Hussein will be removed by his own people soon. Even though we import about 50 percent of our crude oil requirements, for political reasons we have not pushed the development of alternative sources of energy, including nuclear. It is ironic that we are now sending militia to the Middle East because the defense of Saudi Arabia (and oil) is in our national interest.

In a lighter vein, I recently played golf at a Japanese resort development in Saipan, one of the Northern Mariana Islands. To ward off the intense sun I bought a large hat for an outrageous price. It was an exact duplicate of our 55th Reunion hat!

During the 55 th I took quite a few candid photos and sent them along to the subjects. All of the recipients promptly replied with thanks. To mention only a few, Earl Arthurs (the color photo of the master host in the recent DAM was far superior); Bill Adams, Jim Bolt, Howie Croninger, Bill Fitzhugh, Ed Freeman, Lowell Haas, George Hoke, Wiley Hubbell, Dick Hube, Pat Kingsbury, Bud O'Brien and Sax Ziemen. Having only one excellent picture of a Specht twin, I sent it to Ralph who forwarded it to Frank with a question "Why didn't Bill take my picture?" To which Frank replied "because I am the better looking one."

Ed Gerson has suggested a great idea: that we start a campaign to make the 65th Reunion the last official one, instead of the 60th. Had a nice note from Barney Tomlinson who unfortunately suffered a stroke during our 55th, but is now recovered and eagerly looking forward to the next reunion. Bud Fraser and his wife Ruth recently paid us a visit in the Northeast Kingdom of Vermont and we are looking forward to seeing any other classmates who happen to be anywhere nearby. Hopefully, the November issue will contain more detailed news about members of the Great Class of '35.

c/o Gordon Farm, RR1, Box 83, Sutton, VT 05867