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Jimmie H. Butler
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40-Year Reunion United States Air Force Academy Class of 1963
On 5-9 November 2003, more than half of the surviving members of the Golden Boys of 1963 returned to Colorado Springs to recognize the passing of 40 years since our graduation as USAFA's 5th Graduating Class. Thanks are due to Bob Hayes and Butch Verdier, their spouses, and the local members of the reunion committee who set up such a great reunion. Among the highlights, besides the great camaraderie that comes with every USAFA '63 gathering, were a great fly-by before the Falcons beat Army on Saturday afternoon at Falcon Stadium; a moving ceremony of remembrance for the 63 members of the Class of 1963 who have passed before us in the preceding 40 years; lunch in Mitchell Hall, which vividly illustrated how much has changed in the 40 years; and a moving Way of Life Ceremony honoring Chuck Bush, Ike Payne, and Roger Sims, the first of more than 1,600 African American graduates of the USAF Academy. On Friday afternoon, our class (and members of the Class of 1973 were addressed by the Secretary of the Air Force and the USAF Chief of Staff to tell us how they are personally solving the Academy's problems involving the recent scandal. For many of us, their presentation left more questions than answers.
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