USAFA Class of 1959 SHORT TAKES

From a one-room country schoolhouse with no running water to setting a global aviation record in the supersonic cockpits of the U.S. Air Force, USAFA '59er Col. Dick Mason’s journey is a profound testament to grit and humility. Read about his historic induction into the Mount Vernon Mountaineer Hall of Fame.

In this Memorial Day sermon, Col. Ronald Todd Lanman ’59 reflects on scripture, sacrifice, and the enduring love shown by those who give “the last full measure of devotion.”

When Major General Richard "Dick" Carr arrived at the DIA in his '64 Jaguar XKE, he expected to focus on Iran. Days later, Iraq invaded Kuwait, revealing a startling gap in intelligence. From Cold War specialists to the precision of "mensurated" coordinates, Gen. Carr shares critical lessons on military preparedness.

Gen. Dick Carr shares inspiring stories of resilience from Rocky Bleier and Admiral Larry Chambers—reminders that courage, perseverance, and purpose continue to define great leaders.

"Zita knows her way around the Air Force." From handling middle-of-the-night scares to breaking the ice at formal brunches, Colonel Jim Reed shares how Zita Hosmer (wife of Lt. Gen. Brad Hosmer, '59) defined the spirit of the Air Force family.

"Fighter pilot is a state of mind, not a job title." Colonel RL Penn reflects on the earned confidence of the cockpit, the peril of North Vietnam, and the sheer joy of a rainy formation landing in Spain.

"That, my friends, is the Catch-22—you cannot complete everything within ninety days!" Explore two stories of red tape, resilience, and the bureaucratic marathons required to bring family along on the next assignment.

In this warm and witty “Short Take,” Col. Jim Reed ’59 remembers the Christmas of 1960 at Wurtsmith AFB—when the holiday spirit collided with an overwhelmed two‑man post office.

From cancelled orders mid-road trip to the great HHG warehouse disasters, every military family has a story. The USAFA Class of 1959 shares short, unforgettable takes on the chaos of PCS moves, highlighting the humor, creative solutions, and deep resilience required to build a life in uniform.

When Sheila Reed met Admiral William Crowe, her introduction was anything but standard protocol. What followed was a moment of charm, candor, and a line that would be remembered long after the reception ended.

When USAF Captain Jim Reed landed in Winnipeg with a Canadian jet, he didn’t expect to meet a Canadian Group Captain Reed flying an American one. What followed was a maintenance mix-up worthy of a comedy sketch—and a reminder that “in” and “out” mean very different things depending on your uniform.