WE HAD A BLAST!!

May 31, 2008 5:02 PM EST

STS-124 Discovery Launch. Taken from Space View Park, Titusville, about 12 miles away with the equivalent of a 1280mm lens.

A shuttle launch is something everyone should experience at least once.

Photograph by George Quiroga

We believe that to be the case - that WE HAD A BLAST - that is, not because of any scientifically-conducted polls, but based only on the anecdotal evidence comprised of the from-the-heart testimonials of our friends and classmates. These will be published, together with images from the Reunion, both of the Friday social hours - five of them, in fact - and the Saturday picnic. It is regretted the blog has not been updated since the last posting, but please understand that (1) your Infernal Editor was a bit under the weather, although he would have still made it to the Reunion even if it had to be on a stretcher; (2) after intensely working on this and other necessary tasks required to make the Reunion happen and be a success in a relatively short span of time, there is some burnout and jadedness involved - but be assured things will be back on track soon.

This is how it works: The Reunion came off very well, but that was thanks to all of you who participated, whether in the planning, organizing, and general running around, or - this perhaps being the most important thing to do - attending. Not all who signed up to come were able to do so, but you still honored us with your good, warmhearted intentions to affectionately join us in friendship and fellowship. Now, to ensure we can repeat the experience in the future, you've gotta stay linked/connected. You now know where to go; the Infernals are here at your service and perhaps annoyance. However, we can only help you if you help us. Therefore, the most important message in this post is: Please stay in touch! This requires very little effort now that the "infrastructure" is in place. You have the email address for the Class of '68 Committee - ils6468@gmail.com; you have the addresses, phone numbers, and other alternate email addresses for some of the Committee members, which were sent to you by email, if you provided one, or by "snail mail."

Therefore, when you move around, change phone numbers, email address, and so on, all it takes on your part is an email or phone call, or even a letter to any of us and your information - voilà! - shall be updated on our records. There is no need to spend money to stay together via some of those paying sites which do not offer as much as they claim to do.

There is also another very good reason for making our network of connections grow...there are many talented personalities in our group; one never knows when the skills, knowledge, and experience of one or more of us may come in handy; who better than your friend-classmates to lend a hand...after all, isn't "a friend in need a friend indeed?" Granted, not all of us are rocket scientists - starting with moi - but rest assured many a helping hand would be proffered from amongst our group, at least to point you in the right direction.

The blog and web site for our Class of '68 - for all of us who "were there" at any time from 1964 to 1968 indeed - will continue to live. Along those lines, please share your memories and materials from those days; cannot tell you how many good laughs - and some cries too - we had on Friday and Saturday, listening to anecdotes and reminiscences. Please help preserve those memories and bring them back to life again by making submissions to the blog and/or web site. Your editor confesses he is partial to any good stories involving the infamous curmudgeon Coach Al Minter - himself having lived through some of those stories - with Minter, being a survivor was a large part of the classroom experience...

Stay tuned - there's plenty more to come. Pray there will be many more wonderful gatherings like the ones just enjoyed, in the not-distant future. Speaking of wonderful gatherings, here is an idea, stemming from blogger's cousin's comment, to wit: "A shuttle launch is something everyone should experience at least once." Indeed, this was exhilarating and pride-generating; there are ten scheduled launches left...perhaps a good number of us could organize a "mini reunion" around one, secure a good viewing venue and have another blast!