Go Jack Mac

Yes, you too can be infamous and live online forever.

Last week Auburn trounced Boylan 78-59. It was in all the papers and according to Joe it was a helluva game.  You were there and took pictures. I’ve seen pictures of you taking pictures. You know who you are. I’d like to post them but I don’t have any.

Everybody wants something. People in Hell want ice water. I want a few thousand digital ones and zeros.

But what do I get. Pictures? No. We ain’t got no pictures. We don’t have to give you no stinkin’ pictures.

Click here to see what I’m talking about.

Here’s the deal. If you email me a picture you can read the rest of this. Otherwise stop reading right now and you’ll never know that Auburn hosts Hononegah on Feb. 4th at 5:30 p.m.

So don’t go any further. Go back to whatever it was you were doing. Zero hours will be handed out to those who can’t or won’t cooperate.

On Saturday, February 4, 2012, you can eat a fine meal in the Auburn cafeteria and go to the game. I don’t know what they’ll be serving but Joe says, “Try it, you’ll like it.”  The tickets for this gut-busting double event are only $12.00.

One problem. They need the money by early next week to order the food. Get in your car and drive to Auburn High. It’s still in the same place, way out on Auburn St. across from Cottonwood Airport.

Go in the front door to the office. The office will take your money or tell you where to go. 

No, Mr. Bloyer and Miss Johnson won’t be there to greet you. They’re not there giving zero-hours but they may check to see if you have any old ones to make up. Tony? WOW.

The Knights play the Hononegah Indians. The game starts at 5:30 p.m. but get there early, like 5:00 p.m.

If you don’t want to eat and see the old cafeteria, you can show up at the game around 5:00 and get your ticket.

Let’s keep those cards and letters and pictures coming. 5521.

The Auburn Knights (17-2) beat the Boylan Titans 78-59 in last night’s thriller. The Auburn Reunion Committee and Joe Musso and all those who attended had a great time. Just like the good old days with Jasper Robinson, Keith Stelter and all the other big stars who helped make Auburn what it is today.

If you have pictures from the game please send them.

Here’s Shirley Holliday’s comment in case you can’t find it.

Yeah AUBURN!  The game was exciting, the place was packed, but the friends that showed up were even greater.  We even brought along our own sign (Class of ’64) which got a round of applause.  We still have the spirit.  Can’t wait until Feb. 4th when we’ll try it again.  Hope to beat Hononegah that night.  Anyone in hearing distance plan on being there.  We have a ball!  Hope to see you there.

I can’t find any stories online… if you can let me know.

Happy Birthdays to Jack Arf, Bob Kin, Dr. Bob McG, Dr. Dave, Gean Mo, Stewardess Sue, Diane Mac, Roger in Connecticut, BEK in Waukesha, and everyone else I missed.

54 06 or Fight

Here’s a reminder about the big basketball game today. If you can’t remember when or where it is you better get some Ginko Loba.

First I’ve got to clean the driveway.

Going to flip a coin. Cardiac Care or Fred Olson.

Hi Roger Burt. Let’s go ice skating down at the creek.

PS…. How about some comments so we’ll know somebody’s out there. All you gotta do is put your fingers on the keys and type.

Personally, I’ll stick to cruising between Skeet’s, Hollywood, The Alps and Hollywood at 5 Points.  Light up those tires buddy.

Don’t forget the big basketball game this Saturday. Joe needs to fill the seats. 

Auburn vs. Boylan last year.

On Saturday, Jan. 21, 2012 please meet in the parking lot at Cliffbreakers Resort and Restaurant, E. Riverside at North Towne Shopping Center. Be there at 4:30 p.m. so everyone can travel together and sit in the same area.

To paraphrase Leslie Nielsen,  ”Shurely there’s no danger of being mugged in such a large group, unless we run into a larger one.”

Auburn standouts. Fred Van Vleet, Lamark Foote, and Marcus Posley 2011 Fall Highlights

If there’s any jive-talk or worse in the video don’t blame me, all I did was copy and paste.

Please wear a white shirt or blouse. (Joe’s idea, not mine). Tickets are about 5 dollars. If you go straight to school, the doors open at 5:00 p.m.

If you’ve got any questions call Joe or send me an email.

Tony this one’s for you. Keep on truckin’ that milk or milkin’ that truck. Whatever. Happy New Year to you and Wendy.

Tony the Choppi called and wished a happy new year.  I reminded him about the basketball game and if we see a big milk truck in the parking lot, that’ll be Tony.

Just when you thought you were out, Joe’s pulling you back in.

How many of you can remember anything about high school?  How can you be sure what you remember actually happened? I remember Mr. Hill and Miss Schwandt were my favorite teachers. And Miss Prasse always gave me library admits. How many remember the great football and basketball teams we had in the ’60′s.

I can remember it like it was yesterday. Joe Musso was the center and I played forward. Kurt  was waterboy. R. Schwandt was the other forward. The Strouper was backup center. And the great Tony Choppi played the field, ooops, I mean he played all positions and was the MVP for 1964. What a great bunch of guys and what a great year.

Larry Croft and Jim Long were two of the greatest we had. This combined with Sam Ball, wow. Bill Coad drove us to the games in his ’55 Olds convertible. That car sure had a big back seat. Roger Burt supplied the popcorn while Linda T, Rita, Sandy, Becky, Barb, Cheri, Sue, and Joan supplied the cheers. Guess which one became a stewardess with her own TV show!

Where have you gone Jasper Robinson?

A picture is worth a thousand words and indelible memories.

Oh, shit. My wife just read this and said I may have gone to the games but certainly not as an athlete– that Steve and I spent most of our time under the bleachers looking up and down for nickels. Hmmmmm. I guess we were looking up and down but probably not for nickels.

Cheerleaders A-Go-Go.

Another picture worth 2,000 words & even more memories.

OK, here’s the real story and it’s the truth, the whole truth.

On Saturday, Jan. 21, 2012, Rockford Auburn will be hosting the always tough Boylan Titans in a major high school basketball game in the Auburn gym. Joltin’ Joe Musso would like to have as many of us as possible at the game. He’s got ten signed up as of tonight. Believe me it’s a pretty impressive list.

One thing, if you attend you MUST sit on the Auburn side, even if your grandkids go to Boylan. Larry, you know who I’m talking about. Ha, ha. Personally I don’t care where you sit but Joe’s a little upset.

I hear that the cheerleaders on the Reunion Committee are going to knit a banner or make a quilt to be displayed during the game. After the game we’ll be going to Skeet’s and Hollywood for food and refreshments. So get your hot rod out of storage and tach it up  and peel out, man.

Tickets are only $4.00 at the door and the game starts at 5:00 pm. For more information call or email Joe, or email me and I’ll give you Joe’s phone number. This sounds like too much fun and excitement to pass up. See you there.

Forward Ever. Backward Never.

Thanks to Sandy. “Ya Gotta Wanna” and “Merry Christmas.”

Here’s one for Skip and all you Little Deuce Coupe fans.

It used to be a coupe.

ps… My lawyer advises me to say: To the best of my recollection some of this may have happened or may not have happened.

Tuesday was Joe’s birthday. I won’t say how old he is but if you know how old he was the day before, all you do is add one year and that’s how old he is today.

What a trip. I don't think you go through Michigan to get to Ohio.

If you call Joe to wish him a Happy Birthday here’s a little math story problem that tells how he spent his birthday. Just start talking and let him figure out who’s calling.

OK.    Take one Joe and throw in one passenger who should have known better.     Then multiply 474 miles by 66.4 mph x 24 degrees F to get the windchill.  Add that to the number of square inches in a car window that won’t go up in cold weather.      What do you get? Two guys who don’t know enough to come in out of the cold.

B-r-r-r-r-r-r-r-r

Let it snow.....

I added this video just for the heck of it. Hi Bill Coad.

Hey, it really was Joe’s birthday so if you want to call him in the middle of the night that’s OK with me.

Happy Birthday Joe and thanks for a trip I won’t soon forget. I hope I’m always riding shotgun.

PS…. To read the “Comments” click the “Comments” button at the upper left. Thanks. Somebody stuck an advertisement down here. I hope they pay me.

Terry’s dad was a husband, a loving father, an inventor -a man of vision, a successful business man, and a good man. He led an interesting life and leaves behind many happy memories.

Terry with her dad Gene and her brother Ken.

I first met him at Skip’s 60th birthday party when he was guarding the door to keep out the riff-raff but he was nice enough to let me in anyway.

I know Skip and Terry would appreciate hearing from their “old” friends. You probably already have his e-mail address or you can get it and their phone number from www.auburn1964.com classmate profiles or contact me and I’ll give it to you. I’ll put up more information as soon as I can.

Terry and Skip, please accept our deepest sympathy and condolences from me and Karen on the loss of your dad. He will live forever in the hearts of all who knew and loved him.

Eugene Balfour Zwick obituary thanks to Skip, who wrote it, for providing it.

Terry's dad, Gene

Eugene Balfour Zwick, son of Isadore and Jennie K Zwick, born May 9, 1928 in Cleveland, Ohio, passed away peacefully on June 27. He was predeceased by his parents, his first wife of 37 years, Phyllis Jean Tipton and second wife, Thelma Kramer. He leaves behind a brother & sister-in-law, Stan & Roz Zwick, sister, Francis Guy, daughter & son-in-law, Terry & Skip Coad and son, Kenneth T. Zwick.

Gene was a long time resident of Huntington Beach, where he was the owner and President of Zwick Energy Research Organization, Inc. He was a graduate of Cal Tech in Physics, and a brilliant, innovative engineer who invented 15 patents. Prior to becoming an entrepreneur, Gene spent his early years working in the aerospace industry as a combustion expert, first as an executive and later as a consultant for companies such as Marquardt &Rocketdyne where he worked on the Apollo space project.

In 1967, he was a U.S. Representative speaking on Space Power at the NATO Conference in Belgium. His company of 30 years, Zwick Energy, was a highly successful technology design and manufacturing company that built many components and complete logistical support units for the U.S. Air Force and Army. Gene spent his last few years working on “smog free” low emission burners for various industries.

Most of all, he was a wonderful father with a HUGE heart whose kindness, warmth and generosity touched so many lives.

Final viewing will be held at Westminster Memorial Park Mortuary 14801 Beach Blvd. Westminster, Ca. 92683 on Friday, July 1st from 10:00 AM to 12:00 Noon followed by graveside service at 12:30 PM. Reception for friends at his home in Huntington Beach will follow the services.

Here’s something that Skip wrote on Gene’s Legacy page. I’m putting it here because it’s one of the best things I’ve read in a long time and I want to make sure people read it.

“It is difficult to define all of your thoughts of a person you love in a short five minute oration. So you ponder over your words for hours, thinking to yourself, I have to say THAT, and That and That. In the end, however, you realize that this moment, this day, is not really about me.

This moment is about Gene Zwick. This is about a man who, if you knew him for more than one hour, had an impact on your life, your way of thinking, and probably your future. I have always called him “Pop”, which he didn’t always appreciate. Once he asked me why I called him “Pop” instead of “Dad” or Gene. I said in my most “inglorious bastard” tone, “because Dad is reserved for Terry and Ken, and Gene is reserved for everyone else, so I call you “Pop” because it is reserved for me. You are the closest thing I have ever had to a Father, and I need a special name for you. Is that O.K?”
He got a very big smile on his face and said “gimme a hug” which I did, and after what seemed like a twenty minute hug, he said “I sure Love you Skipper”, to which I replied, “I Love you too, Pop”.

There are far too many stories to tell today, in such a short period of time, about a person who meant so much to me. However, I have to say this. Besides my Wife Terry, who is my best friend, Gene was one of my four other best friends. Where I come from, that is not something that is taken lightly.

Thank you “Pop”, for being who you were to me. I Love you, and I will be thinking of you every day for the rest of my life.”
Skip Coad, Orange, CA

Mr. Coad sure has a way with putting down on paper what’s going on in his head. I don’t know how he does it. If I remember correctly his major at Auburn was “Shop” not “English.” But after 65 years he’s truly the master of  both.

Click here to view Gene’s obituary.

Click here for a photo gallery and other neat stuff about Terry’s dad.

Joe Hoffman and Richard Hoffman, USMC. LZ Peace Memorial, Midway Village

Hundreds of people showed up in the stifling heat to honor veterans who have given their lives for our country. Here’s two local Vietnam veterans. I think they’re both Auburn graduates. Anybody recognize them? Post a comment. Thanks.

It’s Flag Day.

I got my up, did you?

I hope my POW flag will be flying before the end of the day.

Roger Burt, this one’s for you.

The long-time project of the Vietnam Veterans Honor Society, the LZ Peace Memorial, shown below, is located at Midway Village in Rockford, Illinois. A Wall of Honor with a genuine, flown-in Vietnam, Huey helicopter suspended above the wall – the LZ Peace Memorial is a lasting tribute to those who died in Vietnam, and a place to honor all veterans who served our country.

My friend Nick Parnello, one of the founders of “Vietnow” and the “Vietnam Veterans Honor Society” is shown below at Kegel’s Harley this past Saturday wearing his LZ Peace Memorial t-shirt he created in 1990.

Flag Etiquette

My wife and I do honor the flag and what it stands for. When the National Anthem is played, even in the privacy of our home, we stand and honor it. --Roger Burt

The military salute is rendered by men and women in uniform (and may also include boys and girls in the uniform of Scouts, CAPS, ROTC, and others).  Those not in uniform salute the flag by standing at attention, tall and straight with the left arm at the side, and placing the right hand over the heart.  Men who are wearing a hat should remove the hat with their right hand and hold it over their shoulder.  The right HAND, not the hat, should rest over the heart.

God Bless America and Steve Holcomb, Dave Kerno, Sandy Harris, Tom Zander, Steve Lee, Roger Burt, Wallis Patterson, Skip Coad, Richard Hoffman, my brother, Sue Curry, Jim Stroup, Rita, Rod Schwandt, Gean Moore, David Hurd, Bonnie, Joe, Steven, Nick and all our classmates, veterans or not. Hi Jerry Strand.

If tomorrow all the things were gone,
I’d worked for all my life.
And I had to start again,
With just my children and my wife.
I’d thank my lucky stars,
To be living here today.
Cause the flag still stands for freedom,
And they can’t take that away.
And I’m proud to be an American,
Where at least I know I’m free.
And I won’t forget the men who died,
Who gave that right to me.
And I gladly stand up,
Next to you and defend her still today.
Cause there aint no doubt I love this land,
God bless the USA.
From the lakes of Minnesota,
To the hills of Tennessee.
Across the plains of Texas,
From sea to shining sea.
From Detroit down to Houston,
And New York to L.A.
Well there’s pride in every American heart,
And it’s time we stand and say.
That I’m proud to be an American,
Where at least I know Im free.
And I won’t forget the men who died,
Who gave that right to me.
And I gladly stand up,
Next to you and defend her still today.
Cause there aint no doubt I love this land,
God bless the USA.
And I’m proud to be and American,
Where at least I know Im free.
And I won’t forget the men who died,
Who gave that right to me.
And I gladly stand up,
Next to you and defend her still today.
Cause there ain’t no doubt I love this land,
God bless the USA

You can either park in the museum parking lot were Nick says they just put up some new signs. Or you can park in the Central Christian Church parking lot, just west of Midway Village. Park and walk over the little hill and you’ll see flags, the Huey, the Wall of Honor and some old friends.

www.lzpeace.org

A helicopter is scheduled to land at 10:30 a.m. with the program starting at 11:00 a.m. Danny Russell, who was shot down twice in the same day is the featured speaker. A friend of Rita Boothe’s will be raising the Navy flag. Go Navy. Hi to Roger Burt and Larry DuSavage.

There are 79 names on the Wall of Honor with one more being added today. . . . six of them are kids I went through grade school with. We all have friends on the Wall of Honor.

Below I’ve listed some of our classmates who served in the military during the Vietnam War. I know I’ve missed some but you’ll have to forgive me for that. Some of these guys were my best friends and some still are. Some were your best friends and I hope they still are. They say there’s nothing better than an old friend and that’s good because we’re sure getting there.

Sometime today please take the time to say a prayer for those who have died for their country and then say another prayer for those who were willing to die but were lucky enough to make it  home.

“Skip” Coad our Marine in Vietnam said: There’s no other sound like it. To us it meant, “We might get outta here alive” as opposed to, “We don’t have a fucking chance.” Pretty blunt language but he’s a Marine.

Marines Bill “Skip” Coad and Ed Palumbo, South Vietnam

The story of Dave Cumming which bears re-reading. I hope everyone reads his profile. While serving in Vietnam, Dave went inside a burning airplane. A burning airplane. He risked his life to save another’s. It could have been any of you Vietnam veterans. Or your brother, or your sister the nurse, your uncle or your aunt. Whoever Dave went in for could be someone you love. It could have been you and you don’t even know it.

It might be that man with the burned face your kids always avoided. You just don’t know. What kind of man goes into a burning hell? Someone like Hootenanny-loving Dave Cumming that’s who. Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen, and Marines. That’s what they do.

top row: Tom Zander, Dave Kerno, Dave Nygren, David Hurd, Dennis Dahl  2nd row; Bill “Skip” Coad, Bob Kinney, Dave Cumming, Gean Moore, Gene Long. 3rd row: Jim Stroup, Joe Musso, Randy MacCloskey, Richard Hoffman, Roger Burt.  4th row: Ron Sisley, Sam Pagano, Tom Herschlag, Bob Kinney (again), Lee Herdman. 5th row: Old Glory, Fred Turner, Steve Holcomb, Jerry Strand, Wallis Patterson.

Do you ever wonder where your some of your old friends are? Some of them are still right here in Rockford. They’re easy to find.

Go out to Midway Village and visit the LZ Peace Memorial. Look at the Huey on the Hill. See the wall and all its names in hallowed glory.Go ahead. Walk up to the wall. It ain’t gonna bite. In fact it’s been waiting for you. Find an old friend and run your hand over his name. “Hey buddy, I been lookin’ all over for you. How ya doin’?  Man, we did some shit, huh? Now that I’ve found you I’ll come back more often. Semper Fi.”

Shhhhh. Quiet.  If you listen real hard you might hear the sound of helicopters coming in. Or it could be the sound of angels.

Or you go visit North Burritt Union Cemetery, 8300 Cemetery Road, north of Rockford off Trask Bridge Road. It just so happens that this is where Steve Holcomb is buried. If you go, remember he likes Hamm’s beer. Have a cold one on a hot day with an old friend.

Also there’s a service and a Huey landing at LZ Peace Memorial, at Midway Village on Monday morning, sometime after 10:00 a.m.

I’ll be there with some of the grandkids taking pictures and visiting old friends.

Thanks to all you veterans including my dad, Carl Nelson, and my brother, Carl Nelson II for serving our country during World War II and Vietnam. I’m sure  you can figure out who served in what war.

Believe it or not, I sang this song in church today.