For Immediate Release:

Pilot Class 57R Reunion 2005 Nav Class 57-10  “Remember the Cottonwood!”  San Antonio, Texas October 13-16th 2005 Gear Up! “Welcome to the Historic Menger,” said the receptionist as she greeted 45 class members (81, including guests) as they arrived at the classically designed Victorian hotel. During their five stay they would share the same authentic Irish pub where Teddy Roosevelt signed up his “Rough Riders,” sit in an over-sized chair made especially for President Harold Taft, and walk the same hallways as Gutzon Borglum, Captain Richard King, Oscar Wilde, and William Sidney Porter (“O. Henry”). Its furnishings are of museum quality, such as Empire-Style Credenzas, oil paintings, French cabinets, and a Seth Thomas Clock. And right across the street awaiting our arrival sat “The Cottonwood.” The Alamo means “cottonwood” in Spanish. Our attendees, representing Spence, Harlingen, Bartow, Bainbridge, Hondo, Stallings, and Malden enjoyed cash bars, cocktail parties, dinners, 57R Logo shirts, and the Hospitality Room where the “War Stories” increased in scope and intensity, of course only 10 percent had to be true. Besides touring San Antonio’s many points of interest we enjoyed a bus ride to Randolph AFB where we visited the Pilot Training Center, the Daedalians Headquarters, (Volabamus--Volamus) and ate lunch at the Officers Club. New reunion plans are underway for our 50th anniversary in 2007. It will be expanded to include Classes 57Q/R/S/ and possibly others. The exact date and location has not been established. For more information contact our new Chairman, Kenneth C. (Ken) Wikle at 707-865-2474 or E-mail at: wikle@usa.net. Check our web site at: http://www.pilotclass57r.com/reunion.htm Gear Down! ### MRD Pilot Class 57R Reunion 2003 EUREKA SPRINGS, ARKANSAS October 2003 Eureka (I have found it!) Springs, Arkansas provided a central location for a gathering of eagles and egrets on 6,7,and 8 October 2003. This quaint Victorian town sitting on a hilltop reminiscent of San Francisco, hosted 75 ex-student officers/cadets and 62 wives (guests) for three beautiful Fall nostalgic days. Fourteen air bases; Bainbridge, Bartow, Bryan, Goodfellow, Greenville, Harlingen, Hondo, Laredo, Marana, Reese, Stallings, Spence, Vance, and Webb, were represented by the now “highly experienced” pilots and navigators. Class 57R, with over 600 trainees can be described in two words, unique and experimental. The pilot trainees were either cadets or lieutenants, some out-ranking their instructors. For example, of the 68 Primary trainees at Bartow AB, only two were “brown bars. Whereas at Spence the class consisted of cadets and primarily 2nd LTs. ” Normal aircraft progression was juggled and flying hours changed requiring strange class designations such as RJ, RN, RX, DX, DZ, HY, 57S, 57Q, etc. Eureka, the system worked. The Bell Curve grades had to be discarded since the highly motivated career minded pilots blew it off the charts. New reunion plans are under way. Those attending 57R, Bartow AB, Florida, contact Mike Daciek at 303-470-0341 or mikedaciek@earthlink.net. Others, from other bases can contact Bob Cinalli at 732-244-1348 or BJCinalli@earthlink.net. Mike Daciek, 57R Bartow ### Back to Home Page