USAFA - Spirit of 76 - Legacy Project - REPORT! Interviews with the Long Blue Line.

Jennifer Frye - Spirit of 76 - Pink Panthers - Unofficial ”den mother” for the pinks...

This special episode you meet Jennifer Frye. Nope, she wasn't a grad, but did marry one of our classmates, Steve, who was her sweetheart from 6th Grade. This triggered Jennifer to move to C Springs and become the unofficial "den Mother" for us Pinks. She had a car, an apartment, and girlfriends downtown. I hope you enjoy another side of the Pink Panthers and an AF career.

Steve Frye - Spirit of 76 - Pink Panthers

This episode is with with Steve Frye, Retired USAF Colonel but, most importantly, husband of Jennifer. Steve fills in the mystery of why Rich Polemy left the squadron after only a couple of months (they were doolies together). After UPT and initial IP assignment he selected the life of a C-141 pilot. Across his long career on active duty Steve covered roles as Air University Prof, Vice Commander of AF training and was groomed for higher levels of command. A family situation triggered his retirement from active duty but Steve has continued to serve as a director in Government Service through this recording in 2021.

Jim Fisher - Spirit of 76 - Pink Panthers

This episode you meet Jim Fisher, retired AF Major, RF-4 and F-16 Pilot, and long-time national security professional. While a cadet he hosted and, after graduation, visited Francois Pierre, a French foreign exchange cadet. Jim stays away from social media so he is a tough one to track down. I think you will agree, it was worth the effort.

Pete Mapes - Spirit of 76- Pink Panthers

This episode you meet the incomparable Dr/Col (Col/DR?) Pete Mapes. As a cadet Pete created a famous fife and drum and flag trio that got to travel and was photographed often during the bicentennial of 1976. On active duty Pete won many awards and was the only person to accomplish both a prestigious flying and medical award in the same year. He is now a leader of aviation Scouts in Michigan and still flying. There are several acronyms here, but that is our Pete!

John Dedic - Spirit of 76 - Pink Panthers

This episode you meet Dr. John Dedic, USAF flight surgeon and radiologist. As a cadet John sang in the Cadet Chorale and boxed in the Wing Open Championship heavyweight bout. John grew up in a small town in Iowa and met the challenges of the academy with great success. Upon graduation he went directly to medical school at Tulane and since it was only a short drive from Pensacola we traded some fun weekends while I was in flight training.

Tony Przybyslawski - Spirit of 76 - Pink Panthers

This special length episode is with USAF (Ret) Major General Tony Przybyslawski. Tony and I initially share tales of academic woe at USAFA which he successfully turned into a fabulous AF career that spanned his time as an enlisted airman, prep school student, cadet on the hill, pilot of various bombers (B-52, B-1B, and B-2) and his spectacular climb to Major General. He is also the only Pink of 76 with a daughter who is also a grad.

Lee Cuevas - Spirit of 76 - Pink Panthers

This episode is with Lee Cuevas. Lee grew up in the midwest and after high school entered an AFROTC program at the University of Illinois. From there he got a high draft number, enlisted in the USAF, attended the Prep School and eventually USAFA. On active duty Lee was a C-130 pilot stationed in Europe and Asia as well as Arizona. He piloted 757 and 767 aircraft for a full career with UPS and now just races Porches in retirement. He is quite the guy and leader.

Jim Fagan - Spirit of 76 - Pink Panthers

Jim Fagan: wry, dry, funny, and extremely independent. Famous to me for his wisecracks that have 50 year staying power as well as our mutual struggles at the academy. Retired USAF Major, pilot, teacher, father, and grandfather. Flew T-33's to tankers to B-52's (in formation, through mountainous terrain, AT NIGHT!) and lived to share these stories.

Lauren ”Trot” Trottier - Spirit of 76 - Pink Panthers

"Trot" is one of the smoothest, calmest, most determined people you will ever meet. Originally from Canada, then Oregon, he became an AF test pilot and followed up with a long, successful career at a Delta Airline pilot.

Pat Murray - Spirit of 76 - Pink Panthers

This is the Pat Murray episode, our non-grad, pink-for-life classmate. He flew all kinds of aircraft from seaplanes, to commercial passenger aircraft to medivac flights. Pat achieved many goals, just not via traditional routes. He is one of my favorite classmates and we had some fun adventures together.