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James Feighny
I thought I might drop a line or two to let you know that you were successful in tracking me down and that it was good to hear from you. I appreciate the trouble you have taken to update us, and will get a card to Ed and remember him in my prayers.

 Your first news letter asked about any special memories we had of our classmates no longer with us. Larry Austin and I had an especially good time traveling to the Colorado, Nebraska, and the National Cattleman's Association meetings. He was an active member and officer of each organization. We had a good time at the conventions and he taught me quite a number of interesting things about his industry. I'm sorry to see him gone. There were many other moments I shared with Irene, Kelly, and Dennis, that were special and I fondly remember them.

I was in Colorado recently attending a meeting in Denver. It was beautiful as always, but a little frantic for a transplanted Southerner. Also, traveling to and from the Airport by wagon train took longer than I had planned. I guess it was the Indian battle and the early spring storm out on the plains that delayed getting there. In addition, I was surprised they would build a runway that close to Ovid!!

On a personal nature, I have three grown children. Jim is a professional musician, living in Boston, Mass. Mike is in Greeley, racing and selling mountain bikes. Shannon is in Kenya, East Africa, where she teaches at a private school.

I am still kicking around in the Air Force and work as the Air Force Reserve Advisor to the Commander here at 9th Air Force.

Our main interest is with Iraq, Saudi, and Kuwait. I do political liaison work with Air Force Reserve Units attached to 9th AF, travel up and down the east coast quite a bit, and get to fly. Luckily, I was flying fighters up until a year ago (28 years is pretty good) and have
recently transitioned to C-130s as most of the units I work for are in that business.

In addition, I got married to a wonderful lady, also in the Air Force. She works as a physician in the Emergency Room and has two teenage boys.

As to hobbies and interests: I have been chasing the dreaded "little white ball" for about 4 years. There are over 700 golf courses in South Carolina, 35 within a 20 minute drive from my house, so it is the thing to do down here. I never understood what possessed Larry Spears' dad to get up every morning at 5 to hit a ball around a pasture---but now I do, and we have the added advantage of having grass down here. The Senior Tour guys don't have to worry about me bumping any of them off the tour though. My other interest is riding. I have been participating in hunter/jumper riding for about a year.

I did my first show on Father's Day and BYRD and I won a first, three seconds, and a fourth place. We got beat up pretty thoroughly by two ten year old girls riding Welsh ponies. I was thankful one of the mothers didn't thrash us with an umbrella!! It was fun; he didn't totally panic, only missed one jump and I didn't fall off. It was a successful debut on the show circuit. Additionally, I don't think we'll be pressing anyone on the '96 equestrian team at Atlanta. I'll graduate to intermediate shows after a few more schooling shows. In addition, this fall I hope to ride with some friends who belong to the Hunt Club.

 About picking a place to live--I'm pretty sold on Camden. It's a small southern town (the oldest inland settlement in South Carolina) with all the requisite eccentrics, ne'r-do-wells, and a great sense of history. We still revel in our "Colonial" status and hardly ever talk about the "WAR." Like small western towns, everyone knows everyone's business, and here we have the additional factor that everyone is related!!! So you have to be very cautious and oblique when discussing someone else. It's O.K. to gossip (actually it's demanded) but you must never criticize!! Just isn't done, dahling ....soooo Camden.
I have my radio tuned to the "oldies" or "CW" stations most of the time -- don't dig that rap.....But I am kind of a "hootie" fan also.

I'm going to finish this off now---or I'll just blather on. I won't be able to attend the reunion because I am moving to a new house and I don't believe I'll leave that little detail to my new wife.

Hope you all have a good time. Thanks again for going to so much effort, I appreciate it very much.

Update

Life changed a little when Janet and I married and her boys came to live with us.

We moved to Columbia so they could attend a Catholic High School and we learned to drive, etc.
Had a good time, dropped the riding hobby for the time and cut back on the golf to be a soccer dad. They graduated in 99 and 00 and are doing well.

Janet and I are re adjusting to being a couple after the year of having separate homes ... we are now all moved into our home in San Antonio and once I get the rest of the stuff put away, get a shop built and a couple of other projects started, we will be back to our normal lives.

I will take another of my MCSE tests in a week or so - studying took a hit during the moving session. I should complete this project by the fall and then will start looking for a part time, temporary job as a geek in the San Antonio area.

Once I get a shop build, I will also start an aviation project - building a 2-place RV6 airplane. I am pretty fired up about this and hope to complete it and have some time in it before 2002.

Mike had decided to take a year off from school to find himself and do some work for AmericaCore. Mark is starting his college studies this summer and will go to Clemson this fall.

Janet is starting her second year of pathology and we will enjoy a little less call time this year.

Look forward to seeing you in August.

Jauary 4, 2003: Jim Feighny ~ Wow! What Great Work. You have been busy putting this together. Thanks for the treat and the New Year's Gift.
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