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Dear Classmates, 6 May 2025
Fifty-three years ago, in July 1972, a group of 1,507 anxious young men stood together for the first time in their initial cadet formation. We were shrouded in a dense fog that obscured the mighty Rampart Range from our view. For three long days, the fog held its grip, keeping the light from illuminating our Basic Cadet Training. As the fog finally lifted, the majesty of our surroundings became an inspiration that would last for four years and beyond.
We quickly learned that individual effort, while important, was insufficient on its own to overcome the challenges we faced. It was through unity and mutual support that we began to thrive. Thus, the Spirit of '76 was born—a testament to the strength found in camaraderie and collective effort. The friendships and bonds formed during this rigorous training would continue to grow throughout the four long years we spent together.
In June 1976, on a bright sunny day, the Academy saw 928 of us, who had persevered through trials and tribulations, proudly threw our hats into the air. We set off for the skies in pursuit of our destinies. As the words of our version of the poem "Bring Me Men" so eloquently states, we would "chart the starry empire and make celestial claims."
The Spirit of '76 endures to this day. Many of the friendships forged in the crucible of training have endured and grown, providing a foundation of support and shared memories. However, time has not been kind to all, and many of our friends are no longer with us. As we reflect on our journey, the class of '76 honors those who have passed and we cherish the bonds that continue to unite us who remain.
As our fiftieth reunion approaches, it is time to once again call on our sense of class unity and come together in celebration. I am not sure how I was chosen to be on the reunion committee, but it has been a privilege. The committee has developed a class gift which will be nothing short of inspirational for past and future classes as well as those who visit the Academy. This class gift will be animated on the reunion web site for all to see and will be completed for dedication during the reunion. Our gift also includes support of an Academy endowment to aid families of deceased graduates. Our most important wish as a committee is that as many classmates as possible come to celebrate together and that, if possible, all pledge something toward our class gift.
Please go to our reunion website and get the information you need so you can mark your calendars for the first weekend in October of 2026 to join your friends in celebration.
The Spirit of '76 lives on in each of us, and as we learned so many years ago, when we stand together it is a beacon of our class’s enduring legacy.
Dave Arbutina
Fifty-three years ago, in July 1972, a group of 1,507 anxious young men stood together for the first time in their initial cadet formation. We were shrouded in a dense fog that obscured the mighty Rampart Range from our view. For three long days, the fog held its grip, keeping the light from illuminating our Basic Cadet Training. As the fog finally lifted, the majesty of our surroundings became an inspiration that would last for four years and beyond.
We quickly learned that individual effort, while important, was insufficient on its own to overcome the challenges we faced. It was through unity and mutual support that we began to thrive. Thus, the Spirit of '76 was born—a testament to the strength found in camaraderie and collective effort. The friendships and bonds formed during this rigorous training would continue to grow throughout the four long years we spent together.
In June 1976, on a bright sunny day, the Academy saw 928 of us, who had persevered through trials and tribulations, proudly threw our hats into the air. We set off for the skies in pursuit of our destinies. As the words of our version of the poem "Bring Me Men" so eloquently states, we would "chart the starry empire and make celestial claims."
The Spirit of '76 endures to this day. Many of the friendships forged in the crucible of training have endured and grown, providing a foundation of support and shared memories. However, time has not been kind to all, and many of our friends are no longer with us. As we reflect on our journey, the class of '76 honors those who have passed and we cherish the bonds that continue to unite us who remain.
As our fiftieth reunion approaches, it is time to once again call on our sense of class unity and come together in celebration. I am not sure how I was chosen to be on the reunion committee, but it has been a privilege. The committee has developed a class gift which will be nothing short of inspirational for past and future classes as well as those who visit the Academy. This class gift will be animated on the reunion web site for all to see and will be completed for dedication during the reunion. Our gift also includes support of an Academy endowment to aid families of deceased graduates. Our most important wish as a committee is that as many classmates as possible come to celebrate together and that, if possible, all pledge something toward our class gift.
Please go to our reunion website and get the information you need so you can mark your calendars for the first weekend in October of 2026 to join your friends in celebration.
The Spirit of '76 lives on in each of us, and as we learned so many years ago, when we stand together it is a beacon of our class’s enduring legacy.
Dave Arbutina
Classmates,
I just read Kevin Chilton's message in Dan Betty's email of of 21 March and took the opportunity to visit the Class of 76 50th reunion website - located here. Jack Catton and his team have developed a terrific plan for the reunion and, even more impressively, a class project that will shore up the special bond that all members of the Long Blue Line have to USAFA, and the Nation it has served so well since ... well... the year that most of us were born. I've followed Jack and Chili's lead and made my own contribution to the Class Gift and hope that you'll find it a worthwhile investment as well (The reunion website allows donations from 76 cents to $1 billion. In complete candor, mine was on the lower end but every donation gets us closer to the goal of 76% or more participation). And I've penned the dates 1-4 October 2026 into my calendar and look forward to reconnecting with classmates- a group that has been the source of inspiration, wisdom, and joy for most of my adult life (and if you were to talk to my kids, the source of most of the war stories I claim as my own :-). If you haven't had the chance to see the Remember When section of the Class Website, it's a great window into a time when snail-mail, typewriters, and telephones were the principal means of connecting us to the larger world (I was pleased to see that there were no pictures of slide rules or CRC math tables but there's still time ... if you have something to add to the collective Class of 76 archives, you can send pictures, videos, and documents to [email protected]). I hope to see you in October 2026, but in any event, offer my thanks for the privilege of being associated with you ... then, now and for all time.
With every best wish,
Chris Inglis, Niner
Spirit of ’76
I just read Kevin Chilton's message in Dan Betty's email of of 21 March and took the opportunity to visit the Class of 76 50th reunion website - located here. Jack Catton and his team have developed a terrific plan for the reunion and, even more impressively, a class project that will shore up the special bond that all members of the Long Blue Line have to USAFA, and the Nation it has served so well since ... well... the year that most of us were born. I've followed Jack and Chili's lead and made my own contribution to the Class Gift and hope that you'll find it a worthwhile investment as well (The reunion website allows donations from 76 cents to $1 billion. In complete candor, mine was on the lower end but every donation gets us closer to the goal of 76% or more participation). And I've penned the dates 1-4 October 2026 into my calendar and look forward to reconnecting with classmates- a group that has been the source of inspiration, wisdom, and joy for most of my adult life (and if you were to talk to my kids, the source of most of the war stories I claim as my own :-). If you haven't had the chance to see the Remember When section of the Class Website, it's a great window into a time when snail-mail, typewriters, and telephones were the principal means of connecting us to the larger world (I was pleased to see that there were no pictures of slide rules or CRC math tables but there's still time ... if you have something to add to the collective Class of 76 archives, you can send pictures, videos, and documents to [email protected]). I hope to see you in October 2026, but in any event, offer my thanks for the privilege of being associated with you ... then, now and for all time.
With every best wish,
Chris Inglis, Niner
Spirit of ’76
Classmates,
I was looking ahead at my 2026 calendar and noted that I hadn’t blocked out 1-4 October 2026 yet! That is the 4-day celebration of the 50 years since our graduation!!! Jack Catton and the planning team have created an iconic and meaningful class gift and are working hard to make this a great reunion. But it won’t be much of a party if we don’t all participate at some level towards our class gift and then show up! I’m sure, like me, there are some great old friends that you have only been able to stay in touch with over the years by snail/email that you would like to see again. This will be the opportunity of a lifetime to re-connect. Heck, why not block off the entire week! There never seems to be enough time to see everyone and share stories of yore. So, join in and support our Spirit of ’76 gift and chisel in stone on your calendar our re-union celebration for 1-4 October, 2026…. I have!
Cheers,
Kevin Chilton, Frat Five,
Spirit of ’76.
I was looking ahead at my 2026 calendar and noted that I hadn’t blocked out 1-4 October 2026 yet! That is the 4-day celebration of the 50 years since our graduation!!! Jack Catton and the planning team have created an iconic and meaningful class gift and are working hard to make this a great reunion. But it won’t be much of a party if we don’t all participate at some level towards our class gift and then show up! I’m sure, like me, there are some great old friends that you have only been able to stay in touch with over the years by snail/email that you would like to see again. This will be the opportunity of a lifetime to re-connect. Heck, why not block off the entire week! There never seems to be enough time to see everyone and share stories of yore. So, join in and support our Spirit of ’76 gift and chisel in stone on your calendar our re-union celebration for 1-4 October, 2026…. I have!
Cheers,
Kevin Chilton, Frat Five,
Spirit of ’76.
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Spirit of '76 Classmates,
As many of you know, our classmate, Wade McRoberts, has been battling ALS for over 6 years. He is nearing the end of life on this earth and will not make it to our 50th Reunion. However, Wade has set an incredible example for all of us on how to finish well, by creating a faith-based blog to encourage others. When i visited him last, I told him about our Reunion planning and asked him if there was anything he wanted to post on our Reunion website to speak to our classmates, and he asked to post his blog entry from 24 Feb 2022 entitled, "Brothers." Here is "Brothers" from Wade to the Spirit of '76.... Jack |
June 2024 Letter |
