Be aware, the "Message Forum" is NOT password protected.  Unlike profiles that are password protected, anybody who gets to this webpage can see what is written here.  Nobody can contact you directly based on this forum unless you reveal your personal contact information.  Use the "Message Center" for sharing personal contact information with another classmate.

This message forum is an ongoing discussion about anything and just about everything ... within reason.  One thing our class was good at was having opinions.  Almost 70 years of life experience certainly qualifies us as experts on most everything!   Ask a question ... give an opinion ... share some insights ... it's our web site, it's our forum.  That said, it's probably not a good idea to get into arguments about politics, religion, and the like.  While we're experts on everything, we also have a wide range of values and beliefs. This site belongs to all of us ... the whole range ... and we are not here to isolate, alienate, or subjugate anybody.  Of course insults, humiliation, sophomoric barraggadocio, and demented humor is expected behavior among some of us less mature people.
 

Jim Cejka

Lauren,

Good to hear about your daughter. Like they say in the military, RHIP. Is she at the hospital or still with a unit? I go by there now and they're building a super big beautiful new hospital. That's the 3rd one since I was stationed there.

I went through boot camp and hospital corps school in San Diego, and was stationed at Pendleton. Moved back to WI after the service. Always wanted to come back, but it took 40 years to do it. Kick myself for that one. But we're here and it's great. We live in San Marcos, about 30 miles north of SD. Nice, much smaller city atmosphere, ocean 20 minutes away, and not the SD traffic. You ought to try it sometime.

Lauren Dieterich

Jim,

My daughter is supposed to be at the Pendleton hospital for the next 2 1/2 years. We shall see. She'd prefer being with one of the MAW units. That's what she thought when she was at Pendleton the  first time. But, a month after she arrived at Pendleton; her orders were changed to the Logistics unit.

She had enlisted for Radiology school ( a 6 year enlistment; Radiology school is 14 months ) Once she got to Great Lakes, she was told that the course was full, and she would have to wait for the next cycle " so, why don't you take the Corpsman course, in the mean time. She should have known better; being prior service. She spent 6 years in the Army Reserves, in Oak Creek. The only Army railroad reserve unit. She was operating a freight locomobile before she had her drivers license. She got less than half the college money that she was promised. The unit was shut down in the first round of base closings.  She was out to long to avoid boot camp; but , started out as an E-3. She spent a year and a half at Beaufort Naval Hospital, SC, 2 1/2 years at Guantonamo, 3 years as an instructor at Great Lakes, Afghanistan, and Pendleton. She passed her FMF while in Afghanistan and has taken enough other courses to get her LPN license; when she finally gets out.

As for me; I was chance not choice. I was in the last group drafted at 21; and, my youngest brother was in the first group drafted at 18. I was supposed to go to the 504th MP Company, Saigon. But, 2 weeks before the end of MP school; the top 16 in my class were pulled out of training, after lunch and sent to the dayroom and had to fill out another personal history form. And, told to list every time that we had left the US, where, when, how long, and why. We found out later, that it was for a security clearance. So, I spent 19 months at the Army Security Agency at Ft. Devens, MA as a Security/MP.

Lauren Dieterich

Marian,

Regarding earthquakes, most people don't realize that Milwaukee has had a few; abet very minor, earthquakes. There was one during the time that we were at Custer; but, don't ask me exactly when. CRS is becoming a real problem. The earthquake was enough to rattle windows; and, maybe knock something of of a shelf; if it was light enough and close enough to the edge. It happened in the middle of the night; so, most people probably didn't know about it.

There are mountains across the river from Bullhead City, AZ. But, since Bullhead is only 560 feet above sea level; the mountains are only about 2,000 feet. I lived in Deming, NM for 6 years. Deming is 30 miles from the border and 110 miles west of El Paso. Level ground in Deming is 4,300 ft.; which is 1,500 ft. higher than anything East of the Mississippi river. I have land outside of Deming, about 5 miles from the Florida Mts. I drove one of those orange trucks for a year, And, I remember a sign on the side of the highway in the Pocono Mts in Pennsylvania ' Highest spot East of the Mississippi, 2,280 ft.

California is nice; but, I have no interest in cities; or even large towns. Bullhead is about 46,000; and, is more than big enough for me. Deming is 22,000; which is even better. But, Portland, MI is 3,900; which is about right, Lansing and Grand Rapids are each about 20 miles away; if I need to do any major shopping.

Marian Schopp (Bringe)

I would live in New York City - right around Times Square.  Or, San Diego would be great.  Jim loves our cabin in Payson, AZ with population of 15,000 and that's more than enough for him.  Opposites attract 

Lauren Dieterich

Lived in Erin, about 5 miles northwest of Holy Hill for 4 years; that was nice. Hartford, WI was the nearest town. I worked nights and it was 25 miles from my driveway to the driveway where I worked. I had about a dozen different ways of getting to work. The drive home, in the morning, as the sun was coming up, in the Spring and Fall; was worth the 25 miles.

Jim Cejka

Garry,

You're right of course. Earthquakes, whatever, there's nothing bad about CA.

We'll, acutally, it does catch fire every summer, but the beaches don't burn.

Melody Jones (Parker)

Jim...LOL!   Good one!

Lauren Dieterich

The big question is; how wide are the beaches.  The Bullhead City area of AZ looks like mostly gravel ( actually, I think that it's mostly tailings from the mining, a 120 years ago ) so, you wouldn't think that there would be much to burn. But, a brush fire came to within 15 miles of town, winter before last.

Terri Levenhagen (Hoornstra)

Lauren, California has more small towns than probably anywhere. We even have a Lodi, just like Wisconsin. Everybody thinks that song,"Whoa Lord, I'm Stuck in Lodi Again" was written about their own state. I was just at a cabin up in the Mt. Shasta area for a cousins reunion. Their nearest town has one main street, and they are collecting donations to keep the one movie theater open. It is a great little town, though. But for a modern food market, you have to drive 20 miles farther. Most my friends here who retire have moved to some small town in the Sierra foothills, (so they can pan for gold for the remainder of their years. :-)

Lauren Dieterich

Terry,

   Something I keep in mind; if present circumstances change. If I were by myself; I'd probably find some hole-in-the-wall, in the middle of no-where. But, since I'm not; Judi and I will continue as snowbirds; and, make the semi-annual commute between AZ and MI, until we either get tired of it; or can't do it any more. Bullhead City, AZ has 4 months of upper 90's and low 100's in a 55 plus RV park. It's alright, if you don't mind being jammed in with 693 other Park model mobile homes and RV's, in very small spaces. Portland, MI is half way between Grand Rapids and Lansing. Small town with lots of room; but, I'm not a big fan of snow and cold. People in both towns are very friendly. Both towns have plus's and minus's; so, I guess it's wait until the time comes, to decide.

Jim Cejka

Terri,

I think a lot of people think of a "small town" in CA as any population under a million.

Nancy Davison (Boerger)

Michigan "small town" style:

Presque Isle (township) has one chapel, a towhship hall, one tiny grocery store (beer, soda, ice cream, pizza... and a gas pump), a volunteer fire department, a very good library, a barber (in someone's home), a boater's convenience store and restaurant in the marina (open May to October), and two lighthouses (one with separate keeper's house....both museums).

No stop lights (there is one in the county - it's 25 miles from here). No malls. No traffic jams (except boats at the lake access). We got away from it all.

Terri Levenhagen (Hoornstra)

Nancy, it sounds as if Presque Isle has everything you need! The very good library is the most important, followed perhaps by the pizza and ice cream. I find I have to be DRAGGED to shopping malls these days (usually by some still-working person), being that a good new pair of jeans meets most of my fashion requirements.  But when I think about my residential requirements, a good restaurant not too far away would be essential. Just ONE good one would suffice. And it wouldn't hurt to have a Starbuck's, either.

Nancy Davison (Boerger)

You're right, Terri, a Starbucks would be nice. There is one about 150 miles from here. But, that's where the Via Venezia made by Saeco comes in. And a wonderful find called EspressoZone.com, from which we order espresso by the case. We need those lattes to accompany the books from our wonderful library, as we huddle around the fireplace (heat went on again this morning, and we still haven't taken the electric mattress pad off of our bed)

Melody Jones (Parker)

My "small town" in Nor Cal has only 50,000 people in the last census.  22 miles west by northwest of the capitol in Sacramento and only 80 miles from San Francisco which is west of here or 80 miles from Reno/Lake Tahoe, which is east of here.  North is Mt. Shasta which is about 150 miles and south is Yosemite National Park, about 245 miles.  So, if you come to visit me, you can go sightseeing North, South, East and West on "day trips" to Lake Tahoe, Reno, San Francisco, Mt. Shasta, or Yosemite. I love my "central" location.  We also live near Clear Lake and Lake Berryessa.  Not to mention the state capitol at Sacramento.  The capitol building bears a remarkably similar architecture to Madison state capitol.  I like them both.  In Sacramento, there is a huge statue of Christopher Columbus and Queen Isabella in the capitol rotunda. No Starbucks here, but I don't drink it, so that is OK with me...LOL!

Garry Sellers

I just got this in an email from a friend in Australia:  "We'll be friends 'til we're old and senile .... then we'll be NEW FRIENDS!"  Somehow it's feeling more appropriate.

I also got an email from a person in another Custer class asking why I tolerate so much complaining on our Message Forum.  WTF?????  We talk about where we are, how we got here, and what it's like.  We even throw a few friendly barbs at each other ... I thought in the spirit of good friendships.  One of the most fascinating things to me in this journey we're all on is the decisions we make, sometimes seemingly small ones, that shape who we are, what we value, and where we live.  And none of it is better than the other person's ... just different.

If you have an opinion that we should be doing something different on the Message Forum, please drop me a note.  This has always suppose to have been OUR website to shape the way we want.  I can chang .. clang ... chane ... cha ...cha... change (see it wasn't hard for me to say!).

Terri Levenhagen (Hoornstra)

Don't change! I don't see anyone complaining. ?.?  Who's complaining? Teasing - perhaps. Maybe a ittle complaining about the weather, but that's what's going on in our lives! 

Nancy Davison (Boerger)

Terri's right - who's  complaining?

If the complainer about our website doesn't like it, tell him/her not to read it. Buzz off!

Marilyn Griffith (Bauer)

Dropped in for a visit today. My question is - what is someone from another Custer H.S. class doing on the 1962 Message Forum? Perhaps that person needs to "get a life" - and stop his/her snooping and complaining. Does anyone else go into other class's Message Forums? Just asking . . . .  Just another dreary cool day in Wisconsin. BTW - I live in a town of 9241 folks, but we're 6 miles from Madison. Madison provides everything anyone could ever want - I mean everything!!

Melody Jones (Parker)

No changes, we like it as it is.  After all, we ARE the class of '62!...and PROUD of it!

103 degrees here yesterday with 105 degrees coming today...just saying...LOL!

Terri Levenhagen (Hoornstra)

Right, Mel! I could complain about our weather in the 90s, but when else could I wear all the sleeveless tops I bought for  our trip to Milwaukee last year? We get a few days like this every year. But tomorrow back to highs in the 70s. Those tops will last 100 years unless I take more trips to Wisconsin in the summer. 

Lauren Dieterich

In regards to complaining; commenting about something is not complaining. But, when you start whinning about something; that's complaining.

One of my brothers lives in Marion, WI, population 1,300. He's lived there for about 40 years. Big Falls, WI is a few miles away from Marion; and, that's where he live when he first moved up there.  Big Falls is shrinking. It had 215 people when he lived there. Population at the last census was 61. Split Rock, WI is on the map; but, I haven't found any modern population figures. But, 45 years ago, it was 5; yes, 5. It's on a T-intersection; and back then; there was an abandoned barn on one side and a combination convenience store, gas station, and tavern on the other side. That's it.

Here, in Michigan, if it doesn't warm up and dry out pretty soon; I'll have to be sure to keep moving when outside; so that moss doesn't grow on me. Any more days in the 60's and I'll have to get my winter coat out. Anything under 70 is cold.

It's 112 back in Bullhead City, as I type this. There is an excessive heat warning that started last Wednesday and expires tomorrow morning. 104 is the normal high; and 112 is excessive. Go figure.

Jim,

  My daughter thought that she would stay at Camp Pendleton for at least 2 years; she should know better. She's going to the Dominican Republic for a year. I'm trying to figure out what the Navy/Marines are doing there. As long as she stays away from the other end of the island; I won't worry too much. With luck, she'll make CPO before she gets back. So far, she's been on the fast track for promotions.

Marilyn, my youngest daughter lives just southeast of Madison. She works in State Archives in the Capitol Building.

Jim Cejka

The only complaint I should think would be that so many people who were enthusiastic contributers have dwindled away, leaving the few of us hardcore reviewers and some occasionals to keep the conversations going and otherwise contribute to the infinitesimal bewonderment of 50 years of Custer legacy.

My suggestion to the site would be to keep it going as it is. Obviously if it bothers someone, it's because whatever they've got, if anything, isn't as cool as '62.

Besides, It's probably somebody from King instead. They never could got it right compared to Custer.

Ray Thompson

Gary--Website is just fine--keep it as it is.

Let us all talk & you just read.

@Lauren--I live in the town of Rome in Wisconsin. 20 miles south of Wisconsin Rapids. Population under 2000. We have 4 lakes in our Town--I live on Lake Camelot. Also have Lake Sherwood, Lake Arrowhead & Lake Pentenwell. Population on week-ends in the summer about 5000. Never saw so many Illinois plates in my life. I stay off my lake on week-ends unless necessary and go out during the week when I am one of 10 people out there with their pontoons. Love the seculed woods.

Jim Cejka

OK, so they're just releasing a new Superman movie. How can that be? Everyone has cell phones these days - no phone booths to jump into for a quick change??