Wagner Memories: Mark Anderson '78

This article by Mark was previously posted in 2008

What was your first impression of Clark and Wagner? 
When I left Andrews AFB on Dec 26, 1976, I abandoned my older sister and brother, my friends, and a girlfriend to spend a month in a Travis AFB VOQ with my mom, two little sisters, four walls and frigid cold. Then, in January 1977 I stepped off a plane at this Clark place wearing my wool and leather lettermen’s coat. I gasped for air.

 My prejudices were confirmed---it was hell. The air was heavy and laced with the fumes of burning vegetation. Lizards were on the walls and ceilings, coconuts were not brown and hairy, and my fast food, go-anywhere teenage life was over!

What surprised you the most about the Philippines? What did you like best about living there? From day one, it seemed to me that Filipinos were unbelievably kind. I don’t know if I was surprised, but it stuck in my mind. I witnessed “ugly Americans” several times and would cringe at peoples’ sense of entitlement or condescending attitudes, but the Filipinos were above it; they were genuine.
The thing I liked best about living in the P.I. was the sense of belonging we shared. I don’t think anyone did it consciously, but the situation created a need to gravitate to one another. It was a bond that has lifelong threads.

I also liked the unique words and phrases like: DEROS, Fire Empire, Flight J252, the HOG, so many “days and a wake-up”, Bamboo Bowl, did your sew girl make that, and “sssst I be your girlprend”.
Sunsets, porksticks and San Miguel were pretty awesome too!

Did you really miss anything from the States and if so, what?
Yeah I missed things!! I missed my sister and brother, new music, having two or more channels on TV, an Interstate, Rock concerts, athletic scholarships, malls, four seasons, outerwear, monotone skin color, pointing with my finger, driving over 50 mph, crossing a state line, dry air, not worrying about fungus in my closet, buying more than three cans of fruit cocktail…..

Who were your good buddies?
One of the first guys I met was Frank Fontenot at the gym, who introduced me to Ed Welch (we went to the same Jr. High in Maryland), then Dave Wellman, Joe Avalos, Gray Brooks. After that, I became friends with Waddy Vining, BT Uptmor, Liz Anderson, Rob and Tim Welch, John Ward, Steve and Mike Fernandez, Dave Wilson, Swat (Terry Swatlowski), and the guys on the baseball and football teams. For the first several months, I hung out with Lucy Straughn, who was distraught about being in the PI as well. We laughed about our misery. Her friendship probably enabled me to see the first hint of civility.

Where did you hang out?
I spent a lot of time in my room, in the 200 wing, at the gym, on the golf course, at the Vertigo, Fire Empire (kidding), in my dad’s car (front and back seat), hospital parking lot, bamboo bowl, Silver Wing, baseball diamond, stables, and in the papasan chair in my air-conditioned living room.
 

Who was your favorite teacher/class?
Big daddy Carmone was the man. Honors English was my forte’ and I got a kick out of the way he presented the material. Ms. Weeks always had a place in my heart too because she recognized my depression and tried to help me. On the flip side was Mr. Wilder. He was an excellent teacher, but he couldn’t know my state of mind. I was struggling and he said my stateside chemistry class must’ve been kitchen chemistry. I resented it.

Did you have a part time job - what was it? Off-Base canned goods salesman (doh!), and Phil-Amway distributor.

Did you have a crush on anyone?
Besides Dake? I didn’t have crushes but there were so many girls I thought were pretty. I could name a few, but I’ll forget some too. Let’s see-- Leslie, Jackie, Lori, Karen, Julia, Melinda, Kim, Cheryl, Kelli, Jackie, Sally, Chrys, Tina, Louise, (sorry Doug) and ……Liz somebody or other. The problem was that my head was such a mess I knew I wouldn’t be any good for anybody, so I withdrew.

Have you become closer to a Wagnerite that you didn't know well in high school because of a reunion?
Sure! The reunions are so amazing, but the real irony is that I have come to know people from the reunions that make me regret not having known them better in high school. Myrna, for one, has become such a dear friend I would drive her to the airport, Nina is pretty awesome, Beth Lamoreaux and Joel, OB (Mike O’Brien), the Montes brothers and many, many others are amazing people.

How did your experience living overseas affect you? 
Who would not benefit from the constant bombardment of new and life-changing experiences in a foreign country? I have traveled all over the world to places where I was the first American the locals ever saw; not garden spots. PCSing to Clark prepared me for that travel - even enabling me to enjoy my deployments. It broadened my horizons in ways I can’t even imagine. It gave me life, because that’s where I met the love of my life and mother of my children (Liz Wilson Anderson ’79).

Wagner Memories: Sven Aunapu '79

This is a repost of an article Sven wrote in 2009

What was your first impression of Clark and Wagner?  First impression:  It Sucked.  It was hot and rainy and I was stuck in base VOQ's because a house wasn't available. My family went off base the next day, jet lag and all, and visited a number of 'subdivisions', finally settling on a complex called Carmenville.  I remember the rain and little shacks made out of what looked like soda cans, rain, carabaos, and muddy roads. 

I was tired, already sick of the rain, walking around with that 'teenage' attitude, angry about leaving my girlfriend behind ... but then realized on my first day at Wagner that I had a wonderful "experience opportunity" ahead of me.  I was lucky to get it so fast ... it made my two years in the P.I. some of the best of my life.

What surprised you the most about the Philippines? What did you like best about living there?  The camaraderie.  Not just in sports but in neighborhoods, theaters, classrooms, hall ways, okay ... you did have to try to break down some of the ridiculous cliques ... but even then it never took more then a 'How ya doin' to be welcomed. 

I even came to enjoy the rain and that foggy smell and feelings that accompanied it ... but all said ... it was the people, Airforce/Civil Service families that made the two years a learning and memorable experience.

Did you really miss anything from the States and if so, what? Don't laugh ... commercials.  I definitely do not miss those AFRTS public service announcements. I still wake up with nightmares of people saying "I'm a special person" (if you remember that one, you know what I mean!).  When I got back stateside, I watched the commercials and switched to another channel when a 'show' started.  Funny how you change ... now I DVR to avoid the commercials.

Who were your good buddies?  My best buds were my 'Baby Dolphin' bros - "Mad Dog" Jerry Floro, Jack Lobac (forgot his alias), "Cherry Boy" Dixon, "The Beast" Richard Kaylor, "Doc" Richard Lopez and God rest his soul - "Dele' " Dale Anderson.  We tried to mix it up a bit - painting the Water Tower, wearing paper bags and togas to class, changing the sign on the "Chicken Coop" to "Chicken Poop" ... harmless stuff that we thought was funny even if no one else did.

Where did you hang out? Primarily the 200 wing ... but Jerry Floro and I tried to make the rounds.  Never liked being labeled a "200 Winger".

Who was your favorite teacher/class? Without a doubt, hands down Dr. Antonio Carmone (Honors English).  He made me read Chaucer ... and actually enjoy it.  Through laughter and focused attention he taught me to embrace learning.  I have the opportunity to be in front of large groups these days and my style has been taken directly from him. 

Dr. Wilder was second ... I was not his favorite by a long shot and the fact that I was in Honors Chemistry must have burned him to the core ... but I respected him immensely for giving me a shot and challenging me. He eventually welcomed me to his class.

Did you have a part time job - what was it? In the summer, as a Dental Assistant.  The rest of the year it was either Soccer or I was a bum.  I was going to be a smart ass and say that my job was being a Boyfriend ... but my girlfriend was as low maintenance as you could ever get.

Did you have a crush on anyone? You know ... there were a couple of young ladies that caught my eye ... but 30 years later I can honestly say that no one captured me as Clarissa Esquivel did.  Classiest lady I ever knew. 

That said, the ones who caught my eye? ... Melissa Munoz (may have even gotten in trouble with Clarissa over that one), Leslie Gilchrist (I haven't forgotten her) and a young lady whose name I cannot remember ... she left in 78 I believe. 

I remember her because she was one of those sad cases where she lived with a rep that she did not deserve.  When she left Clark, I was the only one to say good bye to her and that was a sad thing.  I've actually wondered many times what might have happened had she not gone stateside.  Never had a relationship with any of these ladies, but they must have made an impact for me to remember them.  I hope they are well and loving life.

How did your experience living overseas change you? Certainly made me more 'worldly' from a 'world experience' perspective.  I walked away from Clark/Wagner with a great appreciation for the Filipino people and, interestingly, for all the advantages that the U.S. and being an American gave to me. 

Give us a brief update on your life now: I live in the Atlanta area and I’m divorced but blessed with three wonderful children (daughter 13, two sons 15 & 11). An exciting career in fashion eventually led me to Inventory Management Software where I am a principle and EVP of Sales with great friends (have known them all for more then 15 years). 

I am active in my Church (if possible, too active), and an active member in the Tres Dias community. When I have free time, my hobbies are skydiving (my girlfriend is getting upset ... may not be a hobby for long), cooking, fishing and hiking in the Georgia Mountains (they are hills to the rest of the world).

If anyone knows of the whereabouts of my 'buds' above, I'd love to hear about it (I am in touch with Jerry Floro).

 #1) Sven's senior picture. #2)Front row: Terryl Jones, Sue Corey (78), and Sven Aunapu (79). Back row: Heidi Young (78), Paula Tsatsos (78), and Doug MacIver (80). #3) L-R: Jeff Forsyth, Lloyd Johnson, Sven Aunapu, Barry Fritz, Mark Fitzgerald  #4)Rich Kaylor, Richard Lopez, Sven, Rick Dixon, Jerry Floro.

Wagner Memories: Roy Thelin '76

This is a repost of an article written by Roy in 2008.

What was your first impression of Clark and Wagner? That wall of hot humid air that nearly knocked me back into the plane left a real impression on me. Wagner's relaxed dress code was the first thing about the school that impressed me. I eventually was able to take advantage of being allowed to wear a beard too.

What surprised you the most about the Philippines? Probably how fast that ground could soak up water. The first year I was there it really did rain for 40 days. The day after it stopped, the ground was dry. The other thing was how good the food was. Some Filipino dishes are still favorites of mine.
Did you really miss anything from the States and if so, what? I am not sure I missed anything from the States specifically because I didn't spend that much time there. I think we had been in the States 18 months or so when we left for the PI. Before that, we had been in England for over three years. I am pretty sure our stay before that was less than two years.

Who were your good buddies? The first year we were there, I think our neighbors, Geoff Shearer and Rudy Sandolph were probably the folks I hung out with the most. After that, I don't remember. I had girlfriends occasionally and classmates that I played sports with but not real buddies. Of course, if anyone that reads this remembers being a buddy of mine, let me know.
Where did you hang out? If I spent more time in one place than any other, it was probably the bowling alley. There were usually enough people there that you would see someone you knew hanging around.

Who was your favorite teacher/class? My favorite teacher was Dr. Carmone. He was still working on his doctorate when I was in his classes but he was still a lot of fun to mess with. The only classes I looked forward to though were gym and math (when I had my homework done).

Did you have a part time job - what was it? Never did have a part time job. The money just wasn't enough to motivate me that much.

Did you have a crush on anyone?  I am sure I may have, but don't remember any details. Nancy Gilead, Sue Holmes and the love of my life, Debbie Faires, weren't just crushes. (Note: Debbie Faires is now Debbie Thelin! Roy did get to marry the love of his life!)

Have you become closer to a Wagnerite that you didn't know well in high school because of a reunion? So far, I have been to three reunions, the Caribbean Cruises in ’05 and ’07 and the major gathering in San Diego in '06. I met a number of old acquaintances but haven't really gotten any closer to them. I am looking forward to more opportunities in the future though. My brother and I are planning on making the journey to San Antonio this year, the Caribbean Cruise next year and the biggy in ’11.

How did your experience living overseas affect you? There can be no doubt that living overseas has made me a more culturally well-rounded person. Comparing my attitudes, gotten from experience, to the average Americans’ I have met, I am much more tolerant of cultural and religious differences now. I was a bit more opinionated in high school though.

After nearly four years, I am getting ready to leave Kuwait and the Southwest Asia area, possibly for the last time. I am headed back to Dallas to spend time with my folks and family. If I can find employment there, I will stay in the greater Dallas area for awhile. I would think that a guy with a Bachelor's in Information Technology and a Master's in Computer Information Systems would be able to find something that will pay the bills, but I will worry about that after I have had a few weeks or months to rest.

My youngest daughter, Tabitha, wants to move from Alabama to Texas as well, if she can work out that whole employment thing. At 27 she has started working on a degree in gym or something like that. My eldest daughter, Joanna, lives with her husband in Kentucky. She actually has two bachelor degrees and uses the one in nursing for the benefit of the VA. 

Roy and Debbie got married last year and will be celebrating their first anniversary right around the time of the reunion!

And the winner is.......

The winner of the last drawing (for the two free nights at the hotel during the reunion) is . . . Suzette Fisherman Humphrey! CONGRATULATIONS!!!


For all those attending, please remember to book your room by June 9th and please pay your registration fee/balance by June 10th. It's not too late to decide to attend!

Here's the updated list of attendees.

Don't forget to order your Wagner t-shirts for the reunion. If you have ordered some, they are being sent out in batches, so don't expect a super quick turn-around time on your order.

We have added a 2 hour Harbor Cruise on Saturday mid-day to the reunion agenda. This is at NO extra cost to attendees!! Just make sure you email Gigi or Nina so we buy tickets for you - this is a great opportunity to hang with your friends and see the sights on a great bay cruise!  The harbor is protected and placid, so you don't have to worry about getting motion sickness. We will be boarding at 11:00 am at Navy Float at 970 North Harbor Drive.

Click on this link for more info on the reunion and the agenda.

It's going to be such a blast seeing everyone - our Wagner friendships are truly unique and special!  See you there!