The Pensacola Naval Air Station graduating class of 1958 (28-58) returns for their yearly reunion at Pensacola NAS to watch the Blue Angles 2022 Homecoming. Five members of the class give a behind-the-scenes interview of their career, life learnings, perspective, and advice to the next generation.
Listen to the entire episode at Taking the Leap Podcast, Apple Podcast, Spotify, or your favorite podcast outlet.
Show Notes:
Special thanks to the guests of Pensacola Naval Air Station class 1958 (28-58) for their time and insight.
- Captain Walter “Dub” Fields aka “Fireball”
- Captain Bill Solms
- Captain Rodney Neibauer aka “Rocket Rod”
- Commander Bob Vollaire
- LT Floyd Joramo
- (13:15) What was America like in 1958 when you were entering the military? What was the world like?
- (18:27) Dub recalls meeting and hanging out with Elvis Presley in Kilgore, Texas.
- (23:00) Advice and words of encouragement to young people and to the country during a time of division.
- Capitalism vs. Socialism
- Problems with the media
- America needs energy independence
- (35:00) Dub recalls classmate Bob Flynn who was a prisoner of war during the Vietnam war and his “six principles” that helped him survive 5.5 years in prison all of which were in solitary confinement.
- #1 God
- #2 Duty
- #3 Honor
- #4 Country
- #5 Family
- #6 Self
- (37:00) How to make decisions in life.
- (42:00) Capt Bill Solms gives a warning about China, debt, and a divided America.
- “You can’t be afraid to fail.” – Rodney Neibauer
- (47:00) Capt Bill Solms decides to do a loop – “The smartest thing I did was start that at 20,000 feet!”
- An old aviator saying, “Three things a pilot does not need; Altitude above you, runway behind you, and fuel left in the truck!”
- Advice for parents raising kids.
- (56:00) If you could give a state of the union address to the American people what would say?
- Why optimism is a difference maker!
- (1:02:45) – Bob Dickie’s “call to action” for the men and women who are enjoying freedom today!
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