Mick Rosenblatt Honored in 70-Mile Ride

Some of us learned of Classmate Mick Rosenblatt's passing when we received an email last May from Dave Sterling notifying us that Mick would be among those honored at the annual USAFA Memorial Service at the Air Force Monument adjacent to the Pentagon.  Later in June, Mick's wife Donna held a memorial reception for Mick at Dave's home in Northern Virginia.  It's very sad to learn of a Classmate's passing, and those of us who knew Mick know he was (and remains) one of the good guys!

Another one of the USAFA70 "Good Guys"

As with many of our Classmates, most of us saw him the last time at our 45th Reunion proudly with Donna catching up from his days as Squadron Commander for the CS-19 "Playboys!"  Politically correct? Shmickly Verclept'!  (You have to get a very rare, mythical Yiddish dictionary to figure that one out.)  Anyway, once a Playboy, always a Playboy.  A nice one like Mick ... although some still wonder what those guys were doing down there!

Getting ready to beat Army

Playboys!

Through his post-AF career until retirement as an ace pilot for American Airlines, Mick was an avid cyclist. This included cross-country cycling with airline  folks to honor friends lost on 9/11.  Mick's a generous guy with a lot of heart. So it's no surprise that he then cooked up a 70-mile cycle tour saluting all of us ever-young septuagenarians, 

It was training for that ride when Mick "slipped the surly bonds of earth.  And danced the skies on laughter-silvered wings ... ."  He went with his boots — that is, his bicycle toe clips — on.  Mick joins the ranks of departed Classmates, including names at the Southeast Asia Memorial Pavilion. 

It's not like Mick to slouch away, however, and we remember not only the smiles seen above as Mick and Donna primed to beat Army all by themselves.  But also to finish what Mick started,  Donna recently got in touch to invite Classmates to help go the distance, on bicycle or foot, to remember Mick and his nefarious plan to remind "some of us" to improve our diet and exercise!

​In Donna's words transmitting the photo below:

Mick riding in the red jersey, in the Airline Ride Across America, of which he was able to ride a large part of the route.  Mick lost several friends in the crew of AA77 that went into the Pentagon on 9/11, as he was based in DC for several years and that was a DC crew.  The captain was a great friend of his.  One of the fight attendant's husband, Tom Heidenberger (then a captain for USAir) organized The Airline Ride to raise money for the 9/11 memorials, and to honor a crew member a day for each day they rode-that determined the timing of the ride.  The Pentagon memorial was the first 9/11 memorial opened. The ride started in LA on April 2, 2006, PHX, DFW (AA Headquarters), Shanksville (UA93), NYC Ground zero, and ended at the Pentagon May 9, 2006.  That was the inspiration for Mick doing the 70 mile ride when he passed away on the same bike he rode in the Airline Ride.  And that was the inspiration for my doing this ride to honor him.

Looking good, Mick!

But that's not all ...

Donna, having never done anything like this before, committed to train from a standing start to complete the ride herself.  On March 2, 2019, she and two friends did just that.  Once again the wives prove that they are the brawn as well as the brains. 

But what's the party without pals. Dick Rauschkolb, Russ McKnight, John Stringfellow, Angus McDonald, "Mulf" Mulford  and others reached out to Classmates — us manly men who match our mountains! etc. — to put in some miles remembering Mick, honoring '70 and the guys we've lost. 

Then after the ride, Tom O’Meara. Kahuna and Glennie Burgess, and Mike Lambert with wife Jenny headed to Waco to have dinner with Donna and crew.  So many people wanted to join Mick's memorial dinner that it took two seatings.  Airline friends, church friends, '70 friends, community friends and more.  You can see Mike Lambert's report under his photo further below.

​But what's the party without pals. Dick Rauschkolb, Russ McKnight, John Stringfellow, Angus McDonald, "Mulf" Mulford  and others reached out to Classmates — all us manly men who match our mountains! — to put in some miles remembering Mick, honoring '70 and the guys we've lost. 

Then after the ride, Tom O’Meara. Kahuna and Glennie Burgess, and Mike Lambert with wife Jenny headed to Waco to have dinner with Donna and crew.  So many people wanted to join Mick's memorial dinner that it took two seatings.  Airline friends, church friends, '70 friends, community friends and more.  You can see Mike Lambert's report under his photo further below.

Donna getting a "table hug" from '70

First seating ...

... then the second-seating ...

... a lot of people love Mick

Now for the "troops in the field."   Banded together in a short time the nucleus were our group of crazies who took on the Hood to Coast Relay.  The monster of all relays, largest in the galaxy, oldest team ever to run, kicked butt, set a race fundraising record, but I digress.  We know that this was just a small slice of our USAFA70 Winded Warriors whose derring-do as well as quiet service to our Nation, families, friends and communities all deserve credit.  Recall that the Winded Warriors Team specifically includes the Class of '70 en masse.  Check the original Team list to prove it.  Look for somebody named Baldacci. 

In short order, following are the alpha-roster of cult members who reported in:

LANCE AMMON: "GO FALCONS!"

MARK BEAN: "Survived my 7.0 mi outside during a break in today’s snow here in SLC. Finished the course in 1:25:10, a not-so-zippy 12:10 pace—when Mulf walks faster than I “run”, perhaps I should rethink my strategy? RIP, Mick. p.s—sorry the Oquirrh mountains on the west side of the Salt Lake valley aren’t visible today—they’re really pretty this time of year.

"BJ" BJORKLUND: "Ok all ... I did 1 hour Zumba Dance, and 7 miles bike/run at the gym. Photos and videos sent to John Hale. Good job everybody! BJ" I posted a 4 minute video on my Facebook page Rick BJ Bjorklund of my Zumba today. But basically it is a Latin Dance cardio workout. [[Videos below]]

CHARLES BLACK: "Wrapped myself in spandex and did 25 miles on my gravel bike in honor of Mick."

GRADY CASH: "I'm recovering from an injury, but I can manage 3.5 miles. I had to walk a couple of times, but I ran 3.5 miles today. The quote in my photo is a paraphrasing of "Faith of the Heart," the theme song from Star Trek: Enterprise."

CLASS OF 70: "1 Lord, guard and guide those who fly Through the great spaces of the sky; Be with them traversing the air In dark'ning storms or sunshine fair. 2 Thou who dost keep with tender might The balanced birds in all their flight, Thou of the tempered winds, be near, That, having thee, they know no fear. 3 Control their minds with instinct fit What time, adventuring, they quit The firm security of land; Grant steadfast eye and skilful hand. 4 Aloft in solitudes of space, Uphold them with Thy saving grace. O God, protect those who fly Through Thy ways beneath and above the sky. Amen."

TED COULSON"Here you go, Jocko, thanks. 10.86 miles from Seattle in memory of our friend and classmate, Mick. Go big Red! Ted Coulson A very Winded warrior"

GARY COVINGTON: " I finished my little bit (4.0 miles) and made a 461 Mb video on my iPhone, which is now slowly transferring it to my computer. I'll try to figure out DropBox and get it to you so you can work your magic. Regards, Gary" [[Video to come]]

MIKE LAMBERT: "My 2 March Peloton ride. Pouring rain outside, nice and dry inside… Salute to Mick [[ 10.31 miles ]] UPDATE Donna Rosenblatt completed her 70 mile bike ride with two compatriots and then had a reception for many friends from their church and life at Moroso’s Pizza in Waco. There were so many people that the dinner had to be broken into two groups, a smaller group at 5:30 and a larger one at 6:30 due to the size of the room. We all went in to the room at about 6:45 and spoke and had a toast to Mick. The grads spoke about his Academy time and our classmates as well as the various walks, rides, etc. by the Winded Warriors and other classmates. A very emotional time. DINNER Donna and Mick have many, many friends both near and far and through the sadness much love was shown to her by them all this past weekend including all of you guys. Thanks to all. Donna is going to help get spouses of our lost classmates to our 50th as well."

MIKE LANDERS: "I did around 10 miles on a spin bike in memory of Mick. Mike Landers"

RUSS McKNIGHT: "10 miles @ site of national emergency." [[ NOTE: we remember Russ completed his HTC leg despite a serious muscle tear. But he responded "Guys, My running career ended at the HTC but I am going to ride by bike for 7 miles at the appointed time down here in the Rio Grande Valley whether it counts or not. Just sayin’." ]] Remembering Mick"

"MULF" MULFORD: "Completed my 7.0 mile power walk. Did laps inside on perfect condition track at average pace of 11:57. I may have to rethink my “no” on WW 2 and change it to a “maybe.” □ [[ NOTE: we recall that 'Mulf" also worked past an injury and trained/complete the HTC in a very impressive power walk. ]]

CLARK NICHOLS: "As the sun is setting over the Olympic Mountains, I just finished 7 miles as I arrived home. I will send a photo tomorrow. Right now I am pouring my favorite wine into a Class of ‘70 wine glass to toast Mick."

DON RUSHING: "Hi, guys! What a wonderful tribute to Mick and Donna. I was able to get in a 3.1 mile jog this morning in La Quinta as part of an organized “5K fun run” at the ACTL Spring Meeting. Set no distance or speed records, but I hope this helps honor Mick’s memory. Photo attached. Cheers to the Winded Warriors. Don"

TOM STEIN: "Hi John, Picture from this morning -- did 5 miles in honor of Classmate, Mick Rosenblat. Hope you are doing well. Thanks agin for being the coordinator for this effort. Tom Stein"

JOHN STRINGFELLOW: "In honor of Mick He has slipped the surly bonds of earth. May God be with you. Was planning 3.5 up and 3.5 back Oft laid plans of mice and men. Got 3.0 and 1284 vertical up the mountain and the mud was so slick it was like ice skating. Turned around, got a bit lost for ½ a mile of slippery mud, but I made my 7+ (7.11) String."

"JOCKO" TRIMBLE: "May the wind be at your back and the road rise up to meet your feet." NOTE: Here again is the unofficial USAFA70 Battle Flag that Jocko hand-made, took to the top of Kilimanjaro, and made sure crossed the finish line at the Hood to Coast.

JOHN HALE: "Hey Mick, This is obviously before the surgery, etc., but can walk again and dedicate 1.5 mi without a cane woohoo! to you and Donna. Prayers!"

STAY TUNED - MORE TO COME

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