UCLA Graduation

		UCLA Graduation
		Another hazy shot. Remember, this was 1963 and a rank amateur (probably my father) took the photo. The scene is at the commissioning of the UCLA NROTC senior class, somewhere in the NROTC offices in the Men's Gym at UCLA. I'm in the center in the rear near the window. The center three Ensigns (covers under their left arms) are Tom Lippiat, Steve Briggs, and Don Edwards. Tom was most noteworthy by his fanaticism for naval aviation. I lost track of him, but I feel confident that he achieved his dream. Steve also wanted to be a pilot, but I don't remember him as insane about it as Tom was. I do know that Steve became a pilot. I ran into him when I was the Guard Officer of the Marine Barracks at Barbers Point, Hawaii. I had the security around an airfield at Barbers Point during an operation where the aircraft from Steve's carrier used the field for their exercise. I had no idea he was driving his A-4 in that day, so we were both surprised when we saw each other across the tarmac. That was the last time I saw him, but a few years ago, I saw a reference to a certain Admiral Steven Briggs in the newspaper. I should have saved the article. Not surprising; Steve had been the XO of the Midshipman Battalion and the kind of person who you would have expected to be successful - in the Navy or elsewhere. Don Edwards was one of the nicest guys I ever met - special person.