Milan Jackson

Thanks Mel. That's a huge relief to us all.

Helen Nicolaysen (Thompson)

Mel, thank you so very much for all your kind words! The out pouring of phone calls and support have been phenominal and ARE APPRECIATED more than words can say! Our Class of 64 IS THE BEST! We're fine, thanks to all of your support and the fact that we have a fifth wheel to stay in until the smoke settles down! We took some things back home today, however reservations at a near by KOA is our home until we can tolerate the air quality again. Looks as though everything is fine at home and there are no issues at this point. The fire in Waldo Canyon is still at 0% containment meaning that several neighborhoods still remain evacuated from their homes. We just pray there will be no structural losses and that the arsonist is caught. It's currently 97 degrees here! I know it's hot there too so please stay as cool as possible. Also, thank you for the birthday wishes! I guess we've all become the OLDEST GENERATION! Where have the years gone? 

Milan Jackson

Happy Birthday Gene Zoll !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Say hi to Cindy for me, old friend.

Helen Nicolaysen (Thompson)

PLEASE PRAY FOR THE PEOPLE IN COLORADO SPRINGS ON OUR WEST SIDE! To view the details of the fires, Google KKTV CHANNEL 11 Colorado Springs!  32,000 people have been displaced from their homes and  homes are ingolfed in flames due to 45 MPH winds. Our sons In-Laws have a $$600,000 home that they have been evacuated from! This is in our neighborhood and we are staying in our 5th wheel at a KOA Campground in Fountain, CO, 7 miles South of Colorado Springs! The entire Air Force Academy has been evacuated. This IS DEVASTATING! Whoever started these fires should be caught and punished to the hilt! Flying W RANCH IS GONE! 

Ed Stanfield

HELEN,

I can't imagine what you and others in Colorado are going thru. To live thru a natural disaster like a hurricane, tornado, flood or even fires started by lightning are one thing, but to think that someone deliberately did this... hard to wrap your mind around it, but it is for those people that large capacity ammo magazines were intended... hope the folks who find him/them have one..

Ed

Helen Nicolaysen (Thompson)

Evacuations are now exceeding above 32,000 and counting! Two more subdivisions are about to be evacuated to include possibly evacuating additional parts of the Air Force Academy! Winds are forecasted to pick up to 35 MPH later on this afternoon! We are up against the mountains, which means we may be ordered to evacuate again, however right now we've selected to continue our residency at a KOA Campground in Fountain, CO, 7 miles south of Colorado Springs, CO. 

Gerald (Jerry) Plummer

Helen,

Having been exposed to a few fires ourselves, our thoughts are with you.  We understand this is a frightening event. The videos look terrible and worse. 

Jerry

Helen Nicolaysen (Thompson)

Pray for the family that not only lost their home but also lost a family member! Also we pray that there are no more fatalities! It seems that containment is beginning to take affect at 15%! Thank you for all your prayers!

Melvin (Mel) Theobald

Helen, your periodic reports are very important to us. I've been getting whatever updates possible from KKTV web. Sounds like all evacuations have been lifted for now, which makes me think those great firefighters are getting an upper hand on containment. As I continue swimming my laps (up to 22 miles now), thinking of what you are all going through helps motivate me. I only hope you are over the worst of this and have been wondering if any of our other 7 Colorado classmates, especiallly those in Boulder, have been suffering the same ordeals you have.

Thanks for keeping us informed. Our thoughts are with all of you.

Helen Nicolaysen (Thompson)

Mel, thank you for your kind words of encouragement! We've paid through tonight at the KOA where we've been gathering our sanity in Fountain, CO! LOL! Yes, you are right in that prayers are extended to all of the additional class members who might be enduring reprocussions from these horrific fires. Just spoke with our friend who visited us from Conneticut and currently waiting at DIA as I write stating that they went to Estes Park and Boulder yesterday and said the air quality was good, which is good news! Our sons in-laws are allowed to return back to their home in the Rockrimmon area today and have been saved from any damages to their home! Prayers are extended to all 346 families who have lost everything. Also prayers for strength go to the families who have lost 2 lives with 10 people unaccounted for! We pray that results will be positive for the unaccounted people. 17,073 acres have burned! Containment is now at 30%. This is being announced as I write!. Thanks be to God for answering our prayers! Things are looking more optimistic!

Helen Nicolaysen (Thompson)

45% containment! All 10 people missing have been found alive! PRAISE GOD!

Helen Nicolaysen (Thompson)

I smell strong smoke!

Helen Nicolaysen (Thompson)

55% Containment!

Helen Nicolaysen (Thompson)

70% contained!

Milan Jackson

Happy Birthday Mike Kaluf !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Milan Jackson

Happy Birthday Necia Hart Chessman !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Milan Jackson

Happy Birthday Harvey Wellman !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Milan Jackson

Happy Birthday Mike Meece !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Milan Jackson

Happy Birthday Pat Summers Griffith !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Helen Nicolaysen (Thompson)

Fires is now 90% contained!  It's expected to be 100% by the middle of next week! 

Melvin (Mel) Theobald

Helen,

It sounds like things are improving. I just checked KKTV and it appears that the temps are in the 80s with a little rain. That should help bring it up to 100%. It is great to know you are all finally out of danger and through the worst of this nightmare. Now if you could just send some of that rain this way, we would be ever so grateful.

In about seven weeks we will be having the summer mini-reunion. How many of you are planning on being there? For those who missed out, it was a huge success last year...not to mention fun. Mark those calendars for Aug. 18 and get packed. I'd love to see as many of you as possible. Holly, Boo, Julie, both Jack's, Ed, Linda and all the rest of y'all. Let's do this thing up good!!!

Milan Jackson

Happy Birthday George Drye !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Milan Jackson

Happy Birthday Joe Long !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Milan Jackson

Happy Birthday Ernie Prillaman !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Helen Nicolaysen (Thompson)

98% containment! Now for the clean up! Thanks for all the prayers! Life is beginning to return to normal except those poor families who have lost everything!