Gone But Not Forgotten

Honoring fallen comrades is an important part of the AOG mission and we ask to be notified as soon as possible of the death of any graduate, Air Training Officer or cadet so that we can take appropriate actions. The AOG has learned of the following deaths within the past 90 days.

For best results, try searching by Last Name (e.g. Smith), Class Year (e.g. 1959), or Cadet Squadron (e.g. CS-01). More complex searches may not return desired results.

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Lt Col (Ret) Charles Jones - Class of 1968 , CS-13

Deceased on December 13, 2024 - Informed on December 26, 2024

Memorial Service: 1300 hours 3 January 2025 at the USAFA Community Chapel, 5134 Cathedral Dr, Air Force Academy, CO 8084. A reception to follow in the Fellowship Hall. Funeral Service: 12:00 hours 23 December 2024, at Fairview Cemetery, Co Road 142, Salida, Colorado, 81201. Memorial donations: In lieu of flowers donations can be made to the American Lung Association at https://www.lung.org/.. Obituary: https://www.afterall.com/obituaries/d-18869552/colorado-springs-colorado/charles-david-jones/december-2024

Maj (Ret) Charles Sikora - Class of 1967 , CS-02

Deceased on December 7, 2024 - Informed on December 26, 2024

Memorial service: To be held at a later date in the Spring of 2025. Memorial donations: In lieu of flowers donations can be sent to the Barrow Neurological Foundation at https://www.supportbarrow.org/, American Brain Foundation at https://www.americanbrainfoundation.org/, American Cancer Society at, or the ASPCA American Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals at https://www.aspca.org/. Obituary: https://www.ashevilleareaalternative.com/obituary/Charles-Sikora

Mr. John Fitzpatrick - Class of 1969 , CS-08

Deceased on December 12, 2024 - Informed on December 19, 2024

Funeral details: 1000 hours 17 January 2025, at the Memorial Pavilion at the USAFA Cemetery, Colorado Springs, CO.

Mr. Michael Hay - Class of 1973 , CS-18

Deceased on October 7, 2024 - Informed on December 18, 2024

Interment: 1 November 2024 at Prescott National Cemetery, Prescott, AZ.

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Next of Kin

For Next of Kin support resources please visit: https://www.usafanextofkin.org/

Frequently Asked Questions

Here’s A Toast: Gone But Not Forgotten annual publication

The Association of Graduates and Air Force Academy Foundation has introduced a new benefit to better memorialize USAFA graduates and support their families.

Gone But Not Forgotten, which appeared in Checkpoints magazine for decades, has transitioned to a dedicated, annual publication. The inaugural edition of Here’s A Toast: Gone But Not Forgotten will be published in the spring.

A: As the Academy’s graduate population ages, Checkpoints has become increasingly stretched in accommodating the growing number of submitted memorial articles.
A: The new Here’s A Toast: Gone But Not Forgotten publication honors the Long Blue Line by sharing the personal stories of graduates and preserving their legacy. It reflects the Association and Foundation’s mission to support the Academy, serve graduates and preserve the heritage of the institution and Long Blue Line.
A: We considered several cost-effective, impactful options and consulted with our peers at the U.S. Military Academy and the U.S. Naval Academy. West Point’s TAPS publication provided an excellent model for this new publication.
A: As part of this new service, a complimentary copy will be provided to a loved one of the deceased memorialized in the publication. Additional printed copies will be available for a nominal fee of $25 each. The digital version will be available at no cost to all AOG members.
A: AOG members can access the inaugural digital issue at usafa.org once live. If you are not a member but wish to join and access this benefit and others, membership is available at no cost to all USAFA graduates here.
A: Here’s A Toast: Gone But Not Forgotten is available for $25 here or by calling 719-472-0300. Proceeds help fund the program and offset the costs of providing a complimentary copy to families of fallen graduates, Air Training Officers, cadets and AOG Honorary Members. Orders for the inaugural issue will begin shipping and be available for pickup this spring.
A: See below:
A: Each memorial article is available as a commemorative keepsake for $15 each. Articles are printed on sturdy paper, suitable for framing, and come enclosed in a blue linen folder. Orders can be placed here or by calling 719-472-0300. Commemorative keepsake orders will ship or be available for pickup within two weeks of the order date.
A: See below:
A: Email a recent favorite photo of the deceased. The photo (head and shoulders, color preferred) should be emailed as a high-resolution .jpg. Low-resolution image submissions may be declined in favor of a cadet yearbook photo.
A: Submit a memorial article and photo through a form at usafanextofkin.org or email deceasednotifications@usafa.org.
A: One of the major benefits of transitioning to a dedicated, annual publication is that memorial articles can now be up to 800 words. In the 2026 Here’s A Toast: Gone But Not Forgotten memorial publication — which will include deaths in 2025 — each article will be presented on its own full page.
A: Memorial articles for deaths in 2025 should be emailed when ready to ensure the Association can post the tribute on usafa.org/heritage/gbnf.
A: Memorial articles won’t appear in Checkpoints following the December 2024 issue, but the magazine will continue to list death notices.
A: Death notices will be printed in each issue of Checkpoints.
A: See below:
A: Memorial articles for deaths in 2025 will be printed around March 2026.
A: Call 719-472-0300 or email Terri Davis, next-of-kin support specialist, at deceasednotifications@usafa.org.

Gone But Not Forgotten