For the Past 50 Years . . .

For the Past 50 Years
This is What We Have Been Doing

Don Gilleland

A frequent contributor to Florida Today's and The Telegraph's editorial pages, Gilleland has had over 80 published articles in a variety of internationally circulated magazines and newspapers. He has a bachelor's degree in Communications from Southern Illinois University and a master's degree in Public Relations from Boston University.

He also served 30 years in the military (eight years enlisted in the U.S. Navy and 22 years commissioned in the U.S. Air Force). During his military career he served with the Joint Casualty Resolution Center, accompanying search and recovery teams throughout South Vietnam, locating and exhuming remains of servicemen who were missing in action. He was also a member of the five-man planning group that created the National Defense University at Ft. McNair in Washington, DC. Gilleland retired from the Air Force in 1984 as chief, Air Force public affairs Western Region, where he coordinated Air force cooperation with the movie and TV industry. He was instrumental in creating the 1984 ABC television series "Call to Glory," starring Craig T. Nelson, which ran for one year.

After retiring from the Air force, Gilleland worked for the LTV Corporation as director of public relations and advertising for its AM General Division until 1987. From 1987 to 1994 he worked for General Dynamics Corporation, where he retired as corporate director of public affairs in 1994--responsible for worldwide news media relations.

Since 1994 Gilleland has lived in Suntree, FL, where he has served on the Suntree Master Homeowner's Association's long range planning committee, and the Suntree Country Club's house committee, communications committee, and a capital improvements focus group.

He is married to the former Margaret (Peggy) T. Chaffee, from Worcester, MA.

Anita Horn Velloff

After graduating from high school, I went to work in the credit union at Owens-Illinois. Five years later, I married Marion Velloff. After five years of marriage, we had three children and I started my college career. Ten years later, and one more baby, I finally got my degree in elementary education. I began teaching elementary education in 1973. I have taught grades 3 - 9, finishing my career teaching Computer Education at the East Middle School.

Our children are: Steve Velloff who has his own computer software business in Chicago; Julie Brown who is a chiropractor and teaches anatomy and physiology at Lewis & Clark Community College; our son, David, died suddenly just after our last reunion (it's been really hard for me to cope); and Nancy Elizondo who is an engineer working for the Department of Energy in Idaho Falls.

Julie has three children: Marie, Benjamin, and Samuel. Nancy has two children: Adam and Sarah. Grandchildren are a real joy!

Retirement has been great despite some major health problems that I have had. I absolutely love to travel and go as often as I can. I am active in Daughters of the American Revolution. I also like to read and play cards.

Harold Issacs

I left Alton in 1960 and spent 44 years with Owens-Illinois. I have been all over the USA, Canada, Mexico, and New Zealand for O-I, but now I'm retired and maybe I can do as I please. My sister Charlotte J. (Isaccs) Nordyke passed away Jan. 3, 2003. She lived in Buffalo, MO. We have two sons. One is a major in the USA Marines, and he flies helicopters. Our other son is a rec. s/sgt. for the Army as well as his wife.

Christ (Chris) John Sarandis

Chris and Peggy Sarandis
Upon graduating from Alton Senior High in 1953 I began the search of "Who are You?" In the process of this search, I worked at several menial jobs and finally decided I should be one of uncle's finest! I became a soldier in the U.S. Army. Uncle sent me to the Engineering School at Ft. Belvoir, Virginia. We were all advised to settle our affairs as we all were headed to Korea! All received their orders except the top three. We assumed we were staying as training cadre at Ft. Belvoir. Orders finally came and were were headed to Wolters Air Force Base, Mineral Wells, Texas! We learned that the Air Force had a shortage of engineering personal and the army had loaned us to the air force to assist them in airfield design and construction. While in the service, I had a part-time job with Peco Corp., a petro-chemical company to financially make ends meet. Upon completing my service obligation, I went to work for Peco Corp. full time.
I enrolled at TCU, Ft. Worth, Texas to further my formal education. As it turned out, I received an in depth mechanical/chemical education under the direction of two of the most apt engineers in the petro-chemical field. Over the course of time, I worked for the "Big Three" corporations in the industry designing innovative equipment that is still being applied to separation and filtration problems today. The entire industry begins a decline in the late 70's and it was most difficult to maintain a job. A popular bumper sticker around Houston, Texas (the oil capital of the world) read, "Will the last person out of Houston please turn-out the lights!"
In 1986 I had the opportunity to change professions and went into the Areospace/missiles world, being employed by the Lockheed Corporation. I worked the quality end of the business and had close association with the MLRS (multiple launch rocket system) as seen on the news in Iraq and a hyper-velocity tank killer missile program
I retired in 1998 to enjoy life with my wife Peggy. We enjoy travel, gardening and cooking. A cooking highlight is cooking for our Greek Food Festival.

Chris Sarandis
3309 Peachtree Lane
Pantego, Texas 76013

(817) 460-1636

Psarandis99@CS.com

Bill Truitt

After graduating from AHS in 1953, I attended Principia College in Elsah, Illinois, graduating from there in 1957. I started teaching in Alton at East Junior High School. After a year, I began teaching at The Principia Middle School, in St. Louis.

During that time I met my wife and we were married in 1961. From there I got my MA degree from SIU, Carbondale, Illinois in Political Science, and Education. Moving to Litchfield, Connecticut, I became the Headmaster at a New England Prep School, the youngest Headmaster at the time. I then returned to St. Louis where I became the Principal of The Principia Lower and Middle Schools, eventually becoming Headmaster of Principia, a post I held for 20 years.

I have two daughters; both married and have two grandsons. My wife is in a nursing home with Alzheimer's disease where she has been for the past four years. I retired early to care for her, but eventually had to put her into a nursing home. She is at the point where she does not know me or members of my family.

I currently live in West St. Louis County, but spend my summers at Lake Tahoe in a family cabin built in the 1930’s. I enjoy model railroading, working in my yard, photography, sports, sailing, my computer and my grandsons. I enjoy singing, and have produced two CDs, and have my own website www.billtruitt.com. One CD is a collection of religious songs, while the other one I did with a friend, and is a collection of love songs from Broadway musicals. My email address is bill@billtruitt.com.

Bill Truitt
4002 Radcliffe Place Court
Wildwood, MO 63025

636-938-5768

California Phone Number for Summer 530-544-5870