Gary Munroe

[14 JAN 1933 - A1 - 20327]

Archived Columns: Sierra Vista Herald
(Must register and log-in)

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Gary Munroe - Age 24	Gary Munroe - Age 85

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Libby Munroe - Age 22	Libby Munroe - Age 82

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['55 Mini-Cruise: APR 2016]

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Gary Munroe
['55 Mini-Cruise: APR 2016]

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Libby Munroe
['55 Mini-Cruise: APR 2016]

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Libby Munroe
['55 Mini-Cruise: APR 2016]

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Libby Munroe
['55 Mini-Cruise: APR 2016]

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Gary Munroe
['55 Mini-Cruise: APR 2016]

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Libby Munroe
['55 Mini-Cruise: APR 2016]

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Ellen Schick - Pirkey - Libby Munroe - Robinson
['55 Mini-Cruise: APR 2016]

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Mary Andrews - Libby Munroe - Joan McCulla
['55 Mini-Cruise: APR 2016]

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Gary Munroe
['55 Mini-Cruise: APR 2016]

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Gary Munroe
['55 Mini-Cruise: APR 2016]

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Fred Pirkey and Libby Munroe
['55 Mini-Cruise: APR 2016]

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Libby and Gary Munroe
['55 Mini-Cruise: APR 2016]

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Gary Munroe
['55 Mini-Cruise: APR 2016]

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Libby Munroe
['55 Mini-Cruise: APR 2016]

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Libby Munroe - Robbie and Willard Robinson Jr. '84
['55 Mini-Cruise: APR 2016]

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Munroe's and Marcia Cathey
['55 Mini-Cruise: APR 2016]

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Libby Munroe and Katherine Jeter
['55 Mini-Cruise: APR 2016]

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Munroe - Dianne Enslow - Suzanne Pirkey - Angee Fikaris
['55 Mini-Cruise: APR 2016]

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Munroe's - Dianne Enslow - Suzanne Pirkey
['55 Mini-Cruise: APR 2016]

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Gary & Libby
[Canyon De Chelly - AUG 2014]

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Gary Munroe
[Yosemite - JUN 2014]

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Gary Munroe
[Yosemite Valley - JUN 2014]

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Libby Munroe
[Tuolomne Drive - MAY 2014]

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Libby Munroe
[Yosemite Valley - MAY 2014]

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Gary Munroe
[Laws RR Museum - MAY 2014]

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Libby Munroe
[Laws RR Museum - MAY 2014]

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Libby Munroe
[Laws RR Museum - MAY 2014]

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Libby Munroe
[Arches National Park - Utah - SEP 2013]

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Libby and Gary Munroe
[Arches National Park - Utah - SEP 2013]

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Libby Munroe
[Arches National Park - Utah - SEP 2013]

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Gary Munroe
[Arches National Park - Utah - SEP 2013]

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Dugan's - Carla Hilbert - Libby Munroe - Jim
Ryan - Ed Anderson [Birmingham Mini - APR 2013]

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Dick Wargowsky - Libby Munroe - Dugan's - Fiscus' - Bill
Peters - Fred Woerner [Birmingham Mini - APR 2013]

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Libby Munroe - McCulla's - Hilbert's -
Ed Trobaugh [Birmingham Mini - APR 2013]

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Libby and Gary Munroe
[Birmingham Mini - APR 2013]

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Roy Lynn and Gary Munroe
[Birmingham Mini - APR 2013]

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Robbie Robinson - Dan Dugan - Libby Munroe -
Hilbert's - Ed Trobaugh [Birmingham Mini - APR 2013]

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Libby Munroe
[Birmingham Mini - APR 2013]

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Gary Munroe
[Birmingham Mini - APR 2013]

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Libby Munroe and Jim Darrah
[Birmingham Mini - APR 2013]

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Libby Munroe - Donna Ludwig - Billie Darrah
[Birmingham Mini - APR 2013]

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Libby Munroe - Billie Darrah - Donna Ludwig
[Birmingham Mini - APR 2013]

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Libby Munroe and Larry Michalove
[Birmingham Mini - APR 2013]

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Libby Munroe - Enslow's - Pemberton's - Dinwiddie's -
Stone's - ? [Birmingham Mini - APR 2013]

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Libby Munroe - Carolyn Cumbie - Billie Darrah
[Birmingham Mini - APR 2013]

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Libby Munroe
[Birmingham Mini - APR 2013]

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Marcia Giza - Marcia Cathey - Libby Munroe -
Carla Hilbert [Birmingham Mini - APR 2013]

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Darrah's and Munroe's
[Birmingham Mini - APR 2013]

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Billie Darrah - Libby Munroe - Rich Cardillo
[Birmingham Mini - APR 2013]

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Dorothy Crancer and Lbby Munroe
[Birmingham Mini - APR 2013]

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Libby Munroe
[Birmingham Mini - APR 2013]

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Larry Michalove - Japanese Garden Guide - Fiscus' -
Dinwiddie's - Libby Munroe [Birmingham Mini - APR 2013]

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Libby and Gary Munroe
[Birmingham Mini - APR 2013]

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Joan McCulla - Libby Munroe - Bob Werner - Larry Michalove - Paula
Campbell - Bill McCulla - Sandra Lynn [Birmingham Mini - APR 2013]

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Dick Wargowsky - Matt Schepps - Sandra Lynn -
Libby Munroe [Birmingham Mini - APR 2013]

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Lynn's - Dianne Enslow - Fiscus - Libby Munroe -
Wargowsky's - Peters [Birmingham Mini - APR 2013]

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Fiscus' - Bill Peters - Phil Enslow - Libby Munroe -
Campbell's - Bob Werner [Birmingham Mini - APR 2013]

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Larry Michalove and Libby Munroe
[Birmingham Mini - APR 2013]

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Malone's and Libby Munroe
[Birmingham Mini - APR 2013]

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Libby Munroe and Anne Malone
[Birmingham Mini - APR 2013]

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Gary Munroe
[Birmingham Mini - APR 2013]

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Libby Munroe and Lynn's
[Birmingham Mini - APR 2013]

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Larry Michalove - Maggie Miller - Enslow's - Werner's - Gary
Munroe - Gennie Woerner [Birmingham Mini - APR 2013]

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Enslow - Peters' - Werner - Paula Campbell - Woerner -
Libby Munroe [Birminigham Mini - APR 2013]

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Jim Fiscus - Phil Enslow - Bill Peters - Bob Werner -
Gary Munroe [Birminigham Mini - APR 2013]

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Libby Munroe - Lynn's - Dinwiddie's
[Birmingham Mini - APR 2013]

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Paula Campbell - McCulla's - Werner's - Munroe's - Fiscus' -
Anne Malone - Peters' [Birminigham Mini - APR 2013]

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Libby and Gary Munroe
[Hotel Del Coronado - San Diego CA - FEB 2013]

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Libby and Gary Munroe
[Hotel Del Coronado - San Diego CA - FEB 2013]

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Gary and Libby Munroe
[San Diego Wild Animal Park - FEB 2013]

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Carolynn (grandaughter) - John (son) - and Jennifer (grandaughter) Munroe
[Gary Munroe's 80th Celebration - JAN 2013]

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Libby and Gary Munroe
[Gary Munroe's 80th Celebration - JAN 2013]

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John - Beth - Gary - Libby and Bill Munroe
[Gary Munroe's 80th Celebration - JAN 2013]

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Jennifer (grandaughter) - Gary and Carolynn (grandaughter) Munroe
[Gary Munroe's 80th Celebration - JAN 2013]

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Gary and Libby Munroe @ South Rim
[Grand Canyon - NOV 2012]

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Gary Munroe @ South Rim
[Grand Canyon - NOV 2012]

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Gary and Libby Munroe @ Hermits Rest
[Grand Canyon - NOV 2012]

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Libby Munroe @ Bright Angel Trail Overlook
[Grand Canyon - NOV 2012]

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Libby and Gary Munroe
[Tombstone AZ - JUL 2012]

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Gary Munroe
[MAY 2011]

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Libby and Gary Munroe
[after Grand Canyon Mule Ride - APR 2011]

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Gary and Libby Munroe on board Tank and Seamore
[Phantom Ranch - Grand Canyon - AZ - APR 2011]

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Libby and Gary Munroe
[APR 2011]

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Libby and Gary Munroe with son Bill Jr.
[Mount Lemon AZ - APR 2011]

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Bill and Libby Gary Munroe
[APR 2011]

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Bill and Libby Gary Munroe
[APR 2011]

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Bob Shaffer and Gary Munroe
[Fort Huachuca FDD - MAR 2011]

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Bess Bannister '51 - Bob Shaffer - Libby Munroe
[Fort Huachuca FDD - MAR 2011]

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Bess Bannister '51 and Libby Munroe
[Fort Huachuca FDD - MAR 2011]

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Gary and Bill Munroe
[SEP 2010]

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John (son) and Gary Munroe
[Reservoir Hill - Ft Huachuca - 2010]

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Libby and Gary Munroe
[55th Reunion - May 2010]

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A-1: Vitty's - Munroe's - Lynn's - Strom's
[55th Reunion - May 2010]

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Dorothy Crancer - Roy Lynn - Libby Munroe - Jack
and Paula Campbell [55th Reunion - May 2010]

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Pat Strati - Libby Munroe - McNair's
[55th Reunion - May 2010]

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Gary Munroe - Angee and Pete Fikaris
[55th Reunion - May 2010]

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Dianne Enslow - Libby and Gary Munroe
[55th Reunion - May 2010]

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Libby and Gary Munroe
[55th Reunion - May 2010]

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Libby Munroe
[NYC Trip - 55th Reunion]

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Gary Munroe
[55th Reunion - May 2010]

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Standing: Dan Ludwig - Jack Jeter - Rich Cardillo - Donne Olvey - Sitting: Libby Munroe - Candy and Jack Strom - Marlowe Viney - Natalie Wilcox [55th Reunion - May 2010]

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Libby Munroe and Candy Strom
[55th Reunion - May 2010]

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Libby Munroe - Carl and Jo Ann McNair
[55th Reunion - May 2010]

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Gary and Libby Munroe
[55th Reunion - May 2010]

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Jack Campbell and Gary Munroe
[55th Reunion - May 2010]

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Libby Munroe
[55th Reunion - May 2010]

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Paula and Jack Campbell - Libby and Gary
Munroe [55th Reunion - May 2010]

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Roy and Sandra Lynn - Rod and Pat Vitty - Gary and Libby
Munroe - Jack and Candy Strom [A-1: 55th Reunion]

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Herbert Hall Memorial Brick
[55th Reunion - May 2010]

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Libby Munroe
[55th Reunion - May 2010]

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Pat and Rod Vitty - Libby Munroe - Candy
and Jack Strom [55th Reunion - May 2010]

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Libby Munroe and Jack Strom
[55th Reunion - May 2010]

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Libby Munroe and Jack Strom
[55th Reunion - May 2010]

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Gary and Libby Munroe
[55th Reunion - May 2010]

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Libby Munroe - Rosanne Wray - Gary Munroe -
Bob Newton [55th Reunion - May 2010]

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The Munroe's with daughter Beth outside the Bright Angel Lodge
[Grand Canyon AZ - 2009]

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Gary and Libby Munroe
[Austin Mini - APR 2008]

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Carolynn Munroe - Kim Darrah - Libby Munroe -
Billie Darrah [Austin Mini - APR 2008]

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Jim Darrah and Gary Munroe
[Austin Mini - APR 2008]

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Jack Strom - Roy Lynn - Gary Munroe
[Austin Mini - APR 2008]

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Jack and Candy Strom - Libby and Gary Munroe -
Roy and Sandra Lynn [Austin Mini - APR 2008]

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Libby Munroe
[Austin Mini - APR 2008]

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Jack and Candy Strom - Libby Munroe
[Austin Mini - APR 2008]

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Jack and Candy Strom - Libby Munroe
[Austin Mini - APR 2008]

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Billie Darrah - Peggy Herren - Libby Munroe - Jim
Darrah - Tom Herren [Austin Mini - APR 2008]

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Jim Darrah and Gary Munroe
[Austin Mini - APR 2008]

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Gary Munroe
[Austin Mini - APR 2008]

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Rich Miller - Sandy Sanderson - Gary Munroe -
Roy Lynn [Austin Mini - APR 2008]

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Billie Darrah - Peggy Herren - Libby Munroe
[Austin Mini - APR 2008]

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Libby Munroe and Dianne Enslow
[Austin Mini - APR 2008]

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Libby Munroe - Natalie Wilcox - Dianne Enslow - Pam
Trobaugh - Maggie Miller [Austin Mini - APR 2008]

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Pam Trobaugh - Natalie Wilcox - Libby Munroe
[Austin Mini - APR 2008]

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Pam Trobaugh - Natalie Wilcox - Libby Munroe
[Austin Mini - APR 2008]

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Libby Munroe
[Austin Mini - APR 2008]

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Rear: Chuck Roades - Al Spaulding - Jim Cutchin - Front: Dottie Spaulding - Nancy Cutchin - Carla Sydenham - Billie Darrah - Libby Munroe [Austin Mini - APR 2008]

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Marcia Cathey - Jim Fiscus - Libby Munroe
[Austin Mini - APR 2008]

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Marcia Cathey and Libby Munroe
[Austin Mini - APR 2008]

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Libby Munroe and Marcia Cathey
[Austin Mini - APR 2008]

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Libby Munroe
[Austin Mini - APR 2008]

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Gary Munroe's Sierra Vista Herald Weekly Column Mug Shot
[JAN 2008]

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Libby and Gary Munroe
[Pacific Aviation Museum - Ford Island Hawaii - 2007]

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[50th Reunion Bio]

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Lynn - Bazilwich - Vitty - Regnier - Jack Campbell - Strom - Bossert -
McCloskey - Munroe - Sloan - Pirkey - Andrews [50th Reunion]

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Libby and Gary Munroe
[Sierra Vista - AUG 2006]

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Dryer - Munroe - Strom - DeLong
[c1998]

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Darrah's and Munroe's
[c1998]

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Munroe Family with Grandmother Naomi
[Ft Rucker AL - c1963]

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Gary Munroe
[c1962]

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Gary Munroe
[c1962]

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Libby and Gary Munroe
[Ft. Huachuca - 1962]

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Gary and Libby Munroe
[Flight School Graduation - OCT 1960]

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Dianne Enslow with daughter and Gary W. Munroe - Jr.
[Fort Huachuca - 1960]

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Libby and Gary Munroe
[16 Feb 1957]

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Gary and Libby Munroe
[16 Feb 1957]

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A-1 Firsties - 1st Row: Chuck Martin - Munroe - DeLong - Bazilwich - Dulk - Vitty - 2nd Row: Lewis - Greene - Herdman - 3rd Row: Fred Johnson - Strom - Lynn - 4th Row: Jerry Brown - Thomer - Bob Johnson (CO) - Pearson

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2015 AOG Online Register
(Updated JUL 2019)
Gary W. Munroe Sr. Cullum No: 20327 Class of: 1955 Born: CA Appointment: NG Branch: Inf-TC History: 20327 Gary William Munroe B-CA: A-NG: Inf-TC: ArAvn S 61: 416SigAvnCo 61-63: MS AE 64 (IE 65) UMI: 19TranCo Kor 65: AeroEngr HqArMC 66 [CM]: Hq1TCBn RVN 67-68 [2AM-CM]: USABAAR 68-72 [MSM]: Hq8Ar Kor 73: AvnBd 74: IntS 78: Ret 83 LTC [LM]

Register Glossary

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How I got my appointment to West Point

Gary Goes to West Point
My military interest formally began when I joined the Civil Airpatrol in 1945. It was some sort of Junior Wing. I induced my mother Naomi to join with me. My mother and father at the time were employed by Lockheed Aircraft Corporation, where they worked since 1942. When I graduated from Junior High School, I moved on to Pasadena Junior College, where the first two years were the 11th and 12th grades. There I was a member of the ROTC Program. My company Commander was Andrew Foster. I was the first sergeant. He later followed me to West Point as a member of the Class of 1957.

Some time during early 1950, a classmate of my mother from her high school years suggested that I might be interested in West Point. This was passed to me and I agreed. Getting my act together, I contacted my Congressman Carl Hinshaw and found out what I had to do to be nominated. I gathered all the data together including letters of recommendation and submitted my application. One day out of the blue, I received a letter notifying me to report to the main Post Office in Pasadena, California to take the Civil Service exam on which the Congressmen would base his nominations.

Arriving at the Post Office and receiving the test, I noted the blocks at the top of the form ... for WEST POINT ... ANNAPOLIS ... or BOTH. Well, my momma didn't raise no fool. I checked BOTH. Subsequently, The President decided that we should go to the assistance of the South Koreans. So my Division, the 40th Infantry Division was activated. I was then a heavy machine gunner in D Company 223d Infantry Regiment. This all occurred in the summer of 1950. On September 1st, we were activated and spent the next several weeks training in my hometown of Pasadena, California before moving off to Camp Cook for our training prior to deployment to Korea. If you don't recognize the name of the camp, it's because it later became Vandenberg AFB. Camp Cook was named in honor of Major General Philip St. George Cooke, a West Point graduate from the class of 1827.

One day while serving as Company Charge of Quarters, I received a letter of notification that I was eligible for a Third Alternate appointment to West Point or a principal appointment to the Naval Academy. There really wasn't much to think about. I showed the letter to my first sergeant and he instructed me to wait and that he would notify battalion. Soon the word came down and I went to talk to the S-1. It didn't take long before orders were cut to send me to the United States Naval Academy Prep School (USNAPS) at Newport, RI. The orders were for me to go by train, but that didn't suit me at all, so I proceeded to go home and spend some time there. My parents graciously sent me East by commercial air.

Arriving at Prep School, I soon entered into the academic program. Also, I enjoyed using those meal tickets that I was given at a local restaurant in Newport. It was there that I had the privilege of introducing the local restaurant on how to make hamburgers California style. Before it was just a slab of hamburger on a bun.

At Christmas time I got myself back to California for the holidays. To save money on my return to duty, I went to Norton Air Force Base in San Bernardino to catch a hop. It was there that I met Gil Batchman, who was also trying for a ride. Believe he was headed to Stewart AFB in Newburg, NY for Army Prep. When I mentioned this to Gil at the 40th Reunion, he didn't remember the occasion at all. At Norton, there was nothing moving, so I got myself to a small base in Southern California and was able to catch a hop with some reservists coming back from a convention. Ultimately, I got hung up in Texas and had to call the prep school to tell them why I would be late. I did arrive and without punishment returned to my academic schedule. At some time there, a finance corporal from Okinawa, who was also a student, advised me that I could apply for a West Point appointment thru the Army, so I did.

The day before the exam was to be held, we went to headquarters at noon to see if our orders had come in. They hadn't. About two in the afternoon, we were summoned back to the office and were told that we were immediately to proceed to Fort Devens, Massachusetts for the qualifying exam. We arrived at 2300 hours and didn't get bunked until after one. The test was around eight the next morning, but I was excited and raring to go. Turns out the exam was the same civil service exam that I had taken months earlier in California. On the math portion, I answered all the questions without working them. I then worked the problem to make sure that the answer was right. Turns out I maxed that portion of the exam. Often wondered if that was enough to put me over the hill and into my appointment.

Once I received formal notification of my appointment, I was transferred to Boston Army Base, until time to report to West Point. Then on the second of July 1951, I was discharged from the National Guard at the 'Convenience of the Government' and proceeded to West Point. I was a civilian for one whole day.

At the Point, I distinguished myself for being the first member of the Class to leave the Academy for any reason. I was allowed to attend my Grandmother's funeral in California. Then in Yearling year at Camp Buckner, I was the first person to leave Buckner to solicit ads for the Mortar, the summer magazine, for which I wound up as Editor in Chief.

So that's the story. Now, my wife Libby and I are safely ensconced in Southern Arizona where I write a weekly hiking article for the Sierra Vista Herald. Those that are interested in my articles can 'Google' me by entering 'Gary W. Munroe Sr' in the Advanced Search Area.

Gary Munroe
2 SEP 2010

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