By Barbara Kyriakakis, OLLI E-News assistant editor WHILE A SENIOR IN COLLEGE, Chester Myslicki took a basic physics course before graduating in 1942 with a degree in economics. Qualifying for radar training by virtue of his physics class, he attended the Illinois Institute of Technology from the fall of 1942 until the spring of 1943. In June of 1943 he joined the Army, took basic training at Camp Crowder, Missouri, and after learning to operate an old radar unit, was assigned to the MIT Radiation Lab, where he learned to operate a new radar system, the world’s largest and one that had not yet been completed.
     Chester landed in Okinawa in 1945 shortly after the bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki and the surrender of Japan. He then flew to the Japanese mainland where he was detailed to set up the new MEW (Microwave Early Warning) radar system near Tokyo. One of only three technicians skilled in the mechanics of the new system, he understood its technology and was assigned top technician on midnight duty. The men involved knew little about what they were building, but they worked continually, three eight-hour shifts every day, in a dash to build the MEW, unsure of its working capabilities. When they finished, they waited eagerly for word of its operational level. A cry of joy, as well as a sigh of relief and a deep sense of satisfaction, reverberated among the men when the system was deemed ‘working as planned.’ A comparable unit was eventually used at Washington National Airport for air control.
     Chester was discharged in July of 1946 as a Technical Sergeant. He retired as an economist with Bureau of Labor Statistics in 1978. Previous assignments included Iran from 1962—67 under USAID (United States Agency for International Development) and 1971-72 in Afghanistan for IMF (International Monetary Fund). Since 1978 he has remained busy with various jobs, classes, volunteer work and travel. He is a charter member of OLLI having joined in 1991.

The Reston Resource Group will be holding its inaugural meeting on Tue, Mar 27, at 1:00 in the Lake Anne Church. If you have ideas for classes or speakers, would like to teach yourself, or are willing to help make it all happen, we need your help and participation for enhancing the Reston program.      If you have any questions, email Ben Gold or telephone him.

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GROWING PAINS
By Elizabeth Crawford, OLLI E-News staff writer
AT THE MINI-MEETING ON MAR 9, OLLI members seemed to agree that we can learn from the past but not return to it. To some extent, the halcyon days of LRI may be an illusion since there were always challenges to face and limitations to overcome. With membership now over 750, many members will not get to know one another. However, OLLI offers levels of involvement that should satisfy everyone's needs. Many members are happy to come to OLLI just for the courses and special events. Others willing to take the intiative will find a greater sense of intimacy in small discussion classes, in OLLI's various clubs and committees, and even in the informal lunch group that often assembles in the Social Room Annex.

Is the OLLI mission to offer intellectual activities and social experiences being fulfilled? Yes, according to those who attended this meeting. Large classes held at off-campus sites are designed to accommodate greater numbers of students. As our numbers have grown, so have our choices in the catalog. Most members who are closed out of a course are able to find a substitute to take its place. The effect of the recent dues increase is not yet known because spring registration is still open. The Board has tried to publicize the fact that scholarship help is available to those who need it.      Any assessment of OLLI must include its direction for the future. At the request of Mason, the Loudoun pilot program will begin this spring. Its long-term success will depend upon the enthusiasm of its members and their willingness to nurture its growth. Reaction to suggestions of further growth at this time were varied. In order to diversify our revenue base, or to share our experience with others, the Board may decide to look at opportunities to offer courses in senior centers or other venues. On the other hand, some attendees believe that our first obligation is to our current members, at least until we have a surplus of volunteers to send forth into the world. Some LLIs sponsor environmental projects or other community service, which may be a road to foundation grants, but there was general agreement that our members are already involved in the many organizations available in this area and do not need further opportunities for service.      A new member says that finding OLLI makes her feel as if she has "died and gone to heaven." Hyperbole aside, many of us agree that OLLI's cup is more than half full.

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