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2026 Raven Scholarships Winners

It is our distinct pleasure to announce the winners of the 2026 Distinguished Raven Scholarships. Without exception, these young men & women are truly outstanding.

Edgar Allen Poe Literary Society

Raven FACs

www.ravens.org

NEVERMORE

April 27, 2026

Edwin D. Gunter Jr. Memorial Scholarship ($2,000)

Dylan Yang

Sacramento, CA

Arthur B. “Art” Cornelius Memorial Scholarship ($2,000)

Bella Puangvong

Menifee, CA

Kenton R. Elley Memorial Scholarship ($2,000)

Landon Kue

Appleton, WI

Brian E. Wages Memorial Scholarship ($2,000)

Ryan Her

Sacramento, CA

James D. Baker Memorial Scholarship ($2,000)

Sayuri Thao

Sacramento, CA

Edward E. (Hoss) McBride Memorial Scholarship ($1,500)

Isaac Yang

Brown Deer, WI

John J. Bach III Memorial Scholarship ($1,500)

Gisselle Diaz

Fresno, CA

Daniel R. Davis Memorial Scholarship ($1,500)

Stella Lor

Weston, WI

Henry L. Allen Memorial Scholarship ($1,500)

Madison Yang

San Diego, CA

Richard G. Elzinga Memorial Scholarship ($1,500)

Maynapa Chanthanouvong

Portland, OR

Gomer D. Reese III Memorial Scholarship ($1,500)

Madison Lor

Lincoln, CA

James E. Cross Memorial Scholarship ($1,500)

Toasall Xiong

Eau Claire, WI

Joseph L. Chestnut Memorial Scholarship ($1,500)

Amberly Her

Merced, CA

++RAVEN DOWN+++RAVEN 48+++ART CORNELIUS+++RAVEN DOWN+++

 

“Raven Down”

Arthur B. “Art” Cornelius

Raven 48

Brigadier General. USAFR (Ret.)
Fighter Pilot • Raven FAC • Airline Captain • Poet of Remembrance

Arthur B. “Art” Cornelius served his country with distinction in war and peace across a lifetime of aviation leadership and courage.

Commissioned through the Air Cadet Program, Art joined the generation of combat aviators who earned their wings and commissions through flying skill, discipline, and performance. He became a respected pilot of the North American F-100 Super Sabre and later answered one of the most demanding calls of the Southeast Asia war—service in Laos as Raven 48.

As a Raven Forward Air Controller, Art flew in the hidden war over Laos, directing tactical airpower in defense of allied forces under dangerous and austere combat conditions. Ravens flew low, alone, and often under fire. Their missions required judgment, nerve, and complete devotion to the men on the ground.

Following combat service, Art continued a distinguished military career. He commanded fighter units, rose to senior leadership, served as Deputy Commander of the California Air National Guard, and retired with the rank of Brigadier General.

In civilian life, he continued to serve in aviation as Captain and Line Check Airman for Western Air Lines and later Delta Air Lines.

During his aviation career, Art flew 72 different aircraft and over 22,000 hours. Yet among the Raven brotherhood, Art is remembered for something even more personal and enduring.

After the loss of his close friend and fellow Raven Sam Deichelmann, Art wrote the poem that would become the memorial reading used at Raven reunions and ceremonies honoring those who never returned, as well as those lost since the war’s end. Written in grief, loyalty, and love for a fallen comrade, it gave voice to emotions many Ravens carried but could not easily express. That poem became part of the permanent memory of the Ravens. It will be read at every Raven reunion and gathering for as long as we are able to meet.

Art’s life reflected the finest qualities of the Raven tradition: courage in combat, humility in service, devotion to comrades, and loyalty that did not end when the war was over.

He was reported to have passed on February 9, 2026.

Today, Raven 48 joins the company of those he helped us remember.

We Remember

“Perhaps one day when the fire is out,
Green mountains will show a flash of gold,
I’ll see the twinkle of your eye
And smile again.”

Fair winds, Art.
Rest easy, Raven 48.

 

Raven Memorial Dedication Video

+++RAVEN DOWN—RAVEN 48/31—BRIAN WAGES—RAVEN 48/31—BRIAN WAGES—RAVEN DOWN+++

It is with great sadness that I must tell you that we have lost another brother this month.  Brian Wages, Raven 48 at 20A Feb-Apr ’70, and Raven 31 at L39 May-Sep ’70, took his last flight on 25 Jan 2026 following a heart attack.   Brian used to attend our reunions a few years ago, as did Diane, his wife, until he suffered a stroke, about ten years ago.  While he was left cognitively unimpaired by the stroke, he did have mobility issues that precluded him attending our more recent reunions.  Some of you may remember Brian from his work as a rater on our scholarship program.  Another really great guy, lost to us too soon.

 Diane has told me that there will be a celebration of life held at a later date, likely at a local country club that Brian favored.  The family asks that friends consider a donation to Brian’s favorite charity, The Salvation Army, or to the charity of your choice, in lieu of flowers.

Diane said she would keep us informed as to the final arrangements, and I will pass it on to you.  Diane is not yet in our Phone Book, the Home Phone listed for Brian will reach her.  Her email address is dfwages@att.net.  She will be in the next issue of the Phone Book.

It’s getting to be that time of our lives, folks.  Like the poem says…”I’d have been a better friend, but I trusted time.”  Reach out and touch a friend.

See you in Dayton.

 Nevermore…until tomorrow!!!

 Lew Hatch

Raven 44

+++RAVEN DOWN+++KEN ELLEY+++RAVEN 52+++RAVEN DOWN+++KEN ELLEY+++RAVEN 52+++RAVEN DOWN+++

It is with great sadness that I tell you that Kenton R. (Ken) Elley, Raven 52 from November 1968 through February 1969, has passed away.  Ken flew as Raven 52 out of Pakse (L-11) with Jerry Klingaman and John Mansur.

Ken passed away last Friday, 9 Jan 2026, of complications of Pneumonia in a hospital in Wichita with his wife, Janet, by his side.  Ken was 92 years old.  Janet has been Ken’s constant companion and care giver since he suffered a stroke in 2024.  We mourn Ken’s loss with his family.

Ken has specifically requested that there be no services and no obituary and the family is honoring that request.  He will be cremated and the family will privately scatter his ashes at a later date.  Janet has requested that in lieu of flowers, friends consider a donation to the EAPLS (Raven FACs) Memorial Scholarship Fund (c/o Terry Carroll, 507 Rolling Green Dr., Lakeway TX  78734-5222).  Also, if anyone has any pictures of Ken in Laos or at the early reunions, the family would like to obtain a copy, as Ken’s pictures all went missing during his military moves.

 There are now 106 Ravens/Butterflies left alive.  Please remember the line in Art’s poem…”I would have been a better friend, but I trusted time…”

 I hope to see you at the Memorial dedication in Dayton, 8 April, or at the Reunion, 22-25 October…or both!!!

  Nevermore…until tomorrow!!!

 Lew Hatch

Raven 44

***RAVEN DOWN***RAVEN 21/23***JIM BAKER***RAVEN DOWN***RAVEN 21/23***JIM BAKER***RAVEN DOWN***

It is with great sorrow that I tell you of the passing of Col. James D. Baker, USAF (Ret).          Those of you who attend our reunions remember Jim as he was a frequent attendee of our reunions until the last couple of years.  Jim flew as Raven 23 from Feb 68 until Jul  68.  After that, he transitioned to Senior Raven in Pakse (L11) and flew as Raven 21 from Jul 68 until he left country in Feb 69.  About three years ago, I stopped getting responses from Jim to my emails and about two years ago his emails started bouncing back, indicating that the account had been closed.  The last two years of his life were in veteran nursing homes.  He died at Clifford Chester Sims State Veterans Nursing Home in Panama City, Florida.  I was unable to track him down and we had no family members in our database at that time.  Jim’s daughter, Melanie, contacted me through Facebook with the sad news.  The pictures above are from Melanie but there is no obituary available as yet.  She said that Jim passed peacefully with his eldest son and two of his grandchildren at his side.

 Funeral arrangements are being made for a military funeral at the Tallahassee National Cemetery at 1100 hrs. Eastern on December 17, 2025.  Attendees should have their ID or Driver’s License and should be at the Cemetery 20 minutes before the ceremony is to begin.  Ravens have been invited by the family, should you wish to attend.  The family requests no flowers, and Jim asked that donation to the E.A.P.L.S.  Scholarship Fund, 507 Rolling Green Dr., Lakeway, TX  78734-5222, be considered in lieu of flowers.

 Our thanks to Melanie for thinking of notifying us during this sad time.

 Remember: “I’d have been a better friend, but I trusted time.”

 Nevermore, until tomorrow!

 Lew Hatch

Raven 44

 Also of note:  Estelle informed me that after losing her son, Roger Trevathan, earlier this year, her daughter-in-law, Barbara, passed away last week.

+++RAVEN DOWN+++ED GUNTER+++RAVEN DOWN+++

Ed Gunter, Raven 72, Jul 69-Feb 70, passed away in the Hospital in Tulsa, OK, at 1730, 4 Aug 2025, with Ellie by his side. He eventually lost his struggle with a disease that is claiming many of our brothers, Parkinson’s disease, presumptively due to contact with Agent Orange in Southeast Asia. Ed will be interred at a later date at the Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs.

Ed was the fourth president of EAPLS and our second longest serving one. He spent 17 years herding these cats to the benefit of us all. Some would say a more accurate description of the action was herding a sounder of feral hogs on crack. He also organized our annual reunions in San Antonio single-handedly for over 20 years. We all owe Ed a huge debt of gratitude, as I really believe this organization would not be in existence today were it not for Ed and his penchant for self-abuse. Please send your prayers for Ed and Ellie. Ellie is recovering from spinal surgery right now.

Here’s a nickel on the grass for you, my friend.

Please go to the E.A.P.L.S./Raven Facs private Facebook page and pull up the Albums-“Ed Gunter—Gone But Not Forgotten” Album for more pictures.

For those of you who have met my son at the reunions, Cody lost his battle with stage four colon cancer last week.  Kathy and I have posted more information on our Face Book pages (“Lew Hatch” and “Kathy Hatch”).

Nevermore—See you in October!!!

Lew Hatch

Raven 44

Feel free to share this link.

A private Facebook page named   Raven FAC’s/E.A.P.L.S  has been created by Lew and Ed.  Info from Ed follows:

Here is another link to the page:   https://www.facebook.com/groups/601112210770318

Ravens & Friends:

Not wanting to lose the entire Raven Reunion experience this year, Lew Hatch & I have been looking at ways to keep some of it alive during this crazy, mixed up time. Thanks to Lew’s hard work & tech savvy, I believe we have a way to keep our cherished Memorial Ceremony alive.

Last week, we met in the Auger Inn (which was closed) and made several videos of our ceremony.

We will be running it on a dedicated private Face book page,<< Raven FAC’s/E.A.P.L.S >>

This is a private FB page & Lew & I will be approving all members. It will have private rooms if you want to chat/renew old friendships.

Hello, Ravens. About 25 years ago I published a photo book called OUT OF LAOS: A Story of War and Exodus, for the children of Hmong refugees.  I am now working on a longer full-color version, bringing the story up to date and adding more coverage of notable Hmong, especially Lee Lue the T-28 pilot.

There’s a photo of Lee Lue that shows up in various places, including on the Ravens website. Usually the guy on the left is cropped out to just show Lee Lue, sometimes it’s both guys. But I have only seen it as a TINY digital file (under 20 kb), not much bigger than a postcard stamp. I’m trying to find either the original photograph or a much bigger and more detailed scan (5 mb or larger), so I can publish it, and so Hmong-American kids can get a better idea of one of their heroes.

Can you help? Do you know where the original photo can be found, or do you know someone who has a much bigger digital version of it?

Thanks so much,

Roger Warner

Out of Laos book project

18 Proctor Street 

Manchester MA 01938

(978) 821-8655

Here’s the photo in the version with both men:

P.S. Wrote a story about the Hmong T-28 pilots for Air & Space magazine long ago.  And a book on the Laos war. Got to know Heinie Aderholt a bit through Bill Lair. And so on.

Merry Christmas

Edgar Allan Poe Literary Society, Inc. Home of the RAVEN FACS A non-profit veterans organization