APRO Bulletin - 1985 07 00 - Vol 33 No 1

Magazine Overview

Title: The APRO Bulletin
Issue: Vol. 33, No. 1
Date: July, 1985
Publisher: Aerial Phenomena Research Organization, Inc. (APRO)
Country: USA

This issue of The APRO Bulletin announces a temporary suspension of publication due to the editor's family health issues. It features a lead article by Ron Westrum detailing a 1967 'missing time' incident at a reservation, which bears similarities to UFO abduction cases. The magazine also covers a civilian scuba team's search for a submerged UFO off Lummi Island, Washington, a case from China involving a UFO responding to telekinetic commands, and reports of sightings in Seoul, South Korea, and Calgary, Alberta, Canada. Additionally, it includes a discussion on the ongoing debate between physicist Bruce Maccabee and skeptic Philip Klass regarding UFO explanations, and notes the increasing attention UFOs are receiving in the Soviet press.

ANNOUNCEMENT: Suspension of Publication

The APRO Bulletin announces that publication will be suspended indefinitely due to the ongoing health problems of the Lorenzen family, particularly Mrs. Lorenzen, who has been advised by doctors to take a complete rest. The publication will resume once conditions permit. Subscribers are offered the option to keep their subscriptions active or to receive back issues or symposia papers at a valuation of $.50 each against remaining credit. The editors express that this is a painful decision, emphasizing the continued importance of the subject matter and urging readers to continue their own research and reporting.

DID NAVY "STEAL" UFO?

This article reports on a civilian scuba team's search in December 1984 for an unidentified object that reportedly splashed down in the waters off Lummi Island, Washington, on July 27th of the same year. Seismic radar had detected an egg-shaped object on the sea floor. The divers described the object as gold-colored and satellite-shaped, with a clasp on one end. Another diver described it as orange and resembling an upside-down teacup. The object was reportedly stuck at an angle in the mud. However, when the team returned after the weekend, the object had disappeared. Dr. Bruce Maccabee and Dale Goudie suggest that the Navy may have recovered the object and is concealing it, despite Pentagon denials. A senior Navy source indicated that such a report would warrant investigation.

"MISSING TIME” AT RESERVATION

Authored by Ron Westrum, this article details an event from the spring of 1967 involving two couples and an older woman who went to a meadow for a picnic. Their car became stuck in the mud, and they decided to hike out. During this time, one witness reported seeing a 'shooting star' that seemed to freeze them. The sky lit up with a bright light, accompanied by two blasts of sound. One witness, Jim A., described a period of missing time and recalled running with his wife, unable to remember what happened. He experienced nightmares for years afterward, exhibiting symptoms of post-traumatic stress syndrome. The other witnesses had varying recollections, with some experiencing numbness and trembling ears. The article highlights inconsistencies in testimony and raises questions about the nature of the lights, Jim's missing time, and the reluctance of some witnesses to discuss the event.

CONFUSING TESTIMONY

Testimony from the witnesses reveals confusion regarding the sequence and duration of events. Sally B. remembers seeing lights hovering above the hills for fifteen minutes, while Bob B. recalls lights to the north. Alice A. initially saw 'little lights' through the trees, which then illuminated the entire sky with a spectrum of colors. She initially mistook the light for a known mill but noted its movement. She also described the lavenders and blues as being like an airbrush design. Sarah C. recalled seeing a bright light west of Satus Peak Lookout and described the lights as a 'configuration' like a Christmas tree, forming an inverted V-shape. She also mentioned feeling tired and lying down. The article notes that Jim A. drew attention to the strange quality of the women's voices when discussing the event.

NIGHTMARES

Jim A. was severely affected by the experience, suffering from nightmares for many years, starting in 1970. His nightmares involved running down the mountain with a racing heart. He also experienced a 'froze' reaction in 1978 while watching a helicopter. The article suggests Jim exhibits symptoms of post-traumatic stress syndrome. Alice also had not discussed the experience with her second husband. The Bs, who later married, had only vague memories, which the author speculates might be due to their Native American heritage and reluctance to divulge information.

MANY PUZZLES REMAIN

The article concludes by posing several unanswered questions: the cause of Jim's nightmares and flashbacks, why Sarah and Alice have not discussed the event with their husbands, the vague memories of the Bs, Jim's missing time, the slow progress of the group, and the nature of the lights observed.

MACCABEE VS KLASS

This section introduces the ongoing debate between Navy physicist Bruce Maccabee and skeptic Philip Klass regarding UFO phenomena. Maccabee believes some sightings represent extraterrestrial phenomena, while Klass offers prosaic explanations. They have exchanged extensive correspondence on the subject. The article notes Maccabee's personal interest in UFOs since his high school years and his PhD in physics. He is described as 'skeptical of the skeptics,' particularly Klass. Maccabee's frustration lies in the scientific community's tendency to scorn UFO watchers, though he is optimistic about the growing number of scientists investigating unusual phenomena. The section also mentions their public debates and disagreement on the issue of government cover-up of UFO information.

"Navy"

(Continued from page one)

This section elaborates on the Lummi Island UFO incident. John Walker, the expedition organizer, described the object as gold-colored and satellite-shaped. Richard Burke described it as orange and resembling an upside-down teacup, and reported feeling it humming. Reddish dust was found on his diving boots. Both divers confirmed the object was metal and stuck in the mud at an angle. Attempts to raise it were unsuccessful due to lack of time. The object disappeared before a subsequent search. Dr. Bruce Maccabee and Dale Goudie believe the Navy recovered the object, citing Freedom of Information Act reports that indicate a military vessel was sent to the scene. The Pentagon denies knowledge of the incident.

FROM THE EDITORS

The editors address what they perceive as 'curiously unattractive commentary' on APRO leadership. They state that while APRO does not always seek universal approval, they extend greetings to all who share concern for UFO evidence. They express confidence that APRO will continue to receive favorable reviews and assistance, and that attempts to undermine UFO research have been stopped.

FOLLOW-UP: The Ubatuba Magnesium

This section discusses research into unusual metal fragments found near Ubatuba, Brazil, dating back to 1957. Dr. Olavo T. Fontes, APRO's Brazilian Representative, initiated research on these fragments. Dr. Peter A. Sturrock has conducted further research, presenting findings at a scientific meeting. The 'Brazil magnesium' first gained public attention in Rio de Janeiro in 1957, with its origin in the Ubatuba area being unconfirmed. Analysis of the samples has yielded varied results regarding chemical composition, with elements like Al, Fe, Si, Ba, Ca, Cu, Sr, Zn, Li, Na, Cl, and Ti detected. However, none of the positive detections could be securely attributed to the interior metal. The isotopic ratio has been measured consistently with normal terrestrial magnesium. Investigations by Dr. Pierre Kaufmann suggest the only aerial event near Ubatuba in 1957 was a DC-3 crash, but a bolide passed over in 1933 or 1934, and unusually light material was captured by fishermen around that time.

THE SOVIET SITUATION

By Coral Lorenzen

Since early 1985, the Soviet press has paid considerable attention to UFOs, including a report of an airliner crew sighting an object and an announcement about a UFO investigative office. APRO Headquarters has been receiving regular requests for 'the latest copy' of the Bulletin from Soviet governmental bureaus since around 1978. In February 1985, APRO received a letter from the USSR National Public Library for Science and Technology in Moscow, dated 1984, requesting the Bulletin as part of an 'International Exchange Group.' The letter arrived without postage, suggesting it may have come via diplomatic pouch or is a hoax. A pamphlet listing Soviet periodicals was enclosed. APRO hopes this exchange will provide insights into UFO activity in the Soviet Union and views it as an opportunity for mutual learning.

CANADIAN OFFICIALS PUZZLED

This report, from a May 14 clipping in the Montreal Gazette, details mysterious 'circles of light' spotted in Calgary, Alberta, on May 13th. The incident began with an RCMP inspector receiving a report of a UFO over Crossfield. Initially dismissed as a joke, the report gained credibility when a second call came through. Police officers and military authorities confirmed sightings of unusual phenomena, described as 'weird, blinking stars' or 'oblong discs with three levels of spinning lights.' Officials at Calgary International Airport also confirmed sightings, though radar confirmation was absent.

OBJECT OVER SEOUL

This report, from the Korea Herald, describes multiple sightings of a UFO hovering over Seoul on December 2nd, 1984. The dish-shaped object was reported between 4 p.m. and 4:30 p.m., with additional sightings later. Explanations offered included artificial satellites, Jupiter, Mars, or Venus. The newspaper article was accompanied by a photograph showing a luminous object.

AUTHOR SAYS UFO WAS U.S. SPY PLANE

An Auckland, New Zealand, author, Neil Illingworth, suggests that the 1978 Kaikoura flying saucer incident was a U.S. counterintelligence exercise involving a special spy plane. Illingworth is working on a film script about secret weapons systems being tested in New Zealand, chosen for its remoteness from Russian surveillance. Australian UFO researcher Murray Stott disagreed, stating there was no hard evidence for solid objects and that such claims are based on 'fertile imaginations.'

ANOTHER RESPONSE CASE?

This case, translated from an article in 'The UFO Research' (March 1984) published by CURO in China, details an event from August 11, 1981, near Wen-san. A teacher was preparing three children with extrasensory perception talents for a test when a diamond-shaped object, shining with a silvery light, appeared. The object responded to telekinetic commands from the children, approaching closer and causing physical effects such as hot and numb ears. The children ceased their commands, and the object moved away. The reporter interviewed the children, including an 11-year-old girl named Shao hung, who described the object as 'as big as a house' with windows and people inside. She became distressed when asked about people inside. The reporter also questioned Shao-yuen, who described three occupants inside the object with 'dark blue and green' skin. The reporter noted the children's distress and the potential connection between their talents and the UFO sighting.

PHYSICAL EFFECTS

The children reported hot and numb ears, and trembling ears, which the reporter linked to their 'specific function of organs' or 'gifts.' This reaction caused them to stop calling to the object.

CHILDREN QUESTIONED

When questioned, Shao hung initially denied knowing what a UFO was but later described it as 'as big as a house' with windows and people inside. She became visibly upset when discussing the occupants. Shao-yuen described three occupants, approximately a meter or more tall, with dark blue and green skin.

OCCUPANTS REPORTED

Shao hung's sister, Shao-yuen, described three people inside the object, one with a pointed thing on its head. They were described as being a meter or more tall with dark blue and green skin.

OFFICIALDOM INTERESTED

In February 1983, provincial government officials tested the girl on her specific talents, including opening a sealed envelope without touching it. During this test, she suddenly asked if the UFO was coming again, becoming distressed when told no. The reporter speculated about a connection between UFOs and special extra-sensory talents.

QUESTIONS

APRO members and staff question the details of the Chinese case, particularly the reporter's identity and qualifications, and the history of the children involved. They welcome thoughtful letters on the subject.

PRESS REPORTS

Danbury, Connecticut (March 21, 1985): Dozens of people reported seeing multi-colored lights in various patterns, attributed by the airport administrator to three or four single-engine planes flying in formation.

Anniston, Alabama (March 24-25, 1985): A ball of fire was sighted across the Southeast, followed by a loud boom that shook the area. Authorities suggested a meteorite but offered no explanation for the noise. Pilots described the object changing color and racing across the sky, with some reporting flames and an angled descent. The loud boom occurred the next morning.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue include 'missing time' incidents, potential government cover-ups (specifically regarding the Navy and UFOs), the scientific investigation of UFO phenomena, and the challenges of interpreting witness testimony, especially when it involves unusual psychological or physiological effects. The editorial stance appears to be one of open inquiry, acknowledging the complexities and sometimes contradictory nature of UFO reports, while also maintaining a critical perspective on the evidence presented. The editors express a commitment to furthering UFO research and welcome contributions from members and the public.