Flying Saucer Digest - No 126 - 1994

Magazine Overview

Title: FLYING SAUCER DIGEST
Issue: No. 126
Date: SUMMER 1994
Publisher: UNITED AERIAL PHENOMENA AGENCY (UAPA)

From the Editor: Travis Walton Case Follow-Up

Allan J. Manak provides an update on the well-known Travis Walton case, addressing details from the movie "Fire In The Sky." Manak quotes Walton, who states that the movie's depiction of the alien ship's interior as dilapidated and the aliens as cruel is inaccurate. Walton describes the environment as sterile and the beings as having larger eyes, smoother skin, and wearing coveralls. He asserts that they did not actually hurt him. Walton has largely withdrawn from the UFO community, not attending conventions, and has returned to work at the mill where he was formerly a foreman, though he had to start at the bottom again.

Walton explains his coping mechanism as "put[ting] it in a box," believing that close encounters are underreported due to fear of being labeled "hysterical crackpots." He reflects that the experience "completely changed everything" and that no aspect of his life remained the same, largely due to people's reactions. He now tries to keep to himself. His friend, Mike, who was engaged to Walton's sister at the time of the incident, was also deeply affected, becoming a recluse and later moving to another town. Walton notes that Mike did not attend family gatherings.

UFO Bits and Pieces

Allan J. Manak reports on several items:

• 31st National UFO Convention: Tickets are selling well, with an anticipated sell-out. August 1st is the advance sale cut-off.
• New Book: Manak's book, "Ice Falls And Angel Hair," is selling well.
• Moonwalk Anniversary: July 20, 1994, marked the 25th anniversary of the Apollo moonwalk. Astronomy Magazine's July '94 issue is noted for its coverage.
• New Mystery: An article in "Fortean Times," number 74, discusses "Rings of Ice," a phenomenon similar to crop circles.
• Mystery Star Explained: New images from the Hubble Space Telescope reveal Eta Carinae, a star shining with 3 million times the sun's energy. It erupts like a volcano and has formed two spherical clouds resembling a barbell. Astronomers describe it as "an honest-to-God mystery."

Retrospective: Omaha Beach, June 1944

This section recounts an incident involving gunner Edward Breckel of the U.S.S. George E. Badger. While anchored off Omaha Beach, Breckel observed a dark, elliptical object resembling a sausage, moving slowly and silently about 15 feet above the water. The object had no protruding parts and moved too fast for a blimp.

UAPA Founding Member Dies

Elmer Schutt, a founding member of the UAPA since 1966, passed away at age 79. Schutt was a retired research engineer known for his technical UFO articles and lectures. He was an early supporter of the National UFO Conference and held leadership positions in the Cleveland Ufology Project and UAPA's Cleveland chapter.

Around and About the Saucer World

By Rick R. Hilberg:

• Close Encounter in Massachusetts: William Wrinn of the Marblehead Reporter documented an incident on January 21st involving the Altshuler and Salisbury families. While picking up pizza, they observed two bright, steady lights hovering above trees. Flynn Salisbury described the object as having the shape of a large wing with four or five bright, round lights. The object moved towards them when David Altshuler flashed his headlights. It then moved towards Salem Harbor and the New England Power plant. Mark Zimmerman also reported seeing the craft hovering over Salem Harbor. The FAA reported no unusual radar activity, and local police received only the Salisbury call.

• Radar/Visual Sightings in Michigan: David Hacker of the Detroit Free Press reports on sightings in Holland, Michigan, on March 8th. The Graves family observed six red and white lights rotating in a circle. Police officer Jeff Velthouse also saw the lights. Simultaneously, a meteorologist at the Muskegon County Airport detected unexplained echoes on radar, described as "erratic" and drifting south-southwest. These echoes were later detected at 10,000-25,000 feet and disappeared after about 20 minutes. The meteorologist, Leo Grenier, had never encountered such a phenomenon in 37 years. Lt. Col. Charles Gilbert stated no military aircraft were in the area.

• Mystery Lights Sighted in Wyoming: Reports from the Buffalo Bulletin describe unusual lights seen over Johnson County on March 2nd and March 7th. Witnesses reported a "roaring" noise, and some saw lights hanging over mountains. Sherri Gould noted similar sightings reported in Belgium.

Weirdology

By Rick R. Hilberg:

• Weird Creature Sighted in Washington State: This section details a case similar to the "Mothman" sightings. Brian Canfield, 18, reported his truck stopping abruptly near Mount Rainier. He observed a nine-foot-tall creature with blue-tinted fur, yellow eyes, and large wings. The creature, which Canfield nicknamed "Batsquatch," landed briefly before flying off. Canfield expressed that the experience was "definitely weird" and "boggles my mind."

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The magazine consistently focuses on UFO sightings, alien encounters, and unexplained phenomena, presenting detailed accounts and witness testimonies. The editorial stance appears to be one of open inquiry into these subjects, with a focus on factual reporting and scientific investigation, as evidenced by the inclusion of meteorological data and expert opinions. The publication also seems to value historical cases and the personal impact of these experiences on individuals, as seen in the Travis Walton and Elmer Schutt sections.