Flying Saucers International - No 24

Magazine Overview

This issue of FLYING SAUCERS INTERNATIONAL, the Official Journal of the Amalgamated Flying Saucer Clubs of America, Inc., is identified as Issue No. 24 and dated July, 1966. It is a special convention issue, focusing on the AFSCA Third National Flying Saucer Convention held in Reno, Nevada, from July 8-10, 1966. The cover features a prominent photograph of a disc-shaped UFO against a sky background, with the magazine's title and convention details.

Message from Korendor

The issue opens with a significant message from Master Kalen-Li Retan, identified as being from the planet Korendor, approximately 400 light years away. This message was transmitted via short-wave radio to Bob Renaud, an electronic-technician previously featured in the magazine. Retan expresses dismay at the state of Earth, particularly the conflict in Vietnam, which he describes as a full-scale war between the United States, the Soviet Union, and Communist China. He asserts that patriotism and love of God are twisted into dangerous channels by influential people, and that the US government is a "military puppet" controlled by the "Military-Industrial complex." He argues that the economy is so reliant on war that peace would lead to a massive depression, and that "WAR IS PROFITABLE." Retan claims that the true power lies in the Pentagon and defense industries, not in the White House or Congress, and that the government and advertisers control the news media.

Retan also touches upon the nature of his people, stating they are humanoid, average three to four feet in height in their natural form, and can increase their height through a technical process. He discusses their language, Korendian, and its relation to Galingua and Solex Mal, noting similarities with ancient Latin and modern English. He urges Earthlings to open their minds and hearts, to avoid bigotry and senseless fighting, and to embrace a world of harmony, justice, and abundance, warning that otherwise, mankind faces destruction.

AFSCA Third National Flying Saucer Convention

The bulk of the magazine is dedicated to the convention program, detailing speakers, topics, and schedules for Friday, July 8th, Saturday, July 9th, and Sunday, July 10th, 1966, held at the Centennial Coliseum in Reno, Nevada. The convention featured numerous speakers, including:

• Dr. Frank E. Stranges: Delivered the invocation and a keynote address, and spoke on "A Space Beings Visit to the Pentagon" and "The Hollow Earth Mystery."
• Gabriel Green: Spoke on "Something Big Is Happening" and "Abundant New World: The Promise for Tomorrow."
• Wayne S. Aho: Spoke on "Secrecy Must Go---People Must Know!" and "Flying Saucers and the Latter Days."
• Orfeo Angelucci: Presented "Concret Evidence" and spoke on "Secret of the Saucers."
• Chief Standing Horse: Spoke on "My 4 Day Trip to Mars, Venus, Clarion, & Orion" and "Christmas 1962 on Jupiter."
• Mollie Thompson: Provided "Space Age Songs" throughout the convention.
• Hope Troxell: Spoke on "Evolved Man of the Stars" and "Temples of the High Places."
• Michael Barton: Spoke on "UFO's and World Prophesy."
• Howard Menger: Spoke on "Journey to the Moon."
• Wesley Bateman: Spoke on "Flying Saucer Propulsion" and "The Frequency Barrier."
• Marianne Francis: Spoke on "Starcraft Contact" and "Messages From Our Space Brothers."
• Dr. Daniel W. Fry: Spoke on "The Curve of Development" and "The White Sands Incident."
• Carl Anderson: Spoke on "I Was Teleported Into A Flying Saucer" and "Kumar, Wonder Man From Mars."
• Calvin Girvin: Spoke on "I Was an Agent for the Extraterrestrials" and "Moon Mysteries Revealed."
• George Van Tassel: Spoke on "Flying Saucer Landing at Edwards Air Force Base."
• Mel Noel: Spoke on "Investigating Flying Saucers Inside the U.S. Air Force" and "I Photographed Flying Saucers as an Air Force Fighter Pilot."
• Laura Mundo: Spoke on "A Saucer Researchers Responsibility to Humanity."
• Dan Fry: Presented "Saucer Movies."

The convention also included "Space Tapes" sessions, question periods, exhibits, books, and literature sales. A "Flying Saucer Council Meeting" for AFSCA Unit Directors was also scheduled.

New Saucer Photos and Reports

The issue features "NEW SAUCER PHOTOS" taken by Dr. Daniel W. Fry, President of Understanding, Inc. These photos, enlarged from 16mm color movie film, show various disc-shaped craft. The article notes that the same type of craft was photographed near Merlin, Oregon, and near Joshua Tree, California. The spots on the photos are attributed to enlargement artifacts.

Several news clippings are included, detailing UFO sightings and related events:

• Oakland Tribune (March 25, 1966): Reports on "40 See 'Flying Saucer'" and "Ask Probe of Flying Saucers," mentioning a sighting over the San Francisco Bay Area and the involvement of the Air Force.
• The Philadelphia Inquirer (April 15, 1966): Features "UFO Plays Tag With Inquiries in 85-Mile Chase," detailing an incident involving an unidentified object chased by the Philadelphia Police.
• The Boston Herald (September 17, 1965): Reports on "2 SOUTH AFRICAN POLICEMEN REPORT SIGHTING OF 'SAUCER'," describing a flaming, copper-colored object near Pretoria.
• The Herald-News (January 15, 1966): Discusses "'Saucer' Is Forgotten" and "It'll Be Long Before 'Saucer' Is Forgotten," detailing sightings in North Jersey, including a bright white disk over the Wanaque Reservoir.
• Paterson News (January 15, 1966): Reports on "Police Kept Busy" and "Spotters Jam Up-County Roads for UFO Glimpse" in Ringwood, concerning UFO sightings.
• Daily Sketch (May 17, 1966): Features "PC REPORTS 'I SAW 6 FLYING SAUCERS,'" by Police Constable Donald Cameron.
• MINNEAPOLIS TRIBUNE (February 6, 1966): Reports on "World Flying Saucer Believers Convene" in Los Angeles, discussing the growing interest in UFOs and extraterrestrial contact.
• Oakland Tribune (March 22, 1966): Features "Eerie 1896 Sighting" and "87 COEDS Observe 'Object'."
• Oakland Tribune (May 20, 1966): Reports "More Than 5 Million People Saw Flying Saucers."

Other Content

• "The Cockeyed Ballad": A poem reflecting on the state of the world, power politics, and the possibility of extraterrestrial visitors.
• "Space-Talk": A section featuring lyrics to a song by Mollie Thompson, discussing the idea that humanity is not alone in the universe and the advanced nature of other civilizations.
• AFSCA Headquarters Information: Contact details and subscription information for Flying Saucers International and AFSCA are provided.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue revolve around the existence and influence of extraterrestrial intelligence, the perceived secrecy and control exerted by the Military-Industrial complex, and the growing public fascination with UFOs. The editorial stance, as conveyed through the message from Kalen-Li Retan and the content of the convention, is one of advocating for a shift away from war and towards a more enlightened, cooperative, and technologically advanced future, possibly guided by extraterrestrial wisdom. There is a strong critique of governmental and military establishments, and an emphasis on the need for individuals to question authority and seek truth independently. The magazine positions itself as a platform for disseminating information and fostering a community of believers in the flying saucer phenomenon.

This issue of The Wall Street Journal, dated Monday, December 13, 1965, features a prominent cover story titled "New 'Fireball' Raises An Old Question: Do Flying Saucers Exist?" The article, written by Elliot Carlson, explores the resurgence of unidentified flying object (UFO) sightings in 1965, which had surpassed previous years since 1957. The issue also includes reports from various international publications, detailing specific UFO sightings and related events.

Cover Story: 'Fireball' and the Question of Existence

The lead article by Elliot Carlson addresses the increased number of UFO reports in 1965, noting that the Air Force's "Project Blue Book" had received more reports than in any year since 1957. The piece highlights a recent "orange fireball" sighting in the northern tier of states and Canada, which residents and pilots described as a flying saucer. Despite search efforts, the object remained unfound, a common characteristic of UFOs. The article presents a spectrum of theories, from meteors and satellite parts to hoaxes and extraterrestrial visitors. It quotes Gabriel Green, head of the Amalgamated Flying Saucer Clubs of America, Inc., who believes "space people" provide information to "contactees." Conversely, the National Investigations Committee on Aerial Phenomena (NICAP) rejects theories of benevolent beings from space, advocating for UFOs as real physical objects controlled by living beings, while also acknowledging the presence of "egomaniacs" claiming expertise.

Scientific and Official Perspectives

Several experts weigh in on the phenomenon. I. M. Levitt, director of Fels Planetarium, suggests the Air Force should acknowledge unknown natural phenomena, while Robert Risser, director of the Oklahoma Science and Art Foundation planetarium, criticizes the Air Force's explanations, citing errors in attributing sightings to visible constellations. J. Allen Hyntek of Northwestern University emphasizes the need for more thorough study, noting that "pressures to conformity" and "fear of ridicule" have hindered academic research, according to Robert Hall, a sociology professor at the University of Illinois. Frank B. Salisbury, a professor of plant physiology at Colorado State University, tentatively considers UFOs as potential spaceships from Mars. The article also notes that over 100 pilots have reported sightings since 1947, though some airlines report no recent pilot sightings.

Donald H. Menzel, director of the Harvard Observatory, dismisses UFOs as "imagination outside the realm of science," attributing them to "hundreds" of simple explanations like ice crystals, bright stars, or searchlights. He points out that out of 9,786 UFO reports made to the Air Force since 1947, 673 remain classified as "unidentified" because their data cannot be correlated with known phenomena.

Charles A. Maney, professor emeritus of physics and mathematics at Defiance College, asserts that these objects are "unquestionably from outer space," citing their interference with electrical circuits as evidence of propulsion associated with magnetic fields.

International UFO Reports

The issue includes several international reports on UFO sightings:

• London, Ontario Free Press (March 26, 1966): Approximately 100 people watched a "disc-like object" hover for over two hours east of Kettle Point. Witnesses described flashing red, blue, green, and white lights. The object slowly rose and disappeared due to cloud cover. Lawrence Bressette, who operated a store on the Kettle Point Indian Reserve, dismissed the swamp gas explanation, stating this was unlike any swamp gas lights he had seen before.
• Hong Kong China Mail (February 3, 1966): Reports from North Queensland, Australia, detail three separate flying saucer sightings. One involved a "blue-grey saucer-shaped craft" rising vertically and traveling at high speed. Investigations found a nest of flattened reeds, approximately 30 feet in diameter. The Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) was reportedly taking these reports seriously.
• Los Angeles Herald-Examiner (February 7, 1966): Colman Vonkeviczky, an employee at the U.N. Office of Public Information, proposed to Secretary-General U Thant that the United Nations establish a network to observe flying saucers, believing that extraterrestrial beings were sending them for test flights.
• Los Angeles Herald-Examiner (April 21, 1966): A "strange object" was observed over Mount Wilson early in the morning. Witnesses described it as a "puff," a "greenish ball," or a "flat oval green object with a long tail and a light at the end." Similar fireballs were sighted from Sacramento and Vandenberg Air Force Base. An observer at Mather Air Force Base theorized it might be gas residue from Nevada missile firings. The Air Force's "Project Blue Book" office was investigating.

Flying Saucer News in Brief

This section provides updates on various UFO-related activities and news:

• Conventions: Upcoming conventions are listed, including the AFSCA's 3rd National Convention in Reno, Nevada (July 8-10, 1966), Wayne Aho's Northwest's 5th Annual Interplanetary Age Convention (July 15-17), and Dr. Neva Dell Hunter's 12th Annual Quimby Conference (August 6-14).
• New Books: A list of available books from AFSCA is provided, covering topics like "Cosmic Viewpoint," "Other Tongues, Other Flesh," and "The Hollow Earth."
• Past Activities: Mentions of past events, such as Dr. Frank E. Stranges' UFO convention in Los Angeles and Dr. Daniel W. Fry's "Man in Space Symposium."
• Magazine Changes: The magazine formerly known as "UFO International" has been renamed "Flying Saucers International," reflecting a belief that flying saucers are no longer unidentified objects but are of extraterrestrial origin.
• Obituaries: The section notes the passing of Dr. Raymond Bernard, founder of the Biosophical Society, and Della Larson, a key figure in organizing Flying Saucer meetings in the San Francisco Bay Area.
• Personalities: Maria Elliott, a "contactee" and psychic, has her own radio program. Dr. George King, founder of the Aetherius Society, opened new headquarters. Max Miller, former publisher of "Saucers" magazine, is now editor-publisher of "Real" magazine, which features UFO content. Wilbur Miller, an early researcher, has also passed away. Hope Troxell reported partial blackouts during a "Space Brothers" telepathic session. Hal Wilcox appeared on the Joe Pyne TV Show, passing a lie-detector test and discussing a saucer ride.
• Organizations: M. I. N. D. (Mental Investigations of New Dimensions) is a newly formed organization. AFSCA has also formed new units in Everett, Washington, and Lincoln Park, Michigan.
• Public Outreach: AFSCA had a booth at the Hollywood Palladium's Teen-Age Fair, distributing information and photos, and also participated in the National Aviation and Aerospace Exhibition.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue revolve around the persistent mystery of UFOs, the dichotomy between scientific skepticism and witness belief, and the growing community of individuals and organizations dedicated to the study of flying saucers and potential extraterrestrial contact. The editorial stance, particularly from AFSCA and associated publications, leans towards the belief in extraterrestrial origins of UFOs and actively promotes conventions, books, and discussions related to the subject. There is a clear effort to legitimize the study of flying saucers as a serious issue with implications for humanity's welfare and survival.