NON-SCHEDULED NEWSLETTER

Magazine Overview

Title: NON-SCHEDULED NEWSLETTER
Issue: #26
Date: January 25th, 1966
Publisher: SAUCER NEWS

This newsletter issue focuses on Howard Menger, a prominent saucer contactee and author of "From Outer Space to You." It details a significant shift in his public statements regarding his past claims of extraterrestrial contact.

Howard Menger's Revised Stance

The article begins by noting that Howard Menger, since writing his 1959 book, has changed his views considerably. This shift was first publicly evident on Long John Nebel's television show, where Menger expressed uncertainty about his own contacts. In a recent open letter to Colonel Jordan, City Clerk of Sebastian, Florida, Menger explicitly states that his book should henceforth be labeled "fact/fiction" rather than be accepted as factual.

The 'Highbridge Incident' and Government Experiment

Long-time readers of SAUCER NEWS are reminded of Dr. Leon Davidson's theory that UFOs might be a hoax perpetrated by the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA). Menger's current statements appear to align with this idea. He reveals that his book was based on an actual experience he stumbled upon in a field behind his property in Highbridge, N.J. He sent photographs to the Pentagon, after which he was contacted and asked to cooperate in an experiment. This experiment involved projecting an expanded futuristic view of "things to come," with the government's help and information. Menger suggests this was a way to ensure his silence and cooperation by bringing him "on the team."

He explains that the "Highbridge Incident" was used as a gauge to indicate people's reaction to alien contact. He likens this to conditioning astronauts for alien worlds. Menger hypothesizes that superimposing a hypothetical condition, such as a spacecraft landing and aliens disembarking with messages of goodwill, delivered through a local "contactee," would provide an index of human reaction. He agreed to cooperate in this experiment.

When the press picked up the story of flying saucers over Highbridge, the event became a sensation. However, the resulting publicity negatively impacted Menger's privacy. He states that this was part of the plan, as he had to meet and talk to people. Initially shy, he gained confidence with the material and suggestions provided to him, enabling him to carry on.

Withdrawal and New Book

After the "Highbridge Incident" was publicized and the experiment concluded, Menger completely withdrew from all activities in saucer research. He refused to give lectures, show movies, or speak about the subject, stating he had "completed my mission" and "wanted peace."

However, in a recent letter to Gray Barker, Menger indicates he is working on another book that will "drop a few 'bombs.'" He asserts that this new book will contain documented evidence and that he might face threats or bribery from people in high places but is determined to proceed, driven by his convictions. He believes that he, Jim Moseley, and Leon Davidson suspect a hidden government story, which he confirms is true.

Menger provides an excerpt from his forthcoming book, titled "What Happened at Highbridge." This excerpt claims that a specialized element of Government intelligence, operating from a secure room in the Pentagon, has spent years compiling documented, indisputable facts on the known existence of extraterrestrial beings visiting Earth. These beings are not currently considered hostile and are described as far exceeding Earth-born people in scientific, spiritual, and social development.

Menger expresses his readiness to travel to New York to publicize both his new book and his old book, provided the latter is clearly understood as "fact/fiction."

Editorial Stance

The editors of SAUCER NEWS acknowledge that it takes courage for a contactee to change their story. While they generally disbelieve saucer contact stories, they find Menger to be apparently sincere and eagerly await further developments in this case.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

This issue of SAUCER NEWS explores the evolving narrative of a prominent UFO contactee, Howard Menger. It highlights themes of government involvement in UFO phenomena, the potential for hoaxes or experiments related to contactee claims, and the tension between personal experience and public perception. The editorial stance, while skeptical of contactee stories in general, shows a degree of respect for Menger's apparent sincerity in revising his public narrative and for his willingness to pursue further revelations about government knowledge of extraterrestrial activity.