A Journey From 726 Walnut Street

About the Book

I began this book not as a planned publication but as an in-depth chronicle of my recollections. It is a very raw and largely unedited and every word I personally wrote. Most of my life's experiences contained in the book cover the years from 1942 to 2001. I did not write it for profit or any notion of self-aggrandizement, but something to pass on to my propensity. In fact, my preference is that sales remain low. It does contain several items of historical note probably not covered in other publications. My reasoning was to convert a very lengthy memo into published form because of a similar effort by my Great Grandfather Marshall George Newman (Son of an Indian Chief) that failed. He composed a very lengthy document about his experiences from 1840s forward. That document passed through many hands and eventually disappeared. I did not want to repeat his experience so I elected to complete it in a book that would probably last for many years. Are there inaccuracies in this book, probably, but very few as I made every effort to be honest, direct, and straightforward in all aspects in developing the final product. Perhaps the biggest issue many would have is how honest I related both the good and bad of my life without the obfuscation we see, read, and hear in everyday life. I know of no other path to take than to be honest and not join in the trampling of the word integrity.

About the Author

Colonel Ramon Noches is a retired career Air Force Information Management and Administrative officer. He is the son of a Tuskegee Airman. Colonel Noches was born in Lawrence, Kansas and raised during his early years on a small farm located on Walnut Street in North Lawrence. In his varied Air Force career Colonel Noches managed many programs that had direct impacts at the, local, regional and national levels. For three years, he managed training programs for all future Air Force executive support personnel. As Chief of Plans and Programs, Headquarters United States Air Force, Directorate of Information Management and Administration, Colonel Noches spearheaded funding and planning many important programs that have had a direct impact on today’s Air Force. During his career, he had to overcome many special challenges that faced minorities in the military. He also directly contributed to initiatives that later had a positive impact on race relations at all levels of the Air Force. Colonel Noches is a graduate of Washburn University of Topeka, earned his Master of Science Degree in Business Management at the University of Arkansas. He completed his military training as a Graduate of Air Command and Staff College; Air War College; National Defense University; and the Air Force Academic Instructor School. Colonel Noches is married to the Former Nancy Todd; they have two daughters and three grandchildren.