Seventeen-year-old Macon native Ron Holmes received the displeasing news upon high school graduation in June of 1963 — his appointment to the Air Force Academy had been denied because of a new prerequisite that required uncorrected 20/20 vision. Dispirited but undefeated, Ron’s parents agreed to sign the papers so he could enlist into the U.S. Air Force. “My intention was an Air Force career,” he stated.