This month, August 2019, I celebrated a ritual that has become very common with Boomers. As a member of the Arlington High School Class of 1969, I attended my 50th high school graduation reunion. I might have called this the survival reunion because about as many members of that classic class have crossed the bridge as there are those still inhabiting this mortal coil. The first half of this year has been particularly brutal as seven of our class, including five who had announced their intentions to attend our event, got the call to home before the reunion was held. In one particular tragic event, one particular Golden Knight who had retired to Florida was walking his dog in January and got tangled in the leash. He tripped and fell which caused massive head trauma. He died the next day. In yet another situation, a very popular member of the class who had become the spokesman of us all, passed due to complications of heart failure. That was a real gut punch because Rob was not someone you associated with ill health. He was vibrant, gregarious, and always energetic. But the show must go on.
The reunion committee, led By Terri Butcher Kennedy did a simply brilliant job of putting together an exciting and unforgettable weekend which included a n informal reception at the Mucky Duck on Friday evening. There was a tour of Arlington High itself on Saturday afternoon and of course the main event at a Southside banquet facility on Saturday evening. The committee deserves a special and sincere thank you.
The Boss who is a member of the Tech Class of 1967, had her reunion in 2017 and it was a very special and memorable occasion. She was on the planning committee and knows all that is involved in producing such an event. I wanted her to have as much fun at my reunion as I had at hers.
We had several of our teachers attend the reunion, which was a shock they were able to come. One in particular was my biology teacher David Blase whose life was the inspiration for the main character in the movie “Breaking Away” — the IU student and Little 500 Champion. It was filmed in Bloomington and he had a small part in it. The movie is celebrating it’s 40th Anniversary. Mr. Blase still looks great – bicycling keeps you young.
The reunion was a marvelous time for us all. I got to see and reconnect with folks I hadn’t seen in 50 years and catch up with some Facebook pals. We have some grads who achieved some degree of notoriety, but most like me enjoyed happy, productive lives filled with blessings and joy. Four hours went by very quickly and there were folks that I didn’t get to connect with but it was an evening that I will never forget. Now I am ready for our 55 reunion in 2024.
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