Activities Reunions The 35th Reunion

2005—It’s Been 35 Years?

Well, that’s something. 35 years. In the summer of 1970, I was “free,” looking forward to entering the Henry Grady School of Journalism at the University of Georgia in the fall. 35 years later, I’m a tech writer working as an independent contractor and living in Richmond, Virginia.

57th Fighter Group Restaurant

Even though I lived a few hundred miles to the north (NORTH?) of Most Of The Group, I was able to contribute to the committee’s work via phone by putting together the first Web site for the class. I had participate in the 20-year and 30-year reunions, and I really appreciate the effort our felow classmates put into each of those endeavors.

So, once again I was the guest of Rob and Becky Fricton at their home in what is now not-very-rural Alpharetta. (Remember when GA Route 400 was practically untraveled all the way to Dahlonega? That’s gone with the wind…damn Yankee transplants.) From there, I drove down to Clairmont Road and the restaurant by DeKalb-Peachtree Airport.

Here’s a bit of history and a Blast From The Past: DeKalb-Peachtree Airport was, up until the late 1950s, the Atlanta Naval Air Station. How do I know? My Dad was a Chief Petty Officer in the Naval Reserves; his unit drilled at NAS Atlanta. Until, that is, a new NAS Atlanta was built across from what was then Dobbins Air Force Base by Marietta. My fathers’s Reserve unit was transferred to the then-brand-new US Naval & Marine Corps Reserve Training Center on 5th Street on the campus of Georgia Tech.

Anyway, I went inside and helped set up the registration area and looked about. I heard a Scotch calling me, and I was certain I’d find it somewhere in there. (I did.)

The buffet dinner was superb, the dancing was great (if you dance…), & the music was fine. But, the best part of the evening was meeting those I used to know on a daily basis. No, we had not kept in touch, even those few who were the closest of friends back in 1970. I particularly missed Derek Joiner, who died shortly after our 20-year reunion. When we met then, we discovered that we had both been in the Navy at the same time and had both served in submarines, too! True, he had been in nuclear power as an Electronic Technician and I was a spook, serving in the Naval Security Group Command. Still, bubbleheads are bubbleheads, and earning your Dolphins is more than a kind of bonding ritual.

Don’t get me wrong: it was great to meet all those who attended. It was a truly splendid evening and I’m grateful for having the opportunity to be there. And, yes, I am looking forward to our 40-year reunion.

I just don’t want to age any more than I have. (ouch!)

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