About 120 or so of us had an enjoyable weekend together. On Friday night, between 75-80
classmates attended a meet and greet where we enjoyed good food, good music and good fellowship. Though we had plenty of games
available, corn hole was the popular game of the night. We enjoyed each other on Friday night until around midnight.
On Saturday evening, the
first hour was spent reconnecting with those we may not have seen on Friday night. We gathered around 7 to take the class
pictures before starting dinner. After a few welcoming remarks by me, Doug Jolley shared a few words of encouragement
to the class before blessing the food.
After dinner, we took a few moments to honor those 45 brethren who have gone on to prepare
for our final reunion. A presentation was shown followed by a moment of silence before Andre (AC) Powell offered a few words
of prayer. Michael L. Ross closed out the memorial portion of the evening with a heart felt song "I Never Would
Have Made It".
Dianne took us back to 1977 for a moment and reminded us what life was like 40 years
ago: the # 1 radio hit, the price of gas, president at the time, etc. Both Dianne and Coleen helped recognize our military,
class mates with the most grand kids and great grandk ids, first time attendees, and those who have attended every reunion.
Pictures of 1st time attendees and those who have attended all reunions are coming soon.
We brought back a class favorite from 10 years
ago, "Falcon Jeopardy". Yvonne McClaine and her team narrowly edge out Doug Jolley and his team and were names the
'Least Forgetful' until our next reunion.
Coleen Crespo, Debbie (Kapp) Gordon and Libby (Mason) Ramsey rounded out the evening with the school song before
turning the evening over to our DJ and Class of 76 alumni DJ Tommy King. Tommy did an awesome job and kept us entertained
until 1am.
The class pictures are posted. Boris informed me that he has a flash
drive of over 700 pictures. He will provide that to me this weekend. Unfortunately I can't post all 700, but will
start working on posting a few this weekend.
I would like to thank many
of you for your generous donations over the last few weeks. Your donations allowed us to purchase additional food for Friday
night, covered the registration fee of several classmates who did not have the funds to pay the registration fee. There
is small surplus of funds after all expenses were paid. The surplus will be used to keep the website afloat for the
next 5 years. Remaining funds after website expenses and future contributions will go toward reducing the cost of the 45th
Year reunion. Edgar Milligan suggested each classmate contribute $20 toward making the 45th a no or low cost event. I suggested
each classmate contribute $25 a year for each of the next 5 years ($125) and that would ensure a no/or low cost 45 Year reunion.
Use the "Donate " button at the bottom of 71stclassof 77.com website to make a donation.
Thanks
again for all your support and look for more pictures in the coming days.
Below is a link to
the memorial presentation honoring the 45 brethren who have soared!!
