Print
E-mail
Comment
Rate
Midland classes of 1964 have White House reunion
 |
by Ruth Campbell
Midland Reporter-Telegram
-Laura Bush hosts more than 500 local high school graduates.
By Ruth Campbell
Staff Writer
More than 500 Midlanders had their 43rd high school reunion this weekend, but it wasn't any ordinary occasion. The group of 1964 Midland, Lee and Carver graduates was feted by first lady -- and fellow classmate -- Laura Bush at the White House.
The Washington gathering was pledged after the classes' 33 1/3 reunion at the governor's mansion when George W. Bush was in Austin.
"It was the trip of a lifetime," said William Merritt, one of three Carver grads. "One of the guys said he wouldn't have missed it if he had to crawl to Washington. When it was all over, that's probably how I feel about it."
Merritt bought his wife, Betty, a Carver graduate from a different class, with him. Still floating from the experience on Monday, he said he had been getting phone calls all morning about the reunion.
"That was probably one of the high points of my life besides my kids being born," he said. "That's a place you hear about that you don't go to. You hear about it and you see it on TV, then you find yourself in this place."
Friday evening, the group watched President Bush arrive aboard Marine One on the south lawn of the White House. Against a background of a large banner on the south portico, the classes lined the stairway, south lawn and Truman balcony, organizer Jan O'Neill said.
A junior high classmate of Laura Bush, O'Neill and her husband, Joe, first introduced the future president and first lady.
Merritt said each attendee was thanked for coming. The Bushes stood in a receiving line three hours to shake hands and take photos with all attendees. They also opened the White House's second floor to their fellow West Texans. Guards let Midlanders know what areas were off limits.
A dance featuring the band Jellyroll, playing music from the mid-60s, was held Saturday night along with drinks and mini hamburgers, pizza and chicken fried steaks. Military aides and Laura Bush danced with the classmates.
"George and Laura were absolutely fabulous. They were the most gracious hosts you could ever ask for," said Cindy Klatt, who attended with her husband, Eddie. Both are Midland High graduates.
The O'Neills see the Bushes once every three months. Still it was amazing to be at the White House.
"This was just such a special thing first lady and president did for us. It was just incredible to have all our friends from high school. A lot of us had been through grammar school and junior high together. The class just happened to be very close," O'Neill said. "It was fun to be sharing it with everyone we grew up with."
Those attending included three Carver graduates, 112 from Lee High School -- from which Laura Bush graduated -- and 160 from Midland High. The remainder were spouses or guests. Klatt said each grad was allowed to bring one guest -- most of the time that was a spouse, but in some cases it was a son, daughter, brother or sister.
One former Japanese exchange student attended, along with classmates now living in Australia, England and Istanbul.
"We have a real close-knit class. ... It was just a warm, wonderful feeling," Klatt said. "It was an absolutely surreal experience. You looked around and tears were rolling down many of our faces because you realize you're with friends, but they happen to be the president and first lady."
Several people who had never attended a class of 1964 reunion before attended.
"The camaraderie, the emotion was just wonderful. I saw people I hadn't seen since high school. It was just great. I can't say enough about the president and first lady and how gracious they were to allow us to do this," Eddie Klatt said.
It's going to be difficult to top this reunion, but O'Neill said it doesn't mean they'll quit having the events. "It was the ultimate in reunions," she said.
Ruth Campbell can be reached at ruth@mrt.com.
By Ruth Campbell
Staff Writer
More than 500 Midlanders had their 43rd high school reunion this weekend, but it wasn't any ordinary occasion. The group of 1964 Midland, Lee and Carver graduates was feted by first lady -- and fellow classmate -- Laura Bush at the White House.
The Washington gathering was pledged after the classes' 33 1/3 reunion at the governor's mansion when George W. Bush was in Austin.
"It was the trip of a lifetime," said William Merritt, one of three Carver grads. "One of the guys said he wouldn't have missed it if he had to crawl to Washington. When it was all over, that's probably how I feel about it."
Merritt bought his wife, Betty, a Carver graduate from a different class, with him. Still floating from the experience on Monday, he said he had been getting phone calls all morning about the reunion.
"That was probably one of the high points of my life besides my kids being born," he said. "That's a place you hear about that you don't go to. You hear about it and you see it on TV, then you find yourself in this place."
Friday evening, the group watched President Bush arrive aboard Marine One on the south lawn of the White House. Against a background of a large banner on the south portico, the classes lined the stairway, south lawn and Truman balcony, organizer Jan O'Neill said.
A junior high classmate of Laura Bush, O'Neill and her husband, Joe, first introduced the future president and first lady.
Merritt said each attendee was thanked for coming. The Bushes stood in a receiving line three hours to shake hands and take photos with all attendees. They also opened the White House's second floor to their fellow West Texans. Guards let Midlanders know what areas were off limits.
A dance featuring the band Jellyroll, playing music from the mid-60s, was held Saturday night along with drinks and mini hamburgers, pizza and chicken fried steaks. Military aides and Laura Bush danced with the classmates.
"George and Laura were absolutely fabulous. They were the most gracious hosts you could ever ask for," said Cindy Klatt, who attended with her husband, Eddie. Both are Midland High graduates.
The O'Neills see the Bushes once every three months. Still it was amazing to be at the White House.
"This was just such a special thing first lady and president did for us. It was just incredible to have all our friends from high school. A lot of us had been through grammar school and junior high together. The class just happened to be very close," O'Neill said. "It was fun to be sharing it with everyone we grew up with."
Those attending included three Carver graduates, 112 from Lee High School -- from which Laura Bush graduated -- and 160 from Midland High. The remainder were spouses or guests. Klatt said each grad was allowed to bring one guest -- most of the time that was a spouse, but in some cases it was a son, daughter, brother or sister.
One former Japanese exchange student attended, along with classmates now living in Australia, England and Istanbul.
"We have a real close-knit class. ... It was just a warm, wonderful feeling," Klatt said. "It was an absolutely surreal experience. You looked around and tears were rolling down many of our faces because you realize you're with friends, but they happen to be the president and first lady."
Several people who had never attended a class of 1964 reunion before attended.
"The camaraderie, the emotion was just wonderful. I saw people I hadn't seen since high school. It was just great. I can't say enough about the president and first lady and how gracious they were to allow us to do this," Eddie Klatt said.
It's going to be difficult to top this reunion, but O'Neill said it doesn't mean they'll quit having the events. "It was the ultimate in reunions," she said.
Ruth Campbell can be reached at ruth@mrt.com.
 |
||
| Xeriscaping cuts water bill, maintenance time, Sibley Nature Center director says |
Article Rating
Reader Comments
The following are comments from the readers. In no way do they represent the view of mywesttexas.com.
midlander also wrote on Apr 2, 2008 9:01 AM:
" How wonderful! This is a testiment to just what good folks the Bush are. When it all comes down to it, West Texas is full of wonderful people, no matter where they get transplanted to. "
Submit a Comment
We encourage your feedback and dialog, however we reserve the right to delete any post we see that may be considered slanderous, excessive and/or foul language, or any post that we may deem inappropriate.
You must register with a valid email to post comments. Only your Member ID will be posted with the comments.
Registered users sign in here: |
Become a Registered User |
News
Sports
Business
Entertain
Life
Midlander wrote on Apr 2, 2008 7:29 AM: