July 7, 2000:
I never knew about the reunion--or any other reunions, for that
matter. I have been back to Bradenton many times over the years--my mother still lives there (she is 85).
I still have my copy of the 1959 'Cane Echo. You and I were in the
PanAm Club together, I believe. I don't think that I have ever run into
a classmate in the 40 years that we have been out of school--in Bradenton. I did run into Dennis Sauve in (of all places) the
Philippines in 1965. I was stationed there in the Air Force at Clark,
and he was selling new cars to GI's. And I did see a few classmates at the University of Florida during the 2 1/2 years that I was there.
But that's about it.
I was a Thai language translator in the Air Force; finished college
at Angelo State University in San Angelo, Texas, after separating from
the AF, came to Washington, D.C. to get my M.A. in Government at the American University (class of '70); then I taught Government and
Economics at Wakefield High School in Arlington, Virginia for 28 years
before retiring in July of '97. I now do 50 days a year as a consultant
at the same high school, and continue my music (a life-long avocation).
I am the accordionist/bayanist (Russian chromatic accordion) in the Washington Balalaika Society Orchestra. We are a Russian/Ukrainian folk
orchestra based here in Northern Virginia. Check out our Website: www.balalaika.org, and you will see an older version of the kid from
high school. I met my wife at the University of Florida in 1961 and we
were married in '63. We have a daughter 29, son 27, grandson 9, and granddaughter 3. Life is good.