School Story:
We arrived in France in Oct '52 and left in '56 when I graduated. In a sense my first 14 years were spent as a civilian in Oklahoma and the 4 years of high school as an Army Brat in France. What a contrast. I was amazed at the differences between civilians and brats. I was fascinated. The brats had savoir faire, They were bright, imaginative, and good. They easily adapted to the customs of other cultures and we were able to live in the advantage of being an American plus the advantage of being in France. Paris attracted some very exceptional teachers (Coste, Harvey, Brewer). High school was a high point and college disappointing. I was so thankful for the experience. I didnt know it then, but my faith was being formed in the music we learned in choir: God so Loved the World, Wayfaring Stranger, Beautiful Savior, Battle Hymn. I loved the choir trips to Germany, the senior clas trip to London, and the basketball and football trips. My Graduating class was about 40, but I really got to know so many more since every year there was a new crop of kids, with many lovely girls.
I went to the reunion not expecting much - since there was only one other from my class to be there. I was looking forward to being with my brother Jon and that was indeed a great blessing. But I was surprised. I found a comradie beyond class that I didn't expect. We are all brats who went to a most remarkable school. We had a common experience. My wife and I had attended her 50th last fall in Enid OK where she knew and had grown up with everyone there. I knew very few at my reunion, and yet we all who had no roots had a common root. It was nice. I was glad I went.