Photo of Colonel Reb beside image on book. Is This The Politically Correct Answer? by Tommy Towery Class of '64 I had this week's issue of Lee's Traveller ready for press but had to "stop the presses" because of an item that came to me on Saturday morning. During my daily e-Bay search I was drawn to an auction that features a 1995 Lee High School Silver Sabre. At first I was excited that Lee still called their yearbook the Silver Sabre. The excitement quickly changed to a feeling somewhere between a mild puzzlement and a loss of reality brought on by a doubt as to whether or not today's Lee students or faculty have a clue as to any understanding of American history at all. Yes, this time I am venting! Call this an editorial. We read above that the logo of General Robert E. Lee atop his horse Traveller with the Confederate flag behind them, the one that we knew and loved as Generals, was politically incorrect and had to be replaced with a new logo that included five generals: with George Washington, Dwight D. Eisenhower, Douglas Macarthur, and Collin Powell joining our Robert E. Lee. So which of these five generals did they choose to adorn the cover? None of them! Okay, so which other general did they choose to use instead? None! They put a colonel on the cover not a general. And the colonel they selected is the epitome of a controversial politically incorrect image. I quickly thought that my Auburn and Alabama classmates would not only feel disappointment but a mild rage at what was placed on the 1995 cover of the Silver Sabre. Not only is it not "General Robert E. Lee", the image placed on the cover is the copyrighted image of "Colonel Reb" the mascot for Ole' Miss. What an insult! Who was the yearbook faculty advisor that knew so little about history and copyright law that he or she allowed a copyrighted image of a colonel to be placed on the Lee General's yearbook? Of course that was back in 1995, and this is 2003, but the idea that this was allowed to happen still stews inside of my journalistic brain. By the way, if you want to bid on this piece of inaccurate nostalgia, click on the link below. The auction ends May 1, 2003 at18:12:45 PDT. ________________________ |
Est. March 31, 2000 38,520 Previous Hits April 28, 2003 Editor:Tommy Towery http://www.leealumni.com Class of 1964 Page Hits This Issue e-mail ttowery@memphis.edu Barbara Wilkerson Donnelly , Joy Rubins Morris, Cherri Polly Massey, Paula Spencer Kephart, Rainer Klauss, Bobby Cochran, Collins (CE) Wynn Staff Photographers: Fred & Lynn Sanders Contributers: The Members of Lee High School Classes of 64-65-66 |
Collins' Classic Collection of Crazy Classmate Capers By Collins (CE) Wynn Class of '64 Last week I asked for the name and source of the following nicknames? Add your own names to the list in future issues. Chis, Droop, Snuffy, Goose, Fuzzy Subject: NICKNAMES Wayne Deason wdeason@attglobal.net Nicknames in the last issue, as I remember them are: Chis - Mike Chisam Droop- Walter Thomas Snuffy - Mike Smith Goose - Milton Shelton Fuzzy - C.E. Wynn Chis was short for Chisam and Snuffy may have been for the funny paper character. As I remember, Droop had something to do with droopy shorts and Goose described the way Milton ran. Anyway, even if these are not the origin of some of the nicknames, by now it makes for a good story and fond memories. ________________________________ Subject: Nicknames Barbara Wilkerson Donnelly Class of '64 Nicknames: Chis Mike Chisam -- from his last name Droop I think this was Walter Thomas Snuffy Mike Smith -- I suppose for Snuffy Smith, the comics character Goose Not sure here Fuzzy C. E. Wynn -- but I don't remember why. Did he have a buzz haircut? Here's another one for you guys to identify: Papa Joe _________________________ Here's the Official List as submitted by Collins: Answers Chis - Mike Chisum - a takeoff on his last name Droop - Walt Thomas - a reference to his droopy underwear which was discovered while changing for football practice when we used a room behind the auditorium and directly in front of the office - maybe '60 or '61 Snuffy - Mike Smith - from a cartoon character named 'Snuffy Smith' Brewster - Mike Smith also - derivative of his middle name 'Bruce' Goose - Milton (James M. [Jim})Shelton - a derivative of 'Blue Goose' which was our name for his Dad's automobile - a 1954(?) White over Blue Mercury Fuzzy - CE Wynn - a reference to body hair - a local tough guy (Goby Lambert) once exclaimed "dadgum, son, looks like something crawled up on your belly and died!" I swear to you that I was wearing a white shirt in class one day when a female teacher asked me if I had on a black t-shirt under it. Speaking of Goby Lambert, he was the only guy I ever met who could stand flat footed and urinate over an eight foot fence. I swear, I saw him do it at Optimist Park. He was famous for this amazing feat - perhaps an early lesson in the physics of fluid dynamics. ____________________________________ |
Famous Zen Sayings For Lee Graduates Submitted by Dwight Jones Class of '64 1. Do not walk behind me, for I may not lead. Do not walk ahead of me, for I may not follow. Do not walk beside me, either. Just pretty much leave me the hell alone. 2. The journey of a thousand miles begins with a broken fan belt or a flat tire. 3. It's always darkest before dawn. So if you're going to steal your neighbor's newspaper, that's the time to do it. 4. Sex is like air. It's not important unless you aren't getting any. 5. Don't be irreplaceable. If you can't be replaced, you can't be promoted. 6. No one is listening until you fart. 7. Always remember you're unique. Just like everyone else. 8. Never test the depth of the water with both feet. 9. If you think nobody cares if you're alive, try missing a couple of car payments. 10. Before you criticize someone, you should walk a mile in their shoes. That way, when you criticize them you're a mile away and you have their shoes. 11. If at first you don't succeed, skydiving is not for you. 12. Give a man a fish and he will eat for a day. Teach him how to fish, and he will sit in a boat and drink beer all day. 13. If you lend someone $20 and never see that person again, it was probably worth it. 14. If you always tell the truth, you don't have to remember anything. 15. Some days you are a bug; some days you are a windshield. 16. Not to worry; it only seems kinky the first time. 17. Good judgment comes from bad experience, and a lot of that comes from bad judgment. 18. The quickest way to double your money is to fold it in half and put it back in your pocket. 19. A closed mouth gathers no foot. 20. Duct tape is like the Force. It has a light side and a dark side, and it holds the universe together. 21. There are two theories to arguing with women. Neither one works. 22. Generally speaking, you aren't learning much when your lips are moving. 23. Experience is something you don't get until just after you need it. 24. Never miss a good chance to shut up. 25. We are born naked, wet, and hungry, and get slapped on our ass ... then things get worse. 26. Never, under any circumstances, take a sleeping pill and a laxative the same evening. 27. There is a fine line between "hobby" and "mental illness." 28. No matter what happens, somebody will find a way to take it too seriously. 29. There comes a time when you should stop expecting other people to make a big deal about your birthday ...that's around age 11. 30. Everyone seems normal until you get to know them better. ___________________________________ |
The Truth Behind The General Lee Logo Last week's letter from a classmate about her memories of General Lee's painting once again sparked the responses to who and when the Lee logo was painted on the gym walls. In our earlier discussions it has historically been credited to Bob Bertoldi, and this time we finally got an e-mail from him (and others) about the subject. Subject: Gen Lee and Traveler Butch Cryder BCryder@acincorp.com You guys do a fabulous job with this site ...Please keep it up. I think Bob Bertoldi had something to do with the painting of Gen. Lee and Traveler that was on the wall of the Gym. __________________________________ Lamar Taylor Class of '65 Bobby Bertolie and a guy he worked for painted the Lee General on the Gym wall and I belive it was completed in 1963.They were paid $150.00 & Bobby received $75.00 for his share. That was more money than we had ever seen at one time and took us two days to spend it. I will ask Bobby if he remembers the year. ________________________________ Subject: Lee Painting Bob Bertoldi bob.bertoldi@us.army.mil Hi Tom! A friend of mine and classmate of Lee High School, Gavin Lamar Taylor, e-mailed me months ago and told me about the contraversy going on with Lee Alumni determining who designed and painted the Lee High school Logo of General Lee. He sent me the online address of the "Traveller". and I have opened the Traveller a few times and was just chuckeling at the editorials concerning the issue. Well maybe I can clear the air once and for all. As a Freshman it was I who painted the original Lee logo. I painted it in 1962 ...Mr. Hamilton was then Principal of the school. He and art teacher, Mrs Haggart asked me if I would consider painting the logo on the gym wall. I can't remember who designed the logo but it was an Engineer/Designer who worked for NASA at the time. I beleive his name was Ron Thornberry. I still have the newspaper article somewhere at home if you need information on the details on the creation or credit of orinality of the logo. It took me two days to layout the design and four days to paint it. Years later the logo was revised by other students because of discrimination policies (Rebel Flag) but it was I who did the original creation. Please give credit where credit is due! _____________________________________ |
I won't go into my life at LHS, because I suspect I've already done to that to you guys ad nauseam. I will say here that, in my senior year, I happened to see the cutest guy I had ever laid eyes on walking down the hall one day. I remem-ber telling a younger friend to "date that guy, whatever you do." She didn't, I'm pleased to report, and long story short, I later married him. If this is a little long, it's because it's the story of his road, also. I had started to school at UAH, but dropped out to work for a while. I had been offered a job working for a large company in Huntsville, but something about it made me uncomfortable. I was also offered a job at Brown Engineering, and would be one of the secretaries at the Calibration Lab which consisted of Brown and NASA engineers and technicians who worked on the instruments for the Saturn V program. Ed was a NASA co-op student, and we met that first day. I walked through a door and found myself walking behind him, thinking, "That just can't be that guy from Lee!" But it was. We had our first date that weekend and I decided to transfer my credits to Auburn in January of 1968, because we were already engaged at that point, and it seemed like the logical thing to do. It was somewhat difficult, because I had never really been away from Huntsville, and my father had died one week after Ed and I had our first date. I had never been away from my mother, either, and there were no siblings at home to look out for her. She nonetheless encouraged me to follow my dreams, which was so typical of my mother. Many years later, after her death, I read a paper she had written for her creative writing class. She described her feelings that day, January 1, 1968, standing on the porch watching us drive away in the snow. She never told me how difficult it had been. She was quite a remarkable woman. I was almost as gung-ho an Alabama fan as I had been a Butler fan (pre-Lee, of course), so I was slightly apprehensive about how I would adjust. But, as I had learned many times previously, the place didn't matter. The friendships did. Auburn was one of the most delightful places I have ever lived. Perhaps it was because I was so much in love. Perhaps it was just Auburn. I believe it was both. The first two weeks were the most difficult, because I was so homesick. I'll never forget that first night. There was no other person on my hall when I arrived. It was still snowing outside, and my dorm (Alumni Hall) was across the street from Sanford Hall of the BIG clock. Every hour that it chimed, I almost fell out of bed. I didn't get much sleep that night. This was during the time when girls were not allowed to wear pants or shorts, except to certain events such as bowling, skating, etc. We had to wear a raincoat (even in the summer), over the pants/shorts and could only remove it after we reached the car. It wouldn't have been prudent for anyone to actually realize that we had legs! Of course, at this same time, skirt hems were on the upswing and much to the dean's chagrin, the following summer hot pants were ushered in. Somehow, the female population decided that enough was enough, and almost all of us proved that the legs were there. Unfortunately, we had to contend with the "peepers" you know, the dorks who would stand at the bottom of the stairs, pretending to be studying their books as we walked up the stairs! Lame! Ed and I were married March 15, 1969 (the Ides, wouldn't you know!). I dropped out of school again in February of 1970, because we were expecting our first child, Chris, who was born October 27. I went to work for the University's temporary services department while awaiting his arrival and again worked for the last semester until Ed graduated. During that time, I also typed theses and dissertations at night at home, while Ed studied and took care of Chris. We left Auburn, a bit tearfully, but also full of plans, and moved to Aberdeen, Maryland in August, 1971. He had been commissioned a 2nd Lieutenant in the Army and Ordnance was his chosen MOS. I was again apprehensive at moving to what I considered "the north," which I knew nothing about. (I was quickly straightened out by a waitress who informed me that "We are south of the Mason-Dixon line, I'll have you know.") There were some interesting aspects involved with being an officer's wife. I always say, "When we were in the army . . ." because WE were in the army. The wives had to attend etiquette classes, and were drilled on what to do and say around the general and his wife. We also had to work with the wives of the officers in the class which followed us, to a small extent. That usually involved setting an example for them at a tea, luncheon, or reception. I remember one night, in particular, because there was a HUGE reception, and I was the first person in the receiving line for our class. We had been told to watch the general's wife to see whether she was wearing gloves and to follow suit. When the line formed, she was not wearing the gloves. I, of course, removed mine with the intention of quickly pulling them on in the event she changed her mind. Well . . . best-laid plans, you know. I was talking when the line began moving, and suddenly noticed THE GLOVES! Suffice it to say, I didn't get them on and neither did my class or the new class. Again, I made some wonderful friends (even liked the general's wife who was quite a character) and hated to leave them all. The Officers' Club was located right on Chesapeake Bay, and we could buy a complete lobster dinner for $3.95 and then go downstairs to the Ratskeller to dance the rest of the night. Life was good. We then lucked out again. We were transferred to Huntsville, Alabama to serve out the remainder of Ed's tour of duty on Redstone Arsenal. We had spent just over 5 months in Maryland, and the rest was spent in Huntsville. We had beautiful quarters with hardwood floors, and I was so impressed that I could just call the Quartermaster up and say, "Send me a dining room suite, please," and he would! We had some of the prettiest old Duncan Phyffe furniture you'd ever want. We made many wonderful friends on base and all was well with the world. Then it came time to leave Huntsville. I was sad again, because I had enjoyed being close to my mother and Ed's entire family. He interviewed with several firms before accepting a job with the Dow Badische Corporation (which became the Badische Corporation and is now known as BASF Corporation) here in Anderson, South Carolina. During the early days in Anderson, I enrolled at Clemson University and received a B.A. in English with a minor in German six weeks before we added a new member to our family. Devon, our daughter, was born July 10, 1979 and has been such a joy. She is the drama queen of our lives. Active in competitive speaking and community theater, she soon pulled me in. I served on boards and worked with two local community theaters for 8 years, as well as serving as a judge for the speech and debate team at the local, state, district and national levels. Devon continues to pursue her acting plans, so keep your eyes open for my cute little blonde. Our son, Chris, graduated from high school and immediately joined the Army, which had been his ambition since the age of 14. He went to Germany for almost 3 years, and finished his tour of duty in the Persian Gulf. After surviving the explosion of an ammunitions warehouse the day before he was to leave to return home, we lost him in a motorcycle accident here in Anderson at the young age of 22. Ed went through several changes while here with BASF. He started as an engineer. Eventually, he was promoted to Production Manager and then asked to oversee the addition to a plant in Clemson. After the addition was completed, the then Plant Manager retired and Ed was offered his position. We stayed in Anderson, because from our house, he could actually drive to the Clemson plant faster than to the Anderson plant. Last May, Ed was asked to take over as General Manager at the larger Anderson plant, which he did. As I type this, we have had new developments. The Honeywell Corporation has purchased the fibers division of the BASF Corporation. Ed has accepted the position of Director of Manufacturing with Honeywell. This will include all the plants in the states, Canada, and Asia. We are very excited about it, but don't know yet if we'll have to move. We have been in Anderson since August of 1973 - the longest either of us has lived anywhere. I am a bit apprehensive thinking about the possibility of leaving all my friends here and going to a strange place again. It helps to remember that every place I've gone, there've been more great people to add to that list of friends, and that I won't ever "leave any of you behind." And . . . the best part . . . I will have my two best friends - Ed and Devon- with me wherever I go. Maybe this is the time to start that book, huh? So, that's how Ed and I ended up in Anderson. Probably a lot more than any of you ever wanted or needed to know. But, then again, those of you who know me knew when you started reading this article that that would be the case, didn't you? 10 Things I Miss about Huntsville: 1. The old Grand and Lyric theaters 2. The Big Spring Park 3. The YMCA 4. O'Shaughnessy Avenue and all my friends from that area 5. The old Library 6. All the people from the west side of town I wish I knew where you all were today. 7. Zesto, Mullins, the Ritz Café 8. All the stores downtown - Kress', Grant's, Krystal, Sno Wite, Belk's, Dunnavant's, Walgreen's, Murphy's 9. The old courthouse 10. All my friends and relatives from every era of my life. __________________________________________________ |
Collins' Classic Collection of Crazy Classmate Capers By Collins (CE) Wynn Class of '64 Last week I asked for the name and source of the following nicknames? Add your own names to the list in future issues. Chis, Droop, Snuffy, Goose, Fuzzy Subject: NICKNAMES Wayne Deason wdeason@attglobal.net Nicknames in the last issue, as I remember them are: Chis - Mike Chisam Droop- Walter Thomas Snuffy - Mike Smith Goose - Milton Shelton Fuzzy - C.E. Wynn Chis was short for Chisam and Snuffy may have been for the funny paper character. As I remember, Droop had something to do with droopy shorts and Goose described the way Milton ran. Anyway, even if these are not the origin of some of the nicknames, by now it makes for a good story and fond memories. ________________________________ Subject: Nicknames Barbara Wilkerson Donnelly Class of '64 Nicknames: Chis Mike Chisam -- from his last name Droop I think this was Walter Thomas Snuffy Mike Smith -- I suppose for Snuffy Smith, the comics character Goose Not sure here Fuzzy C. E. Wynn -- but I don't remember why. Did he have a buzz haircut? Here's another one for you guys to identify: Papa Joe _________________________ Here's the Official List as submitted by Collins: Answers Chis - Mike Chisum - a takeoff on his last name Droop - Walt Thomas - a reference to his droopy underwear which was discovered while changing for football practice when we used a room behind the auditorium and directly in front of the office - maybe '60 or '61 Snuffy - Mike Smith - from a cartoon character named 'Snuffy Smith' Brewster - Mike Smith also - derivative of his middle name 'Bruce' Goose - Milton (James M. [Jim})Shelton - a derivative of 'Blue Goose' which was our name for his Dad's automobile - a 1954(?) White over Blue Mercury Fuzzy - CE Wynn - a reference to body hair - a local tough guy (Goby Lambert) once exclaimed "dadgum, son, looks like something crawled up on your belly and died!" I swear to you that I was wearing a white shirt in class one day when a female teacher asked me if I had on a black t-shirt under it. Speaking of Goby Lambert, he was the only guy I ever met who could stand flat footed and urinate over an eight foot fence. I swear, I saw him do it at Optimist Park. He was famous for this amazing feat - perhaps an early lesson in the physics of fluid dynamics. ____________________________________ |
We Are FamiLEE! |
Est. March 31, 2000 38,520 Previous Hits April 28, 2003 Editor:Tommy Towery http://www.leealumni.com Class of 1964 Page Hits This Issue e-mail ttowery@memphis.edu Barbara Wilkerson Donnelly , Joy Rubins Morris, Cherri Polly Massey, Paula Spencer Kephart, Rainer Klauss, Bobby Cochran, Collins (CE) Wynn Staff Photographers: Fred & Lynn Sanders Contributers: The Members of Lee High School Classes of 64-65-66 |
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How I Ended Up In Anderson, South Carolina by Barbara Wilkerson Donnelly Class of '64 |
May 17, 2003 Click on photo above if you might be interested in going. The following classmates have indicated that they would like to attend: Michael & Sue Griffith Sally Dawly Stroud Betty Jo Scholter Key Sharron Smith Beck Rainer and (maybe Gudrun) Klauss John Drummond Linda Collingsworth and Tom Provost Tommy and Sue Towery (if Cybersavers cooperates) _______________________________ |
Last Week's Mystery Building Cecilia From: Indiana E-mail: HUNTS68@AOL.COM Year of Graduation: 1968 I think the building in the picture was the Health Department. I remember going there for my shots. After the first few times my mom had to chase me around the block _____________________ Linda Weldon Class of '65 The mystery building in this week's web site looks like the Madison County Health Department Building. I don't remember the name of the street it's on, but I do remember the parking lot being behind the building. Kinda looks like the health department where I work in Henderson County, NC - way too small and not enough parking. ____________________________ Andrea Gray Roberson Class of '66 This the Madison County Health Department. They building is not in very good shape at the present time. They are trying to sell this building so they can move into the old Madison Academy School Building on Max.Luther Drive. _____________________________ Jim Pierce Class of '64 Just a quick reply to identify the Madison County Health Department building on Eustis (Where did that name come from?) Street. Not a very comfortable place to visit much less go to for services. Great issue this week. Again, thanks for all your efforts. _________________________ Glenn James Class of '65 The mystery building is the Madison County Health Center. The scene of many shots for unknown diseases. ______________________________ Barbara Wilkerson Donnelly Class of '64 The old Health Department -- Ouch! What memories! I remember going there for all those polio shots at about the age of 9. Then, I think it was only a couple of years later, they came out with the drops on sugar cubes. Much easier to swallow! It was also identified by these classmates without additional comments. Pat Torzillo Stolz, Class of ' 66 Wayne Gentle, Class of '65 ____________________________________ |
He's There For Us by Collins (CE) Wynn Class of '64 I have really been enjoying myself writing about some of our friends and their youthful escapades and intend to continue. Heck, some of my stories are almost true. I've been thinking about submitting articles highlighting some of our more interesting acquaintances just to see what kind of reaction I can get. But, to be honest with you, I find I can't shake Bob Ramsey's article from some months ago regarding his military experiences. His words were sobering and eloquently defined the truly high cost of freedom. His article seems to be always laying back there and comes to the surface when I have a few minutes to ponder. Then, I recall Tommy's article about his dad and the toll his military service took on him over his entire life. I suppose all this pondering is a product of my age and current world events. Certainly today there are many outstanding female members of our military but during our high school days and for some years thereafter military service was essentially a 'guy' thing. I have found that most veterans dodge attention except when they are talking quietly with each other and that they never give themselves full credit for what their service meant and means to America. And another thing, while attainment of rank rightfully brings a certain amount of respect, the services of a Corporal or a Colonel are of equal importance to the nation. Our friends Mike Chisum, Jim Shelton, and Walt Thomas are all three-Vietnam veterans. Mike was an Infantry Officer and an Infantry Platoon Leader, Jim was a Navy Corpsman assigned to a Marine Reconnaissance Platoon, and Walt was an Army Transportation Officer. All three were engaged in highly hazardous duties but I have never once heard either of them tell a "war" story. From my experience, I can only imagine the hardships and horrors they each endured for America. Late one Saturday afternoon many years ago now, Jim and I were sitting around in his living room having a few beers when all of a sudden he turned to me and said, "I have something I want to show you." I followed him back into his bedroom and watched quietly as he pulled a small blue case about the size of a paper back book from the top drawer of his chest. He opened it to show me a Navy Cross "awarded to James M. Shelton for gallantry in action." (See article below about the Navy Cross award). We stood there quietly for a few minutes then he slowly closed the case and put it away - we never spoke of it again. Folks, my friend Jim Shelton is a 'hero' by anyone's standard as are Bob Ramsey, Walt Thomas, Mike Chisum, John Fulda, John Scales, Tommy Towery and everyone else from our classes who served in the military. They are all examples of everything that is good about America. Two events prompted this article. One was the reflections of Bob Ramsey I previously mentioned and the other was a single photograph from all that I saw having to do with the Iraqi operation. Although none will tell you this, it is indeed a fact - even when surrounded by thousands of colleagues and fellow Americans, a soldier, sailor, airman, marine, or guardsman can be very lonely. They are all taught to be self-sufficient both physically and emotionally and to keep their true feelings to themselves. The photograph above of an unknown soldier somewhere in Iraq touches me like none of the others. This young man is there for all of us and he is carrying the full weight of our freedom on his shoulders. Who's son, brother, father, friend, or husband is he? Is he tired, thirsty, and hungry? Has he thought of his wife and children in the last ten minutes? Does his back ache and his legs hurt? When was the last time he had a decent bath? How many friends has he lost? We'll never know because, even if we ask him, he will never tell us. For many years it has been my personal habit to speak with every uniformed American service member that I see and to offer a simple "hey, thanks for serving" in passing. It never fails to bring a smile to their faces regardless of their rank, gender, or service. I invite you to join me - it'll make you feel good, too. My warmest personal regards to you all. ________________________________________________ |
How Important Is The Navy Cross? The Navy Cross may be awarded to any person who, while serving with the Navy or Marine Corps, distinguishes himself in action by extraordinary heroism not justifying an award of the Medal of Honor. The action must take place under one of three circumstances: while engaged in action against an enemy of the United States; while engaged in military operations involving conflict with an opposing foreign force; or, while serving with friendly foreign forces engaged in an armed conflict in which the United States is not a belligerent party. To earn a Navy Cross the act to be commended must be performed in the presence of great danger or at great personal risk and must be performed in such a manner as to render the individual highly conspicuous among others of equal grade, rate, experience, or position of responsibility. An accumulation of minor acts of heroism does not justify an award of the Navy Cross. On August 7, 1942 Congress made the Navy Cross a COMBAT ONLY decoration with precedence over the Distinguished Service Medal, making it the Navy's 2nd highest award ranking below only the Medal of Honor. ___________________________________________________ |
From Our Mailbox Subject: Your "Lee's Traveller" is great! Liz Glenn laglenn@knology.net Visitor Hello! We live in Madison, Alabama. I found your site by typing in something about baseball. This week begins baseball playoffs, and our area has done really well. My son plays for Madison Academy, and we played Lee three times this year (and we actually won once). Your stories are just hilarious. I graduated from high school in 1973, just a little behind y'all (in Arkansas). I've always wanted to have a newspaper. Maybe I will one of these days. __________________________________________ Subject: Class of 1965 Kent Bushart JKBushart@aol.com Class of '65 I was a member of the class of 65. I went by kent in school. You have my last name in the missing classmates spelled with a D. I was gald to find the LEE website. ______________________________ |
We welcome back Collins (CE) Wynn, Class of '64, to the Traveller's masthead list of Staff Writers. Collins was an early writer but went inactive following 9-11, but has returned to our group now with a new group of his reflections and insights into our past. This week's feature story is one that he contributed. Barbara Seely Cooper, Class of '64, last week wrote that she remembered Dawn Larson Bettenhausen, also Class of '64, painting the image of Lee that we use in our logo. That kicked off another round of debates on who really painted the gym wall, and this time we got the "rest of the story" as documented in the article found lower in this column. Now the question is, "What did Dawn paint that Barbara remembers helping with?" We have yet to contact Dawn to get her to join our group, but if any of you stays in contact with her, invite her in. The date for the Atlanta Area Mini-Reunion is approaching, so let us know if you plan to attend and your name is not on the list. T. Tommy _____________________________________ |
This Week's Mystery Buildings Location: East Side Square in the early 1960s. This week we have three mystery buildings. The names have been covered in the photo above, but who can name the businesses that occupied them and maybe share a story about them? __________________________________ |
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Photo of Colonel Reb beside image on book. Is This The Politically Correct Answer? by Tommy Towery Class of '64 I had this week's issue of Lee's Traveller ready for press but had to "stop the presses" because of an item that came to me on Saturday morning. During my daily e-Bay search I was drawn to an auction that features a 1995 Lee High School Silver Sabre. At first I was excited that Lee still called their yearbook the Silver Sabre. The excitement quickly changed to a feeling somewhere between a mild puzzlement and a loss of reality brought on by a doubt as to whether or not today's Lee students or faculty have a clue as to any understanding of American history at all. Yes, this time I am venting! Call this an editorial. We read above that the logo of General Robert E. Lee atop his horse Traveller with the Confederate flag behind them, the one that we knew and loved as Generals, was politically incorrect and had to be replaced with a new logo that included five generals: with George Washington, Dwight D. Eisenhower, Douglas Macarthur, and Collin Powell joining our Robert E. Lee. So which of these five generals did they choose to adorn the cover? None of them! Okay, so which other general did they choose to use instead? None! They put a colonel on the cover not a general. And the colonel they selected is the epitome of a controversial politically incorrect image. I quickly thought that my Auburn and Alabama classmates would not only feel disappointment but a mild rage at what was placed on the 1995 cover of the Silver Sabre. Not only is it not "General Robert E. Lee", the image placed on the cover is the copyrighted image of "Colonel Reb" the mascot for Ole' Miss. What an insult! Who was the yearbook faculty advisor that knew so little about history and copyright law that he or she allowed a copyrighted image of a colonel to be placed on the Lee General's yearbook? Of course that was back in 1995, and this is 2003, but the idea that this was allowed to happen still stews inside of my journalistic brain. By the way, if you want to bid on this piece of inaccurate nostalgia, click on the link below. The auction ends May 1, 2003 at18:12:45 PDT. ________________________ |
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A Writing Tip from David Mullins Class of '64 In promulgating your esoteric cogitation or articulating your superficial sentimentalities, and amicable philosophical or psychological observations, beware of platitudinous ponderosity. Let your conversational communications possess a compacted conciseness, a clarified comprehensibility, a coalescent cogency, and a concatenated consistency. Eschew obfuscation and all conglomeration of flatulent garrulity, jejune babblement, and asinine affectations. Let your extemporaneous descanting and unpremeditated expatiation have intelligibility and voracious vivacity without rodomontade or thrasonical bombast. Sedulously avoid all polysyllabic profundity, pompous prolificacy, and vain vapid verbosity. In short: "Be brief and don't use big words." _____________________________________ |
