Lee High School - Huntsville Alabama Alumni

Members of Troop 66 - L-R Dillard and Bill Broadway, (unknown scratching ey), Mickey Drake, Johnny Ratliff, Tommy Towery

Uniforms

by Tommy Towery

Class of '64

Kids!

I don't know what's wrong with these kids today!

Kids!

Who can understand anything they say?

Kids!

They are so ridiculous and immature!

I don't see why anybody wants 'em!

Just you wait and see

Kids!

Kids! They are just impossible to control!

(Soon you'll be old enough to be)

Kids! With their awful clothes and their rock an' roll!

(Another teenage delinquent)

Those lyrics are from the movie, “Bye Bye, Birdie” that was released in 1963. Looking back at them I made a stark discovery – “we” were the kids they were talking about. We were the ones that could not be understood and who wore the awful clothes and had the rock an’ roll. “They” were our parents. Guess what – we are now “they” and now we can really see what “they” were talking about when they talked about “us.”

Boy times change. I now admit that I am one who asks the same questions about the kids of today.

I could blame this diatribe on several things, including a terrible football game I attended today, but I hope the fact that I am getting old isn’t one of the reasons. I have thought long and hard about whether or not I was even going to write this. First I was, and then I wasn’t; now here I am writing.

It all started last weekend on my return trip from Disney World. Sue and I stopped off at the Battleship Alabama on Veteran’s Day weekend. One of the activities going on that weekend was a Scout campout in the park there. I watched the Scouts walking around and packing up their gear and one thing about them jumped out at me – not a one of them in the whole group had on a proper complete Scout uniform.

In the online dictionary I found this definition:

Uniform –noun - an identifying outfit or style of dress worn by the members of a given profession, organization, or rank.

In no stretch of my imagination could I see enough Scouts dressed alike for them to meet that definition.

In the fall of 1960, when I first started the ninth grade at Lee Junior High, I had just returned from the National Jamboree celebrating the 50th Anniversary of the Boy Scouts. It was held in Colorado Springs, Colorado and three buses of us from the Tennessee Valley Council made the trip there. One of the requirements to go was that we had to have enough uniforms to wash and wear every day for the two weeks we were gone. Each day we had to dress in the complete official uniform and were inspected by our Scoutmaster before we left the camp to go to any public area.

When I started at Lee, I was in Troop 66 that met at the Methodist Church on Holmes Avenue. In my troop were Bob and Jim Ramsey, Don Cornelius, Johnny Carter, Bryan Towry, and probably some others that now slip my mind. Bobby Cochran and I were in the Explorers together and that organization was the same. Each week we wore our uniforms (our complete uniforms) to the meetings. When we went camping, we wore our complete uniform and when we did service projects we wore our uniforms. We were a troop and you could tell that we were all members of the same group, by our uniforms and our troop number patches on our shoulders. We could only wear the patches we earned, and could only wear them where they belonged. When we earned a new camporee patch, the old one came off and the new one was sewed on.

Looking around at the Scouts in the park I saw mix-matches of blue jeans, shorts, missing uniform items, shirt tales in and out, and just a mixture of odds and ends where no Scout in sight was wearing exactly what any other of the two or three dozen wore – not one. Oh, and that included the Scoutmasters too. I saw three or four of them with the same uniform violations. Perhaps, I thought, this was just because they were breaking camp and heading home.

Then came today. At the University of Memphis’ final home football game, a group of Scouts were honored and as they walked out onto the field, it was the same problem. Total mix-match of uniform parts and combinations – again including the Scoutmasters. Lucky Sandlin, my Troop 66 Scoutmaster, would have sent each and every one of them home and not let them come back until they were dressed properly.

I came home and checked the internet to see if the uniform rules have changed in the last 50 years and perhaps I was judging them by the old standards which I had to live by. I found this:

The complete official uniform includes the Scout long-sleeved or short-sleeved shirt, Scout pants or shorts, Scout belt and buckle, Scout socks or knee socks. A neckerchief and cap or campaign hat are optional. Wear full uniform for all ceremonial and indoor activities, such as troop meetings, courts of honor, and most other indoor functions. The uniform should also be worn during special outdoor occasions, such as Scout shows, flag ceremonies and special times at summer camp.

Headgear. Optional - All troop members must wear the headgear chosen by vote of the troop.

Shirt and Neckwear. Official long- or shortsleeve tan shirt with green Boy Scout shoulder loops on epaulets. The troop may vote to wear a neckerchief, bolo tie, or no neckwear. In any case, the collar should be unbuttoned. The troop has the choice of wearing the neckerchief over the turned-under collar or under the open collar.

Belt. Olive web with BSA insignia on brass buckle; or official leather with international-style buckle or buckle of your choice, worn only if voted by the troop. Members wear one of the belts chosen by vote of the troop.

Pants/Shorts. Official, olive, pressed; no cuffs. (Units have no option to change.)

Socks. Official olive-colored socks

So, the rules have not changed, just the way that people feel the need to follow them. Apparently the images and standards the Scoutmasters set are the problem. Apparently they don’t feel the need to enforce these rules.

Perhaps one of the things that finally set me off is that today I also attended our monthly Tennessee State Guard drill. One of the main topics of today’s session was the proper care and wear of – you guessed it – our uniform. We had 40 soldiers there, and each had on the proper uniform, with all the parts, and all the patches, and even the hats on properly. Most of us do this because we were taught that we were expected to do it. We had a standard and were expected to meet or exceed that standard – or not participate.

I’m ranting I know. It bothers me that I let things like this upset me, but I feel that we are letting our youth down these days. I hope it is just me that feels that way and that the world is not going to go to Hell in a hand basket just because someone wears blue jeans and tennis shoes with their Scout shirt.

I’m opening myself up to you and awaiting someone to slap me on the face and bring me back to the reality of today. Things just aren’t the same; I know that, but are we all really expected to accept the new way of doing things and not wonder about the future consequences of this total lack of discipline we witness each day? I just have one question -

Why can't they be like we were,

Perfect in every way?

What's the matter with kids?

What's the matter with kids today?

Tommy, the Eagle Scout.

______________________

Subject:Vietnam Service

Eddie Jones

Class of '66.

I was in the USMC from 1966 - 1970. I served with HMM-364 stationed at Marble Mountain, RVN and flew as window gunner on many medivac and troop insertion/extraction missions fron 1969/70.

________________________

Subject:Veteran's Day Issue

Rainer Klauss

Class of '64

The special edition was an excellent idea. I enjoyed reading all the contributions and stories again, to be reminded intimately of our service. Thanks and well-done, old friend.

_____________________________

Subject:Veteran's Day Issue

Sandra McLemore Dahlin

Huntsville High Class of 64

I didn't realize this edition was going to be about Veteran's Day so I missed getting this info to you but my roommate in Nursing School and best friend, Diane Tidwell Smith (Lee Class of '64) is a retired Colonel from the US Air Force. She served for 24 years all over the US and in the Phillipines. She now resides in Gurley, Alabama. If she had her 'druthers, she would be serving in Iraq today but her niece (whom she recruited) is an RN in the USAF and is going to Iraq next month.

Thank you for recognizing our veterans!!

____________________________

Subject:Mike Crowell

Elbert Balch

Class of '65

I have not seen or heard from Mike Crowell ( Class of '65) since shortly after High School. I think he served in Vietnam. Do you know of anyone has been in contact with him?

_______________________

Subject:My Husband Ronnie

Dianne Hughey McClure

Class of '64

Tommy I am glad you still get to march in the parade in Memphis and in case I have never said it thank you for serving our country and protecting our freedom. I don't know if I have ever told you or not but Ronnie served in Washington in the ceremonial guard when he was in the Navy He said he carried many veterans and dignataries to their final resting place at Arlington. He left there in April before President Kennedy was asanated in Nov so he did not participate in his services but he did stand in review for President Kennedy many times and saw Jackie Kennedy as well as Caroline and John John on many occasions. He also marched in several parades because that was part of the duties of the ceremonial guard. We were watching the history chanell about the Kennedy error one night and we actually saw Ronnie standing for review by the president. I wish we could have taped it but it happened to quick. Ronnie should have stayed in the Navy because his heart was always in it. He stood strong for his country and had a big problem with anyone who did not. Ronnie spent five years active duty, his time was extended because of the Vietnam War, and twelve years in the Naval Reserve. He would have stayed longer but he was supervisor at work and had to do some weekends. A new chief came in at the reserves center and would not let them make up their weekends during the week like the previous one did. The company he worked for made it really hard for him because he was a supervisor and was suppose to be their his assigned weekend. They really could not do anything if he wasn't but they gave him a hard time. He finally got tired of it all and came out of the reserves which he very much recreated later but to late to fix it. He did as you did for a while and took some leave but they were not suppose to take vacation on their weekend so that was hard also. As things have turned out he would have been better of to reup in the Navy and leave his job. He said the Navy really was not a branch of service for a family man because of all of the sea duty but I wish I had pushed him a little but as the saying goes hine site is 20/20. He did have a military funeral and would have been so pleased. A Wave played taps and Ronnie always supported our girls in there choices even if others thought what they choose was not a womans "place". well I felt like telling you about Ronnie and his years of service because I did not know if you knew this or not. As I know by Ronnie and my veteran friends some of the best men and women in this world are veterans.

____________________________

Subject:Veteran's Day Parade

Carolyn Taylor

Class of '64

My grandson is a 2LT in the Lee JROTC. They looked good marching. After the parade, I went to Lee to pick him up and did a mini tour of the school. It has changed so much. I didn't recognize anything. I think we entered next to where the gym used to be. I would love to go back one day and explore. Maybe we could get them to invite us back for a tour of the old school before they build the new one. The inside is looking pretty bad.

________________________________

Subject:Veteran's Roster

Jim Myrick

Class of '66

Please add me to your veterans roster. I served in the USMC from June '66 through June '68. I was in Viet Nam from February '67 until March '68. Really appreciated your Veterans Day edition. I rode in our parade as part of an escort for the veterans from the Tut Fann Veterans Nursing Home. We had an excellent turn out of the Patriot Guard Riders and this year's parade was the largest ever.

______________________________

Subject:Veterans

Butch Cryder

Please dont for get Lamar Taylor,a Purple Heart reciepient. Lamar didnt graduate but did attend lee in 1962 and 1963.

Also don't forget Eugene Oliver and Carl Scheer.

_________________________

Subject:Veteran's Day Issue

Cherri Polly Faber Massey

Class of '66

Thank you again for highlighting Dennis on Veteran's Day. It is very special to our daughters and to the grandchildren who only know him through stories their mothers tell about him.

Thank you for your service to our country. And God bless all who have served and those who are serving now.

__________________________

Subject:

Veteran's Day Issue

Paula Spencer Kephart

My deepest respect and thanks to those who served. Even all the way back to the Revolutionary War, I had relatives who served and lost their lives. My Dad served in the Army Air Corps in WWII, so I thenk all who served in any manner and gave up their time at home; many never returned and my sympathy to their families. Again, thanks to all who served. God bless and watch over those serving now.

___________________________

Subject:Veterans

Bob MacIlveen

Mike Kuettner definitely did serve in Vietnam. He was a U.S marine who was a copper gunner among other things. He saw a lot of combat duty and should absolutely be included in our wall of heros.

_______________________

Subject:USS Alabama

John Turrentine

Tommy, thanks for sending this. I hope you enjoyed your visit to the USS Alabama. It has taken a beating over the years from storms but is still the #1 attraction in Alabama I believe.. Thank you for your service to our country.......

________________________________

Subject:Veterans

Bob MacIlveen, DMD

3424 NE 59th Ave.

Portland,Oregon 97213

cell: 503-706-6378

home: 503-287-3026

work 503-234-0000

email: docmac1@comcast.net

Tommy, I salute you for all that you do for the esprit d'corps of Lee High School. I seldom write in as a veteran because I hold dear those KIAs and others like my friend Mike Vaughan and others who served so nobly and sacrificed so much for our country. After graduating from Vanderbilt and teaching for a short time at Huntsville High School and Calvary Junior High School, I volunteered to serve in the U.S. Army. In the Army, I am referred to as a mustang in that I went through the ranks from Private (E-0) to Lieutenant Colonel (O-5). Although my service included active duty stints including Vietnam and Desert Storm, I view my service as a humble contribution and as an honor.

Selected to service in military intelligence after basic training at Ft. Campbell with the 101st (when Bob Ramsey) was there, I went on to learn German at the Defense Language School in Monterey, Calif. followed my military intell school at Ft. Huachucha,Arizona. Although my entire class from the Defense Language School received orders for Vietnam, these were canceled two weeks prior to our graduation and I was sent to Munich,Germany where I worked as an interrogator-translator with refugees who had escaped from the East Block. One of my intel reports during this period revealed for the first time extensive information concerning Sam Missile sites. I was told that after weeks of interrogation that this report was on the president of the United States' desk and the head of the CIA's desk the next morning. This is the 20th anniversary of the fall of the Iron Curtain and I am grateful to have been a participant in making that happen. When I was released from the service I studi ed dentistry which I still practice in Portland,Oregon. I spent Veteran's Day both working patients in my private office and working with other veterans at the Oregon Health Science University Dental School. After graduation, I joined the Army Reserve as a 1st lieutenant and slowly worked my way to captain and chief dentist of the 45th Station Hospital which had its roots in WWI operating in the battlefields of France. I was given a presidential order to mobilize for Desert Storm where I served as Chief Dentist for my unit and again was deployed to Germany where we established facilities to treat those wounded in Desert Storm. After returning I too was sent to Command and General College where I graduated and eventually was promoted to Lt. Colonel finishing my career with twenty-two years service. At no time did I ever experience the heat of combat and I salute all of our classmates who served in any capacity and feel a true brotherhood with them. I am especially grateful t o have returned to our blessed country and continue to enjoy life to its fullest. For four years I have been a pilot and own an advanced experimental DG 101 G glider which I have flown in the NW,Florida,Hawaii, and Arizona. Presently I am working on my 'Commercial License.

________________________________