Message Forum Common Agreement
"TERMS OF USE"

The Message Forum is not a public soapbox, nor a political platform in any form. This forum is neutral territory when it comes to supporting any movements, political parties, candidates, or otherwise.

___________

Dear Classmates:
This site isn’t about waistlines, hairlines, or personal crusades. It’s about lifelines and is about reconnecting with our friends from some of the best years of our lives - It's about caring for our classmates, sharing news, and mourning those we've lost.

We ask you to kindly be considerate about passing along news about classmates who are ill, who have had surgery, or are experiencing other personal issues. Please be sure to obtain permission to share with the class any and all submissions.  As wonderful as it is to share or receive news about or from classmates don't break confidences or invade someone's privacy. 

Classmates, If you have an issue that needs a soapbox please use your "Classmate Profile" page.  Classmates can choose to "follow" by selecting your name and each time you post news about yourself, add photos, or update your profile  an email is sent notifying those on your follow list that you have updated your personal profile. Do not check the box, share with classmates as a reply button is provided for return comments and messages.

PLEASE NOTE: Abuse of the message forum common agreement/terms of use may cause immediate suspension of privileges or removal from the AHS website without further warning. 
(We reserve the right to remove material that may be deemed offensive).
Paul Peters -
revised 09/12/2021

Judy Owen

Well, today is it!  Leaving soon to meet and greet all you rascals this evening.  I do not have a little black dress, but I do have a scarf-hem blue one, and little silver sandals.  I just can't compete with the Jimmys, so I won't even try.  Everyone's efforts are fabulous and I for one truly appreciate all of you!  The song and photo shop, the planning, donations, details and coordination (and laughs) have been tremendous!  Thank you, Thank you! Judy 

Judy Owen

Oh and Fred,  I recognized Cindy Taylor Zook in the picture.

Sam Juliano

The following is a true story.

It was our Junior year. Pete Houlihan was, to me, the very definition of cool. He didn't know me from Adam, but I knew him. Even today I envision him eternally wearing a Peters jacket... the real-life "Fonzie" of our class.

One day, my Mom, my sister Vicki, and I were sitting in Kaezano's Pizza in Backlick shopping center, eating pizza. That paper-thin crust, fabulous pizza... I've never found anything like it in 50+ years. Suddenly, Mom got choked on a bite of pizza, and naturally she started coughing and flailing around, trying her best to dislodge whatever was blocking her windpipe.

At that very moment, Pete Houlihan entered the restaurant.

Noticing him, Vicki and I were mortified. "You're making ASS!" I sternly said to Mom, which was my crude expression for the embarrassment she was causing me. "Stop making ASS!" I repeated these words several times, increasingly desperately.

And that's the end of the story. The point is that I was willing to let my mother expire in order to look cool in front of Pete.

Epilogue: Mom recovered. We finished the pizza in silence. Mom never fully forgave Vicki and me for not helping her, as she told this story, as a way of shaming us, at many family dinners over the next 50 years. Pete is still cool, as I met him tonight at our class reunion. But he wasn't wearing a Peters jacket.

Michael Guthrie

Thanks to the reunion committee for putting on a wonderful event. It was great to see so many folks. I am only sorry I didn't get to speak with everyone. May God continue to watch over us all. 

Judy Owen

Amazing weekend!!! You guys on the committee and all you donors pulled off a truly memorable 50th reunion event! I was speaking to Steve Waller and he and I agreed we are glad we came. I loved visiting with the wives and husbands of our classmates - it was like we always knew them, too.  Their "pickers" were not broken - (mine was) - well chosen life partners!  I was able to visit with so many and thank all who signed my yearbook, I tried to get to everyone and get it passed around, but a few of you slipped by - get you next time!  Mike Lunsford and I discovered we were cousins! My mothers grandfather is the tie, we swapped "War" stories the "Civil" kind. The Friday night gathering had the best food, thanks to all who helped make that complimentary to us.  I especially liked the flat bread with shrimp and figs. It was an exciting evening and I was a bit overwhelmed at first with so many reaquainting.  It was great we had the hospitality suite to continue the evening and carry on after hours. The next day at the High School tour they let us use the cafeteria to do the picnic due to the heat after we had the tour.  We were a bunch of rowdy kids again, couldn't hear the guide!
John Richardson and Bonnie were up to old antics, and encouraged a small group of us to split off the HS tour and they led us to the old senior lounge. Some one in the group was afraid we would get in trouble and the reply was, "what can they do to us?" So some followed Bonnie and others followed John and we ended up going down different halls and met in the middle - laughing. I kept saying I was lost.  I had dreams of getting lost in school and forgetting my locker combination!  What a bonus, we laughed and told stories and also were able to get a hold of Jim Tidball before we went and tell him we had brought beer, plus I told him I liked his LBD.  Saturday night I have to give Mark Duffner the prize.  He had torn his achilles and was in a boot, but that didn't stop him from dancing!  And Mike Guthrie was no slouch either after recovery from Guillain-barre' syndrome.  Jimmy Burden's team won the golf tournament- how did that happen!  And he received a lovey LBD, but he kept his suit on. Darn it!!! I want to thank you Fred for giving us the hospitality suite and getting me beer! I did drink it...Mike Gassmann you are a jewel stepping up to the plate and also providing the perfect music. Paul thank you for negotiating the hotel.  And the Reunion Committee --- I can only imagine the work of coordinating and planning you did to pull this thing off.  What a awesome gift you all have given all of us.
Plus I thank all the donors that helped make this very special. Love you, Love you all!  There were so many conversations I didn't get to finish as all of us leaped from group to group, but I want to say to all of you I appreciate each and every one, I love you, and I pray for you and your families' health and protection. 

P.S. For those of you who knew and were friends with Nancy Street, her days are coming to a close. She is at her daughter's home and under hospice care with late stage Alzheimers and is unable to eat.  I kept in contact with Nancy's daughter during the reunion and she appreciates those who remember and honor her mother. I send her thanks to you.

Sam Juliano

What a fabulous weekend indeed. Our long-awaited 50th/51st reunion was an event to be remembered and cherished forever. What sweet, decent, kind, handsome and beautiful people I smiled and laughed with.

I'm in awe of the operation the reunion organizing people pulled off. Judy gave a more elegant "thanks" to these folks than I could ever write, but I am no less grateful for the time and the effort you all put into this to make it so successful. Everything was just perfect.

As I did at the last reunion, I came away from this one with more friends than I actually had back in school. I'm sorry I missed the 51 years that I could have gotten to know you better. But so much better late than never.

Thank you all for doing this all for me. Well, it seemed that way, at least.

Michael Gassmann

Wow, that was something!  There'll be more to say later about this weekend's festivities, but for the time being I wanted everyone to know that I've created a "50th Reunion" photo gallery under the "Classmate Photo Galleries" tab and started it off with two pictures from the golf tournament that Debra circulated yesterday afternoon.  Any classmate can contribute to the 50th Reunion photo gallery by setting up his or her own photo gallery under that tab.  Many people were taking photos, and we'd love to see them!  If you have any problems creating your own photo gallery or uploading your photos, just send them to me (mlg7string@gmail.com) and I'll get them posted.

Mike

Gregory Porter

A few months after we gradauated from AHS, a singer who had been a huge star in the late 50's and early 60's appeared in a concert at Madison Square Garden in New York. After playing one or two of his famous "oldies," he tried to switch over to his new material. It didn't go over well. The audience wanted to hear their old favorites. He was widely booed, and he ended his appearance early. However, he learned, and profited from the experience by writing a song about that night. Within a few months "Garden Party" was at the top of the charts and Rick Nelson had one of his biggest hits. It features the line "But if memories are all I sing, I'd rather drive a truck."   

Jane and I had a wonderful time at the reunion, and, I did enjoy your "oldies," meaning the memories from Annandale. But I preferred your new material, your stories about what you are doing now. Instead of winding down his law practice, Rod Clutter is gearing up with a new firm. Kristin Walsh Mellott has relocated to Fort Myers, Florida, where I have spent much time. Elaine Sours sold her dental practice, but she's still working. Jim Burden, the master builder, gave me some advice for my new garage. Fred Chandler has been clearing the land on his new Loudoun County estate. Mark Duffner (Go Bengals!) was so humble in describing his successful career. Glen Lambert shared his recent experiences with his mission work in Texas and elsewhere. Mike Guthrie told us about his career transitioning plans, and how he blends sharing the gospel into his everyday work. And there are so many others I could share.

Yes, I enjoy the memories/oldies, but I hope that you keep playing the new stuff by keeping us posted on the events in your lives through the Message Forum.   

And by the way, when someone tries to tell you that what you are trying to accomplish can't be done, remember the origin of Rick Nelson's "I'd rather drive a truck" line. He said he got that from Elvis Presley, who worked as a truck driver after high school, and who, after several auditions, was advised to stick to driving a truck.                                                                                                    

Linda Harris (Loomis)

it was a wonderful reunion thanks to the best reunion committee in the land. and it was heartwarming to see so many of you again.

i downloaded a bunch of photos in our 50th reunion album site. you are all so photogenic!

enjoy

Timothy Gilroy

Judy Owen

I found some Class photos from Braddock Elementary that are posted under the Braddock Elementary Gallery. It is the 3/4th Grade with Mrs. Rhodes I think.  Then 5th with Miss Bilski, and 6th with Mrs. Worthington.  A lot of us are in those photos.  If you can identify more than I can please add!  So many of us grew up from 1st through 12th together.

Paul Rowson

A week ago we celebrated our 50th reunion in what I think all attendees will agree was a wonderful trip down memory lane and a reminder of the value of friendships that have stood the test of time. I dare say many of us got a second chance to kindle new friendships with classmates we may might have missed out on the four years we spent together 50 years ago. Many of the special moments spent together last weekend were captured in pictures and video. For all those who attended the reunion, please upload your pictures on our class website. Also, for the next month, please upload your pictures in high resolution format to the special AHS 50th Reunion website we created. You will be able to download pictures from that Smugmug site for free in high resolution format for printing or making memory photo books.

Here are the links to upload your photos and view the gallery of classmates' uploaded photos:

Link to ADD photos: https://www.smugmug.com/upload/sTFNxJ/upload

Link to view gallery: https://www.smugmug.com/gallery/n-b84Pjc/

Thanks again, classmates and happy 4th of July!

Paul

Rowena Halpin

Hey Judy O. I know Nancy parsons was in that class with cool ms bielski. If the kleinschmidt is wearing glasses then it would be our Terri. It's too hard to see these they don't enlarge do they? And the reunion pics are nice but I have no clue as to who is who. 
x o row

Kent Hustvedt

Well, it has been a week since our celebration.  The thing that sticks out most to me is the amount of work that goes into it.  I know Jim B. did yoeman's work on our little golf outing (but he was able to set up his team so he could win - haha, why not?).  I provided a little help (and confusion) to Maureen with the party setup and I could see how much went into that.  So thanks to the committee and all I'm not aware of that made it go off so well.  Awesome.  Well done.

So much beyond that to be thankful for.  All my old dear friends that I have seen at reunions or not (Mark, Steve, Dave, etc.,), old Brook Hills neighbors that I never spent enough time with (Sue, Nancy, Judy), folks that I did not know at AHS that I've caught up with at 40/45 reunions (why didn't I attend these earlier??) and new folks and and spouses that I wish I knew better (too many of these to mention and I suck at names).  And those that are no longer with us or were not able to attend.  My loss there.  And for those that I have not seen in forever that may choose to attend our next event in 4 years so we can catch up, it's a date.  

I would be remiss not to mention our good friend, Paul, that recently passed away.  I (we) owe him a great debt of gratitude for keeping us together.  Thanks, Big Guy!

Michael Guthrie

KC. I so agree. The committee hit it out of the path! It was great to spend time with you and hear your stories. There were so many I wish I could have spent time catching up. Until our paths cross again. 

David Anderson

When old friends get together, something amazing happens.  It may have been a year, 10 years, 30 years or even as many as 50 years since they last spoke.  But they are able to comfortably and magically continue an old or start a new conversation like it was only yesterday.  I observed lots of that going on weekend before last.  And it's so much fun remembering carefree times with old friends.  Having experienced going to high school together will forever unite us.  

And at our age, it's getting harder to find folks that can remember those days.  At the reunion, there were 70 of us in the same room.  Thanks to all those that made the weekend happen.

Michael Guthrie

Great post Dave.  I agree.  It was awesome to see everyone.

Kristin Walsh (Mellott)

Rebecca Cashion (Kleinfelter)

Ditto to everyone responding on the reunion!  It was so much more than I had anticipated!  Great fun with great friends old and new!!  I am excited that there may be another reunion in 5 years and am willing to be a part of the committee!!  And Dave Anderson, I already have a job for you!!  Everyone, stay healthy and happy!!  We have an amazing class and I am proud to be an ATOM!!

Judy Owen

Dave your post is so on target...John Allen told me when we first reconnected, and talked forever very comfortably, about that same phenomenon;  he said he believed it was we had a common foundation of growing up together and experiencing the same stuff at the same time.  We were there together seeing and feeling similtanouesly and nothing can take that away ever. So it is like "you had to be there" and we were..all of us.

Paul Rowson

Dear classmates, for those of you who knew and were close to Doug Kingdom, he will be buried with military honors at Arlington National Cemetery on Wednesday, August 17. Services prior to burial will be held at the Fort Myer Chapel at Joint Base Myer. I will post greater detail on timing and instructions on gaining entry to Joint Base Myer when available. 

Thanks,

Paul

Marguerite Harrison (Pickering)

Dear Paul, Thanks for the information about Doug.  Much appreciated.  We will try to attend.  Peggy

Karen Kohut (Logeman)

Very sad to hear of Doug's passing.  
My Dad was inurned in the Columbarium at Arlington 8 years ago (US Navy WWII, Pacific Theater). I will never forget a single moment of the ceremony.  Doug's ceremony will be such an honor to him and the immeasurable gift of service he gave to our great country.

Thank you for your service, Doug.  RIP at Arlington.

Paul Rowson

Classmates - sending all who had relationships with Doug Kingdom an update on his funeral services. His funeral Mass service will begin at 10:45 AM, Wednesday, August 17, at Fort Myer Chapel at Joint Base Myer - Henderson Hall (JBM-HH) followed by procession and interment with military honors at Arlington National Cemetery. There will be a reception afterwards for family, friends and classmates to honor Doug. 

If you wish to attend any or all of these events, please contact me at pkrowson01@gmail.com or call me at 703-508-6966 and I will provide you greater details on gaining access to JBM-HH and the timing and location of all events.

Thanks, everyone. 
 

Paul

Paul Rowson

Yesterday, classmates gathered to honor Doug Kingdom's service to our country and bid him farewell at Arlington National Cemetery. Mike Gassmann, Peggy Pickering, Liz Spivey, Rita Smith, Kathy Arrington and Clint McKinney attended Doug's funeral Mass and interment at graveside with military honors. It was a moving experience and tribute to our classmate, Doug.