Karen Sue (Suzi) Denton (Merritt)

Helen, thanks I will and am.  I totally believe in the power of prayer.

Mike said it all we have the best class that ever walked the halls of BHS.  Hugs to you

Suz 

Milan Jackson

You were a pretty good class but...... 

Marvin Theobald

Ed - Glad to know your shingles experience is behind you.  It made me hurt just thinking about you having it.

Mike - Careful what you say.  “Big Brother” (Milan) is watching and he has his own perception of greatness.  Let’s just say the class of ’64 was a great sequel to the class of ’63 so we don’t offend “Big Brother”.

Suzi - I wish you well as you go through this challenging breast cancer process.  It pains all of us in this class of ‘64 family when one of us has to suffer.  You have a lot of prayers and support to get you through it.  I know you will be fine.  We will see you at Tony Roma’s on the 21st.

Nancy (Ernie) – Thank you for posting the Washington School Picture.  It was so fun to see what everyone looked like in the 4th grade.

Linda – I visit Jean Holcomb regularly at Westminster Village.  She would totally enjoy a visit from any of you that would want to take the time to stop by.  It would be best to give her advance notice so she can expect you.  I would be happy to let her know to expect you and to join you if you let me know when you plan to visit her.  For the rest of Jean’s former students, that offer is not limited to Linda.  Jean has everything she needs, but, she enjoys flowers anytime.  A visit would be the best thing you can do for her.  Her memory of all of you is very vivid.

Michael (Mike) Franks

Good old Marvin!

Thanks for being a great supporter of our class.

 I mentioned this before, but back in '68, I had just arrived in RVN. A replacement in Long Binh, Bien Hoa. I had a year ahead of me, that I was NOT looking forward to! There you were, an MP.... Two Bloomington boys, 1/2 way around the world. I doubt that you remember, but I'll never forget it. RVN is a faded memory these days. I'm thankful to have survived. For years, I have wanted to visit the memorial in DC, but I just can't handle it.

The best to you!   "Go You Raiders!"

Melvin (Mel) Theobald

Mike, no matter what Milan says, the Class of '64 was and still is the best. It is OUR year. It's time we stand up against those upper classmen. They have no idea what they missed a year later, so I guess we might want to forgive them.

I'm so glad you mentioned that you and Marv were in Vietnam at the same time and both came home safely. Last time I was in town, I was looking for a buckeye tree and stumbled on the Memorial site at Miller Park. It is really sad to see the name Bill Buff on one of those markers. He was so young, all of us were. Whatever directions our many lives took from there, I am grateful to you and all the others who went there for all of us. There were many of you and I just want to say, "Thanks," to you, Marv, Clayton James, Mike Smedley, Mike Meece and all the others who came back and have made the world a better place because you did.

That goes for the Class of '63 as well!!! 

Milan Jackson

And we thank you for that, little brother. :)

Vicki Keller (Leary)

Well said Mel. We owe all those who served a lot.

Karen Sue (Suzi) Denton (Merritt)

I would like to also say thank you to the guys in our class (also the other classes) for their service.  Sadly Bill didn't make it.  I went to his visitation and it was one of the few times I saw my ex-husband Ronnie Ratcliffe shed a tear.  He was also a Marine.  Semper fi.

A couple years ago we went to Washington DC and I took some pictures of the memorial.  I will see if Dave can help me down load them.

Diane I'm still waiting on the BRCA test.  It looks like my sister may have breast cancer again.  She is going to have a biopsy.

Michael (Mike) Franks

Thanks, Mel  (and all)

The era of the "60's was an extremely tubulent time for all of us. We were never afforded the time to grow and to learn. It seemed that we were forced to travel from adolescence into adulthood, at warp speed. From children, to raising children. It was an era that experienced riots and war, but it was also a time of educational opportunities and culture. I like to think that the hard lessons that we learned, have been passed on to our present generation. Sometimes I wonder.

I am touched that you brought back memories of our friend and classmate, Bill. Of course, we will never forget him.  It is important to be reminded.

So many members of our class have made contributions, toward making this world a better place.  That was our charge, and we handled the opportunity well.

Thanks to "Webster's New Collegiate Dictionary" and Spell-Check. Forgive any mistakes.

Dianne Shaffer (Troxel)

Suzie my thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.  It's a hard journey for ALL of you.  Roger just found out his niece (45) has stage 3 Ovarian cancer.  She has a 9 year old and 13 year old.  Not sure what is going to happen there.  I thank God every day for his gift of one more day.  Reminder to all those who want to honor both our Vets and the Police put a green light bulb in your front light for Vets this month and a blue cross on your door for police. Roger just retired from Fire Dept. in May (he worked with Ron Suzie and we know how emotional he was at the going away dinner for him.)   What would our world be with these very brave people?  Yes I believe the class of "64" had something very special and still does.  We hope to make the mini re-union as I want to see so many of you. 

Allida Frisch (Altemus)

Love everyone's comments. I will always remember the ultimate sacrifice that many men and women made for us. Also still remember what a great class the Class of 64 was and still is! So many good memories! But how did it happen so long ago! It seems like only yesterday! Those were the days!

Karen Sue (Suzi) Denton (Merritt)

Diane,I'm so sorry your family is going through this.  I will say and extra prayer for her and her family.

Do they need a winter coat for the two kids?  I just bought six kids coats at Macy's last week to donate.  Let me know.

Karen Sue (Suzi) Denton (Merritt)

I need someone to help me.  I found the picture with Bill Buff's name at the memorial and I have it on my email.  Can I forward it to someone and they download it.  Let me know.

Carol Trenary (Logsdon)

Suzi...I have a few pictures of Bill Buff.  Each Memorial Day we host a service at the Vietnam-Korean Memorial, We honor 4 names each year with large 2x3 posters on easels with pictures and information on each area vet.  This coming Memorial Day Bill will be one of those to be honored.  The posters are given to family members after the service if they can be found. While I'm on the subject, we are looking for volunteers to help at the Traveling Wall coming to Bloomington next year.  Anyone interested in helping can contact me at 829-9071 or email me at ctlogs@comcast.net or contact Clayton James at 212-1865 (he never reads his email) We especailly would like Vietnam Vets that could give a couple hours to greet and answer questions for visitors.

Karen Sue (Suzi) Denton (Merritt)

Carol, I'm going to try to be there at Memorial Day service.  Thanks for letting us know.

How are you doing?  I know you have had a rough time.  You and your family made the ultimate sacrifice, your husband Jim.

Carol Trenary (Logsdon)

Suzi..doing fine and thank you and Pam for your support!  Jim is being honored at a ceremony at the

Wall in DC on June 18th next year.  His name is being added to the In Memory Plaque.  Very proud of him!

Joan Pease (Clark)

My twin, John Pease, also served in Vietnam. He visited the memorial in DC in the 1980s and brought home a tracing/rubbing of Billy Buff's name from the wall. I have it still, somewhere in the things of John's that I saved when he passed away in 1993.

Karen Sue (Suzi) Denton (Merritt)

Milan, can I  forward the picture of Bill Buffs name and you put it on the message forum?

Thanks for any help you can give me.

Suz

Karen Sue (Suzi) Denton (Merritt)

Carol, that is wonderful.  I'm just sorry you had to lose him.

When will the traveling wall be here?

Milan Jackson

Karen, of course I will. 

Carol Trenary (Logsdon)

Susi the Wall will be here in August of next year.  Having a benefit auction and bake sale in May.

David Long

Bill was on of the main reasons I dropped Wesleyan and joined the Marine Corps.  Fortunate to have survived 2 tours with only a couple scratches.  Have been to the Wall in DC on several occasions but never without tears and a profound sense of loss.  No one that as never been in combat can ever truly know the sense of loss for a fellow soldier who is not only a friend but also a brother.  God Bless all my fellow brothers with whom I served and as one Marine to all brothers, Semper Fi.

Michael (Mike) Franks

To keep things in perspective, on this past November 1, Bill would have celebrated his 69th birthday.

There is a famous quote (anonymous), that I shall use to honor our friend and classmate:

"All gave some. Some gave all!"

Marvin Theobald

I visited Jean Holcomb at Westminster Village this morning and shared the Washington School 1955-56 4th Grade picture with her.  It was so fun to see her reaction.  She went through the students one at a time telling little stories about her memory of each one.  She said it was the best class she ever had (sorry Milan but she apparently agrees with Mike and Mel on that point) and that she really enjoyed seeing the picture.  When asked if she would care for a vist from some of these former students sometime she said she would very much enjoy that.  Thank you Nancy and Boo for making the picture available.  Boo, she really appreciated your personal comments and always thought you were very sweet!!!

Jean told a story about how she once made a test extra difficult to prove to John Shambock he could not always get an A.  She felt bad later because it affected the rest of the class as well. If you visit her sometime you will find she has lots of memories to share.

Marvin Theobald

I am sorry to say, Mike, my memory of our meeting in Vietnam is sooo very vague. We were among the fortunate ones and I never lose sight of the responsibility we have to those who did not come back or were badly injured. Never forget what they gave and always live every day the best you can.

Below is a link to a web-site posting on Bill Buff with pictures. Some of you may remember Terry Bozarth from grade school days. Mel and I were in Cub Scouts with Terrry at one time. Terry transferred to catholic school and later moved to Ohio. He was killed in the 1968 TET Offensive during the time I was there. Below is a posting on Terry for anyone that may remember him.

Thank you to all who have expressed their thanks to the veterans of the class.  It is greatly appreciated.

http://www.vvmf.org/Wall-of-Faces/6614/WILLIAM-R-BUFF

http://www.vvmf.org/Wall-of-Faces/5193/TERANCE-M-BOZARTH