Class of 1956

	CLASSMATES, SHALL WE DANCE? by Eugene Messer Class of 1956 Dedication: To the Vancouver, Fort Vancouver, Hudson's Bay High School Class of1956 on the occasion of our Fiftieth Reunion & for Howard Robertson and Nadine, in tribute to more than half a century of true Friendship Born in the last throes of the Great Depression, weaned on World War, our Fathers, Mothers, Sisters, Brothers, Cousins went to fight in battlefields thrust round the globe. We were the children of the Greatest Generation. Our parents packed their cars and traveled West to build the ships that sailed down the Columbia River to fight Pacific War. Others of our forebears had arrived in covered wagons, ships or trains to found a city on the banks of this, The Great River of the West. The Korean Conflict, Cold War and a Doris Day simplicity greeted our Teen years. High School saw us Dance....circle skirts, sweater sets, Peter Pan collars, Penny Loafers, Brogues and White Stag jackets Two Step and Swing in Sock Hops, Homecoming. (one, two, three, one,two, three). White Christmas Ball; prom dresses and formal wear. Waltz (one, two, three, four, one, two, three, four). We danced, excelled in sports, performed in plays and studied our way through Vancouver High. We were a Generation grounded in respect; respect for parents, respect for teachers, respect for coaches, respect for authority. Then that Fall in 1955 we returned to become two, two faculties and student bodies under one roof (our Hudson's Bay building was not complete in time). At last, February 3rd (almost a Valentine), saw Bay enter our new building. Vancouver became Fort and inherited venerable traditions, Trappers, all.. Fledgling Bay Eagles worked to develop new; McLoughlin Plaid and White, Aquila and tried to cheer but (pardon the term) "Damned that apostrophe." We had been one and winners in football, but now in basketball, as two Bay cheered by how small was the losing score while Fort soared. Still we danced Cafetorium Sock Hops, Tolo, Senior Prom and at last Graduation night. June 1956, we entered the world, went to college or into our vocations. Some married, some started families and ignored the Beat Generation lighting up the streets of San Francisco. Elvis and The Beatles transformed the music and the dance. At twenty-one we elected a President who was nearly of our own Generation. Younger than any that had come before. His family also grew. Camelot! Assassination changed the nation. Vietnam sent us once again to war or to protest in the streets. Flower Children wore flowers in their hair. We marched for Racial Justice, Women's Lib and Equal Rights for All. We raised our children and built our businesses, dancing at the Club. We landed on the Moon! Heart transplants, Aids, drugs, cloneing and the pill, we've seen them all. Some made us sing, some gave us pain. Delighting in our world and our lives as they have grown beyond the narrow confines of our Northwest river town. Today we photograph our Greatgrandchildren in Disney World, downsize our homes, play golf, visit Tuscany or stroll Paris boulevards. Some long-remembered song ever echoing in our hearts for fifty years And now in two thousand six we reach an age, in which we have been told, we can sit back and say, "We did it." But sadly once again martial music and the drums of war sound. The Middle East erupts in flames, fueled by oil, the Globe warms and Social Injustice and Disease still leer from a darkened night. If sixty years is now the "new fifty", then seventy years would be the" new sixty"... We are the children of the Greatest Generation. We carry their trust, their dreams, their songs within our hearts. We are not yet allowed to rest! We still have days to work to right some wrongs and sing more songs. Toward sunset and the light... Classmates of Vancouver, Fort Vancouver, Hudson's Bay High School Class of 1956 .... come join the dance! (one, two, three, one, two, three). Advance! Forward! March ( Eugene Messer Online: GEMess3@AOL.com )