Memorial

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Crockett High School Class of '78 Wiki / Memorial

David Crockett High School, Austin, Texas, in the heart of South Austin

Epilogue: Dedication Ceremony, 7 p.m. at Crockett, Saturday, June 27, 2009 ~

One eyewitness account ~

The memorial was amazing. HOT and HUMID, but I swear it really didn't matter. There was so much love and affection flowing - and some tears and laughter - it was very humbling. We honored all requests to include any Crockett graduate, attendee or teacher, in the service. At the end of the ceremony, we asked if we'd left anyone off, and sure enough, we had. So, we had a nice few minutes honoring those friends too. There were some parents of kids who had died - very special.

Shots from the Spoke afterwards ~

Update: Dedication Ceremony, 7 p.m. at Crockett, Saturday, June 27, 2009 ~

Thanks to the generosity and kindness of so many of our classmates, we were able to purchase an engraved limestone rock and plant a lovely oak tree in front of Crockett to honor our classmates and teachers who are no longer with us. So, now, it's time to formally dedicate CHS '78 memorial tree and stone!Please join your friends from the Crockett High School Class of 1978 on Saturday, June 27 at 7:00 p.m. in front of Crockett High School for a short ceremony and selected readings. Anyone interested in extending the celebration of memories can mosey on down to the Broken Spoke for dinner, dancing and toasts following the ceremony.

We hope to see you on the 27^th – go Cougars!

Terry, Tom, Jeff and Buddy

More progress on the memorial at Crockett High School; click on an image to see the larger version ~

(Pics and hard labor courtesy of Tom McKinney.)

The afternoon of Sunday, November 9, 2008 ~

The few, the proud, the Memorial Tree planters included:

Terry Gladek	Mary Beth and Scott Kelley
Drew Palmer	Tammy Andricak
Tom and Tassa McKinney	Molly Ward
Joe Crosby	Dana Eskew
Craig Briggs	Unidentified Man w/Pink Gloves-Thanks Dana!!! ;-)

Update from Terry - June 30th

I’d like to personally thank everyone who’s donated to the CHS Class of ‘78 Memorial Fund. We’ve raised almost $1,300 – WOW! What an amazing affirmation of affection for our friends and mentors after all these years.

To update everyone –we’re working with administrators at Crockett and AISD to determine the best use of the money we’ve raised for our memorial. The input I’ve received from our classmates is overwhelmingly in favor of purchasing and planting a tree, with a marker of some sort, somewhere on the grounds of Crockett. The marker would say something like,

“In memory of our cherished classmates, staff, and teachers, who have passed on. Donated by the Class of 1978.”

When would we do this? Well, if all goes according to “Terry’s Grand Plan,” maybe we can schedule something this fall – a planting and dedication ceremony – around Homecoming. What do you think? I really want to hear your thoughts on this.

We’re still accepting donations! If you’d like to make a contribution, please do so as soon as possible. Checks should be made out to “CHS Class of 78” (and put “memorial fund” in the memo line) and mailed to me at 1062 Morse St., San Jose, CA, 95126. Please mail your check by the 4th of July.. thanks!

Of course, there are other ways to participate:

Check out the “Markers” page and make sure we aren’t missing anyone;
Share your memories of our friends and teachers who are gone on the “Stories” page;
We still don’t have obituary notices for several of our classmates. If you have the notices, or any other information about their passing, please send it to me at tgladek@yahoo.com or thingston@scu.edu, or you can mail it to me at 1062 Morse St., San Jose, CA, 95126;
Join us for the dedication ceremony this fall (well, assuming all goes according to my “Grand Plan;” and
Live kindly. Hug your family and friends often. Every day is a gift.

Someone asked me at the reunion if working on this was depressing. That question took me by surprise, and I didn’t really know what to say at the time. Now, I say, no, it’s not been depressing. Sobering, certainly. Humbling, yes. But, mostly, it’s been uplifting. I had the opportunity to speak with Monica Welsh’s mother the weekend of the reunion. She was touched and so pleased that we’re considering a class memorial for all the friends who have passed on too soon.

I appreciate the trust you’ve shown me in ensuring this effort moves forward. I won’t let you down!

Fondly,

Terry

From Terry (Gladek) Hingston

As the Reunion Planning Committee was ramping up this past summer, I was reminded of my wonderful friends who would be missing at our 30th Class Reunion – Monica Welsh, my warm and funny friend from Okinawa who blessedly ended up at Crockett; Cindy Ammons Ward, my first friend in Texanns; Jeff Richardson, my goofy and mischievous neighbor; Kenney Wiley, one of the kindest people I’ve ever known. Others are gone too, wonderful teachers and mentors all, but these friends touched my heart in a special way.

I asked Buddy if we could “include” them in our festivities by finding a way to remember their impact on us and to honor their memories. Buddy had already created a “Markers” page, but I was looking for something more lasting and visible.

So, I’m wondering if any of y’all would like to contribute to a memorial fund to purchase a tree to be planted in the courtyard or on the grounds at Crockett, with a marker, simply worded, to honor our friends and mentors who meant so much to us. It’s hard to lose a friend; help us honor our relationships with these treasured classmates and teachers who have passed.

How do you make a donation? Well, it’s easy. You can make a donation via check or cash at Friday’s and Saturday’s events, or you can send a check to me after the reunion. Checks should be made out to "CHS Class of 78," and mailed to me at 1062 morse St., San Jose, CA, 95126. All monetary donations will go directly towards the purchase of a memorial tree and marker. We’ll keep everyone posted on how we’re doing, and when we’ll be able to plant the tree. My initial thought was to try to have a tree planting ceremony during Homecoming weekend. Let me know what you think! Email me at tgladek@yahoo.com or thingston@scu.edu.

Beloved and friends to the end, our classmates and teachers are not gone, but not forgotten.