More Highlights of 40th Reunion

As we entered the band luncheon, most of us had our photos made in front of this HT banner, provided by Chuck Blethen. Those photos have been placed in the Profile section of this web site.

REQUEST PERMISSION TO EXPLAIN, SIR! We told our wives not to wash these white rat belts before the reunion. Chuck demonstrates (see insert) just how much they can shrink when washed. Bob DuBois (formerly pronounced “DuBoyz” before he got re-educated in France) spoiled our rather dubious explanation by suggesting that even his black leather belt had shrunk! While that did not sound too plausible, it was still more comforting than admitting to the logical alternative: inflation ... no, no! Other classmates examine the signatures on a belt belonging to John Grabar (whose belt way more than adequately fit, but may have been made extra long simply to accommodate signatures — a commemorative belt only). These belts not only contain names of a few long forgotten classmates, they bring back memories, good and bad, of a long rat year. Rumor has it that today's rats “turn” before the last of the fall foliage. But, we were on the quarter system, not semester, so I guess that explains the difference!

Southern Colonels gather for a band reunion within a band reunion: John Slaughter, Bob Coulbourne, Pete Peterson, Lee Goss, and Dan Dudley.

John Tellier obviously enjoyed one of the many good stories being told! If you have not sent your story to the web master yet, please do so. Let's get them on the site!

Band members were mesmerized by Bob's old slides of our life in the Corps, which he kept on continuous display in the meeting room.

Also on display were varied items from the 1950's and 1960's including hats, citation cords, a sabre, ribbons, Tech papers and other clippings related to the band, decals, Tech year books, an Army summer camp ROTC year book, HT year books from later in the 60's, photos, band concert programs, etc. Chuck and Cowles also kept a DVD player going which displayed videos of various band half-time shows, parade performances, and marching about campus.

Yes, we did have music at the HT luncheon, although our enthusiasm for conversation frequently drowned out our keyboard player! Note the blue wine bottles in the background, provided by Black Mountain Oasis Vineyard. For our dining pleasure, Chuck and Anne Blethen carted their private HT vintage through airports from Arizona to Boston to SW Virginia without spilling a drop. A closer view of one of their labels, customized just for this event, can be seen to the right.