Class of ’65: How you are doing?

To the editor:

“David Wallechinsky, 1976.” It seemed a good read in 1976 for some of us who did graduate in 1965. We are now 49 years down the road of life and I find myself wondering whatever happened to those who went through the Palmer school system during the 1950s and 1960s. I’ve been personally remiss in keeping track of my classmates and others who graduated from Palmer High School during the ’60s.

There is no question that we have lived in interesting times, for better or worse. We’ve had opportunities that no earlier generation could even imagine, as well as trials that some could hardly deal with. Looking backward, those days were such a happy and innocent (well, mostly) time and it’s doubtful any of us imagined what life would bring over the next 50 years.

I’ve touched bases on occasion with several, mostly the first few years after graduation while my folks still lived at the Eklutna project. Steve Cook and I see each other once in a while and still call or send cards but he’s the only one I’ve managed to keep connected to.

So, where are you Liz, Martin, Pete, James, and Shelley? I went to the University of Alaska with Bob, Lani, and Janet, and saw Colleen at Anchorage International the day I came back from Europe and she was heading out for the Miss America pageant. My wife and I got together with Nanette in the early 1970s, Stan in 1999, and Nada in 2013.

And what about the others from the 1960s? My brother (1961) and sister (1962) are easy to find but how about Jackie and Wayne (who I saw regularly at the University of Idaho in 1966-67), and Janie from 1963; Mickie, Ann, Joe, and Nancy from 1964. And then there were the wonderful folks who graduated after we did. There was John (University of Idaho also), Jackie, Paul (Navy), and Sheryl for 1966; Mary, Di, Roger, and Amy from 1967; Deana, Harry, Kay (who I saw in 1999), and Mickie from 1997.

I know Martin and I came back from the war and am not sure of who else was involved with that. I do know that some of our class members have not made it this far; although I do not look forward to hearing who all this includes. There were only about 55 of us in the class of 1965. I believe that was the smallest class for PHS during the 1960s. If any of you read this, let me know how you are doing. Send me a note at MDraze@sbcglobal.net.

For those younger people who are still in school, I hope that your lives will be as fulfilling over the next half century as mine has been. Alaska is a wonderful place to grow up and it will stay in your blood for a lifetime.

In the meantime, if you happen to be walking down the main street of Palmer on Sept. 6 or 7 and see a couple in their late 60s (who may look younger!) and he has a gray goatee and a bemused smile on his face, say hi. It may be a graduate of Palmer High, circa 1965.

Best of wishes to all you in the Mat-Su area.

Michael Draze, President

Palmer High School Class of 1965