Class of 1937 holds reunion On Tuesday, August 27, the class of 1937 of Hilton High met at the Arlington for lunch to celebrate their 65th reunion. Of the 21 remaining members of the class, 11 classmates joined in the festivities. The celebration was especially memorable because of the presence of Howard Luckham who flew in from his home in Springfield, Oregon. He hadn't seen his classmates since leaving Hilton to join the Navy three weeks after graduation. "Can't believe you found me," he said, "But sure glad you did." Howard served 20 years in the Navy. He was a survivor of the attack on Pearl Harbor and served on the USS Helena. His service in the war was directly responsible for his attendance at the recent reunion. His name was queried in an Internet search. A Howard Luckham was featured in a newspaper article about Pearl Harbor. The article said that he was 83 years old and living in Springfield. Since no address was available and he was a veteran, a letter was mailed to the Springfield American Legion Post 40. Commander Frank Blair of the post took it from there. He found a Luckham in the phone book and called to ask if they knew a Howard Luckham. Howard's wife, Yvonne, answered. Howard had been found. Barbara Hendershot Miles welcomed everyone to the lunch and presented Howard with a t-shirt for coming the farthest. Everyone received a single use camera donated by the Eastman Kodak Company. A booklet containing information about 1937 and a list of the class was handed out to each class member. Other members of the class who attended were Charles Amering, Leora Barringer Wood, Gladys Butler Irish, Barbara Hendershot Miles, Marjorie Knapp Rowley, Thelma Lockner Johnson, Helen Teller Kucey, Mabel VanOrden Rood, Donald Van Vechten and Martin Wright. Members of the class that sent their regrets were Harlan Cooper (class president), Althea Blossom, Thelma Bourque Gigilo, Juanita Dean Defendorf, Helen Heinrich, Leland Hendershot, Randall Kenyon, Lewis Kluth, Carolyn Miller Fisher and John Tesch. Many drove by the Hilton Community Center, which was the school that they graduated from 65 years ago. The afternoon was a time for reminiscing about attending one-room schoolhouses, the difference in prices of items in 1937 and past good times. Former classmates and events were fondly recalled. |
