BEYOND UNDERSTANDING

On Saturday, May 29th, my high school reunion planned a memorial for our classmates who passed on, and the building that once stood on the grounds. It was a well-attended event, a gathering of classmates and friends and family, that watched as we dedicated a tree and stepping stone in the name of those departed.

Not all of my classmates made it that day, in fact one herself; was on the precipice of crossing over, and Nancy was in all our prayers. She was suffering from cancer of the brain, and by our measure was very brave, but very weak. She told us she was not afraid of dying, and would wait for all of us to rejoin together.

I will share with you the address I made to all that day, since it mattered to me, and my classmates.

TREE DEDICATION

Welcome from the committee for the BHS Class of 1964 45fth Reunion. We would like to thank the Board of Education, the principal of the Bellport Middle School: Mr. Ginity and his administration, Veronica Bradley and the wonderful students and advisors from the Middle School allowing us the privilege of being here today and donating this beautiful tree in remembering our past. Your kindness has set the tone for our reunion weekend in a very positive way.

We gather today at this sacred place of our youth, where we began the long journey into adulthood, to commemorate those tragic events that unfolded on March 8th, 1963, and to call to mind those of us who were part of those events, and are no longer with us.

With sadness we recall: the fire filled day, that is forever burned into our hearts and minds, and gratefully salute the unselfish heroics of our beloved teachers, fire departments, parents and fellow schoolmates who so fearlessly manned the stretchers and ladders to rescue our fellow students from what may have been an even greater tragedy.

The lessons we learned that day have stayed with us, and to this day remind us, that life is both fleeting and precious. To those that follow us, and stand here today to join us, it teaches that we must all rise up to the occasions that challenge us most, and say to ourselves: “I will survive.”

As we gather this weekend, to celebrate the 45th reunion of our graduation from Bellport High School, so we gather to remember our fellow classmates who have passed on before us. For some of us, we will learn for the first time of those who have left us, and for some of us it will be a reminder once again of their passing, but none of us should ever forget them. They were the embodiment of the spirit of Bellport High School, and the little village that harbored her.

They were a part of the best of times and the best time of our lives, they learned with us, played with us, sang with us, danced with us, and even prayed with us. They were our friends, our classmates, and yes: we could even call them our brothers and sisters. They were a real part of our lives, and helped to enrich all of us as we stand here today.

And so this tree and stepping stone, memorials to all who have gone before us, are placed here to remind, commemorate and salute. It is a memorial dedicated to a building that once stood on these grounds, and to student lives, which forever echo in our hearts. This tree will give to the community, to replenish what this community has, the spirit that is Bellport High School. This stone likewise, will give testimony to this day. Although we will be reminded in sadness that some of us have passed on, so too, will we be reminded in gladness that they lived.


The stepping-stone, a gift created by Pam Brin, to the class of ’64 will be placed at the base of the tree. The inscription into the stepping-stone reads: “In Memory of our departed classmates, class of 64”. The stone will have 17 hearts engraved, representing each one of our departed classmates. As Martha Scott calls off each name of a departed classmate we remember, take a moment to reflect on them, while a flower is placed in their name on the stone.

Thank You.


After the reunion, which was held the very next day, we got an email from Nancy’s husband informing us that she had passed on, the day of the memorial!