Run for Life Mini Reunion

April 19, 2013 at Culver

At the conclusion of our 50th Reunion, several of our classmates entertained the idea of forming a team to participate in the Relay for Life of Culver on April 19, 2013. What Is Relay For Life? It is an annual event benefiting the American Cancer Society (ACS). Ultimately, participation was not as great as we had hoped for, but there were three of our classmates there. Our Mini-Reunion Chair, Howie Bridges, was one of them, and he prepared the following "blog" to capture the real-time spirit of the event ... and provide some nostalgic remembrances. Enjoy!

Relay for Life - Reflections
by Howard Bridges

Your three class representatives did well for "Team 62". Bill Clevenger, Bob Osborn and Howie Bridges marveled at the organization, coordination and enthusiasm of this Relay for Life (RfL) event at The Culver Academies.

Maybe the enthusiasm is being a teenager, and I'm not, but it is infectious, YOUTH. This is a party, all night for those with permission, it is still Culver. It starts Friday night with a "Survivor's Dinner" at 1730, Opening Ceremonies at 1900 and ends with Closing Ceremony at 0600 Saturday morning. There is music ALL night, some DJ and some live. There are events every hour and sometimes on the half hour to keep everyone who is there active. Again, think of everyone as Culver students (think teenagers).

The early evening events are the choir, dance group, male and female drill team and cheerleaders. Later events, 0100 to 0600, include Twister, limbo, karaoke and "dunk tank". And there were still a few others, but you get the idea.

Otherwise, there are footballs, soccer balls and tennis balls being tossed about AND of course there are WALKERS! Walking the track (oval), walking for Cancer, that is why we are here! A note, the event took place in the Multi Purpose Building, where we checked in for our reunion, if you recall. Temperature was in the 30's and there were snow flurries all day.

But, the serious, poignant moment of the evening is the Luminaria Ceremony, where very passionate speakers relate very unfortunate tales of personal family cancer deaths. It is VERY moving to hear a 17 year old daughter describe her mother's passing. Then the breaking of the "glow sticks", please, no lighted candles, and putting them in the many Luminaria Bags placed around the oval. The bags are in memory of those deceased or surviving family and/or friends. EVERYONE is then in a silent procession around the oval while appropriate music is being sung and played.

Howie displaying some of the Class of '62 Luminaria

This is NOT our Culver! Where to begin:

1st, it is COED, and that lends to a total different aspect, be nice now, but not the heavy testosterone of yesteryear. There is a feminine side to the evening as well as the girl/boy relationships, much missing from our years except for the very small percentage of us.

2nd, is that this is an all night party! Everyone is dressed from shorts to sweats to fleece to hoodies, all monogrammed CULVER of course.

3rd, is that they ALL get to sleep in, all day on Saturday, no roll calls, on inspections and no formations.

4th, is that Saturday evening after dinner, about 2000, I walked from the Academy Hotel to the Crew Shed/Rowing Center, you know where I mean. On the beach, just across from the Naval Building, was a bonfire where there were about 50 kids/students/boys and girls, I do not know how to phrase that, but anyway they were there making Smores and enjoying themselves on Saturday evening. Yes, there were chaperones and I think it would have been over by 2200, but whenever did we have a campfire, make Smores and sing "Kumbaya" with faculty members?

It is not worse. It is not better. It is what it is, and time passes, and Culver has also had to evolve. But one of its highlights continues to be in academics. I have yet to hear from any of you that you learned nothing upon leaving there. What happened our freshman year of college had nothing to do with our high school education. My daughter graduated in '05 and I know it is still excellent.

Whereas the possible collaboration with the Culver High School Class of '62 never materialized with our class, there was a contingent of 200 or so from Culver High School, students and parents. Certainly, they were there for the RfL as we all were, but that is where it mostly stopped. There was practically no collaboration, no joint presentation and very little conversation, between the kids anyway. The Academy closing its ranks, or, if in their building, would the Academy be out? Just wondering ...

WHOOPS!!! I LIED! Music is universal and I just saw 3 guitarists, 1 town and 2 academy jamming. Good to see.

0400 - Karaoke ending, Limbo starting, about 100 students, walking, listening, talking, having a good time and, I'm sure, wondering what the "old guy" is writing about. The school target is $110,000 and they had reached $105,000 by closing time. The money will continue to arrive, perhaps from some of you who have not yet contributed. I had to say that. Remember, this is a "student run" event and, sure there is adult supervision, but the young lady who was chairman this year did an outstanding job. How good does that look on your resume that you raised over $100,000. Someone better take note.

Bill suggested I stop by and pay respects to Bob Hartman. One of the best things I did all weekend. Actually I went Friday, Saturday and he had gone out on Sunday, so missed the third day. I cannot quite say he is as alert as ever, time is passing, but he certainly recognized me and the stories he tells and history he knows is still phenomenal. I'm sure he would appreciate hearing from any and ALL of you, perhaps a card and note would be best. His address is:

Bob Hartman
Miller's Merry Manor
730 School Street
Culver, IN 46511-1098

I gave four examples that what we know is dead and gone!!!! Well, I LIED, again. I went to the Chapel Sunday Services. All the guys wore their Dress A's, or whatever they are called now, and all the girls wore their skirt and jacket. From the Sunday service to Matins twice a week, we spent a lot of time there. That was the Culver we/I knew. Don't worry that I was Chaplin's Aide and spent more time in that building anyway. And then, feeling very sorry I missed seeing Mr. Hartman on Sunday, I had heard there was to be a parade and checked it out. WELL NOW, here was the Culver I really remember. It does bring back memories of marching, officer's center, pass in review and the band music. It HAS NOT changed, even to the extent of, and it seemed like, a 9th grader in Infantry who could not understand "his other left", the battery of 6 guns and only 5 fired and some very fussy horses. I loved it.

Spending ALL night at the RfL was not on my bucket list, but I can certainly scratch it off for sure now. Why I did spend all night there, I cannot say for sure, maybe as a small sacrifice for myself (prostate is gone) or my daughter with her leukemia, for our classmates, love you guys, or for those who would never have that opportunity. As the saying "Yesterday is History. Tomorrow is a Mystery. Today is a Gift."

—HKB