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	07/04/09 - NNHS Newsletter -
“Yesterday the greatest question was decided... and a greater question perhaps never was nor will be decided among men. A resolution was passed without one dissenting colony, that these United Colonies are, and of right ought to be, free and independent states..” - John Adams, Letter to his wife, Abigail Quincy Adams, Wednesday, July 3, 1776 (30 Oct 1735 - 04 July 1826)

Dear Friends and Schoolmates,   

   Today's beautiful "4th of July"  image by Jason C. Nokes is courtesy of       My Niece, Shari, of VA. Thanks, Shari!

   If you read your homework assignments yesterday, you're off the hook for today - particularly if you do something worthy of the occasion, say watch 1776 (1972).

   Better yet, if you haven't already done so, please learn the words to The National Anthem.  As always, they're posted at the bottom of the Newsletter for your convenience.  If you already know the first verse (and I should certainly hope you do), then commit to memory at least another verse until you've memorized all four. It's a commonly recognized fact that I'm weird, but when I was ten years old I decided to memorize the first, second, and fourth verses, and I remember them still.  The third verse was not in my possession at the time, but I'll commit to learning it today so that I'm not asking something of you I wouldn't ask of myself.

   Here's a fresher:

  http://www.nnhs65.00freehost.com/Fourth-July.html 

   Our observance, of course, repeats every year:

2004 - http://www.nnhs65.00freehost.com/07-02-04-NNHS-Happy-Independence-Day.html

2005 - Well, we WOULD have had one, had my computer not gone down.....

2006 - http://www.nnhs65.00freehost.com/07-04-06-NNHS-Happy-Independence-Day.html

2007 - http://www.nnhs65.00freehost.com/07-04-07-NNHS-Happy-Independence-Day.html

2008 - http://www.nnhs65.00freehost.com/07-04-08-NNHS-Happy-Independence-Day.html - This issue contained 13 BONUS Holiday crochet patterns, three of which are no longer available.

BONUS #1 -  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RKi7BHtUKLM - Star Spangled Banner - Clay Aiken, Carolina Hurricanes Hockey game

BONUS #2 - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QKCVS57j284 - Star Spangled Banner - The Cactus Cuties

NEWS FLASH and ALERTS:

   Please don't spread this around (because there's no way of knowing just how long I'll remember how to do it), but in the wee hours of the morning I actually learned how to attach PDF files - and I have FIVE of them ready for you today! WHOO-HOO!!!

       From Dave Spriggs ('64) of VA - 07/03/09, 5:22 PM - "NNHS 64-45 Reunion Documents":

OK, OK, you win.

Here they in MSWORD (.doc)  format, which you should be able to upload to the server.

Still, if your in-house tech support can make the PDF files work, I would prefer that. Otherwise, upload the MSWORD versions.

   No, no, thanks anyway, Captain, but we have it this time!

CLASS OF 1964, 45 YEAR REUNION PLANS

Attention all 1964 TYPHOONS:

If we have a current mailing address for you, then your 45^th Reunion package was mailed to you on 23 June.
In it you will find a letter detailing our plans for the reunion, a reservation form to be completed and returned to us
no later than 1 September, and an input form for the 2009 Edition of the Old Rusty Anchor.

If you do not receive this package (or put it aside and misplace it - - yes, it happens), then you may find these same documents
available to you on the NNHS web site at this address:

http://nnhs65.00freehost.com/reunion2009-64.html

These documents are in Adobe PDF format. If you do not have the free Adobe Reader, you may download and install it from this address:

http://get.adobe.com/reader/otherversions/

You may print out the forms, fill them in, and mail them to us WITH YOUR CHECK.

We look forward to seeing you at the Newport News Marriott City Center on October 9^th and 10th … and at The Chamberlin for Sunday brunch.

Best wishes from your Class of 1964 45-Year Reunion Committee.

http://www.nnhs65.00freehost.com/reunion-class-of-1964-2009/64-45-Invitation-Letter.pdf

http://www.nnhs65.00freehost.com/reunion-class-of-1964-2009/64-45-Reservation-Form.pdf

http://www.nnhs65.00freehost.com/reunion-class-of-1964-2009/64-45-2009-ORA-input-form.pdf

  From Jane Chambers of VA - 07/01/09 - "CNC BOOK BROCHURE & AD":

How delighted I was to see that you put into your NNHS newsletter of 07/01/09 my e-mail about Memories of Christopher Newport College: The First Decade, 1961-1971!  I was not even aware of the newsletter yet when I got an e-mail from    Charles G. Snead (NNHS, 64; CNC, AA degree, 66; W&M, BA,68 & MEd, 71)-- who of course got my e-mail address from your newsletter! He's a former student of mine and we talked for at least an hour.

   SUPER-DE-DUPER!!!

   No, ma'am, you attached the brochure quite nicely. I just didn't know what I was doing in time.....

Thanks again for the "ALERT" item. You even included a photo of me in the 1960s, taken from one of the Trident annuals. That was a nice touch!

Take care!
Jane C.

   Thanks again, Jane! I'm so sorry for the delay, but here they are now!

http://www.nnhs65.00freehost.com/CNC-CNU/brochure(2).pdf

http://www.nnhs65.00freehost.com/CNC-CNU/CNC-Memories-Book-219390602.pdf

   There's also a blurb on the main page of the website:

http://www.nnhs65.00freehost.com

   You may contact Dr. Chambers at cncmemories61_71@yahoo.com.

THIS WEEK'S BIRTHDAYS:

  Happy Holiday Birthday to   Fred Hayman ('57)!

  Happy Birthday tomorrow to Doug Johnson ('57) of VA!

  Happy Birthday this week to:

07 -    Frank Blechman ('65) of Northern VA AND    Steve Silsby (Ferguson HS - '72) of NC;

09 -   the late Adrienne Price Cox ('57) (deceased 08/20/06) AND    Eva Ellis Madagan ('61) of FL;

11 - Bobby Maddy ('57)!

   Plaxo informed me this morning that this day would also be     Aretie Gallins Patterson's ('59 - of TN) birthday, but the last time they informed me of an upcoming birthday, it was a Big Fat Whopper, so if you could confirm or deny, Aretie, that would be lovely!

      From My Niece, Shari, of VA - 07/03/09 - "For Tomorrow - Some fireworks sent your way":

		http://www.maylin.net/Fireworks.html Same old, but fun.                             Have a happy and safe July 4th.    Thanks again, Shari!

       From Carol Anne Comer Cutler ('70) of VA - 07/03/09 - "Happy 4th of July":

"STATE FLOWERS"

http://www.jacquielawson.com/viewcard.asp?code=1221321706636&source=jl999

   Oh, how totally cool and beautiful - but then Jacquie Lawson's card always are! Thanks so much, Carol Anne!

       From Bill Lee (Warwick HS - '54) of NC - 07/04/09, 6:16 AM - "Twenty-five years ago today...":

...Janie and I enjoyed one of the best, the most unusual and the most satisfying of 4th of July celebrations ever.

On July 4, 1984, the Navy commissioned the USS YORKTOWN (CG-48) at the Naval Weapons Station pier in Yorktown, Virginia. We were there, with hundreds of others.

		It was sunny. It was hot. It was memorable...in a number of ways. I'll explain... A few years prior to that event, the WW II crew of CV-5, the first of two aircraft carriers named YORKTOWN which were built by Newport News Shipbuilding held a reunion in Williamsburg. Many of them were survivors of their ship's sinking during the Battle of Midway. Learning of their reunion beforehand, I suggested to the yard's PR Department that those veterans each be provided with a packet of memories of their ship, courtesy of the shipbuilders. We managed to find a number of items in the s/y files, reproduced them in quantity, and I hand-carried stuff they had never seen before to those proud vets. To say that they were grateful would be an understatement.
Wednesday, July 4, 1984

I thought that was the end of the story, but in the Spring of 1984, I unexpectedly received an invitation to the CG-48 commissioning. I was surprised, for she had not been built at NNS and I didn't know any of the prospective crew. Later on, I learned my name had been added to Navy's invitation list by the CV-5 veteran's group, in appreciation for what had been done for them. My fondest 'pay-back' story...
Although the ship to be commissioned (the second of the AEGIS class of anti-missile cruisers) was built in Mississippi, Senator John Warner, powerful Chairman of the Armed Services Committee at the time, had 'arranged' for the ship to be commissioned at Yorktown. There was another angle, other than the obvious...

The ship's sponsor was Mary Mathews, wife of the Nick Mathews. They were both first generation, proud and patriotic Greek-American citizens, owners of the world-famous Nick's Seafood Pavilion in Yorktown, and major supporters of the commissioning.

The year before, when they journeyed to Mississippi with Warner so that Mary could christen the ship, Nick died on the way. Mary stoically did her duty in spite of that untimely tragedy. When it came time during the July 4, 1984 commissioning ceremonies to order the crew to 'bring YORKTOWN to life' - that honor was appropriately accorded to Mary Mathews.

Medallions were distributed to all present at the reception that followed, and I was able to renew acquaintances with the CV-5 crew, and meet others from the CV-10 crew, as well. CV-10, the second NNS-built YORKTOWN is the museum ship in Charleston, SC.

We saw Mary Mathews again, much later that same day. As usual, she was guarding the cash register at Nick's at dinner time, and directing people to tables as they became available (Nick's took no reservations - they didn't have to - and always had long lines of people waiting in line; especially during summer tourist season).

Knowing that, we got there early, and capped off the end of a great day by an equally great meal and the opportunity to tell Mary what a truly grand and appropriate day it had been, even though Nick was not present. Of course, she felt he was...

Five years ago, the Navy took CG-48 out of commission and placed her in reserve. Her service to our nation may be over, but the motto on YORKTOWN's crest endures...

   WOWZERONI! Thank you so much for sharing this remarkable story with us, Bill!

     From Me ('65) of IL - 07/04/09 - "Cooking, Baking, and Yankee Cornbread":

   Last year I shared a pie and pie crust recipe with you which I baked in celebration of the day:

http://www.nnhs65.00freehost.com/07-04-08-NNHS-Happy-Independence-Day.html

   My seven children all seem to be of the opinion that I never ever cooked or baked anything unless it was for Christmas, Thanksgiving, or Easter.  I prefer to think that I was giving them experience in learning to cook and instilling in them the principles of delegation, independence, and self-reliance, but at this moment in their lives, they choose to view that somewhat differently.....

   Nevertheless, last night in a rare flurry of activity,         my #5 Son, Nathaniel (Harty - Hillsboro HS, IL - '97 - of IL) and I baked double batches of Yankee Cornbread and brownies.  The cornbread was exceptionally yummy.

   You know the difference between Yankee cornbread and Southern cornbread, doncha??  The Yankee variety contains sugar; Southerners had no such luxury.

   Anyway, for reasons which are totally unclear to me, my little chickadees have long felt that Yankee Cornbread is some kind of delicacy (?!?), and that no holiday celebration is complete without it.  I am of the opinion that the real secret to this Super Easy recipe is in using self-rising flour, rather than all-purpose flour, salt, and baking soda (or is it baking powder?? - no matter....). 

   Here ya go - my secret recipe:

A little History for all of us to remember.

Jerry Blanchard (Class of 62) of Va.
 

Don't take it for granted - Freedom is Never Free

Have you ever wondered what happened to the 56 men who signed the Declaration of Independence ?

Five signers were captured by the British as traitors, and tortured before they died.

Twelve had their homes ransacked and burned.

Two lost their sons serving in the Revolutionary Army; another had two sons captured.

Nine of the 56 fought and died from wounds or hardships of the Revolutionary War.

They signed and they pledged their lives, their fortunes, and their sacred honor.

What kind of men were they?

Twenty-four were lawyers and jurists.

Eleven were merchants, nine were farmers and large plantation owners; men of means, well educated, but they signed the Declaration of Independence knowing full well that the penalty would be death if they were captured.

Carter Braxton of Virginia, a wealthy planter and trader, saw his ships swept from the seas by the British Navy. He sold his home and properties to pay his debts, and died in rags.

Thomas McKeam was so hounded by the British that he was forced to move his family almost constantly. He served in the Congress without pay, and his family was kept in hiding. His possessions were taken from him, and poverty was his reward.

Vandals or soldiers looted the properties of Dillery, Hall, Clymer, Walton, Gwinnett, Heyward, Ruttledge, and Middleton.

At the battle of Yorktown, Thomas Nelson, Jr., noted that the British General Cornwallis had taken over the Nelson home for his headquarters. He quietly urged General
George Washington to open fire. The home was destroyed, and Nelson died bankrupt.

Francis Lewis had his home and properties destroyed. The enemy jailed his wife, and she died within a few months.

John Hart was driven from his wife's bedside as she was dying.

Their 13 children fled for their lives. His fields and his gristmill were laid to waste. For more than a year he lived in forests and caves, returning home to find his wife dead and his children vanished.

So, take a few minutes while enjoying your 4th of July holiday and silently thank these patriots. It's not much to ask for the price they paid.

Remember: freedom is never free!

I hope you will show your support by sending this to as many people as you can, please. It's time we get the word out that patriotism is NOT a sin, and the Fourth of July has more to it than beer, picnics, and baseball games.

   AMEN! Thanks so much, Sweetie!

   I'm glad to see you viewed this article in terms of "they", Jean! In light of the way I (and my knees!) have been feeling for the past several months, I was quite frankly reading this in terms of "we"!

FINALLY:

        From David Whitley ('67) of VA - 06/23/09 - "Redneck Humor" (#8 in a Series of 11):

		Redneck Weenie Roast    EWWW! I hope that was a new rake! But how appropriate and timely it is for today's Newsletter!    Thanks, Gorgeous!
Redneck Weenie Roast

DATES TO REMEMBER:

1. Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, September 4, 5 and 6 (Labor Day Weekend), 2009 - The Class of 1969 will hold its 40-Year Reunion at the Point Plaza Hotel, Newport News, VA. For details, see: http://www.nnhs65.00freehost.com/reunion2009-69.html and contact Jean Baker Howell at hokie13mom@cox.net - OPEN TO ALL NNHS ALUMNI

    To donate, click on the Donate Button on the left,  or just mail it to my home. Thanks! nnhs65@gmail.com
 

The Star Spangled Banner

- Francis Scott Key, 1814
 

O say, can you see, by the dawn's early light,
What so proudly we hail'd at the twilight's last gleaming?
Whose broad stripes and bright stars, thro' the perilous fight,
O'er the ramparts we watch'd, were so gallantly streaming?
And the rockets' red glare, the bombs bursting in air,
Gave proof thro' the night that our flag was still there.
O say, does that star-spangled banner yet wave
O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave?

On the shore dimly seen thro' the mists of the deep,
Where the foe's haughty host in dread silence reposes,
What is that which the breeze, o'er the towering steep,
As it fitfully blows, half conceals, half discloses?
Now it catches the gleam of the morning's first beam,
In full glory reflected, now shines on the stream:
'Tis the star-spangled banner: O, long may it wave
O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave!

And where is that band who so vauntingly swore
That the havoc of war and the battle's confusion,
A home and a country should leave us no more?
Their blood has wash'd out their foul footsteps' pollution.
No refuge could save the hireling and slave
From the terror of flight or the gloom of the grave:
And the star-spangled banner in triumph doth wave
O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave.

O thus be it ever when free-men shall stand
Between their lov'd home and the war's desolation;
Blest with vict'ry and peace, may the heav'n-rescued land
Praise the Pow'r that hath made and preserv'd us a nation!
Then conquer we must, when our cause it is just,
And this be our motto: “In God is our trust!”
And the star-spangled banner in triumph shall wave
O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave!