Once Upon a Time…

Once upon a time, a forgotten time, long, long, ago…Phaedrus graduated from high school.

Occasionally, Phaedrus and The Ancients gather together to recall the days when gasoline was twenty-five cents a gallon. Such a gathering takes place this weekend.

South Dade High School in Homestead, south of Miami and “Gateway to the Keys,” was a rural school in those days and students were generally of two types and just about equal in number: children of military families stationed at nearby Homestead Air Force Base (otherwise known as “brats”) and children of farmers or of parents in farm-related industries (otherwise known as “townies”). We integrated well, especially through sports, clubs, and other school activities. By that age, we brats had moved often enough to generally adapt well and quickly. It was a distinct advantage to our life-style.

When I graduated in 1967 (yes, go ahead, let the OLD notes flow), this country was in turmoil. Turmoil over the Viet Nam war and turmoil over racial equality and integration (hmmmm…. not unlike 2004 it would appear). As most high-schoolers, we remained pretty much unaffected by these issues and rarely saw anything beyond our own noses.

Until our school integrated.

Since the military had integrated long ago, following World War II, we brats thought it no big deal and, in fact, had blacks in our schools wherever we had attended, including South Dade, since they were the sons and daughters of military fathers (understand there were few to no military mothers in those days). There were not many, but they were our classmates. We collectively (with isolated exceptions of course) had grown up non-prejudice. Racism was neither condoned nor tolerated in our households. I could never be sure if that was for the progressive and right-thinking of our parents or for the career-ending ramifications for them should prejudice of any sort be identified by the military institution. Since my parents were both born and raised in the very rural Mississippi Delta region, I tend to believe the latter in my particular situation, but nonetheless, racism was not tolerated in my home.

Overall, the townies accepted integration pretty well too as I recall, especially relative to many other schools in the South at the time. There were some incidents instigated by the more redneck townies, but there was certainly no real united front of opposition. We went to school in relative peace.

There was, however, one problem.

We were the South Dade…Rebels. Colors were blue and gray. Confederate battle flag, Stars and Bars, emblazoned everywhere and carried by many at all school sporting events and functions. Our band uniform was even an exact replica of a Confederate uniform with the hat being unique among most bands’ high hats in that it was the Confederate “cap” style wherein the bill and brow nearly meet.

Ruh Roh

Understandably (to me anyway – I still don’t get how Ole’ Miss gets away with it), the black students had a problem with this. A long story short, South Dade went without a “name” for ten years, being called “Big Blue” at sporting events, until finally the current name, Buccaneers, was agreed to by all.

The above is a long preamble to report that in recognition of the school’s 50th anniversary of existence, a “Rebel” reunion is being held for the classes of 1954 to 1972, the latter year being the year the Stars and Bars and all things associated with it was lowered and put away.

The big event on Saturday, October 9th, is a dinner dance and attendance maxed out at 600 with latecomers still pressing to attend (which they no doubt will).

A classmate of mine from Homestead contacted me about six months ago and said our class had existing funds left over from previous class reunions and we could plan some sort of get-together on Friday night, but since she was going to be traveling all summer she could not do the planning.

Well…what’s a guy gonna do?

So…below is my letter of notification with the details. We expect about 100 but since there will certainly be others staying at the resort from other classes, I expect (and welcome) party crashers.

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Greetings all, July 6, 2004

Hopefully you have planned to attend the 50-60’s South Dade reunion that was announced in April. If you have not planned to attend, we hope that you reconsider and send your response by the September 9th deadline. Most of us have fond memories of those simpler times and good friends who had great influences in our lives. It is always good to get together and reminiscence, embellish, and flat-out lie about just how good those days were. It’s also good to finally be able to answer the question of, “Whatever happened to…?” And…yes…lies are also perfectly acceptable when you report your post-graduation accomplishments.

While the main event on Saturday, October 9th promises to be a truly grand affair, there is no reason not to add an extra evening of fun and frivolity while we have the opportunity. We mean, really…despite our ages, we can hang for two nights, can’t we? Let’s accept the challenge anyway.

Since our classes were especially close socially, we have planned a pre-party party for the classes of ’67 and ’68. Here are the details:

When: Friday, October 8th, from 6:00 to midnight (I know, past bedtimes, but see paragraph above regarding “hanging”).

Where: Ballroom C at Miccosukee Resort (same location as Saturday’s shindig). Since many will be staying there (out-of-towners especially), this will reduce potentially hazardous road time.

What: Registration at the door (this means getting a name tag so when all wonder who the hell you are they will not be awkwardly embarrassed for not recognizing you bald – you’ll know when their eyes shift from yours to read your name tag that…you’ve changed…a lot). Reminiscing/lying, sharing pictures of children and grandchildren, and explaining how incarceration in federal prison ain’t really so bad, from 6:00 to 8:00. Dig out your old copy of the Southernaire and have your old friends re-sign it. Who knows, maybe now they are willing to tell you what they REALLY think of you. Music and dancing to sounds of the 60’s from a DJ from 8:00 to midnight (don’t forget your meds for the aches and pains to follow the next morning). AND…last but not least of course, cash bar throughout the evening. Food, as required, will be available from any of the five restaurants in the resort, so come and go as you please (a perk of getting older, our beer coolers will not be confiscated in the parking lot by faculty).

Dress: As casual as the law will allow. Speedos optional. Confederate wear would be cool.

Cost: None. Existing class funds will cover the cost of the DJ and incidentals. However, since it’s quite likely other South Dade classes will be in the area, they will be welcome to join in – the more the merrier. These we will ask for donations at the door to defer costs and any proceeds will be split equally and re-deposited into the two class funds.

Although there is no cost, we would appreciate a head-count so we have a guesstimate of the incidentals that will be required and the bar will have an idea of just how many cans of Ensure should be stocked. Please respond to your respective class rep below as soon as possible, but not later than Friday, September 3rd so we can complete plans. Bring on any questions you may have too.

See you in October!!

By the way, Victoria Principal has already accepted!! (just kidding)

Phaedrus
’67
Phaedrus@LA.GOV
Yes, I’m the Governor of Louisiana.
(see last line, first paragraph above)
(225) 169-6969

Janis
`68
Nuna@yabiness.com
(305) 269-6969

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So…I’m outta here Wednesday through next Tuesday. Practicing my “Rebel Yell” all the way…