60 Years of Friendship

60 Years of Friendship

M.K. French

What can possibly come between old friends? Not even 60 years, if you're lucky. 

Four members of the Harlowton High School Class of '53, plus an honorary husband-member, came back to visit the hallowed halls of their alma mater today. They were gracious enough to share a few memories with me as they waited for a tour. 

One might not think that they would need a tour of their own high school, but a lot can change in 60 years. Collectively they remembered the current office as the Algebra room, the current Health room as the Band room, and one room that I have to assume must have been off limits to students when they attended, since none of them could recollect exactly what it was for, yet they remembered the others with perfect clarity. They also wondered after a certain miniature version of the Lincoln Memorial that used to grace the entryway of the building. (Does anyone know what became of it?) Other memories of different times, somewhat uncertain, and even "frightful" times, brought memories of paranoia of germ-carrying enemy balloons in the 40's, when they were in elementary school (long before Hillcrest was built). With dignified and touching expression, they listed names of schoolmates and the years they were all enlisted in the armed services. Of course, they also reminisced about beloved teachers and coaches, and the fun times at HHS.

We can certainly be proud of these folks. Three of them had successful careers as educators: Alice Jenkins O'Leary as a primary school teacher in Havre for 40+ years; Bill Miller as a 6th grade teacher in Lockwood, also for 40+ years;  Pete Glennie spent several years as a high school teacher, then became a successful accountant. Lewis Manseau spent half of his career as an aerospace engineer before he went on to a job in manufacturing. Not too shabby, eh? Alice's husband Jim, who enthusiastically attended with his wife, told the story of how he met her in his job as a bank teller. A colleague asked him to "take care of the lady" who was making a deposit, and he has--for 55 years. They will be celebrating this milestone anniversary in August. These guys and gal are all now enjoying well-deserved retirement. Despite their full lives, they haven't been too busy to come and reconnect with their old friends 10 times since they graduated. Here is a stirring picture of 60 plus years of friendship:

Members of the class of '53 came back to Harlo High on Monday to share fond memories from 60+ years ago. A picture of their graduating class hangs in the background. Left to Right are Lewis Manseau, Bill Miller, Alice Jenkins O'Leary (attending with husband Jim, not pictured), and Pete Glennie.