I’m not sure why I’m here doing this speech, as we have many more experienced speakers in this distinguished class then myself. I’ve heard some of your speeches over the years and they were very eloquent, entertaining and fluid.  But given that, I’m still here and willing to expose my amateurism to you all.

I hope we’ve all come with great anticipation of renewing old friendships from years gone by, and to establish a bond between each other for support and encouragement, for now and in the years to come. I’ve come to realize how vulnerable we are trying to live in an island, and that having the support of a group of persons that we formed and shared a common bond with 40+ years ago is very vital in our maturing years. I hope that we are able to laugh at the memories of our IMS high school years. To listen and cry with each other as we share the struggles, trials and tragedies we’ve endured in the years since.

I remember a time in HS that I had but one good pair of jeans to wear. Every evening I would brush them and hang them straight to be ready for the next day.  There were many activities we enjoyed, that helped us grow without dependence on money or technology. Our neighborhood had but one ball and bat, but we had fun playing pickup games. There were few television sets in homes to make us into zombies, and Nintendo games weren’t even anticipated. Radio had Amos and Andy at bed time and Orphan Annie just after school, for those of you that even had radios.

Those were the days of family get-togethers, too. We knew our aunts, uncles, and cousins. Indeed, many times there were several generations living together because of a lack of employment or needing physical assistance. We learned to value each other and even knew how to quarrel fairly, without mortally wounding the opponent. I can remember uncles talking vigorously about politics, religion and the Cubs, The Cards., then all get into a singspration.

All in all it was a great era to grow up in. We had little money, but learned to enjoy what was available. We were not confined to electronics, but free to learn about nature, physical activities and most importantly--- each other. We picnicked in the park, walked in the woods, raised gardens and chickens. We cut the grass with out riding mowers, trimmed our lawns with a shear, and stayed cool with lemonade, watermelon and ice cream. We swam in local ponds on hot and humid summer evenings.  We were poor and didn’t know it. Not poverty stricken, because we had a purpose.

We grew up with the purpose of achieving. We were anxious to learn and to read. We read the Gettysburg address, knew American history… I am in awe at how little people know about American History, from hearing the answers given by our country’s young people when quizzed by Jay Leno on his ‘Jay Walking’ segment. We knew that “Honey, I Shrunk the Kids” was ear shatteringly bad grammar, and that boats “sank”, rather then “sunk”. Even “ain’t’ was a poor substitute for “is not”.  We had heroes, and our heroes had no feet of clay. George Washington was the father of our country. Lincoln was the great liberator who preserved the Union. Any president was our chosen leader and deserved our respect AND support, even though he might be of a different political party. Ministers were selfless. Teacher had unlimited knowledge for us.

So we were willing to grow up with ideals. Our purpose was to have the facilities within, to emulate the great people of our society. Then if greatness presented itself, we would be ready to accept it. And if it did not, then we could live normal, productive and secure lives, AND contribute to our towns and neighborhoods.

Yes, we may have been poor, but purpose kept us going. We had reasons for pride.  Think of the teachers we had at IMS; Mr. Greiser taught about geometry, algebra and other mathematical calculations that would be assets to us in our daily lives. Ms. Yoder showed us logic in chemistry. Mr. Brenneman taught us about the nation and world’s history, for us to be informed when history repeated itself, as it always does. Mr. Grass showed us how to build our ideas with our hands. Ruby Yoder showed us immature boys how to sew our own shirt buttons, bake cakes and some other much needed social skills.

Think of the confidence we had in each other. We were the brightest students IMS ever had. The girls were the prettiest. We had the best athletes in our class. We had the pride in the Class of 1967.  We were proud because we knew that hardships were just a step in making us self sufficient. We did not grow up to be forever dependent on the dole or good will of others. We expected to be responsible, dependable, and independent adults.

We wanted to accept our roles in life, whatever they were. We wanted to be accepted because we were ready—not just because we eventually would reach that magical age of 21.

One other thing we had, though we scarcely realized it and even denied it at times… we had prayer. We had grown up in churches. We knew there were different faiths and different practices. Yet we saw our fellow classmates with the same ideals and the same sense of responsibility, and we knew behind us all was one vital Creator . . . Father God.  We may not have talked about prayer a lot in those days. We may not have gone to the streets and demonstrated about our religious beliefs. Nevertheless the times did come when we depended on prayer. Since high school, we have known the terrors of war. We have known life and death of friends and family. We have known financial and emotional trials. We have known fear and frustration. We have felt fatigue and despair. The privilege and ability to pray, as we learned 40 + years ago, has continued to sustain us through the years, and will sustain us the rest of our course.

As we are entering our senior years, middle age has become a reality. We have lost a number of classmates, and classmates’ spouses, we are fast approaching the senior citizens' society. We will soon be able to draw from our 401k's with out penalty. We will be privileged to ask for the Senior Citizen’s discounts.  We have the possibility of telling our grandkids and maybe our great grandkids, how we grew up in a society with purpose and pride, AND we continued through adversity with prayer, support of our classmates, and our family of friends. But as you know…. time flies … so talk to them soon.  It is this ability to endure that will bring us together again.

We have never been poor in spirit. We have been sustained by purpose, by pride, by responsibility and by prayer. Even after 40 years, we still anticipate a strong future in our neighborhoods and this institution Iowa Mennonite School.

Now a quote from Erma Bombeck:  When I stand before God Almighty, at the end of my life, I would hope that I would not have a single talent left . . . that I could say “I’ve used everything You gave me!”