"The Class of '56"

Ike was in the White House, and Elvis did his tricks

Seems like only yesterday, not nineteen fifty six.

And in that year we forty six, left all that high school fun

And ready or not old world - look out, for here we come.

But had we known what the future held, just what we'd endure

What would we have thought, in our minds at that time so pure.

Had we seen each mountain top, and the depths of every trough

Would we have said to all around"Stop the world,l want to get off.

Of assassins, wars and riots, and evil walls of fear

But also laughs and happiness and glorious times of cheer

And in our lives we most would march to that wedding tune

And would you believe that we would see, a man upon the moon.

So what have we done since that day in May

As across the decades we made our way.

And who did we meet and where have we gone

Since we planted that tree on the schoolhouse lawn.

We served in the military for our Uncle Sam

In places like Turkey and Viet Nam.

Sixth Fleet , Germany and some Texas drill

Shirley, Allan, Bob, John, Mick and Bill.

And we met some famous along the way

Truman and Nixon and Johnny Ray.

And you covered your eyes when he moved his pelvis

But one in our class has really met Elvis.

In sixty three a rude lesson was taught

As they doused the flame of Camelot.

And we watched perplexed and mourned as one

And wondered why that deed was done.

And for our class there has been pain

Since the loss of our friends - Nancy and Jane.

Cried together when we were sad

But laughed more often when we were glad.

Jane Smyers - gentle, loyal -without any fuss

Seemed more mature than the rest of us.

At times in our youth when we acted confused

She held it back, but was probably amused.

And Nancy Kriner chose the religious life

In places of turmoil, toil and strife.

And she was with us to share that gift

And asked for blessings at our thirty fifth.

But life goes on and we few

Watched our families as they grew and grew and grew.

Peri Lynn ----------------------- Shirley Rake Sharp

Darrell and Bryan ------------------ Nancy Peace Lingle

Kathleen, Bill, Steve and Eric -------- Bob Mehok

Jill, Jan, Mark and Mac -------------- Marilyn & Jim Zimmerman

Traci and Bobbi ---------------------- Robert Scully

Larry and Lisa ---------------------- Loretta Knarr Shepler

Deborah, Sandy, Jackie, Joan, John and Janina --Laudrea

Brewer Frampton

Laurie, John, William and Brian -------- John Bassett

Chris, Mark, John and Catherine ------ Ron Meholick

Andrew and Brenda Lee ------------- Andy Pruzinsky

Lori,, Valerie and Lane -------------- Luther Weber

Marissa, Brian and Bradley ---------- Don Zimmerman

Brian and Melanie ------------------ Bill Yohe

Bobbi, Beth, Susan and Doug ---------- Bob Melzer

Nancy Keenan Meizer

Suzanne and Catherine ------------ Mike Zbailey

Clifford, Karen Mark and Stacy ------ -Bernice Solida Oman

Patricia Marlene ------------------- Anna Marie Furdak Duttry

And equal billing for those not present:

Taylor, Avery, Abraham, Adam and Donna- Judy Nichols Parks

Rod -------------------------------- Regis Felix

Betsy, Michael and Judith ------------- Anne Peace Daugherty

Bryan and David ------------------ Don Starr

Michelle, Susan and Rob ------------ Bob Volansky

And as we grew over all this time

Our family size was two point nine.

So we charged and staggered through all those years

We had lots of joy and just a few tears.

Not what we thought in those days from the past

But truth now be told, it sure was a blast.

When next we all meet, this century will pass

For the forty fifth year of this vintage class.

But what's now in store for you and for me

The best, I'm quite sure, is still yet to be.

Mike Zbailey

Sykesville, Pa.

June 15, 1996