Thought this was plumb cool...!

[Hardpan Curmudgeon SASS #8967]

So, last Thursday evening, my Kiwanis chapter had a recognition event in the cafeteria of a rural high school - happens to be the one my son graduated from back in 2010.  I've been there before, but it's been a while ~ more on that later.

 

Anyway, I had a surprise that made me smile:  In a corner was a tribute to the school's graduates who have served!  By branch, every veteran alum.  And even a "Missing Man" table!  Evidently a gift to the school from the 2018 graduating class.  Definitely an unexpected and refreshing thing to see in a public school, 'specially in this state!     

 

         

 

 

 

 

[Forty Rod SASS 3935]

That's just wonderfully amazing.  Pass my thanks along if you will.

[Shotgun-Gibbs]

That is wonderful! A great display! Thank you for sharing!

[Stump Water]

That is cool.

[Charlie Harley, #14153]

Out-Damn-Standing!

[Hardpan Curmudgeon SASS #8967]

Here's the "more on that later":  

 

Madera Ranchos was a semi-rural, unincorporated community of about 3,500 souls, somewhere between Fresno and the town of Madera and was part of Madera's school district.  Over eight miles away, you could neatly fit the entire city and county of San Francisco between us and the city of Madera.  My neighbor's kids had to board a "milk run" bus at 0630 to arrive at Madera High School by 0800.  Our one elementary school was a shambles; the youngsters would wear jackets in class during winter, and pails were scattered about classrooms to catch roof leaks when it rained.  Our community was literally the "red-haired, bastard step-child" of the school district. 

 

Well, one afternoon, a couple of fellas were having beers at the local tavern.  “Dangit… we need our own high school!” one of ‘em said.  

 

“Dang right we do!  Let’s call a town hall meeting and talk about it!” and they did.

 

They expected a handful of folks to show up, but a mob gathered, and a movement was afoot.  We literally had a revolution!  More meetings were held  (I was on the campaign committee), petitions gathered and presented to the state capital, and a ballot measure was approved.  The county “leaders” and Office of Education thought it was funny – “that will NEVER happen!”

 

It did.  Required over 50% voter approval to pass; over 80% voted to secede, and in 1998 our new district was born.  But there was a caveat – we had five years to open a full-service high school, or we would revert.

 

“That’ll never happen!” the county folk said; “it’ll require passing a school bond, and there has NEVER been a school bond passed in this county!  We'll get 'em back!”  At that time, a school bond measure required over 66% to pass.  When the ballots were counted we had over 70%.  (I was on the bond committee)

 

We opened our new school three years later.  And in consideration of how it came about, we named it Liberty High.  (I was on the school design committee)

 

During the “open house” following the dedication ceremony, I noticed a gentleman accompanied by two or three ladies wandering about looking a bit surprised.  I introduced myself and welcomed them; “But this was a tomato field last time I was here!” he said.  Seems he was a fairly affluent grower with properties in the area, but who actually lived elsewhere. 

 

Anyway, a few months later, he appeared at a school board meeting and asked to speak during the public comments session.  He stood, introduced himself, and told us his story of immigrating to the United States as a nearly penniless young man to escape oppression, and through hard work had become quite successful. 

 

And, he went on to say, he so admired our spirit and accomplishment that he wished to contribute something.  So, in the months since the dedication ceremony (which he had just happened to stumble upon), he had found, purchased, and was donating to Liberty High School a bell – our very own “Liberty Bell!”  Cast by either a relative or former apprentice of Paul Revere, I believe, sometime in the late 1700’s or early 1800’s.  Amazingly generous!  I'm sure it wasn't cheap, but it's definitely cool!       

 

 

 

Edited March 29 by Hardpan Curmudgeon SASS #8967

[Eyesa Horg]

That's way cool 😎 😊 

[Subdeacon Joe]

Well done!

[Wallaby Jack, SASS #44062]

Dear Uncle Hardpan,

                                  Was you one of them fellars having that beer at that local tavern ?