Remembering a Classmate - Gary Neal Large

On Wednesday, I was informed of the passing of our classmate and friend, Gary Large. To be honest, it has hit me very hard. When I thought of the ultimate Clintwood fan, I thought of Gary. When I thought of politics and dedication, I thought of Gary. For short, my mind has not been off Gary since I got my first e-mail from Jennifer telling me he was sick. Now I wish I had one last chance to tell him how much he meant to me. I won't have that chance.

My prayers and condolences go out to Asa and Lula, his brothers and sisters and the rest of his family. Prayers go out to his extended family, those of us who stayed close and those of us who renewed and rekindled those relationships after years of inactivity. It hit me while writing this post, just what Gary means to me. I hope you can relate. Here is something I wrote:


The Ultimate Human Being
He was the ultimate fan.
He was the cheerleader at the game.
He was the cheerleader in life.
He was the child who came back to take care of his parents.
He was a loving sibling, uncle, cousin and extended family member.
He was my classmate.
He was my friend.
He was the cheerleader not for the big play,
He was the cheerleader for EVERY play.
He worked tirelessly to see us all come together.
He was so happy to see the fruits of his labor.
He was looking forward to our next gathering.
He has now gathered at an even greater gathering.
One where he will once again cheer, yell and scream,
Released from his bounds and chains of sickness,
Cheering his family, classmates, his teammates to keep up the fight.
The game is not over. There's no time to quit. In his death, it appears at first to be defeat.
But our dear friend has finally won the battle and taken hold of the trophy.
Now he's cheering us on to keep on with the battle.
Our friend, Our classmate. Our member of family.
I already miss your energy and excitement. Your love of life.
The game is not over. Rest In Peace Gary.
The game has just begun.
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CHS Class of 1983 Forum Now Online

A new forum has been set up to allow classmates to stay in touch and keep classmates informed as to family news and general conversation. You can visit the forum at:
http://chsclassof1983.forumotion.net/forum.htm

The Official Class Reunion Photo

Senior Superlatives Now Online

The Senior Superlatives of the CHS Class of 1983 are now online. It is the hope that we can update the pictures with a sort of "then and now" tribute page after the 25 Year Class Reunion takes place. If any of you have any suggestions for other additions to the website, e-mail me.

A Reunion Tribute - In Memory of Classmates

Late last night (Saturday), I decided to put up a page honoring our deceased classmates, While we are aware of only two, several of our other classes at CHS have lost more than we have. We hope you will visit the page that honors our two deceased classmates, read the lyrics from John Lennon and Paul McCartney and think about these two wonderful individuals and the good times we enjoyed.

Putting it another way, it's been 25 years since we graduated. We all had differences, we all felt different about each other and certain things. On September 19 and 20th, lets all come together and be thankful for one another, erase those old bonds and chains, and be thankful we have this opportunity to come together, relive the past, renew friendships and rekindle old ones eroded by the past. I am sure our classmates that have gone on would want the same thing. The page can viewed here.

Reunion Flashback: 1983 Graduation Program

How many graduates of the Class of 1983 still have their graduation program? Well here is the scanned graduation program from June 3, 1983. Dr. Joe Smiddy, Chancellor of then Clinch Valley College, was the speaker. I found the program recently while going through some of my late mother's things. Hope you enjoy as much as I did. Some things to make note of: Randy Pruitt was Band Director / Choral Director and the late Holly Coe (Class of 1984) was pianist.

You can click here for the program.

More Photos Added Online

More photos have been added online to the CHS Class of 1983 Photo Album. If you have any pictures you would like to submit to be added, e-mail chsclassof1983@gmail.com. The photos are available at this link.

Greetings from the Class of 1983!

It's hard to believe it has been 25 years since we graduated and graced the halls of Clintwood High School. On September 19-20, 2008, we will celebrate memories, friendships, and advancements, all afforded to us by Clintwood High School. The reunion committee invite you to be apart of this wonderful celebration.

FRIDAY, SEPT. 19TH
Starting at 4:00pm, Martha Short has graciously offered her home (located across from Clintwood Funeral Home, behind the old museum) as the starting point for our Reunion Weekend Get Together. Please bring your family, a covered dish, drinks and enjoy a cookout and time of fellowship before the Clintwood Homecoming Football Game. The cost of Friday night's events will be the price of your ticket into the football game.)


SATURDAY, SEPT. 20TH
Starting at 6:00 pm, we will gather for a buffet dinner with soda, tea and dessert included at Bad Bob's BBQ (located in the west end of Clintwood past Pizza Plus). A DJ will be on hand providing music from the '80's. Bring your spouse or date to this event. (Beer will be available for purchase but it will not be included with the price of the buffet) The cost of this event is $25.00 for single, $40.00 for couple.

We are also establishing a Class of 83 Reunion Fund. A website has been created to purchase
shirts and other gifts featuring our 25th Year Class of 1983 Reunion Logo.
The Class of 1983 merchandise as well as other Clintwood Alumni of 1983 merchandise may also be purchased at: http://www.drewsterstudios.googlepages.com/ or http://www.cafepress.com/chsclassof83

WE HOPE TO SEE ALL OF YOU THERE!

FOR QUESTIONS CONTACT:
Gary Large at 276-835-8858 n2eagles@hotmail.com,
Paula Wallen Short at 540-400-8785 paulajowallen@aim.com,
Martha Short at 276-926-5646, mshort03@yahoo.com,
or Pam Branham Horne at 276-495-1133 thorne@optidynamic.com.

Loyal and True - The Fight Song Now Online!

An audio recording of the Clintwood High School Fight Song is now available online. While it may not be an actual recording of "The Mean Green Marching Machine" from the 1980's, it's a very good version. Click here and relive the memories of the band and our truly unique fight song, Loyal and True.

Check out the Class of 1983 Members List

We've added a new page to the ever growing CHS Class of 1983 Blog. Now you can see the members on a web page (that is if you have misplaced your yearbook due to old age). Click on this link and view the list. Also included is a photo of the Senior Class officers.

Clintwood Alumni Gear now Online!

Clintwood Alumni Gear is now available! Show your Green Wave colors with this new design displaying Willie Wave and our year of graduation. Tell the world you are "Loyal and True" to Clintwood High School and the Class of 1983 with Clintwood Alumni Gear available online by clicking on the Class of 1983 Links listed in the right column of the page or by going directly to the Alumni Gear storefront here.

Submit your Information with the Online Questionnaire

Members of the Class of 1983 can now submit their information online. The questionnaire asks for simple information but also provides the Reunion Committee with contact information and an update as to each classmates status. Follow the link in the right column titled "Class of 1983 Reunion Questionnaire". The questionnaire is available for classmates and teachers attending the reunion. An information booklet is planned to be made available at the reunion and online.

Looking for Snapshots

We're looking for snapshots of various people and events to compile a "yearbook" slide show for posting on the Class of 1983 blog. If you have some pictures you are willing to share, scan them and send them to chsclassof1983@gmail.com. We will begin putting the video yearbook together leading up to Reunion Weekend.

Top 10 Movies of 1983

You could find a wide variety of movies playing in 1983. From Luke Skywalker to Eddie Murphy, a young Matthew Broderick, James Bond and yes, reliving those dreaded disco days of "Saturday Night Fever" with a John Travolta sequel. And who could forget Tom Cruise and the "Old Time Rock and Roll" dance?

1.Return of the Jedi
2 Terms of Endearment
3 Flashdance
4 Trading Places
5 WarGames
6 Octopussy
7 Sudden Impact
8 Staying Alive
9 Mr. Mom
10 Risky Business

Top 10 Songs of 1983

It's hard to believe 25 years have passed since we graduated from high school. The year we graduated, these songs were the tops on the radio for the year 1983.

1. Dexy's Midnight Runners-"Come On Eileen"
2. Michael Jackson-"Human Nature"
3. Eurythmics-"Sweet Dreams (Are Made of This)"
4. Duran Duran-"Rio"
5. Prince-"Little Red Corvette"
6. Def Leppard-"Photograph"
7. Spandau Ballet-"True"
8. Yes-"Owner of a Lonely Heart"
9. Dio-"Rainbow in the Dark"
10. Styx-"Mr. Roboto"

Bring back any memories? More to be added later.

Class of 1983 Gear

In celebration of the 25 Year Class Reunion of the Class of 1983, merchandise is available to set our class apart from the rest. The Class of 1983 was always considered to be unique and now class members can wear truly unique apparel and have keepsakes for that special weekend. A portion of the sales made online will go to offset expenses for this special weekend. Look over the offerings in the online store and order today!