Archives

Let's Get Organized Dept.

All (well, most) of you are aware of what year it is. Ah! But how about the significance of this year? Remember one fine day in May...FORTY-FREAKIN-FIVE YEARS AGO? That's how long it's been since the BGA Class of '67 visited itself upon the world. And, sometimes, we look back. One of these times is THIS YEAR (2012), THIS FALL. Needless to say, these things don't happen by themselves; they need planning, and planning needs...wait for it...planners. In a word, you. Here's the deal, straight from Ralph McCracken:

Jason Gregg, the alumni affairs guru at Battle Ground Academy, is conducting a BGA alumni luncheon at Dick's Last Resort: 154 Second Avenue North, Nashville, on Friday March 30th. (parking available across the street). After that scrumptious noon day meal, all the '67 class members who attend the luncheon will be invited to meet and help us plan the infamous weekend!

"Woody" Paul Chrisman described his meal at Dick's Last Resort as "the best hamburger I've ever had": a ringing endorsement of the flavor and quality of the food there, so don't be shy! Speaking of Paul, this year he will be inducted into the BGA Alumni Hall of Fame (for those with short attention spans, see below) this fall and I feel sure the whole class will want to be there to share the moment with him!

It's a special year for all of us and we want all our classmates (and we know who you are) to get excited about this opportunity to get together as we enter the "fall" of our lives. (not the winter!) Mark your calendars for March 30th!

Number...Seven! Dept.

As I'm sure you who received Eddie Lunn's email are aware, our own Paul Chrisman, AKA "Woody Paul", AKA "King of the Cowboy Fiddlers", AKA Doctor Chrisman (yep), has been inducted into the BGA Hall of Fame. Paul, congratulations! Well-deserved and well-earned! Yours truly attended a lunch in Paul's honor on 9/1 at fellow classmate Ralph McCracken's downtown Nashville restaurant, Dick's Last Resort. Of course, there are pictures.

At the lunch, I heard that Don Denbo asked, "Why don't they just induct the whole class?" Indeed. They are well on their way, now aren't they? Seriously, we are over 10% at this point. If there is another class that surpasses ours (HA!) in numbers or percentage, I'd like to know it.

Kudos Dept.

Muse-ings from Allen

It's Mighty Quiet.
Yeah, a Little Too Quiet. Dept.

OK, guys, I know things are going on in your lives; I can hear you breathing out there. Let's get some news items in so I can have an excuse to do the class website and neglect my actual business. There are a couple of tidbits to get us started:

• Jack Staples reminds us of the upcoming "mid-cycle" reunion in fair Naples, FL. Here's more.
• In an apparent fit of insanity, masochism, or some other loathsome condition, the BGA Alumni Board decided to appoint your humble webmaster to the board. Bear in mind that this puts TWO members of our great class on the board at the same time, as I proudly join Eddie Lunn. The other board members won't know what hit them. Heh.

Transitions

We're up to Six Dept.

Passing of a Country Music Legend

From Frank Clement:

Gentlemen,
I regret to advise that Dickie's dad passed away this morning. As you may recall, Dickie's mother, Sally Arnold, passed away a month ago. Lets all pass on our thoughts to Dickie and remember his Dad who was a wonderful man and his mother who was so gracious and entertaining as well, and both of whom always made us feel at home when we visited.
Frank

Eddie Lunn sends this link for more info: http://www.wsmv.com/tu/5xFdN7c0N.html

It's hard enough to lose one parent, but Dickie has lost both in the space of two months' time. All our sympathies go to him.

I Love a Mystery! Dept.

At the Saturday night showing of the documentary of Coach Gentry's life, Don Denbo gave me an envelope of photos taken at one of our classes' reunions where everyone looked a lot younger. I scanned the pix and posted them here. Anyone who can identify this get-together will win his 15 minutes of fame by being immortalized...here. Sorry for the let-down. Thanks to Don for sharing!

And the winner is...Robert Akin! Robert says it's the 10th reunion "when everyone had hair." Except for your humble webmaster. >Sigh< :)

We are Great! Dept.

Way to go, Ralph! Dept.

(From Eddie Lunn)

Ralph McCracken to be Inducted into the BGA Hall of Fame

Ralph McCracken will become the SIXTH member of the class of ’67 inducted into the BGA Hall of Fame. The induction ceremony and dinner will be held on Saturday, June 14, 2008, at the Embassy Suites – Cool Springs in Franklin, TN. Ralph joins Logan Jackson, Don Denbo, Steve Robinson, George Silvey and Mike Mott in this prestigious group. PLEASE PLAN ON ATTENDING TO SUPPORT RALPH AND ‘67!
Our class has more members in the Hall of Fame than any other class ever to endure the walls of THE Academy! Just another reason to be proud of ’67 and make yourself obnoxious at any BGA gathering. The next closest class is ’49 with five members. I say we challenge them to a tug-o-war to settle who is best.
Check out the other members at http://www.battlegroundacademy.org/podium/default.aspx?t=101060 .

Coach Gentry Dept.

This just in from Ralph McCracken! Get your tickets now to see a documentary of Coach Gentry's life, filmed in Franklin and in Dachau. Read all about it!

In his service to our country during World War II, Coach Jimmy Gentry was one of the GIs who liberated the Nazi concentration camp of Dachau. Read an email from Julia Minatra, courtesy of classmate Nick King, here.

Here's a link to American Profile.

We were privileged at BGA more than we knew. We were taught by heroes. And, had heroes among us. Thanks, Coach. Thanks, Mike.

But Wait! There's More! Dept.

We Made It! Dept.

Well, most of us made it...to the 40th reunion, that is. For those of you who didn't,

1. We know who you are, and
2. We have a list...
3. Seriously, you missed a great time, and getting to see a great bunch of guys. Us.

Eddie and Ralph donate Mike's flags to Dr. Bill Mott. Read the story of Mike's flags. Eddie read Bill Pemberton's email eulogy to the group. Read Bill's eloquent tribute here. As you may know, the Class of '67 has established a scholarship in Mike's name. Read how you can contribute to it.

Click here to see what you missed or, for some of you who were there, to remember what happened.

Mike Mott's children, Ashley and Michael, unveiling Mike's memorial plaque behind the Fleming House, BGA New Campus.

Click here to see Eddie's pix from Friday's Fun.

Is It Really That Time Again? Dept.:

Commemorative Sculpture Gift Planned

Something Old (Us),
Something New Dept.:

Whitfield's Dinner, 02/01/2005