Class of 1979

Take Care and I wish you all the best!
Teresa G. Harrison

That year — Bobby Knight led the Indiana Hoosiers to the NCAA basketball championship. I loved Indiana. How could I leave all that I had known behind?

The move to West Virginia was difficult. I had always been quiet and reserved at school -- focused on making good grades. I had always made the honor roll. Something snapped after the move. I got into a few fights, I quit doing my homework, I became resentful about the move and then got into activities that were counter-productive. I smoked a cigarette for the first time. I had my first taste of alcohol. All was NOT right with the world. I still ran and played basketball.

High school graduation came and went. I changed and realized I must focus on my future. I worked at various labor jobs and went to college at night trying to better myself. I began running every day, won quite a few trophies. I then decided I must leave West Virginia - in order to find a better tomorrow. I enlisted in the Marine Corps and reported for boot camp on November 15, 1982.

In my third year in the Marines, I was recommended for Marine Security Guard duty and was sent to Paris, France in May 1985. This was my first exposure to the Foreign Service, and it was the first time I had ever lived in a big city. I thought to myself — I could do this Foreign Service — and live in Paris for three years! I simply loved and still love Paris.

I then met a beautiful young lady in Paris, Kelly De’sheil Cunningham. She took my breath away. All was right with the world. She was from Washington, D.C. and was attending the Sor Bonne. I ran the marathon in Paris — in May 1986 with a time of two hours and fifty seven minutes. I will never forget that natural high. It took me back to the first warm spring night in April, running with my brother Mike two miles to play basketball.

I left Paris and went to West Africa for my second tour as an MSG. Kelly was able to get an internship with the African Development Bank and within a few months we were married. We then left West Africa. Kelly did graduate school. I worked hard by day and attended university at night, full-time. I completed a Bachelor’s degree at the University of Maryland in 1992, just six months before my discharge. I left the Marines on November 28, 1992 and my first child, Ricky, a son was born on November 29, 1992. All was right with the world.

Kelly then was accepted into and subsequently graduated law school in May 1995. I completed graduate school at Syracuse and was accepted into the Foreign Service.

I went back to West Africa with Kelly. Our second child came, Tori, a beautiful daughter, and again all was right with the world. My career in the Foreign Service thus far has taken me around the world several times. I have spent time in fifty-two countries. My permanent overseas tours have been Cote D’Ivoire, Albania, Germany, Hungary, Bangladesh and now Iraq. Significant TDY tours include a six-month stint in Belgrade, Serbia when we reopened the embassy in 2000 and many a short-term assignment doing communications support for Secretary of State Colin Powell while he was on the road.

Along the way I have researched my ancestry. My fifth great grandfather, John Hewitt was born in Ashby, Mass in 1744. He was a Mass. Minuteman who fought in the Revolution at the important battles of Lexington and Concord and Saratoga, N.Y. My fourth great grandfather, Israel Hewitt was born in Lancaster, Mass in 1775. He was an Ohio Volunteer who fought at the Battle of New Orleans in 1814. A great uncle ancestor, Enoch Hewitt fell wounded at the battle of Shiloh in April 1862. My Grandfather, Ralph Hewitt was awarded two bronze stars on the Island campaigns of World War II. As I serve in Iraq, I reflect on the sacrifices of my ancestors.

I hope for a Foreign Service posting in Paris again, to see things I did not see in the 1980’s.

My brother Mike still lives in southern Indiana. He is a successful business executive who has a wonderful house in a golf course community. Every summer I return back and spend quality time with him exercising in the Indiana summer sun doing some kind of chore or sporting event that makes us sweaty and tired. We then sit down on his back porch have a cold drink and watch the twilight bring the Indiana fireflies. We can see them flicker and blink away across the field much like we did in our youth.

Our kids voices echo as they play hide and seek in the distance, sometimes an hour past dark. We hear those voices and know. We have been fortunate sons. We have become the fathers of fortunate ones. Mostly for us, all is right with the world.

Drema

I can't wait for our 30th year reunion this summer. Life keeps getting better. I married my Mr. Wonderful in June 08. I became a 5 year breast cancer survivor in Feb. 09. We live in the best little city in the US, Louisville, KY. There is nothing like the KY. DERBY and the Louisville Cardinals, GO CARDS!! I'm still a WV fan, but only when they aren't playing the CARDS. My daughter is a beautiful, amazing young woman of 28 who makes me proud everyday. I'm a customer service manager for SHPS Inc. We are a third party administrator for FSA accounts for the Federal Gov't Employees. The only thing that could make me happier is grandbabies. I'll need to wait a few years on that one. It's all in your attitude!! Live life and have fun.

Jerry

Now that our 30th is coming up (OOOHHHH!) I'd love to hear from more of our classmates!

I live in Beckley, as a mortgage loan officer. I am married to Paul Mantz, who is a foreman for a surface mine. I have 2 kids, Shane(22) and Karen(20). No grandkids yet cuz I am wayyyy too young for that! Hope to see you all at the reunion next year!

Thank you, Agnes (Reeder) Keatley (WWHS 1954)

Wow! It has been a long time. Live and work these days on in pacific rim region. I spend much of my time in the Philippines with my wife and family. Went I'm not here I'm in Kauai,Hi at my other home. If like drop me email.

Bless you all,

Kenneth Kodak
E-Mail: klkodak@gmail.com
View Kenneth Kodak's LinkedIn profile http://www.linkedin.com/in/kkodak
More details on me & networking: http://klkodak.businesscard2.com/
My Web Site: http://jjulius.110mb.com

Please email me if your interested in coming for the Silver Eagles 70's Reunion. You can contact me at my kathanderson008@yahoo.com or I have set up at silvereagles70s@yahoo.com as well. Let us know if you're interested in volunteering. Volunteers are needed to help contact their respective classmates. Look forward to hearing from everyone and hope that we have a great turnout for our Inaugural Silver Eagles 70's!!

looking forward to hearing from all of you.

Hope everyone is enjoying middle age as much as I am. I will marry the love of my life in June and become Mrs. David Rateau. I am a customer service manager for Cardinal Health. Grest company, great job, but very stressful. WOrking 60+ hours a week is for the young and ambitious. My goal is to be simi retired in the next five years, traveling and playing LOTS of golf. My beautiful daughter, Tara is 27. She is a sales manager for a cheerleading competition company. I am 4+ year breast cancer survivor. It's all in your attitude. Love life and have fun.

I appreciate anyone's help.

Sarah

I am writing to up-date, and let everyone know about the book I recently wrote, entitled "Salvation: Just the Facts" - it is now available for purchase on-line via the publishing company, Publish America at: http://www.publishamerica.com

May God continue to bless each of you and, I encourage you to buy the book - it is a must read! Please email me and let me know,

Many blessings, Serving Christ - Phil Vaden

The Veterans Memory Project continues to amaze me at the scope and personal stories I have had with families throughout Raleigh County. What we have discovered so far is 490 men and women from Raleigh County have given their lives in the following wars:
- WW I (53)
- WW II (290)
- Vietnam (67)
- Korea (80)
- Gulf (0)

Each story is much larger than life and still very close to each families hearts. For example, I discovered my Uncle (Dillard Gene Earehart - 8/7/1922 - 7-18-1944) did not graduate from WWHS but left school to join my Grandfather to make money at his local garage and wrecker service to support a family of 12. He was driving a wrecker under age and after mid-night 7 days a week.

In turn my uncle, Charlie Earehart joined the para-troopers in WWII because they made an additional $25 per jump to send home. Charlie made it back home and established a major regional auto dealership but Dillard was killed in action on July 18th, 1944 in St. Lo, France.

In that time the US Goverment sent each family a check that made the payment for the first house my Grandfather had on Johnstown Road adjacent the Bowlwick. The only time my mother remembers seeing her father cry was opening that envelope from the US Goverment.

In that time there were county wide "blackouts" just in case of bombings and rations of food and medals. Almost every family was so poor that the only way to get by was by kids dropping out of school and getting jobs BEFORE they could join the service. Many changed their birthdate to go in early to send money back home. To the best of my research so far in WWII, if you got on the train to war from Raleigh County one of four young men did not make it home.

The one very apparent part of this project is that I am way over my head. One grand mother from Shady Spring called me last week that lost her son in Vietnam asked me if this project was exclusive to only WWHS people? Her exact words were, "Just because my son went to Shady Springs and was killed in action should not exempt him to being honored", and I sure do agree...thus the project grows larger.

I'm not as worried about the size or time involved as in getting the exact facts corrent and accounting for every member correct. Any information or suggestions would be appreciated. We have (so far) 490 young men and women that need to be honored and plenty over in Iraq as we speak!

Best Regards - JD

It is great to see all the Culicerto's (Ed 1974, Phil 1979, Danny 1980, Joey 1983, Kenny 198?, Robby 198?, Vincent 198?) who I grew up with 5 houses away and had to fight every other day join the WWHS Hall of Fame every half a decade. Great to see Michael Peelish 1979 (father is Vick Peelish 194? Captain of WVU Football Team) setting the Wall Street world on fire at Foundation Coal.

Just this weekend I found out my cousin Diane Earehart 1977(daughter of my uncle, Bill Earehart Class of 1945 and brother of my mother Betty Earehart Daniel Class of 1949)who married Mike Purnesti 1977, daughter - Diangelo Purnesti won the WVU Homecoming Queen contest when my sister Kathy Daniel 1976 (class mate and friend of Becky Sigmund 1976)called from the 50 yard line at the WVU - Mississippi State Football game.

The reason for all this rambling is this website does a great job of keeping WWHS Alumni in touch from generation to generation. What this website and all of us might not have a very good handle on is who the REAL notable/accomplished/hall of fame worthy alumni should be. If you have a few moments go to the History of WWHS 1975 icon on scroll to 1945. There is a list of 61 WWHS young men under age of 20 that did not get a chance to enjoy a chance at accomplishing "things" in life that lost their lives in World War II. One was my uncle Dillard Gene Earehart that I never got to meet.

It would be great if we could think of a way to honor these men along with others that served the country at the school, football stadium or on this website in some way. It is hard to imagine the more than 15% of an average WWHS class would be wisked away 60 years ago without more than a paragraph deep in cyberspace of www.wwhsalumni.org. Without a question a different time, different generation and different sense of purpose!

Best wishes to all alumni and please be assured this message is sent with goodwill and best intentions. Look forward to reading about more WWHS acheivements in the future.

John Daniel Class of 1979

Sarah

Anyway, just wnated to share my thoughts. Has anyone heard from Paricia Curtis or Mary Boggs? Let me know.

I'm going on 23 years married (to one..the same man), Robert Wood. Our 1st 10yrs in USAF, met in Myrtle Beach. Had 1st child in MB, SC. Johnathan 21-now driving 18 wheelers all across US (tagged for 48 states). 2nd child in Dover, NH. . Cori Marie 19-doesn't yet know what she wants to do or be (except away from mom & dad). That means we're empty nesters. Robert is now an electrical engineer for General Motors...and doing well. He has traveled to Europe several times and Japan for GM...another trip next month. I'm in my 25th year of nursing and have had licenses 5 states so far. All of my family are still in WV (we get there 1 or 2 times a yr.) My husband's family is here where he grew up.....I'd like to move back to a more southern area. Anybody out there need a REAL GOOD elecrtical engineer....past experieces include electrical maint. on the F-1 11 from the 1st gulf war.

Sorry for rambling on; must be that empty nest thing.

Dan

Many Blessings, Serving Christ, Rev. Philip "Phil" Vaden.

In March of this year I moved back to Beckley from San Jose, CA. I have one daughter Christy, 26- from earlier marriage. She is still living in San Jose, with no plans to relocate any time soon. I've been married to Kyle for the past 11 years. I have one step-daughter Tanya, who lives in Maryland and we have 4 grandkids! So I'm Grandma Rose!

It's good to be back in Beckley. I'm working in Sales & Engineering for a local ISP, Web Design & Hosting company selling Web Designs and I LOVE IT!! I stay pretty involved in the local Chamber events and recently starting singing backup with local Jazz & R&B group. Looking forward to the next reunion! Rose

Would like to hear from any or all of - email: parsonvaden@aol.com.

Serving Christ, Rev. Philip Vaden, of the class of "79"!

Sure was great to see West Virginia deliver a complete and total ass kicking to the SEC Champion - Georgia Bulldogs in the Sugar Bowl!

Send me a note when you get a chance!

Would love to hear from some of my old friends... Pam Thomas, Beth Mullens, Vicki Morrison, Donna Bresock, Tom Hartsog, Shari Leatherberry, Mark Field, Christina Ayers... just to name a few.

ALL CLASSMATES AND THEIR FAMILIES ARE INVITED TO OUR SPRING FLING PICNIC

PLEASE BRING:
(1-2) COVERED DISH ITEMS: MEAT DISH, VEGETABLE, SALAD, DESSERT OR CASSEROLE (ENOUGH TO FEED YOUR FAMILY) AND YOUR OWN BEVERAGES (NON-ALCHOLIC ONLY) AND PLEASE BRING $5 TO HELP COVER THE REST WHICH INCLUDES THE SHELTER COST

OUR CLASS WILL PROVIDE A MEAT AND PAPERGOODS

WE HOPE YOU WILL COME OUT AND HAVE A GOOD TIME AND ENJOY THE COMPANY OF YOUR CLASSMATES

PLEASE TRY TO LET US KNOW IF YOU AND YOUR FAMILY WILL BE COMING TO THE PICNIC SO THAT WE WILL BE BETTER PREPARED OF APPROX. HOW MANY TO EXPECT TO ATTEND THE PICNIC.

PLEASE E-MAIL US AT

CINDY BONDS PARKER - PARKER 878@AOL
GINNY CASSITY - CASSITYGIRL79@CHARTER.NET
NAOMI HARPER BOWLES - NAOMIBOWLES@YAHOO.COM

WE HOPE TO SEE YOU THERE

WE'RE STILL GREAT
WE'RE STILL FINE
WE'RE STILL THE CLASS OF '79

WE WILL ALSO HAVE THE PHOTO ALBUM FROM THE CLASS REUNION

If you have already sent your registration and funds, please forgive me. Just sending this out as a reminder.

Thanks
Ginny Cassity

Still need to find the following classmates for the Class of 1979 25 year reunion set for August 6, 7 and 8 and some of you are listed on Classmates.com and gave me your info last summer and my computer died, etc. and I lost the info!!!!!!!! Please guys, respond, we wanna make this one a killer!!!!!!! We need responses quickly, hope you guys see this!!!!

Thanks
Ginny Cassity

Jeffrey Adkins, Kenny Adkins, Ellen Alderman, Cynthia Allen, Kathy Arnold Shumate, Patricia Arthur, Ellen Christina Ayers, Cindi Barnes, Patrick Barnes, Nadine McReynolds Barringer, Sarah Bassett, Loria Bennett, Brenda Bennington Carpenter, Tammy Blevins, Lisa Bloomberg, Mary Boggs, Mark Bowles, Asa Newton Boyd, Coretta (Missy) Breckenridge, Andrea Brooks, George Brown, Melody (Janie) Brown, Roberta Brown, Joseph Bryant, Treva Butner, Julie Chambers, David Cheselka, Johnny Childers, Christine Clark, Lawrence Clark, Rebecca Clark, Boyd Claypool, Phillip Clyburn, Shari Colvin, Pamela Cook, Katrina Cook, Robert Cook, Toni Cook, James Copney, Jeannie Corey, Monique Cosby, Tara Cox, Teresa Covey, Paul Crouse, Tammy Davis, William Deal, Jo Ellen Dressler, Stephanie Duncan, Alvah Edwards, Danny Edwards, Sharon Elliott, Pamela Ellison, Robert J. Evans, Dennis Farmer, Milton Joe Ferguson, Randy Fink, Stephen Fisher, Maria Floresca, Donna Foster, Pamela Foster, Sharon Gestewitz, Randy Glenn, John Goode, Anna (Kim) Gouge, Kelli Greer, John Greer, Terri Greer, Terence Greer, Alesia Grubb, Randy Grubb, Tim Gunther, Pamela Hairston, William Hairston, Hairston (Dwayne) Hamby, Carla Hawley, Bobby Hill, Ella Mae Hill, Victoria Hill, Michael Hutchens, Sandy Jackson, Gregg Jarrell, David Johnson, Stephanie Jones, Marsha Kennedy, Donald Kincannon, Margaret King, Diane Kountz, Leisha Kirkpatrick, Kenneth Kodak, Caryn Larry, Shari Leatherberry, Karen Lee- Nix, Ralph Leftwich, Deborah Legg, Rhonda Legg, Deborah Lilly, Kathy Lynch Ara, Peggy Mabes, Robert Manns, Tyronne Mayo, Mary Jane McCutcheon, Charles McGraw, David McKinney, Steve McMillion, Dena Meador, James Meadows (Brunette hair), Karen Meadows, Phillip Meadows, Elaine Megimose, Gail Milam, Michael Miller, Vita Mirande, Brenda Mitchell, Kathy Mitchem, Robert Mokwa, Nathaniel Moon, Ophelia (Daphne) Moore, Richard Morris, Maria Morrow, Tammy Motor, Elizabeth Mullins, Sandra Napier, Fred Neal, Leona Neal, Sharon Nickoson, Joseph Nicoli, James O'Neal, Ramie Patterson, Sharon Paugh, Robin Payne, Joe Peelish, Linda Phipps, Maribeth Preston, Robert Puckett, Sherrah Puckett, Drema Pugh, Kevin Quinn, Tina Rakes, Drema Randall, Greg Reed, Carl Reid, Charles Rhodes, Scott Sassaman, Richard Sauls, Gary Scholfield, Frances Schultz, Brendel Seay, Doug Seifert, Sharon Shuford, Suzanne Sims, Anetta Simpson, Kerri Skiles, Greg Sleboda, Kevin Small, Dougal Smith, Karen Smith (Lee), Majoree Smith, Ronnie Smith, Sara Smith (Duncan), Sharon Smith, Walter Smith, Tammy Snuffer Spangler, James Spade, Phillip Stanley, Athena Stavrakis, Kenneth Stewart, Kim Stewart, Keith Stone, James Stover, Kathy Sullivan, Sheila Swain, Jeanie Swecker, Norma Sweeney, Dana Taylor, Claude Taylor, Dondiego Taylor, Lisa Taylor Farmer, Cindy Thomas, Pamela Thomas Richards, Ricky Thomas, David Thompson, David Thurman, Enoch Trent, Lewis Vannatter, Theresa Vipperman, Helen Lynn Walker, Janet Walker, Veronica Walton, Nancy Ward, Maria Watson, Dennis Watts, Diane Webb, Linda West, Peggy Wheeler, David Williams, James Williams, Kellie Williams, Steve Williams, Teresa Williams, Ricky Wilson, Kim Wood, David Wooten, Tammy Worley, Michael Wright