Just think of the things that are now in the history books that we witnessed. Start with the Berlin Crisis. The construction of a wall around the city of Berlin, followed closely by the Cuban Missile Crisis marked the high point in the “Cold War.” Our nation’s entire involvement in the Vietnam conflict occurred during our watch. We also witnessed military actions in Panama, Grenada, and repeatedly Africa and the middle east.
We witnessed the tragic assignations of three great Americans. I, and millions of other Americans can still tell you exactly were we were when we heard the news of President Kennedy’s death. The mostly successful Civil Rights movement occurred within the last 50 years. During our life, the explosion of science and technology occurred. We watched on TV as the first man stepped out on the moon. We saw the rise of the computer and the tremendous impact it has had on our culture. In 1958, none of us had any idea that such a thing as the Internet would develop. I had returned from my stint in the U.S. Army and was working for a department store in Athens when the first salesman came around with a hand-held calculator.
Madison County has undergone dramatic changes since the graduation of the Class of ‘58. Fifty years ago, our population was less than 10,000. Today it is approaching three times that amount. Our schools were still functioning under the “separate but equal” philosophy with separate high schools for black and white students. Today, we have a single school system for all students.
Fifty years ago, Madison County still had a thriving cotton industry. Today, the cotton fields are filled with pine trees, dairy farms and subdivisions. Back then, we had hundreds of miles of dirt roads. Today most of them have been paved. You had to go outside the county to find work in 1958. While that is still true to some respect, businesses and industry are expanding.
The members of the Class of ‘58 mostly had successful careers in all areas of our society. We produced educators, managers, accountants, health care professionals, farmers, business owners, airline pilots and journalists. Many of us have now retired from our careers, some more than once. Others are still working. Some are fulfilling dreams of traveling the world, watching grandchildren grow, starting new hobbies and taking part in various civic programs.
The group that gathered in Comer last week to celebrate the past 50 years are mostly healthy, vigorous and active. The Class of ‘58 has contributed much to our county, state and nation.
And I think it is safe to say that we are not through yet!
Frank Gillispie is founder of The Madison County Journal. His e-mail address is frankgillispie671@msn.com. His website can be accessed at http://frankgillispie.tripod.com/
