John Magnuson:
CLASS OF 1967
Murray High SchoolClass of 1967
St. paul, MN
Concordia CollegeClass of 1971
Moorhead, MN
John's Story
Labor Day always the last day of the Fair and the last day of Summer as Murray would always start the next day. Who will be in my classes? Who will be new? What kind of dreaded homework is coming. So many questions, so few answers. So blessed growing up when we did and where we did. Such wonderful classmates. Thanks to each of you for making my time at Murray better in so many ways.
Memorial Day 2021. Murray gave up 3 of its wonderful sons to the War in Vietnam. Charlie White '67, John Weber '65 and Bill Weber '65. I often think how hard it must of been leaving the save environs of Murray to fight in this war. Every time I have be in Washington DC I take time to find our fellow Pilots on the Memorial. Still hard to believe.
Prior to our graduation in June of 1967 just blocks away from Murray Martin Luther King gave a speech. On the Green at the St Paul Campus on the corner of Cleveland and Buford. While I missed his speech, it quickly became apparent his views on the undeclared war. While we each have our own thoughts on this war I will be forever grateful to Charlie, John and Bill serving our country. Thank you. Thanks to all of our Veterans for putting their lives on the line for us.
Murray Pilots Class of '67 it has been one year since our reunion. I am still in awe of how so many came together to put on such a wonderful event. The only regrets that I have is that there were so many who wanted to join us and couldn't and that I did not get enough time to spend with those who were there. Some where in the near future us Pilots of '67 will meet again.
In the past year I know that some of those in are class joined the ranks of the retired. And there are a handful of us still working, still building. This guy started a new business - to add to my current business. All good - all fun.
On October 13th a most wonderful member of the Murray Community passed away. Ed Datko former English and Reading teacher left us at the age of 94. Ed was my 7th grade
English teacher and provided us with a wonderful introduction to the short story among other things. Ed had a marvelous command of the classroom and cared about seeing each student reach their potential. When I was blessed to go back at teach and coach at Murray I learned to really appreciate the quality of a human being Ed was. A most kind, caring, thoughtful and generous man, respected not only by the students but by his fellow staff members as well. An outstanding educator and and even better ...Expand for more
person. Thanks Ed for all you did for the Murray community.
August 11 & 12 was a most wonderful weekend gathering of the Class of '67. Friday we started riding the Carousel at Como Park followed by day one of the Reunion in the Visitors Center at the Como Park Conservatory. Seeing Classmates that we hadn't seen in way too long, touching base with several wonderful faculty members and enjoying a wonderful video of our years at Murray. A night to remember.
Saturday the fun continued. Many of us stopped by the Urban Growler in South Saint Anthony Park for a beverage and catching up. After that we had a wonderful trip down memory lane with a tour of Murray. How much in that building has changed - yet how much has remained the same. We discussed which rooms which teachers taught in, were amazed that the cafeteria is now in the old swimming pool, and were quietly reminded of all those hours spent in those halls and classrooms.
Saturday night was the big event up the hill from Murray at Luther Seminary. More catching up to do, more time together with those we grew up with. We were most wonderfully entertained and went down memory lane with the music of Pat Surface and our own Jim Beatson joining in on the harmonica for a couple of numbers.
Tribute was paid to Charlie White - and we honored those who have departed us. We miss all of them and their wonderful contributions to the Class of '67 were greatly appreciated.
We all agreed that having gone 25 years without a reunion once we will plan to meet again much sooner.
A big thanks to those who put on the reunion, those who donated so much in time, talents and financially to make it all happen.
We greatly enjoyed seeing those who were able to attend and we missed those whose other commitments made it impossible for them to join us.
Those committee members who made all this possible are:
Paul Boyd, Michael Boudreau, Christie Brandt, Dan Brink, Lois Eberhart, John Johns, Mark Plumley, Linda Rosenwald, Cathy Runyon, John Slettom, Suellen Smith, Harry Strandquist, Larry Weihrauch, and Mary Wolf.
Staff and faculty who were able to join us included Jim Ashworth, Betsy Barnes, Len Brzinski, Ron Causton, Bruce Perizzo (Langford Park Director), Pat Lightbourn Perizzo, and Ed Porthan. It was a wonderful opportunity visiting with each of them.
I feel so blessed being able to have had this wonderful trip down memory lane and to reconnect with childhood friends and to make new friends moving forward. Thanks all,
John
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