Larry Ingram:
CLASS OF 1966
College Park High SchoolClass of 1966
Pleasant hill, CA
Larry's Story
Life After graduation: I worked to afford my fast cars and need for speed. That all came to an abrupt end in April 1968 when I was drafted and spent 31 months in Vietnam. At the time that was (and still maybe) the biggest turning point in my life. Like everyone else I returned to a different world in our hometown area. I soon took to the hills (literally) in Calaveras County, Angels Camp area. After three years there I discovered that there just wasn't a way for an ex- Scout/door gunner to get ahead. So after working construction, logging, and tending bar, I moved to Reno Nevada. There I went back into the military. I also owned a business in Reno and in 1996 retired from the military as a First Sergeant of a Medium lift, Air Assault Chinook Helicopter Company. I also spent a couple of years leading the State Opposition Force Infantry Platoon. Now that was fun! My last assignment was as Branch Training Chief for the Nevada Military Academy in the Infantry. I also raced professionally in both Blown Alcohol Hydro's (drag boats), and Top Alcohol Funny Car's. I had a great career in both, winning several National and International championships, while setting several world records. I have been riding Harley's for over 44 years now and will until I am to old to crawl on one anymore. I have rethought that last statement, more on the motorcycle riding below. I learned early on in the military that I didn't like following so I spent my career, and in other endeavors, leading. Somewhere along the way I discovered that I had a talent for writing, primarily poetry and music. I know what you're thinking, where the heck did that come from! Well, don't ask me, I was a terrible student. I just sat down one day and the words just started pouring out of my head. I am presently living in Reno, Nevada. I don't plan ahead too much except for the next trip to Sturgis South Dakota for the next motorcycle rally. Or the next RV trip to who knows where. The car collection is now gone, but a new one may be in the works. It is in the works, I now have two 65 Satellites, and one 68 Sport Satellite, more on that car below. The two 65's (?), one is for sale and needs total restoration, but is a complete car, the other 65 will be my everyday driver in the next year or two.
On Memorial weekend 2005, Vance DeBilzan, Wayne Morris, Mike Henson, and I completed a 3+ year labor of love. The Vietnam Veterans Memorial was finished and unveiled on the Sunday of that...Expand for more
Memorial Day weekend. This memorial is not for those of us who served in the War. It is for all of the alumni who gave their lives in Vietnam, and for those who succumb to wounds they received while fighting in country. It is for our friends, our brothers, our sons, who gave their lives in the Vietnam War. All of the four men whose names are on the Memorial families were there. If you haven't been by CPHS to visit the Memorial, do so, you will not be disappointed. The students watch over it like it's their own, as they should. We had a lot of media coverage. The number of people there was beyond our expectations, and was estimated at 325 -350 people. We still need donations to maintain the project. We still have one project pending at CPHS. We want to install lights on the Memorial, including on the flagpole, and repair the lights that used to shine on the College Park High School sign out front. It is a little beat up and not working. It takes money to do this, so any donation is greatly appreciated. If need be we will do it out of pocket. You can contact just because by the way, no reason needed.
5/29/15 IMPORTANT UPDATE! We are planning some additions to the Memorial at CPHS, and doing some repairs to the footing pavers at the base, The Memorial itself is fine, and as beautiful as ever! I was there last Sunday and met with Roland Sexuar. We may be able to get the money from government grants, More on that later as it develops. We will need some monetary help with or without the grants. Anyone wanting to contact me please use classmates, they won't let me put my email addresses here, I will give you a mailing address when you contact me there.
I would love to hear from any and all of you.
On a personal note: I am selling all of my Harley's as I will no longer be riding due a back injury from to many hard landings as the flight surgeon said. I just call it battle damage catching up with me. So after 44 years of Harley's, I'm hanging it up and moving on. So, I am going racing again, drag racing. I am in presently building a 68 Plymouth Sport Satellite and will be racing Super Stock, C Gas, Modified Stock, and Brackets at a drag strips in NorCal, Oregon, Washington, Idaho, Arizona, the Mopar Nationals in the Mid West, and Nevada. That also means I am looking for Property in NorCal now. That's it for now. Let me know how you are doing. Looking for\ward to hearing from any and all of you.
Thank you all.
Warmest Regards,
Larry
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