OGDEN -- Hugs, smiles and laughter filled the pavilion at the MTC Learning Park Saturday afternoon as members of the Ogden High class of 1944 said what may be some last goodbyes. The class celebrated its 66-year reunion and many think this may be the last time the group gets together to celebrate.
The class has always been a close-knit group, having reunions every five years since 1964 and every years starting about eight years ago.
"We're all just getting a little bit older," said reunion organizer Jack Woods as he leaned on his cane. He and a few others have served on the organizing committee for several years.
He expected about 75 at Saturday's gathering, a dwindling number considering he graduated in a class of about 500. "We were just a great bunch and our class was just special," Woods said.
He explained that World War II was in full swing at the time and some of their classmates had already gone to war and those that hadn't gone yet and many of the women were anxiously engaged in the war effort. He remembers classmates collecting aluminum cans to melt down and finding anything they could do to help with the war.
"Most of the men here have been in the war," Woods said, including himself.
Dean Kingsford was happy to be at the reunion and was one of those OHS alumni that was already in the war by the time his class graduated in 1944.
"I only went to Ogden for one year, but I love coming to see my old friends," he said.
He and several of the alumni wore black hats with gold writing showing the different areas they served in World War II. Kingsford said while most of the men served they don't spend a lot of time talking about the war itself, but just life in general and remembering how good things were in high school.
"I have to tell you every one of these gals was knockout," Kingsford said of the ladies as they walked around chatting with old friends.
Woods said the group has met at different spots around Ogden over the years, but that they always enjoy a good meal and good conversation. For many years they brought old dance music and listened to it or danced, but now they just enjoy good conversation.
Alice Petersen proudly wears her bright orange "O-zone" shirt to the reunions every year. The shirt is a new T-shirt the football team sells as a fundraiser. Her neighbors gave it to her as a Christmas gift a few years ago because they know of her love for her alma mater.
"We're not going to be here very much longer so I come every year to see my friends," Petersen said. "We like to sit here and swap lies," she said with a laugh.
She and her friend Bonnie Clark hope that the reunion will still continue in years to come. Clark said there was a sign up sheet to keep the reunion going if people were interested, which she is.
Many friends sat arm in arm as they talked and reminisced about the old Junction City.
"Junction City just isn't the same anymore," said Arlen Muller.
She loves to come to the reunion every year because she knows she will see her old friends in the same spot.
Woods said people come each year from all over the country. They usually do it on the same weekend before Labor Day so people can plan around it. He likes how they all have a common bond of patriotism for their country and pride in their community.
"We are just a group of older senior citizens who love one another and are proud to be Americans," Woods said.
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