WE ARE . . . . . MARSHALL

Saturday, November 14, 2009

39 years ago tonight will be etched in the memories for thousands of people from the Marshall University community. The plane carrying most of the team, coaches, staff, and fans, hit the hillside as they approached the Tri-State airport. All aboard the plane perished that fateful night. I remember that night, and remembering thinking this can't have happened. Many of the players had been or were classmates of mine at MU. Many were friends with John because he was taking the athletic classes in which most of the team was taking!

As I looked over the names of the coaches, players, and the fans, I shudder when I realize at how many I actually knew or had some special connection. The players such as Ted Shoebridge, Michael Blake, Marcelo Lajterman, Allen Skeens, David Griffith, and Barry Nash were members of some of the classes I had taken or were taking in education. Our family's medical doctor and his wife were on that plane, Dr. Joseph and Margaret Chambers. They had three daughters in which two were MU cheerleaders! Dr. Joe's father had been our pediatrician. We knew them well! Other fans on the plane were the parents of many who attended the same high school as I had.

It still makes me shiver when I think back about that night. I was watching my grandmother, who was living with us after my grandfather had passed away earlier that year. Mom and Dad had friends up and they were playing rummy in the kitchen and eating the cheese, pickle, and a cracker tray I had fixed. The boys were milling around watching the game and what ever we had on TV to entertain Mammaw. Then we got a phone call. The daughter of the lady visiting us called and said a plane had crashed out at the airport. Then they interrupted the program on the TV to say a plane had crashed and that there was the fear it was the Marshall plane!

Many people around town jumped into their vehicles to rush out to the airport to see what they could do to help. My brothers also went out to the crash site. Needless to say, there was nothing that could be done! What it did do was embed memories of that fiery plane crash in the minds of all who rushed out to be of assistance - including my brothers!

It was a very long week for the community. Funerals were being planned with many here in Huntington, while others were being sent home to Ohio, Alabama, New Jersey, and Georgia just to name a few of the states. Coach Dawson tried his best to attend all those funerals, because he had recruited many of those boys to come to Marshall. Each funeral had a representative from the coaching staff as well as a surviving team mate who had not been on the plane due to a variety of reasons.

The first day back in one of my classes, there were three black roses on three separate desk scattered about the room. The roses were placed on the desk of three of the players who had been on that plane! That was one of the hardest classes to concentrate in I believe I have ever had!!!

This tragedy did not just touch the lives of those who live in Huntington, or who went to Marshall. It also touched the lives of many sports fans from across the nation, and most definitely the family and friends of all aboard that plane. The flight crew, the coaches, and the players were from all around the United States. They all may be gone, but they will never be forgotten!

The 1970 Team and Coaches

The Coaches:

Rick Tolley – Head Coach
Al Carelli – Offensive Line
Jim “Shorty” Moss - Offensive Coordinator
Deke Brackett – Kicking Coach
Frank Loria – Defensive Backs
Carl Kokor – Defensive Line (was not on the plane)
Red Dawson – Defensive Coordinator (was not on the plane)
Gail Parker – Freshman Coach (was not on the plane)
Mickey Jackson – Offensive Backs (was not on the plane)

The Players:

Jim Adams
Mark Andrews
Michael Blake
Dennis Blevins
Willie Bluford
Larry Brown
Thomas Brown
Roger Childers
Stuart Cottrell
Rick Dardinger
David DeBord
Kevin Gilmore
David Griffith
Arthur Harris
Robert Harris
Bobby Hill
Joe Hood
Tom Howard
Marcelo Lajterman
Richard Lech
Barry Nash
Pat Norrell
Bob Patterson
Scotty Reese
Jack Repasy
Larry Sanders
Al Saylor
Art Shannon
Ted Shoebridge
Allen Skeens
Jerry Stainback
Robert Van Horn
Roger Vanover
Fred Wilson
John Young

Tom Zborill

The following players were not on the plane:
Tony Barile
Richard Brautigan
Jon Calvin
Dickie Carter
Ed Carter
Jack Crabtree
Dave Cyrus
Ed Deeds
Greg Finn
Dennis Foley
Fred Gaudet
Wes Hickman
Frank James
Felix Jordan
Gary Morgan
Pete Naputano
Paul Oden
Nate Ruffin
Jim Sly
Mike Swartley
Richard Taglang

David Withers

Other Athletic and Football Staff:
Charles E. Kautz – Director of Athletics
Gene Morehouse – Sports Information
Jim Schroer – Head Trainer
Donald Tackett – Assistant Trainer
Gary George – Student Assistant Statistician
The following were not on the plane:
Ed Starling – Assistant Director of Athletics
Jim Hodges – Business Manager
Eugene Jones – Assistant Football Manager
Gerald Sieber – Assistant Football Manager
John Hagan – Equipment Manager
Mervin G. Black – Assistant Equipment Manager
David W. Byrd – Student Equipment Manage
Joseph Wortham – Student Assistant Statistician

The Fans:
There were twenty-four of Marshall’s most diligent supporters who went with the team on that fateful trip.

Charles M. Arnold
Rachel Arnold
Donald Booth
Joseph Chambers
Margaret Chambers
Shirley Ann Hagley
Ray Hagley
Arthur L. Harris
Emmett O. Heath
Elaine Lois Heath
Cynthia Jarrell
James Jarrell
Kenneth Jones
Jeff Nathan
Brian O’Connor
Michael Prestera
Glenn H. Preston

Phyllis Preston

Courtney Proctor

Herbert D. Proctor

Helen Ralsten

Murrill Ralsten

Parker Ward

Norman Weichmann

The Flight Crew:

Captain Frank Abbott
First Officer Jerry Smith
Stewardess Charlene Poat
Stewardess Patricia Vaught
Charter Coordinator Danny Deese

The Headlines


The fountain which was designed as a memorial for the 75 who lost their lives. There are 75 points on top of this fountain! Each year on November 14 the fountain is turned off for the season!

WE ARE . . . . . . . MARSHALL

Veteran's Day - The Tear In His Eye

Wednesday - November 11, 2009

The following is a poem written after witnessing the heinous acts that took place on 9/11! I watched the news with disbelief - how could this be happening??? There was an image of a veteran standing and looking on as the hundreds of rescue workers were trying their best to find survivors. Tears were streaming down his face as he stood silently watching what was taking place in front of him. My thoughts were: was he crying because of what had taken place on US soil; was he crying because he lost loved ones and friends on that fateful day; or was he remembering when he and his friends had made sacrifices so our freedoms and lives would be out of harm's way? I really believe it was a combination of all!

To the veteran who shed tears; to the veterans of all ages; to all the veterans who have gone on to their heavenly home; and to all those active members of the Armed Forces - THANK YOU for doing all you've done and are doing to preserve the freedoms we hold as Americans. Without the sacrifices of all the brave men and women (and their family), I would not be able to write this poem or blog. We do not live in a perfect place, but we do have many freedoms that citizens from other countries do not!

The Tear in His Eye

The veteran represents a nation proud and strong;
Inspiring her to do what is right and not what's wrong.
Sadly he sits, and we are wondering as to why
This soldier of old has a tear in his eye.

Watching with disbelief so quietly, brave, and tall;
The nation he fought for is together for the good of all.
This obscured enemy will eventually learn about defeat
As God guides his nation back on her feet.

This veteran has witnessed her sufferings in the past,
Wars, assassinations, and the Oklahoma blast.
Now, we need not wonder why there's a tear in his eye,
As he watches the devastation that started in the sky.

The lives lost in Pennsylvania, Manhattan, and DC
Will not have died in vain, on this we all will agree.
So, to the veteran with the tear glistening in his eye,
We ask that you not worry on us you can rely.

The battles he fought helped mold us today;
The tear in his eye will now be wiped away.
His nation will comfort this veteran of old,
As the facts of what happened begin to unfold.

Phyllis Sue Hardin

Laziness or Poor Attitude

Sunday - November 8, 2009

Very seldom will I write about something that bothers me that I know is out of my control. But today's topic has been bothering me for a very long time. Saturday's experience was the straw that broke the camel's back!! Back during the time when my sciatica was giving me fits, and I was finally able to go to the store, I starting noticing how many times the customers were having to place the bagged groceries into their buggies to wheel out to their cars!

Some may think or say, "Well, they put the groceries into the buggy, so what's the big deal about putting the bagged groceries into the buggy?" The weight of the bags might be part of the problem, but I thinking that didn't the cashiers (or a bagger) use to do this for the customer? My first trip to the store after my back was starting to mend really frustrated me. One of our local stores had installed the "lazy-Susan" style of bag holders that I began to notice that the service to help the customer had started to diminish. Apparently, (or so I've been told by employees of these businesses) that with this style of bag holders, the cashier is NOT responsible for placing the bagged groceries into the buggy. They just twirl it around so the customer can do it. Hmmmm - prices are higher and service to the customer has diminished!!! Most days this would not bother me, however on days my back is not feeling the best, it does bother me. Chances are Bill will be at home to help carry the bags into the house! What about all those senior citizens who are in the 70's, 80's, and even 90's? Are they required to do the work for these cashiers?

I have actually noticed how many senior citizens are placing their bags into the buggy. No help from the cashiers or any of those standing around talking with other employees. There was a day when as a customer, all that we needed to do was buy the items, and then worry about getting them out of car and into the house. Most stores had the cashiers or the young men hired as baggers to place the groceries in the bags and then place them in the car. Most of the boys who did this received a small token as a tip! It was well worth it to the customer to have this kind of service.

But alas, no longer do most of the grocery establishment offer this type of service. Too many times the attitude of the cashier is one of "I really don't want to be here," which gives us the impression this person is rude. At one time, an employee with this type of attitude would have been let go. That is not the case today.

After taking Mom to her Ladies' Circle Meeting Saturday, we stopped at the store. We need to remember that we had just completed working HARD for the last two days in the church's rummage sale. The days of preparing for it should also be considered when thinking about how tired we were. Mom had a buggy for her purchases, and I had one for some things for me to take home to Bill and Toby! We had no problem shopping. Most of you know that Mom's eye-sight is not good. Therefore, we (whomever takes her to the store) will unload her groceries (after all she is 89) and then use her debit card to pay for them. No problem, we are helping Mom. The clerk saw that I was trying to unload Mom's buggy, and then was trying to unload my buggy as quickly as possible so I would be ready to pay for Mom's. She knew they were two separate orders - I placed the bar between our orders. I got my order out before she had complete rung Mom's up on the cash register - I was fast! :):)

What really irritated me was that while I was paying with Mom's debit card, this cashier just stood there not offering to place Mom's bags in the buggy. If she couldn't have placed them in the buggy, then she needed to call for some one to come and help - she did neither!! Therefore, in order for her to ring up my order, I had to quickly as possible pull Mom's bags off the "lazy-Susan" so my groceries could be placed in a bag. Grrrrrrrrrrrrrr - I was out of breath from trying to unload two buggies, pay for two separate orders, and placed the bagged groceries in the buggy - then load them into the car. The cashier was NOT friendly and considerate - especially towards Mom - I guess that's what really irritated me!!! It is one thing to treat me that way, BUT not my mother!!!!!!

I will confess - I was extremely tired from the work I had put in with the rummage sale! But, I try to put on a friendly face, because I know these cashiers have to deal with the public which can really been tough at times. There should be mutual respect from both parties - the cashier and the customer! I have seen some of the cashiers/employees verbally abused for apparently no just cause. So I really try to be as friendly and cooperative as possible when I go to the store!However, some of these cashiers appears to be "lazy" or are they just harboring a poor attitude because they have to work??? I really don't know! But I do know, that I steer away from some of these cashiers, and go over to one who has a smile on their face, even if their line is the longest - there might be a reason for these long lines! :):)

This posting is definitely NOT about all who works at the stores or are cashiers - it is about those who are rude, lazy, and very unfriendly to the paying customer. If they are that unhappy with their job - then get a new one. If they can't get a new job, then try your best to enjoy what you're doing as long as you can! I do not and will not frequent these business unless I really have too because of the attitude and the poor treatment from some of their employees! I have also heard from friends that they had noticed these poor attitudes and do not frequent these businesses as often as they have in the past! Is this called boycotting??????

A smile goes a long way and will make you and all around you a happier person!

Sorry for venting - but had I not been there with Mom (which would never happen, because one of us has to always take her) would this cashier have made her bag her groceries?????

Mom - Crafts for the Church Bazaar

Tuesday - November 3, 2009

I want to share a post that has a happier overtone than my last posting!! The church that Mom attends is having its first ever Christmas Bazaar with most of the proceeds going towards the youth program. Mom has always made items for Christmas - usually crocheting gifts. I remember when we were in grade school, she would always crochet dollies for our teachers. The recipients were always thrilled with the gifts. It was not until I was older that I realized why they were so thrilled with the gifts - they were homemade!!! When Dad started working with wood and making small things, Mom would find a pattern she thought he would enjoy making, and between the two of them they would make, decorate, paint, stain, and then give them away as presents!!

Mom's eyesight has been slowly leaving her. She can crochet some patterns which now makes those gifts even more special. We always teased her saying she could crochet with her eyes closed!!! She wanted so badly to help make something for the Church's Bazaar. So, we came up with some plans on things she would be able to help make. She loved the reindeer necklace which was given to me years ago by a former colleague. She loved it so much I gave it to her. She asked me if I thought we could make some of these necklaces! She was able to stain the clothespins. I later painted the nose on each deer as well as glued the wiggly eyes on each. Then we both strung the clothespins, beads, and bells on the ribbon to make the necklace. She had a blast and whistled all day while we worked on these! This made all the hard work worth it!!!

Hope you enjoy the pictures of the progression of going from little clothespins to a reindeer necklace - by the way - she has already given at least three away! :):) This means we will be making more for the bazaar!!!!

Mom showing how I drilled the holes in the clothespins using my craft tool!

Mom staining the clothespins - she wore plastic gloves to keep from staining her hands! :):)

She concentrated so hard to make sure she covered every inch on the clothespin!

Making sure each was perfect!

. . . and she did a great job . . .

. . . all the clothespins stained and ready to be strung . . .

. . . Santa Red paint for the nose . . .

. . . Rudolf would be so proud . . .

. . . all now have a red nose . . .

. . . now the tedious job of gluing the wiggly eyes in place . . .

. . . "I see you!" . . .

. . . actually, they all see you . . .

. . . organization of the materials made the job of stringing the ribbons a lot easier . . .

. . . we used red and green ribbon . . .

. . . two of the finished necklaces . . .

Even though Mom did not make these completely by herself, she did enough to feel she has made a contribution to the bazaar! This has made her happy anad useful!!!

The "Babee"

Monday - November 2, 2009

Are you all going to read or look at the pictures? :):)

GO REDS!!!! That's what I'm suppose to say according to Dad!

Today our world was rocked a little! We were told by Dr. Brown that our "babee" has four vertebrae which are fused together which has allowed arthritis to grab hold of his spin. He is, according to the doctor, in continuous excruciating pain. Toby has always been a "tough man" and his tolerance of pain would put most of us to shame! We all do not want Toby to be in this much pain, after all he is our "babee!"

There are many skeptics in this world, which may include family, friends, and more than likely strangers, who would say, "He is just a dog!" Pardon me, but he is more than "just a dog" to Bill and me! We fell in love with him when we first saw him over thirteen years ago! He became our "babee!" He became our friend, buddy, companion, and a means of helping us release much of our stress! Many health organizations are utilizing the help of "therapy" dogs to help patients of all ages. Stroking the back of a dog or cat has proven to help calm the nerves of many patients and owners of these dogs and cats!

He knew when it was time for us to get home from school and would be looking out the door for the car to come across the railroad crossing! You might ask how I would know this. Simple, when staying home from school due to being sick, I would lay on the couch in the Reds' Room. Toby would hear the buses start their trek toward the school around 3:00. He would then go to the door and sit there patiently looking down the road for the first sight and sound of the car. He knew the sound of our car. He would start to get anxious when he saw and heard it. Then he would start whining when it would pull under the carport. He was ready for his mommy and daddy to get home. He was all over us when we would get in the house, and then it was time for a game outside.

He loves us unconditionally - regardless of the scoldings he might have received for doing things puppies do, or even when we were away from home a little longer than usual. He has given us so much pleasure. When we would have a really bad day at school, he would greet us ready to play. We would play Frisbee with him and before we knew it we were laughing at Toby's antics. He would always try to play keep away and make us chase him all around the back yard! He could make us laugh regardless of how bad our day had been. He never expected anything special, but would show his appreciation when he did receive a new toy, a treat, or even his food and water.

The thought of him being in pain brought tears not only to our eyes this afternoon, but to the vet and his assistants as well! We were told nothing other than pain management would help Toby now. No surgeries - not that that would have been an option for his age - would help his problem!! The plan is to try and get him to be as pain free as possible. Today he was given a steroid shot with some new pain medicine - 1/2 tablet twice a day. We go back in a week to see if this medicine will work. He may have to have a shot every two weeks, which is something we will be administering to him.

These are some of our favorite pictures of Toby - I could have posted hundreds of pictures of him, but that would have taken a long time to upload! :):)

Toby all snuggled under his covers with one of his "new" buddies!

Okay, so he has crooked teeth - but you have to love that smiling face!!!!

One of his favorite games to play now is to chase this big ball around the back yard! He can no longer see the Frisbee flying through the air! :(


He loves "new" toys and is not happy until he finds the noise maker in each one.


Toby had to go to Ohio State for two separate surgeries! The first one was to have his anal sacs removed. He looked so pitiful!

The second surgeries was on his eye. He had to have a skin graft placed over his eyeball to save he eye. He is now almost completely blind due to cataracts.

One of his favorite times of the day is to snuggle under his blankets - especially when the air is on and it's cold!!!!

This picture was taken right after the first time Cora came to visit. He appeared to be peeping out from under the blanket saying, "Are they gone yet?"

As with most of my posting, I don't expect to receive comments. As I was told once, you know people are reading them by looking at the counter. This is true, Today's posting is one that has my heart breaking because I don't know what the future holds for our "babee!"