Edmunds High School Class of 1944 reunion

Some held canes, one or two, walkers, and many weren't there at all -- but for a few short hours on Friday, the Edmunds High School class of 1944 was 17 again, as the Sumter City Centre, decorated in school colors of purple and white, filled shortly after noon for the class' 65th reunion.
Tears and laughter were in abundance, but mostly there were smiles and big hugs all around. In his invocation, the Rev. A.B. Parsons, a class of '44 member himself, noted “we are overcome with emotions and memories,” and reminded his classmates, “Our time on earth doesn't last forever.”
There were copies of a rather extensive list of deceased class members, but the list of those still living was longer.
Reminiscences, a display of materials from their school years, as well as pictures of grandchildren and, in some cases, great grandchildren, were shared.
World War II raged for almost all of their three years in high school -- there were only 11 years of public school in those days -- and much of their time outside of class was spent in activities aimed at getting ready for war and supporting the military and civilian effort to end it. But there were football games and dances, first dates and lasting romances, too.
In short, they had a lot to talk about.
A historic overview of Sumter and Edmunds High School was presented by Sammy Way, who then led the class on a bus tour of parts of the city. The class of 1944 ended its reunion by attending the House of Bluegrass concert at the Sumter Opera House.
Bittersweet goodbyes and promises to keep in touch and even some talk of another reunion filled the entrance of the Opera House as the class of '44 departed for their homes and hotel rooms, perhaps with the words from the old Edmunds High School alma mater still in their heads;
Here's to the land that gave me birth,
Here's to the flag she flies.
Here's to her sons, the best on earth.
Here's to her starry skies ...
O Sumter High, dear Sumter High,
We never shall forget.
That golden haze of student days
Is round about us yet.
Those days of yore will come no more,
But through the future years,
The thought of you,
so good, so true,
will fill our eyes with tears ...