My Kosovo Venture
Tom Driver
February 8, 2003

I came to Kosovo in January this year from my home near Baltimore, Maryland.  I'm here as an Education Services Specialist for the U. S. Army.   First a little background of the area:

Tito's Yugoslavia has shrunk dramatically.  From a federation of six republics, it's down to two.  Today, only Serbia and Montenegro remain part of what is still called Yugoslavia (though there are plans to change the name to "Serbia and Montenegro").  The country's change in size didn't take place quietly.  The name Yugoslavia will be associated for a long time with the worst bloodshed Europe has seen since World War II.  Of the four republics that declared independence (Bosnia, Croatia, Macedonia, Slovenia), only Macedonia was allowed to go quietly.  The bitter civil war was followed by fighting in Kosovo province in the late 1990's and a NATO bombing campaign aimed at ending Serbian attacks on Kosovar Albanians. (This paragraph is from the internet.)

You will notice that Kosovo is not listed as one of the republics of Yugoslavia.  That's because Kosovo is a province of Serbia.  It lies in the southern part of Serbia just north of Macedonia and northeast of Albania. Kosovos majority population consists of ethnic Albanians who are mostly muslim by religion.  This part of Serbia which is Kosovo also has Serbs, of course, who are Orthodox Christians.  In the town near my location in Camp Magrath there are Catholics as well.  In the whole of  Kosovo there are also Roma (Gypsies), Turks, and Bosnians.   In the 10-seat parliament, three belong to the latter three groups.  This is the only place in the world where Gypsies have a seat in parliament.

The first background paragraph above mentions the NATO bombing in Serbia.  The ethnic Albanians, the majority population, have wanted independence from Serbia for quite some time.  Serbia sent many ethnic Albanians out of Kosovo into refugee camps in Macedonia and Albania.  The NATO bombing put an end to the forced departure.  I was in Bosnia in March 1999 when we started bombing Serbia.  Near the beginning, Serbia sent two fighter jets over Bosnia to the camp where I was stationed.  Our jets took care of them.  But during the dog fight, we were safely sheltered in bunkers.  One of our instructors was so frightened then that she flew back to her home in Germany the next day.   She had just arrived in Bosnia the day before prepared to teach. 

The ethnic Albanians and the Serbs in Kosovo still do not get along.  As I write this, Yahoo has on the news the latest happenings here.   Less than five kilometers from where I am, a grenade was tossed into a crowd of Serbs injuring four.  The locals who work in our camp come from the mixed population, so we have both Serbs and ethnic Albanians working here, doing the cleaning, cooking, etc.  We have to be careful in something so innocent as saying hello.  A colleague said hello in the Serbo-Croatian language to a local and got dirty looks.  He should have used the Albanian word since the lady happened to be ethnic Albanian.  The ethnic Albanians know Serbo-Croatian, but won't speak it.

So here we are trying to maintain peace in this land which has centuries of mistrust as their legacy.   I m just trying to do my job of providing educational services and support to our soldiers.  

Moved from the front page to this section for storage.

Here it is, our first newsletter.  It is long, but I think you will enjoy hearing what our class has done.

I have finished the update on the directory and you can expect your copy soon.  My husband says "thank goodness."  It is some work, but the fun far out weighs it.  I have got to talk to so many of you and that is a joy I can't explain. 

Frances Fergason: Fran Herring
Don & I married in '55 and as soon as I graduated, we left OKC to see the world at the expense of Uncle Sam.  We moved back to OKC in '78 and I started working for Sears in Midwest City.  I think I may give it up after Christmas, even though I love working there.  I was a stay at home mom for 20 years, raising our daughter and two sons.  They all live close, so get to see our 7 grandchildren pretty often.  Don't very often miss one of their ball games.  Don retired from the postal service in '98, but we stay active in his postal union.  I travel some with our daughter who is a singer.  She brings her number one fan with her. She has been as far away as NYC (I didn't go on that one) The Okla Opry, Clinton Jamboree and Churches all over Okla and surrounding states.  You call, she'll be there.  I love keeping in touch with all of you.

Janelle Taylor:
I don't get out much.  I have had a daycare in my home since '69.  Right now only have two children, but have had as many as 17 at one time.  Tell everyone I said hi.

Charles Killgore: Hi all.  Wish I could get back to the city and visit with you.  Anyone coming this way stop by and visit.  Would love to see you.

Mr. Bob Condren, Teacher:
Bob (English teacher & football coach) & Ann Condren will be traveling to Sallisaw to attend Bob's 65th high school reunion.  Bob graduated as president of his class of 26 from Muldrow.  They are expecting 10 - 12 classmates at the reunion. 

Ann & Bob have joined our email group at BobCondren@aol.com

Ted Armould:
Hello Classmates.  Sometime last year I started making inquiries to see if the old gang was still together.  It took several phone calls to find Fran but its nice to hear what you are doing from time to time.  After our time of preparations I did a little school hopping and working but finally finished up at OSU.  My cousin talked me into joining the Air Force where I sort of found a home and stayed for 20.  Worked about half of my career in radar operations and half in personnel.  Personnel was sort of fun and more like civilian work than many of the jobs available. Left the military in '83 and by then had a wife, son & daughter.  Purchased a home out in the country where Phyllis was from in northern lower Michigan.  Had to remodel completely and build a garage so that took a couple of years as I forgot to take woodworking in HS. 
Then to keep me out of trouble I worked as an AMVETS field service officer for a couple of years which was a nice job but not a lot of service work to do since we were getting some time by then from the Viet Nam era.  This was mainly assisting disabled vets with the disability forms with the VA.  In '85 my life took a different direction in that I would be single again so it was off to SW Fl. where I purchased a deli. It was a good business to own and operate in Naples so I stayed there until a couple of years ago.  Down here I built a log home on 5 acres outside of town. Having completed that little project and with very little else to do around here I want to have a large catamaran boat built and just live on that.  That will of course depend on how fast I can move this property.  Anyone want to buy a home?  Just go to www.waterfrontrealtynaples.com, click on home then virtual tours and look for the log house.  Guess I'll always be a rolling stone.  Nice chatting with you and it would be great to here from any of you guys.  Ted Armould

Loretta McKee Shores
Don't get back to the city very often, but would love to join you for dinner and talk about old times.

Elizabeth Elrod: Liz smith
I married Leeman James Smith, Jr. (Jim) 9/22/59.  We will soon be married 44 years.  On our 40th anniversary we celebrated in our home with 30 friends and family.  We have lived in Tulsa since 1968.  We have two sons.  Kevin, 41, is in car sales, has a daughter Sarah, 11 years old.  Since his divorce we have helped keep her a lot so I get to spend a lot of time with her.  Our other son Jim is married to Teresa and is Minister of Music and Education in a Baptist Church in Bartlesville.  They are the parents of Jacqueline, 15, David, 12, Luke, 10 and Mark, 8.  We get to spend a lot of time with them also and I baby sit with them some in the summer when their parents go on trips.

I have been disabled since '91 with a muscle disease call Polymyositis.  Have been in a wheel chair 8 1/2 years.  I keep busy on the computer, reading and taking care of the grandchildren when the opportunity arrives.

Jim retired last October after being with the same company for 35 years.  American General Finance Co. The first of January they called him back to work, so now he works 20 hours a week, it still gives us time to do what we want and as he says I have my chauffeur all but three days!

We enjoy taking one grandchild a year on vacation.  It gives us special time with them.  We took Sarah to Carlsbad Caverns this year.  Next year will be Luke's turn then Mark's.  Jacqueline says we will start over then!

God has been good to me and I praise Him for His love and care.  I have a wonderful support system so do well in spite of the inconvenience of my hearth problems.

I'll be looking forward to reading about all of YOU and your adventures.  (Have enjoyed the ones I have read.)

Carolyn Gibson Costiloe
You've got to know it is hard to put 46 years into a few lines...well here goes.  My husband and I have been married 46 years.  We got married in my senior year and after graduation we moved to Dallas, TX.  His job started us traveling around the US.  After a few years his job moved us to Germany.  We lived there 4 years and our son was born there.  We returned in '62 and started traveling the US again.  We adopted a baby girl in '67 and I had to give up traveling while the kids were in school.  We lived in the Dallas area for several more years.  With the kids grown and married, I started traveling with Logan again.  We retired 5 years ago to a small town about 60 miles east of Dallas, Grand Saline, TX.  There is a Morton Salt Mine here and not much else. With the bad economy we have had to help our kids and bought a lawn care business with our son.  Most of our time is spent with our church and the community.  Logan has been on the City Council for the past year.  We have 5 grand children, four girls and one boy.  They are the greatest thing that has happened to us.  And life goes on!!!  LOVE/cc

Tom Driver:
I think I must be the black sheep of the '57 Spartans.  I didn't get married within a few years after graduation.  I got married with I was 36 years old, about the time most of you had kids almost ready to marry.  I didn't marry an Oklahoman, not even an American.  My wife is Korean.  Our daughter, Susanna, just turned 26, and works for the University of Maryland in Heidelberg, Germany.  John is 25, currently stationed at Ft Gordon in the Air Force.  Both are still single.

You can read what I do by going to the website Hal developed and click on the in-depth menu item.  How I got to where I am is a long story, as most of ours is, being the old geezers we are.  It was actually Southeast Spartan teachers who inspired me and led to my interest in languages and education.  One of the Spanish teacher I had was Mrs. Gill, I believe her name was.  On one occasion, just before Christmas break, she gave us homework to do every day of the two-week break.  We all rebelled and agreed among ourselves that none of us would do the homework.  Although she said it would only take 15 minutes a day, it wasn't right, we reasoned, to be on break and have to do school work.  So the first day of class after the Christmas break, Mrs. Gill asked to see our homework.  "Do you have it?" She inquired.  One by one we answered "No."  Tears well up in her eyes and she had to excuse herself for a while.  I don't know about the others, but I think we all felt so low that we couldn't have been scraped off the floor with a putty knife.  When she returned, she demanded that we make up the homework.  "Yes, ma'am."  We all had it the next day.  It sunk into my noggin that here was someone who really cares.  Mrs. Gill and Mrs. Henry, my other Spanish teacher, were both so inspiring that I continued taking Spanish in college.  I also took French and after college taught English, Spanish and French in various high schools.  Later I used my education experience to secure a position with the government, and education Service Specialist with the US Army, which is where I am today.

Larry Armstrong:
Went to Central State University after graduation from HS.  My first real job was Kerr-McGee Corp, as a Credit Man.  Worked there for 8 years before changing to Leeway Federal Credit Union as their Collection Supr. In '79 moved to Lawton to take the Assistant Mgr. job at Ft. Still Federal Credit Union and was in that capacity until 9/82.  From '82 to '00 was Presidnet/CEO of the Credit Union.  Retired in 2000.  Been married 28 years and have two boys.  Bobby, 26 and Greg, 23.  Mary, my wife works at Halliburton Employee Federal Credit Union here in Duncan.

I enjoy playing tennis.  My son Bobby and I were the #1 ranked father and son doubles team in Okla when we were playing competitively.  Son Bobby played on scholarship at UCO for 4 years.  (for those of you away from OK, UCO University of Central Oklahoma is what we knew as Central State University)  Also enjoy Golf and riding my motorcycle.  Presently live in Duncan and have been here for 12 years.  We have two dogs, a Pug named Precious and a Peke named Chunky for obvious reasons.

Kathleen Logan Munzy
The years have been many and I really have to think.  I married in '57 and had two children.  I became a nurse in '72 when the kids were in their teens.  They had their lives and were growing up fast.  My first husband had a severe stroke and was left disabled for 7 years before he passed away.  I remarried and '78 so will be celebrating our 25th anniversary in Nov.  My son passed away in '96 and I acquired two grandchildren. I had retired in Jan of '96 and got the kids in Nov.   I didn't know what I was in store for.  I had to learn all the old tricks and schemes again to raise another set of kids.  The only one left at home is the 17 year old who at this time is in basic training with the Army.  We bought a farm and raise beefmaster cattle and I snuck in some goats.  I love the quiet and the scenery I get to see every day.  the years have really been good to me and I thank God for each and every day.  I HAVE NEVER FORGOTTEN MY YEARS AT SOUTHEAST HIGH.  Great memories and a lot of friends.  The pep club, football (did we ever win, should have won every one the way we all cheered and participated RIGHT?  So now in our golden years we can look back and say wouldn't have changed a thing.

Hal Bray:
My life's story in 25 words or less.  Well maybe more.  When I left Southeast I joined the National Guard and through them the regular Army.  I eventually went to Officers Candidate School and then to Europe for 3 years.  I returned to Ft.Hood, TX for a while and then off to Ft Benning, GA where I joined the 1st Cavalry Division.  After 12 months of people shooting at me (I wasn't mad at anyone) I came back to the US and was stationed at Oakland Army Terminal where I met Diane, my lovely and talented wife.  From there to Korea for a change of pace and then back to Ft Benning for school.  As a reward they sent me back to Vietnam for another tour.  Somewhere in there I got promoted to Major.  Home from there and we went to Ft. Bliss TX where I finished my BA in Business and then off to Leavenworth, KS.  Oh yeah, that is where the Command and General Staff College is.  While we were there I got my MMAS (Masters of Military Arts and Science).  From there we went to Ft. Ord, CA where in 1980 at the tender age of 39 I retired.  Our second life was in managing golf and country clubs (don't ask--many more than 25 words).  We did that in CA and TX and then back to CA where I taught school for a while and then was director of a school for psychologically troubled children.  And, finally, we retired for good.  Along the way we had two boys who both live in Phoenix and between them have 3 daughters and 1.5 sons (the other .5 is due in Sep.)

I read this and it sounds like I was by myself.  Diane is an excellent real estate person, a mortgage loan officer of great renown in CA and, it goes without saying, the eternal wind beneath my wings.  After 35 years she is also up for sainthood.

Ed Berry: Teacher
I really appreciate receiving the info about SEHS students and their activities.  I do plan on coming to the reunion on the 27th of Sep and look forward to reminiscing with all of you then.

I'm sure you know that our dear Bertie Ann Hawthorn passed away several month ago and some of us are putting together a memorial in her honor.  As you know, she was a very loyal former gymnastics teacher at SE and almost never missed one of your reunion.  You will all be hearing more about this a little later.

I retired from the education field in '81 and have been an active real estate broker since that time.  My wife, Judy, and I have our own small real estate company where we both sell as well as manage a number of rental properties we own. 

You might remember Bill Leikam who taught vocal music at SE in the mid  50's. I believe he would be thrilled to be placed on your mailing list.  I am flying to San Antonio the latter part of this month to visit with him for a few days.  I haven't seen him in about 25 years.  He is now retired as Professor Emeritus at San Antonio Community College.  Look forward to Sep 27th.

Melva Lou Thomas Reed
Just to let you know what has happened since I graduated from SE.  I Moved with my parents to Wichita, Ks, there I worked for an Ins. Adjustment Co. for about 6 months before moving back to OKC.  Worked for the OK Furniture and Rug Co., and from there I decided to be adventurous and joined the USMC and after boot camp I was stationed at Camp Pendleton, CA, where I remained for the remainder of my 3 years.  I played sport for many years prior to marrying in 1966.  I also attended OCU and Northeastern State Univ.

I worked for my dad at the Bond Baking Co. in Tulsa, Wichita and OKC.  I then started a family and have two sons, one of whom is a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine who specializes in Emergency and Critical Care of Small Animals, and has his own Consulting Business.  He graduated summa cum laude from Arizona State University and was in the top of his class in Veterinary School at Colorado State University, he is almost 36 and lives in Highlands Ranch, CO.  He has two little girls, 2 and 4.

My youngest son is almost 31 and works for Wil-Tel in Tulsa as a Designer Eng., he and his wife are expecting their first child in Oct., and they live in Collinsville, OK.  He attended Northeastern State.

I worked for the Tahlequah Police Dept., and headed the EMS.  The Emergency Medical Services moved to the Hospital and I worked there also as an EMT.

In 1981 the boys and I moved to Arizona where I worked for the US Postal Service until I had to retire due to my health.  I then moved to Tahlequah to be near my mother.  We lost our father in 1990.

In my spare time, which I have a lot of, I travel to Colorado to visit my granddaughters.  Have traveled from Maine to California, and took a cruise to the Western Caribbean, a gift my oldest son and his wife gave myself and her mother.  It was great.

My mother will turn 85 on July 5th and family will be coming from various directions to celebrate.  This may be the last time that we can all be together, so I know we will have a great time.

This tells you some of what I have done over these past years.

THANK YOU, TO ALL WHO CONTRIBUTED TO THIS FIRST NEWSLETTER. 
The rest of you, send your story for the next issue.

Fran writes of her latest try to keep us informed:  I asked "Pete" about directory, if the info was correct, Kenney Pete Thomas, which is how we all knew him and his answer was..............

Sort of. I went by that name in High School. My full name is Kenneth James Peter Thomas but have gone by Pete Thomas for about 50 years. Dora is still my wife of 43 years; not sure how she has put up with me for so long.
Here is a little about me and my family. We were in the Air Force for 8 years. I was headed to Viet Nam but they would not send my family to Arizona for my 5 year old daughters health, so said good bye to a predicted 30 year carer. Daughter went from a frail sickly little girl to a very health youngster. Decided to go to college and 4 years later, received a BSEE degree from the University of Arizona. Went to work for Arizona Public Service Company, a public utility, and just retired in December of last year. They offered a very good package to anyone over 55, just could not turn it down. Now consult to an Engineering firm out of Montana. I have three daughters ages 41,40 and 26. I have two granddaughters and two grandsons, ages range form almost 17 to almost 2. We lost a boy in child birth while Stationed at Tinker field and came very close to losing my wife. My oldest grandson and I are computer nuts and are constantly building and upgrading his or my machine. We are also restoring a Nova two door hardtop that we bought new in 1967; when we returned from a tour in Germany and France. The two oldest daughters graduated from U of A, while the youngest, my rebel, graduated from Arizona State University.
Since being retired, I volunteer more at our Lutheran church. Most days, if I am not tinkering with a computer or the Nova, will find me with my 22 month old grandson in tow. He and I are best buddies and do a lot of Stuff together, like taking a walk to the PO, playing in sand box, waiting for postman to deliver retirement and SS check or watching cartoons. It has been fun to have him live with us for most of his young life. He has now moved to a new home, but he is here most of the time while his parents work.
Being a retired grandfather with kids around is the neatest thing in this life!
Again, thanks for the Spartan updates.