Bomber Mascot Crisis Issue # 17 ~ 08/13/01 ******************************************** ******************************************** Today's comments submitted by: Claris Van Dusen (48), Missy Keeney (59) Larry Mattingly (60), Irene de la Bretonne (61) Susie Shaver (63), Bill Wingfield (67) Jim Anderson (72WB), Bomber Spouse (Kennewick '70) ******************************************** ******************************************** >>From: Claris Van Dusen (48) Thanks for all your updates on the Bomber Mascot Crisis. As a 1948 alumna, I STRONGLY support all the great comments submitted by all Bombers. We are a proud group, and rightfully so. I joined the Richland Bombers as a sophomore in 1945 and had no idea that they were called anything else. Whatever prompted the name and mascot image was a true dedication to our place and times. Nothing can change that -- nor any school board. So please -- those of you who have the power in these alterations -- DO NOT CHANGE OUR HERITAGE! The future Richland Bombers can be as proud and dedicated as we were "way back then." I can only thank Burt Pierard profusely for all his research efforts. The reports I have read on the Sandstorm have been very enlightening -- and now I am even prouder of my wonderful high school years at COLUMBIA HIGH SCHOOL in the wonderful town of Richland. So many great memories. Take care all -- I shall always treasure my fun years at Col-Hi, and my stint as one of the Pep Squad. Stay happy -- and in good health! GREAT BOMBER CHEERS !! -Claris Van Dusen (Knox) Troutman (48) ******************************************** ******************************************** >>From: Missy Keeney (59) Could I be mistaken?! Did not the letter and the agenda appearing in this forum today indicate that the High School Administration and the School Board have NO plans to change the name of the mascot??!! The only thing to be addressed at the Board Meeting is the gift of the Bomb??!! Is there an echo in here or do I have a frog in my pocket?? How many of you are willing to stay for the entire school board meeting to see how our elected board members deal with issues that are really important?? -Missy Keeney (59) ******************************************** ******************************************** >>From: Larry Mattingly (60) The debate on using the bomb in WWII will go on endlessly. But in my view that has nothing to do with our nickname/mascot. We alumni of Columbia/Richland High School, especially in the first thirty years or so, are "children of the bomb". Our parents made it and we grew up with it. Some of us even worked on them later in life. Many of us spent our childhood in fear that it would be used on us by others. I personally can still remember the ugly nightmares of my early years. It is of some comfort in my later years to know I was not alone in my feelings. I have seen the tears in the eyes of other alumni when it was discussed at Bomber gatherings. Extreme Bomber pride both in academics and athletics, and the continuing legacy of Hanford has perpetuated it across the millennium. While some students and recent alumni may have misplaced ideas of the origin of the Bomber name, the pride is nevertheless strong and evident to this day. If I may suggest, if the name is to be voted on in the future, ALL alumni should be able to vote also. I don't believe a relatively small number of students should be able to set aside our history, forever damaging the pride of the city. We do fireworks for around 80 schools across the NW. About 60 of these are high schools, both Homecoming and Graduations. The balance are for colleges, universities, and private institutions at all levels and all kinds of functions. In the last 10 years I have spoken to seemingly endless numbers of student committees about fireworks. They have seen my license frame and my R2K Polo shirt (complete with mushroom). I have also spoken to civic groups such as Rotary, Lions, Kiwanis, and countless Chamber Of Commerce luncheons. My talk is usually about 20 minutes and I always start at the beginning of my career, in Richland. I am amazed at how well-known the Bombers are. Many, many times I have heard comments about Bomber pride and alumni support. Many have considerable (sometimes begrudging) respect for "those Bombers". Recently a businessperson from Tacoma asked me, "what's with this Bomber pride stuff? Everybody I know was so glad to get out of high school that they never think about it again." He said his 20 year reunion of a class of just over 500 had only about 70 people and nobody seemed glad to see anybody. He didn't like the other students 20 years ago and still doesn't. Ask around, this kind of thing is not uncommon. Compare that with Bomber alumni, many of whom have had many Bomber friends for 30, 40, or even over 50 years. My point here is that we alumni, now and in the future, must be prepared to aid in the perpetuation of the Bomber image and name. I think it is our duty to our heritage. We all hope that things will go well at the coming meeting and by retracing the proper footsteps of bureaucracy we will get this matter settled. If not .... I think most of us feel it is worth a fight. We need to be calm, rational, insistent, and firm in our resolve. Previous commitments will have me nearly 1000 miles from Richland that night but I will be with you in spirit. I will anxiously await the arrival of the Alumni Sandstorm the next morning. Bomber cheers! (However, I too like "Nuke 'em".) -J Larry Mattingly (60) "Happiness is the sky in bloom." ******************************************** ******************************************** >>From: Irene de la Bretonne Hays (61) Well said, Kathleen Ryals!! -Irene de la Bretonne Hays (61), and teacher (74-80) ******************************************** ******************************************** >>From: Susie Shaver Caldwell (63) I hope that someone will be taping or recording the meeting for all or us that live out of the area. PLEASE do for me!!!! See you in Sept!!! Luv, -Susie Shaver Caldwell (63) ******************************************** ******************************************** >>From: Bill Wingfield (67) To: Judy Willox Hodge (61) and Rachel Peters (95) I couldn't have said it better. I wish I could be there in Richland for Tuesday's school board meeting. Judy, if you do tape it, I will be in Richland in Sept, and I would sure like to come over and borrow it for a couple of hours. To: All Bombers Attending The School Board Meeting I only have one suggestion for those who do stand up and talk. Every time you do refer to the Bomb, I would suggest you call it a bombshell vs. a Bomb. It is only a shell, and it is our mascot, so let us have our mascot back. I can't believe this even happened. To: All Bombers What other school has such tight alumni? Maybe what Rich Semler has done has actually backfired on him. This is unbelievable how this Bomb issue has brought us all together. Green and Gold veined, and Proud of the Cloud -Bill Wingfield (67) - Augusta, GA, ******************************************** ******************************************** >>From: Jim Anderson (72WB) I just got a copy of the REAL upcoming school board meeting agenda. I'm sure it comes as no surprise that there are two different agendas; there's one they give to the public, and there's the real one. Well, I can't show you the whole thing, because then I'd give away my source inside the district, but let me tell you how it reads. The first item on the agenda is: "Getting rid of nickname", and our boy Semler's gonna make 'em do it. Also on the secret agenda is: "Discussion of how to infiltrate the Alumni Sandstorm and the Mascot Crisis web pages". Apparently they've set up "moles" to try and take over and make us be "PC". Well, they ain't gonna do that to me, nohow! Third on the agenda is: "Adding fluoride to the water at the schools". I guess what they're gonna do is try to put "fluoride" in all the water, so's we can have better teeth, but I ain't got no teeth, and it's good enough for me! I've heard they put other stuff in the water too, and it makes the kids start getting liberal thoughts and start wanting to dance to that new music and the like. Just thought I should let you all know. And if they try and get any other work done at that meeting that has anything to do with the education of our children; well, we won't let 'em -- will we? -- cuz we know that they is just trying to change our nickname! Heck, some of 'em ain't even FROM here! I think there oughta be a rule that if you ain't born here, then you cain't be on our school board. Come to think of it, there oughta be a rule that if you ain't born here, then you cain't live here! Nuke 'em! -Jim Anderson (72WB) ******************************************** ******************************************** >>From: Bomber Spouse (Kennewick '70) Keep the Bombers name and the mascot. It may be politically incorrect, but it's cool. There are many friends of ours in Western Washington that beg for Bomber T-shirts. Don't kowtow to the PC'ers. -Alexandra Olson (Kennewick '70) PS -- Hello, my wife wrote the message. She is a Bomber by marriage (graduated Kennewick HS '70). Keep the Bombers, -Richard (Rick) Olson (69) ******************************************** That's it for today. Keep the faith? Nuke 'em? ******************************************** Send RHS Nickname/Mascot entries to: <rhsnickname@richlandbombers.com> Back issues: <AlumniSandstorm.tripod.com> ********************************************