Memories from a Veteran

I was released from overseas military duty the first Saturday in February 1971 and began classes at Mary College the following Monday, because my "first choice" college had begun its spring semester two weeks earlier. After impatiently loading up extra semester hours and summer school, I finished in December 1972 (Class of 73).

Many of us Vets gravitated to each other, because regular students, we felt, couldn't possibly understand our angst toward a society that many of us felt had abandoned us. As the months of general unhappiness passed though, a wonderful thing started to happen to me and my compatriots. The administration and faculty of Mary College were determined that we succeed and feel welcome. I was buttonholed on a weekly basis by some professor or administrator, both lay and clergy, asking how I was getting along and how they could help me. I'm not Catholic, so it took me awhile to elevate the Sisters to the position they had earned. Once I had, I learned to absorb some of those thoughtful and caring ladies' calmness and good humor (Sister Ardys Gilmore should be Connonized). Thank God for forgiving and uplifting people who make it a life's work to assist others!

Allen Felton
Class of 1973