We are the class of 1976. The world was
changing quickly when we graduated in 1976.
The inflation rate was 14%.Unemployment hit
8.9%. The U.S. and Iran signed a 10 Billion
dollar arms deal, Patty Hearst was found guilty
of bank robbery. The "muscle car" era had just
ended as the Federal government put
pressure on Detroit to lower the horsepower
on its vehicles. There was good news too. The
supersonic jet, the Concorde made its maiden
flight accross the Atlantic, the Vietnam war
was over, a first-class stamp cost $.0.13, a
gallon of gas still cost $0.57. (Up from 0.37 in
1974). You could get a new house for
$40,000.00. We got our news from Walter
Cronkite and laughed at Tim Conway on the
"Mary Tyler Moore Show."

Much has changed since 1976, and we played
a large part in those changes. High school kids
didn't have cell phones, there was no Internet.
The only place one could buy a CD was at a
bank and DVD's didn't exist. Some things
never change. It still takes 9 months to have a
baby and Elvis Presley just had another hit
record.

Now we live in different times. Our country
was attacked by terrorist and we now again
are at war. The difference is we are all around
47- 49 years old. It is our sons and daughters
who have been called on to fight for our
freedom. My son Jeremy (Susan Woods son
also) is leaving next Saturday, June 25th for
his second tour of duty in Iraq. I hope and pray
that those of you who have kids in the military
pray as hard as I do for their safe return.

I will try to do my best to make it to Altus for
the reunion, if not you guys have a great time.

Love You All--Danny Sewell (sobriety date of
May 27,2001) enough said
The Danny Sewell Family