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LEHIGH VALLEY WEATHER
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Liberty alums celebrate ‘Five-five plus one’

Published November 09. 2021 11:48AM
by Ed Courrier Special to the Bethlehem Press

“In the future as the past, We’ll be loyal to the last,” sang the seasoned men and women standing together in the Hanover Grand Ballroom at the Hanover Valley Hotel and Conference Center Sept. 25.

As they finished their “Alma Mater,” these venerable members of the Liberty High School class of 1965 finally got to enjoy their long-awaited, fifty-five plus one reunion.

Chairperson Sharon Retter Rehrig welcomed former Liberty classmates and their guests to the event that was twice-postponed by COVID-19. The fifty-fifth was originally scheduled for 2020.

After catching up with each other over a delicious meal of herb roasted chicken and grilled salmon, these reunited friends rocked and slow danced to the soundtrack of their teen years. “Best of Times” DJ Courtenie Guion spun hits like “La Bamba” by Richie Valens and Chubby Checker’s “The Twist.”

Reunion committee member Susan Derr Kirk announced the Class of 1965’s scholarship fund has reached $7,200 and they were still accepting donations through the end of 2021.

An empty chair with symbolic table setting was dedicated to lost comrades. Another table with names and images of 232 who have passed on over the years was nearby. A memorial tribute to five of their number killed in Vietnam was on display as well. Tony Belletti, Jack Derrico, Rich Lynn, Mike Yartymyk, and Jerry Zerfass were remembered as casualties of a war that the United States officially entered during their senior year.

Celebrants browsed another table of memorabilia containing a yearbook, snapshots and ephemera from their “happy days.”

Toward the end of the evening, celebrants returned their name tags printed with graduation pictures to be worn again when they meet again for their sixtieth in 2025.

The Liberty High reunion committee is photographed by a classmate (reflected in mirror) Sept. 25 by the memorabilia table. Chairperson Sharon Retter Rehrig is fifth from the left.
Veterans join hands and proudly sing along with Lee Greenwood's “I'm Proud to be an American.” The United States officially entered the Vietnam War March 8, 1965, during their senior year.
From left, Liberty alum Rich Vogel and his wife Susan fill their plates at the buffet table. A Vietnam War vet, Vogel now serves with Tails of Valor, Paws of Honor, a not-for-profit which trains service dogs for veterans suffering with PTSD and other disabilities.
Class photographer Tony Vasquez and his oldest daughter Cara Carrier by the “Empty Chair” set aside in memory of lost classmates. Five of them were killed in action in Vietnam within a couple years after graduation. A Vietnam vet himself, Vasquez served two tours as a combat photographer.
Still full of energy, the Class of '65 rocks the night away to the soundtrack of their childhood.
Edward “Ted” Ewing takes time from the festivities to pay homage to classmates who perished while serving in Vietnam. These casualties of war include Tony Belletti, Jack Derrico, Rich Lynn, Mike Yartymyk and Jerry Zerfass.
PRESS PHOTOS BY ED COURRIER Liberty graduates from each of four feeder junior high schools were photographed in the lobby. This group attended Nitschmann MS before moving on to high school.
At left, Susan Derr Kirk announces the Class of 1965's scholarship fund has reached $7,200. At right is “Best of Times” DJ Courtenie Guion.