By Meg Peters
Review Co-Editor
When searching for a certain honorary brick at the Orion Veterans Memorial, Oxford High School class of 1965 graduate Nellie Wressell Franzel could not locate one of her fellow classmates.
She was looking for LCPL U.S. Marine George L. Barnes, the only 1965 Oxford graduate the class knows of who was killed in action in Viet Nam.
‘He had given his life for the country, and he should be here,? she said.
So she took it back to the class.
It’s their 50th’reunion’this Saturday, and they are not forgetting George.
Several 1965 OHS graduates pulled together the funding to purchase an Orion Veterans Memorial engraved brick in honor of his service. George was killed in 1968. ?
‘I think the veterans have done a fantastic job here in Lake Orion and we want a tribute there for George,? Franzel said.
Classmates met at the Orion Veterans Memorial last Wednesday to install the brick and remember their past classmate, band member, and childhood friend, reciting poetry and fond memories.
1965 graduate Pam Graves Phelps and George became playmates at five years old and grew close quickly, seeing as their houses in Lakeville were only a field apart.
‘He was a lot of fun. He was always up for anything,? Phelps said. ‘Every time I drive by that house, every time I see the backyard we played in, the garage he chased me around in, it just never quits hurting.?
Her mother still lives in the same house on the hill, and George’s parents only moved out recently.
‘This freedom, this land that we have, cost a lot of us very personal pain. That life still means a lot every day.?
The OHS class of 1965, originally 135 students strong, is meeting at the Oxford American Legion for their 50th’reunion’Saturday