1945

1945

CLASS NOTES

1945-1960

I am looking forward to my class (’76) coming to Hanover soon for our 50th reunion. I will sit at the Commencement for the class of 2026, as you did for the class of 1995. I remember your 50th reunion well. It was a pouring rain, and President Clinton was delivering the Commencement address. Early in his speech he recognized the class of 1945. “I want to thank you, too, for honoring the class of 1945. See them there? They did not have aproper Commencement because they left right away to finish the work of World War II. One of the greatest privileges of my presidency has been to express over the last year the profound gratitude of the American people for the generation that won World War II. A year ago this past Tuesday, I stood on the bluffs of Normandy to say to the brave people who won a foothold for freedom there, We are the children of your sacrifice.’ I say again to the class of1945: ‘The class of1995, the generation ofyour grandchildren, and all of us in between are the children of your sacrifice, and we thank you.’ ”

His speech focused on navigating a changing economy and society. He emphasized strengthening families, promoting community service, reducing the underclass, and maintaining U.S. leadership for peace. The speech encouraged graduates to embrace civic engagement. He emphasized a familiar message, one President Dickey shared often: “You must make sense and clarity out of complex problems. And I think you must do it with a much greater sense of optimism and hope than we are seeing in most debate today. There is nothing wrong with this country that cannot be solved by what is right with it, and you should never forget that.” Clinton ended his speech by referring to a Commencement address by President Kemeny. “Then he ended the speech with, as I understand, the words with which he ended every Commencement: Women and men of Dartmouth, all mankind is your brother. And you are your brother’s keeper. Do not let people divide you one from another.’ ” That all seems like a good message for today. Happy spring!

—Martha Johnson Beattie ’76, 6North Balch St., Hanover, NH 03755; (603) 667-7611; mbeattie76@ gmail.com