English High School - Blue and Blue / Record Yearbook (Boston, MA)

Page 19 text:

Classmates... r OUNG, eager, and free, we step out into the immenseness and. turmoil of this war-seared world of 1944. Of our youth and our zeal we can he certain, hut for our freedom we must and will fight, fight not only for a complete, shining vic¬ tory, hut also for the genuine, lasting peace that will follow. The nucleus of our ideas and ideals has been formed in these past few years at The English High School. Man, we are told, is the lengthened shadow of the hoy; thus, the environment, habits, knowledge, and ambitions we now experience will, in some measure, motivate our future actions. Times of gratitude are not always easy, ' for with them is usually mingled a poig¬ nant farewell. We have come to know our teachers as f riends, guides, counselors, —helpful to our efforts, hopeful for our futures. . . . Words themselves become meaningless when we try to express our heart-felt appreciation towards our inde- fatiguable headmaster, Mr. Walter F. Downey. His wit and wisdom, his hard work and humility have given us the per¬ fect example of a man of honor and achievement. The years ahead pulsate with promise. This—our graduation from The English High School—marks only the end of the beginning. Many of us in the close, coming months will live whole lifetimes, for the clash of arms and the din of battle press time into a narrow, swirling, action-filled epoch. We rise now from four years of work, seasoned in studies, social activities, and athletic triumphs. Little is to be said of school spirit, for that is our natural herit¬ age. The paths we will follow spread out in different, devious directions. They will run sometimes tortuously, often pre¬ cariously, but always and always upwards, where each will find the keys to his own kingdom, for “It ' s a rough road, and a steep road, and it stretches broad and far, But at last it leads to a Golden Town where Golden Houses are. Charles P. Changelian, ’44 . Class President

Page 18 text:

Boys of ' 44... C HE Class of 1944 leaves school in a year of war and turmoil. Those privileges that have always been ours are threatened. We thought that they were here to stay. Now we know that such things as liberty, freedom, and peace have to be protected. These national blessings were purchased at a high price of blood and treasure away back in the days of 1775 and 1776. At that time the peop le, and particularly the young men, had such a burning desire to be free from foreign domination that they were willing to fight for it. They did so! America became a free nation because of their sacrifices. Again a little less than a century after¬ ward the unity of our nation was threat¬ ened. Once more, in large numbers, young men, many of them from this school, made similar sacrifices so that we who came later could enjoy them. The same call—liberty for all, this time. The Union was saved. English High School boys have always been conspicuous when there is a national crisis. Now the greatest national and world crisis of all time faces us. We all wish that this were not so. We hope and pray that it may not be for long. However, since there are ruthless brig¬ ands who have upset the peace of the world, who are crushing out freedom and spreading cruelty, and are threatening this nation of ours, we must fight. We must fight wherever we can help the most,—some at the front—some at home. Thousands of our boys are now scattered all over the world, fighting on every front. How proud of them we are. All of them. They are our kinfolk. We are theirs. So, boys of ' 44 , we are proud of you. We wish you were stepping out into a world of peace. Oh, how we wish that! Since it is a world of war, you will do your duty and do it well. I want you to know that you are not just a class to me —you are a group of boys. In each of you I have a deep personal interest. I wish to share your adventures, your honors, and your sacrifices. My message to you is very simple — GOOD LUCK TO EACH — GOD BLESS YOU — EVERY ONE. Head Master {14}

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WILLIAM ABBONDANZIO “Abby” 14 Kelly Ct., Brighton IV. H. Taft, Brighton Ambition, College. 17. S. Army Air Corps JAMES ADAMS “Jim” 15 Christopher St., Dorchester Grover Cleveland, Dorchester Cadet Lieutenant, 4; Ambition, College. U. S. Air Corps ALBERT P. AHERN “Al” 98 Paul Gore St., Jamaica Plain Curley, Jamaica Plain Football, 4; Current Events, 3; Ambition, Drafting. U. S. Army JOHN J. A’HEARN “Jack” 64 Martin St., W. Roxbury Morris, IV. Roxbury Football, 3(E); Track, 4(E); Ambition, Aviation. College DOMINICK J. ALIZIO “Mickey” 67 Shawmut Ave., South End Abraham Lincoln, South End Cadet Captain, 4; Ambition, Law. College VINCENT AMPOLA “Vinnie” 43 Billerica St., West End Blackstone, IVest End Cadet Captain, 4; Ambition, Medicine. College HERBERT B. ANDERSON “Andy” 105 Wellington Hill St., Mattapan Lewenberg, Mattapan Cadet Lieutenant, 4; Football, 3 (E ); 4(E); Track, 3; Ambition, College. U. S. Merchant Ma rine JOSEPH ARBEELY “Owie” 70 Hudson St., South End Abraham Lincoln, South End Baseball, 1, 2; Honor Roll, 2; Cadet Captain, 4; Ambition, Theater. U. S. Army Air Corps LEO R. ARSENAULT “Dick” 103 Faywood Ave., E. Boston Blackington, E. Boston Lawrence Prize, F. D., 3; Cadet Captain, 4; Ambition, Drafting. U. S. Army Air Corps ROBERT B. ASTRACHAN “Bob” 98 Willowwood St., Dorchester Thompson, Dorchester Aviation Club, 3; Ambition, Aviation. U. S. Army Air Corps •{16