Your graduation gown lies in rags at their feet.....

 And so, 40 years ago, sometime around now, this happened. 

Yep, that's your own Uncle Polt, walking across the stage to receive his high school diploma. 

All I remember from that night is, it was SO HOT (we had to move it into the gym instead of in the football stadium due to rain).  Also, when I walked up on the stage it seemed to be a helluva lot of people were cheering, from various places around the gym....more than just where my family were sitting.  But then, I may have imagined that, who knows? 

I don't really remember anything else, no who the feller is shaking my hand, someone from the school board I'd assume. I know he's not the principal.  And I think I'm wearing the only tie I owned at the time.

Aw well, 40 years.....my God, where have they gone? 

POLT