Chit Chat #17

Bob Chen

   It is quite a coincidence that ABC's Nightline was airing a two part special of the '63 Boys' Nation reunion in Washington D. C. with Clinton playing host to the other delegates 35 years later. He's one of the two that told JFK that they want his job, and actually succeeded. Among the returnees are many state senators, congressmen, senators, five Ph. D.'s, seventeen lawyers, seven clergymen...etc. Although the lighters do not have as many politicians, and whatnot; we do have a lot more Ph. D.'s with a few Ph. D./M. D. and Ph. D./J. D. to boot. I remembered clearly when I showed my '79 year book to my co-workers many years back, they were very impressed and said words like " what a bunch of overachievers Beverly Hills High can't do better!"

   As the 40th reunion is approaching and we are on the verge of finalizing the roster for the attendees (Lighters, spouses, children, and friends) putting down the deposits, I can't help to point out that we are doing a lot less than the '63 Boys' Nation. I doubt that Clinton foots the bill to bring them all to Washington D. C. Most likely they all pay their own without Clinton's arm-twisting. The percentage of participants are obviously much higher than Lighters'. I would have brought my wife and children to the whole set of events, if I were still married. It is gratifying to see the list growing as days go by. I encourage all the Lighters to join-in and sign-up for this gala of our life time, at the closing of this century. The 50th is too far away in 2009.

   One thing that I discussed with Eugene Lu at the dinner organized by Shirley Lam was some ex-classmates, and classmates that we like to see at the reunion. Two came to mind: Humphrey Hung Chu, and Giles Wong. Some of you in the bay-area knows the whereabouts of Humphrey. He's retiring from teaching at Nam Yang Technical University, and moving to Vancouver. I' sure he'll love to join us at the reunion. Giles Wong has a Hong Kong address, and he's the younger brother of the guy having a seizure during one of the exams that many of you remembered. Come to think of it, Humphrey and Douglas Wong went to Maryknoll Father School after leaving Pui Ching in '62. May be Douglas Wong will come to the reunion too if he knows about it. Another one around the bay-area might be interested is James Koo. I thought A-Chai found him last year.