This weekend's great reunion "bash"

Signing the Alumni Register proves that an alumnus attended Big Bash, Wabash College's reunion weekend. (Courtesy Wabash College)

First, I want to quickly relate that when I was piecing my last blog post, it slipped my mind that Memorial Day was coming. I should've known since the Indianapolis 500 was on Sunday, but I didn't make that conscious connection while writing at the time.

However, I think that taking this time to acknowledge the holiday in this week's post is better, as we are only two days removed from it rather than almost a week ahead.

I would like to recognize our servicemen and women who made that sacrifice in the line of duty and never came back home. They have my gratitude and respect for their service in which they died, in conflicts which were either just or perhaps misguided.

We also can't forget those who have returned, but were broken down by post-traumatic stress disorder, anxiety and depression after what they experienced. They too have given of their wellbeing to serve this country, and need our support, through both words and actions, so that they can contribute greatly to our community.

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Looking to the main topic, this is going to be another one focused on Wabash. Nothing very "newsy" has occurred up to now, except for high school graduation and the Putnam County Sheriff's Department getting into hot water with an improper seizure.

This coming weekend is an important one for Wabash alumni who can make it back to Crawfordsville for Big Bash, the College's alumni reunion weekend. Held this Friday morning until Sunday afternoon, Big Bash is full of events centered around connecting with classmates, faculty and administrators, and with what's happening on campus.

One of the highlights is Alumni Chapel Sing, when classes coming back for their reunion sing "Old Wabash" together in Pioneer Chapel. It harkens back to Chapel Sing when freshmen belt out the fight song during Homecoming. Chapel Sing itself has a (notorious?) history that once included getting a "W" haircut for screwing up a line.

No such penalties are imposed during Alumni Chapel Sing; it's just for good fun and nostalgia, and for seeing who can actually remember the second verse.

I will be there for the three days, though I won't stay overnight. I took my first PDO Friday so I can go to some lectures and do a few activities in the afternoon, as well as attend a reunion banquet later in the evening. I'm hoping that some of my class (not including two who work at the College) will be able to make it, otherwise I'll possibly find a slim table, as classes sit together during the dinner.

Big Bash is also a great opportunity to get the Beetle out and putter back up north to my "second" home. I drove it to last year's event, and it got a fair amount of attention from some of the older alums. Unless hail comes into the forecast, it will make a (to some, perhaps not so surprising) return to campus this weekend.

I'm looking forward to Big Bash this year. It proved to be an enjoyable affair last June, though I sort of felt out of my element as a fresh alumnus. I'm getting more confident in that way, and can't wait to catch up with friends and mentors where we left off.