Where do I begin....? The Turgeons were like a 2nd family to my family... Mr. & Mrs. "T", Roy and T.J. Mrs. "T" was the afterschool playground supervisor when I was in grade school at Benning Hills. Mr. "T" ran the South Columbus Boy's Club. Roy was my brother, Jim Hayes, best friend, and T.J. was my sister Susan's friend. Our parents knew each other, I was their paper boy in Benning Hills. Roy spent 2 or maybe 3 tours in Viet Nam and would write letters "home". He would send my mom letters from the battlefield. Roy was like another brother in the family. I remember in '69 going to one of the infamous Turgeon parties after they had moved to Battle Forest, Roy was a Captain in the Army at Benning and lived in a house on Lanier Drive. My brother Jim would go over to visit and have one of those wild parties...Roy had a parachute on the living room ceiling...supposedly to 'capture' unsuspecting damsels. He had just bought a 1969 Chevelle SS 396. My brother Jim had a '65 Mustang. Roy had a stuffed Crow on his mantle and he, Jim and Stan Tiedgen would call themselves the "CROWS" and make stupid Crow calls when it was time to go party. Well Jim and Roy had partied a bit too much and I had to follow them in Jim's Mustang on the Lindsay Creek Bypass. As we were on the way to the Turgeon's party, a Columbus cop was right behind me all the way. I was trying to compensate for Roy's weaving on the road with a little weaving of my own to smooth out the driving. No matter though, the cop went right up behind us to the Turgeon's house, took off his hat and followed us right into the party and had a beer with the party! He had just gotten off duty!! If anyone had ever attended one of the Turgeon's parties, it was an unforgettable experience! I later saw Roy when he was Professor of Military Science at Notre Dame. I was recruiting for the University of Georgia Law School and stayed with the 'fam' in South Bend. It was cold and snowy and Georgia had just beaten Notre Dame in the Sugar Bowl, so they (the Fightin' Irish) weren't too happy to see me! But Roy made me feel at home and all was well. That was about 1981. My parents boutht a house a few doors down from the Turgeons in Battle Forest. I last saw Roy at my mom's funeral in 1983. He was a great guy and brother. He was from a great family! I have a mountain of memories of the "Crow". When I heard of his death I had a golf game planned in Pensacola. I dedicated that round of golf to Roy....it was the best round of golf I have ever played in my life...to date!
I am totally jealous of your great memories of the Turgeon family. They bring tears of joy to my eyes. Roy was a great friend both in high school and as a room mate at NGC.Mr. T was one of my citizenship witnesses and along with Rupert Nunally my teacher at Faith Elementary, drove to Macon with me were I took the oath as a citizen of this once great country. Wasn't life grand BACK then.
While a room mate, I remember Roy playing that Blue Grass on his guitar, which just drove me up the wall.I did set up an m-80 with a cigarette fuse and taped it to the desk, and went out on break. Well that cost me my stripes and 4 weeks room confinement and walking the triangle on weekends. I remember disassembling the reveille gun and carrying it to the roof of Gaillard hall and reassembling it there. Yes, we had some great times.
After we were commissioned we took seperate paths. Roy after Infantry school went somewhere? I can't remember? I, being the only German, was assigned to Fort Gordon after Armor school and the other 10 Armor LT's went to Germany??
Then to Korea, where lo and behold Roy was assigned as well. He was on the DMZ in a Quick Reaction Force.
Roy saw action and was in fire fights, but couldn't receive recognition since we were and are not in an actual war there. He should have received a Bronze Star for his gallantry.
Woody, in closing we both, as many, know all the Turgeons are STARS.
My best friends are Ronnie Felts, who has been my friend since 1957, and Gary Loftin with whom I'm still in contact. We'll have to wait just a little longer for the next bad party with Roy.
Since my Lymphoma bout in 2001, I have CRS, I suppose from the chemo, but then when someone posts something about a dear friend, those old neurons start to fire up and I remember some things, such as Roy senior being my citizenship witness. And it took me a while to remember that Roy served in the second DIV and was on line (DMZ), .Don't know if you recall but Roy and I were the only two male English majors at NGC. Roy wanted to be a sports writer and knew more trivia then anyone.
Life is pretty amazing, how we started playing Army at Baker and terrorizing the ranges at FT Benning and even on Friar Field. Then wind up at NGC. My first roomate was Richard Reardon, who soon transferred to UGA, as he couldn't handle scrubbing grout lines at night with a flashlight. (As well as the toilets). Then roomed with Roy before I married a dirty foot (Dahlonega local) and moved off campus. We were commissioned and went our seperate ways only to meet again in ROK. Due to the English degree I did get assigned to the Chief of Staff's Office and had control of the General's motor pool thus being able to get a jeep now and then to go north to the Z. Seems Roy kept a case of beer in the lower right drawer of his desk, and that was our party. I think that was the only time I saw Roy in Korea.
Maybe Ronnie or you can remember if he attended a reunion after that????
Mike, I moved back to Columbus just three years ago and only went to a couple reunions before that. I don't know if Roy went to any reunions. I'll ask around. Are you and your family still living in Dahlonega? What a beautiful place!
So glad you have such great memories of Roy. I have had no illnesses but my memory is terrible. I do know that he was a great person!!♥ People fill me in on things once in a while. They could make up all kinds of things and I wouldn't know if it is true. :) I'm not really that bad, but I have forgotten too much!!!!
I didn't remember that you both were English majors. Was Richard Reardon an English major? I have a crazy poem he wrote and gave to me in highschool! I went to UGA for two quarters before coming to NGC. Don't "remember" seeing Richard.
Thanks for the continued comments about ROY, funny about the poem from Richard R, as mentioned he couldn't handle the military program and transferred to UGA , I think in the winter quarter of 1963.
Dahlonega was one of my previous lives. Was married for 7 years and then divorced and got on with Atlanta Police. Was then married for 20 years and divorced. Am single and living in a cabin in the woods in Ellijay, Georgia. So I have 6 children and as of this morning 13 grandchildren, I think.
I'll have to remind Ronnie Felts to put on his thinking cap, but vaguely remember ROY being at one of our reunions, Maybe the first one I attended ?? I know I was super sad about seeing Sharon Manderson on the board of those who had left us.
Hi Sharon & Mike, I managed all of our class reunions until the last 3=15 yrs. Yes Roy came to the first one and one other reunion. He lelped me write a booklet that was given to each of our attendees. The booklet contained info about each student & their life after BHS for the first 5 years. College, marriage, job, location, hobby. Actually Nick would be the one to ask as he has attend all of the reunions and in some cases been a part of the planning committee with me. Sadly some of the other committee members have died. If I can help with more information, just ask. Elva
Thanks, Elva I vaguely remember him wearing grey checkered shirt and there were windows in the reunion room maybe hospitalty suite. BUT my mind wanders and I need to go and find it.
They are good memories and I try to hang on to them.Stay healthy!! < Love, for all you do, mike M
Douglas W "Woody" Hayes (1970)
Where do I begin....? The Turgeons were like a 2nd family to my family... Mr. & Mrs. "T", Roy and T.J. Mrs. "T" was the afterschool playground supervisor when I was in grade school at Benning Hills. Mr. "T" ran the South Columbus Boy's Club. Roy was my brother, Jim Hayes, best friend, and T.J. was my sister Susan's friend. Our parents knew each other, I was their paper boy in Benning Hills. Roy spent 2 or maybe 3 tours in Viet Nam and would write letters "home". He would send my mom letters from the battlefield. Roy was like another brother in the family. I remember in '69 going to one of the infamous Turgeon parties after they had moved to Battle Forest, Roy was a Captain in the Army at Benning and lived in a house on Lanier Drive. My brother Jim would go over to visit and have one of those wild parties...Roy had a parachute on the living room ceiling...supposedly to 'capture' unsuspecting damsels. He had just bought a 1969 Chevelle SS 396. My brother Jim had a '65 Mustang.Roy had a stuffed Crow on his mantle and he, Jim and Stan Tiedgen would call themselves the "CROWS" and make stupid Crow calls when it was time to go party. Well Jim and Roy had partied a bit too much and I had to follow them in Jim's Mustang on the Lindsay Creek Bypass. As we were on the way to the Turgeon's party, a Columbus cop was right behind me all the way. I was trying to compensate for Roy's weaving on the road with a little weaving of my own to smooth out the driving. No matter though, the cop went right up behind us to the Turgeon's house, took off his hat and followed us right into the party and had a beer with the party! He had just gotten off duty!! If anyone had ever attended one of the Turgeon's parties, it was an unforgettable experience! I later saw Roy when he was Professor of Military Science at Notre Dame. I was recruiting for the University of Georgia Law School and stayed with the 'fam' in South Bend. It was cold and snowy and Georgia had just beaten Notre Dame in the Sugar Bowl, so they (the Fightin' Irish) weren't too happy to see me! But Roy made me feel at home and all was well. That was about 1981. My parents boutht a house a few doors down from the Turgeons in Battle Forest. I last saw Roy at my mom's funeral in 1983. He was a great guy and brother. He was from a great family! I have a mountain of memories of the "Crow". When I heard of his death I had a golf game planned in Pensacola. I dedicated that round of golf to Roy....it was the best round of golf I have ever played in my life...to date!
Woody Hayes
June 21, 2009
Mobile, Alabama
Danny Williams (1975)
Mr. T you took care of me at the boys club years and i thank you for that rip. Danny Williams
Michael Menzel (1963)
Well, Woody,
I am totally jealous of your great memories of the Turgeon family. They bring tears of joy to my eyes. Roy was a great friend both in high school and as a room mate at NGC.Mr. T was one of my citizenship witnesses and along with Rupert Nunally my teacher at Faith Elementary, drove to Macon with me were I took the oath as a citizen of this once great country. Wasn't life grand BACK then.
While a room mate, I remember Roy playing that Blue Grass on his guitar, which just drove me up the wall.I did set up an m-80 with a cigarette fuse and taped it to the desk, and went out on break. Well that cost me my stripes and 4 weeks room confinement and walking the triangle on weekends. I remember disassembling the reveille gun and carrying it to the roof of Gaillard hall and reassembling it there. Yes, we had some great times.
After we were commissioned we took seperate paths. Roy after Infantry school went somewhere? I can't remember? I, being the only German, was assigned to Fort Gordon after Armor school and the other 10 Armor LT's went to Germany??
Then to Korea, where lo and behold Roy was assigned as well. He was on the DMZ in a Quick Reaction Force.
Roy saw action and was in fire fights, but couldn't receive recognition since we were and are not in an actual war there. He should have received a Bronze Star for his gallantry.
Woody, in closing we both, as many, know all the Turgeons are STARS.
My best friends are Ronnie Felts, who has been my friend since 1957, and Gary Loftin with whom I'm still in contact. We'll have to wait just a little longer for the next bad party with Roy.
Sharon Duke (Hallowes) (1963)
Michael, thanks for sharing those special memories. They cracked me up! Don't have that "party" any time soon!!!!!
Sharon Duke Hallowes "63
Michael Menzel (1963)
Sharon,
Since my Lymphoma bout in 2001, I have CRS, I suppose from the chemo, but then when someone posts something about a dear friend, those old neurons start to fire up and I remember some things, such as Roy senior being my citizenship witness. And it took me a while to remember that Roy served in the second DIV and was on line (DMZ), .Don't know if you recall but Roy and I were the only two male English majors at NGC. Roy wanted to be a sports writer and knew more trivia then anyone.
Life is pretty amazing, how we started playing Army at Baker and terrorizing the ranges at FT Benning and even on Friar Field. Then wind up at NGC. My first roomate was Richard Reardon, who soon transferred to UGA, as he couldn't handle scrubbing grout lines at night with a flashlight. (As well as the toilets). Then roomed with Roy before I married a dirty foot (Dahlonega local) and moved off campus. We were commissioned and went our seperate ways only to meet again in ROK. Due to the English degree I did get assigned to the Chief of Staff's Office and had control of the General's motor pool thus being able to get a jeep now and then to go north to the Z. Seems Roy kept a case of beer in the lower right drawer of his desk, and that was our party. I think that was the only time I saw Roy in Korea.
Maybe Ronnie or you can remember if he attended a reunion after that????
Sharon Duke (Hallowes) (1963)
Mike, I moved back to Columbus just three years ago and only went to a couple reunions before that. I don't know if Roy went to any reunions. I'll ask around. Are you and your family still living in Dahlonega? What a beautiful place!
So glad you have such great memories of Roy. I have had no illnesses but my memory is terrible. I do know that he was a great person!!♥ People fill me in on things once in a while. They could make up all kinds of things and I wouldn't know if it is true. :) I'm not really that bad, but I have forgotten too much!!!!
I didn't remember that you both were English majors. Was Richard Reardon an English major? I have a crazy poem he wrote and gave to me in highschool! I went to UGA for two quarters before coming to NGC. Don't "remember" seeing Richard.
Take care,
Sharon
Michael Menzel (1963)
Sharon,
Thanks for the continued comments about ROY, funny about the poem from Richard R, as mentioned he couldn't handle the military program and transferred to UGA , I think in the winter quarter of 1963.
Dahlonega was one of my previous lives. Was married for 7 years and then divorced and got on with Atlanta Police. Was then married for 20 years and divorced. Am single and living in a cabin in the woods in Ellijay, Georgia. So I have 6 children and as of this morning 13 grandchildren, I think.
I'll have to remind Ronnie Felts to put on his thinking cap, but vaguely remember ROY being at one of our reunions, Maybe the first one I attended ?? I know I was super sad about seeing Sharon Manderson on the board of those who had left us.
Elva Griner (Sherwood) (1963)
Hi Sharon & Mike, I managed all of our class reunions until the last 3=15 yrs. Yes Roy came to the first one and one other reunion. He lelped me write a booklet that was given to each of our attendees. The booklet contained info about each student & their life after BHS for the first 5 years. College, marriage, job, location, hobby. Actually Nick would be the one to ask as he has attend all of the reunions and in some cases been a part of the planning committee with me. Sadly some of the other committee members have died. If I can help with more information, just ask. Elva
Sharon Duke (Hallowes) (1963)
Thanks Elva! Happy New Year!
Michael Menzel (1963)
Thanks, Elva I vaguely remember him wearing grey checkered shirt and there were windows in the reunion room maybe hospitalty suite. BUT my mind wanders and I need to go and find it.
They are good memories and I try to hang on to them.Stay healthy!! < Love, for all you do, mike M