The Ghostly Message!

Twas at the stroke of midnight, Dec.31, 2007 when to my utter amazement, I was suddenly awakened from a deep sleep. My bedroom had been engulfed by a bright ghostly apparition. As I sat up in bed, I somehow summoned the courage and timidly asked my unwelcome visitor, “Who are you?” I was astonished when he announced he was Lieutenant Colonel White. I shook my head in total disbelief. Then, in a clear and commanding voice, he ordered me to be at Colonel White High School’s flag pole, promptly, at 11:55 p.m. The soldierly specter then added he would reveal a very important message that he wanted me to share with all Colonel White alumni. The entire day I was driven by an insatiable curiosity to hear what his message would be; so I decided I would leave my family’s New Year’s Eve party early and make the trip across town. I arrived at Colonel White a few minutes before the appointed hour, not knowing what would befall me. With a sudden burst of wind, Colonel White gracefully floated down to where I was standing. He instructed me to remain by the flag pole; but before I could utter a single word, he suddenly began to drift off towards the front entrance of the crumbling old building and soon disappeared from my view.

As I patiently awaited the return of the ghostly spirit, fireworks abruptly broke the silence of the tranquil evening, heralding in the New Year of 2008. All around me the neighborhood came alive with a joyful celebration. Even with all the noise distracting me, I heard a distinct sound that I thought was the pounding of a sledgehammer echoing from inside the school.

My attention was now suddenly drawn to an eerie presence wafting out of the now lifeless building. The ghost of Colonel White reappeared, carrying a battered old box, and sure enough a sledgehammer.
He saw the puzzled look on my face, and laughed. “Yes, I had buried this box in the very bowels of the school, even before the first brick was laid in 1927.” He then added “I need you as a witness, to testify to the box’s’ origin.” He placed the old box at my feet and asked me to return to Colonel White High School on Jan.12, 2008 and take some photographs for posterity. With a chuckle, he said, “I don’t show up in pictures very well.” I was instructed not to open the box until I entered the school.

Once inside he said “open it and you will find my message. Read it to all that will listen.” I dutifully returned Jan.12, - the day marked as the Final Farewell Ceremony to Colonel White High School.

After I had completed my picture taking task, I wandered through the halls reminiscing about my days at Colonel White High School. As I entered the cafeteria, a group of alumni came up to me and asked why I was carrying around that old box? I told them the story of how I had been visited by the ghost of none other than our very own Lieutenant Colonel White. All at once, a chorus of voices sang out “well aren’t you going to open the box and read the message?” Being equally curious myself, I eagerly pried open the lid and pulled out this old tattered document.

As I gently unfurled the paper, I began to slowly read what our founder had written.

“One day this building will be torn down in the name of progress.” The building he writes, is just a physical reference point. “Do not be sad. My spirit was here when they were constructing it, and I will always be here at my post, in the future. I have heard every footstep and every voice that have echoed through these halls, even in the infamous tunnel. I have seen you struggle to make important decisions that will impact your life’s journey. I do not want you to forget your memories of C.W. - good or bad. That is part of the essence that has made you who you are today. It has helped you grow into a person of wonder and preserved in each of you a guiding vision.” Colonel White then added, “Remember, one of the greatest gifts is forgiveness, which frees your spirit and gives you serenity of the soul. Teach your children well, by passing on the principles and values that you learned while at Colonel White High School.” After listening to Colonel White’s message, one of my listeners suggested I should post this wondrous story on the CW 1964 web site for all to read. I promised them I would.

After the closing ceremonies had concluded, and all of the alumni had bid farewell, I made my way back to the flag pole. I was hoping for one last encounter with the ghost of Colonel White. As I stood by the flag pole, Lieutenant Colonel White appeared with a warm smile radiating from his weathered face. He said “Jim, when I hear laughter and fond memories being shared at reunions, and now being posted on the various Colonel White class web sites; that gives me a feeling of accomplishment and a deep sense of fulfillment!” He lastly added, “When it’s time to take down the tattered Grand Old Flag for the last time, I hope someone will take a moment to remember me, Lieutenant Colonel White and all I represented.” As his ghostly spirit began to slowly fade into darkening sky, I turned and gave him a final salute! I promised, I would always remember him and his prophetic message he gave to us all.