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Gridley High graduate Bill Harkey is one who remembers his roots and continues to be involved in the town that means so much to him. Known to many as the first baby born at Biggs-Gridley Memorial Hospital, he is also known to long-time Gridleyians as the son of Bill and Fran Harkey. When he is in town visiting his mother, Bill always visits his friends at the Gridley Rotary Club meeting, many of them members when his dad Bill was a member and past president. He and his wife Laurie live in Carlisle, Pennsylvania and keep up with the news of Gridley through their subscription to The Gridley Herald.
The Harkey's read about the Gridley High School Band's quest to raise enough money to travel to Pearl Harbor next year for the 70th anniversary and on Friday presented a check for $2,000 to Band Director John Haeberle and some of the current band members. Harkey told the students he was proud of their huge accomplishment in being invited to the commemoration of Pearl Harbor next year. Even though it has been 44 years, it was evident Harkey felt a real kinship to the students and the band, almost as if talking about one band.
As Mr. Haeberle explained, "Many of the students had tears in their eyes as they listened to Mr. Harkey and understood what he was saying. It's kind of like the Giants. Whether it's the 1954 Giants or the 2010 Giants, it really is all the same team."
When Bill was the drum major as a senior at Gridley High with Martin Larens as his teacher, he could not have foreseen his involvement and continued passion for the band and the school.
As Harkey and his generation follow the generations that continue on at Gridley High, they can relive their lives whether it is in sports or as a drum major, whether it is Mr. Larens or Mr. Haeberle, there is a connection. When Bill spent thirty years in the Army, it didn't matter where he was stationed, his home was always Gridley.
For those of us who know Bill Harkey, this generous donation is not surprising coming from one Bulldog to many others to help them reach their dreams. Thank you Bill and Laurie. Thank you for always remembering where home is and being so supportive.
Gridley High graduate Bill Harkey is one who remembers his roots and continues to be involved in the town that means so much to him. Known to many as the first baby born at Biggs-Gridley Memorial Hospital, he is also known to long-time Gridleyians as the son of Bill and Fran Harkey. When he is in town visiting his mother, Bill always visits his friends at the Gridley Rotary Club meeting, many of them members when his dad Bill was a member and past president. He and his wife Laurie live in Carlisle, Pennsylvania and keep up with the news of Gridley through their subscription to The Gridley Herald.
The Harkey's read about the Gridley High School Band's quest to raise enough money to travel to Pearl Harbor next year for the 70th anniversary and on Friday presented a check for $2,000 to Band Director John Haeberle and some of the current band members. Harkey told the students he was proud of their huge accomplishment in being invited to the commemoration of Pearl Harbor next year. Even though it has been 44 years, it was evident Harkey felt a real kinship to the students and the band, almost as if talking about one band.
As Mr. Haeberle explained, "Many of the students had tears in their eyes as they listened to Mr. Harkey and understood what he was saying. It's kind of like the Giants. Whether it's the 1954 Giants or the 2010 Giants, it really is all the same team."
When Bill was the drum major as a senior at Gridley High with Martin Larens as his teacher, he could not have foreseen his involvement and continued passion for the band and the school.
As Harkey and his generation follow the generations that continue on at Gridley High, they can relive their lives whether it is in sports or as a drum major, whether it is Mr. Larens or Mr. Haeberle, there is a connection. When Bill spent thirty years in the Army, it didn't matter where he was stationed, his home was always Gridley.
For those of us who know Bill Harkey, this generous donation is not surprising coming from one Bulldog to many others to help them reach their dreams. Thank you Bill and Laurie. Thank you for always remembering where home is and being so supportive.
