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Tiny school part of big memories at Dahlgren

September 17, 2008 12:15 am

THEY'VE BEEN educating chil- dren on the naval base at Dahlgren for almost 90 years. From King George County farm boys in the 1920s to the children of South Korean naval personnel today, Dahlgren School has logged a history much like the base itself.

There have been many changes over the years. But the school and the base remain special places.

You'll be hearing a lot about that history, and about the future of Dahlgren, on Saturday, Oct. 18, when Naval Support Facility Dahlgren throws open its gates to celebrate the 90th anniversary of the base.

There will be technical and historical displays, readings of memoirs, games, crafts, food and children's activities from 1-5 p.m. on the Parade Field.

But a special part of the day for me will come at 5 p.m., when Dahlgren School opens its doors to alumni, parents, friends and anyone else interested in learning about this unique institution. There will be a short presentation by current students and, of course, plenty of reminiscing.

Jim Payne, who was a 5-year-old farm boy from King George when the base was being built in 1918, graduated from Dahlgren School around 1930. In a memoir written a few years before his death, he noted that he had spent 11 years at the school and was one of three students in the senior class.

My memories of Dahlgren School date to the 1950s and 1960s. There was no high school then, but the classes were still small (though not as tiny as Payne's), the teachers superb and the sense of community deep. Indeed, almost half a century later, I still encounter classmates who speak of the education they received there with hushed reverence.

It was a special place. And it still is today, only different. These days, the red-brick schoolhouse, built in 1942, is filled exclusively with military dependents, since civilians no longer live on the base. A few of those students are the children of foreign naval personnel stationed at Dahlgren.

Back in the 1950s, civilians dominated the student body. The principal was L. H. Settle, a gentlemanly Southerner whose life was a lesson in how to live honorably.

He could be strict, but his love for us was never in question. When he wasn't having chats with wayward youngsters in the principal's office, you might find him managing the school's baseball team.

The brand-new principal of Dahlgren School is Alice Herring, a North Carolina native who has spent 25 years teaching in Department of Defense schools overseas, from Belgium to Italy.

Herring has a kindly look that reminds me of Mr. Settle. She told the base newspaper that she is "personally looking forward to getting to know each and every student"--just like Mr. Settle did.

Like I said, the times are different. But some things never change.

Ed Jones: 540/374-5401
Email: edjones@freelancestar.com

Activities will include technical and historical displays, reading of memoirs, games, videos, food booths, a craft fair, a car show, and children's activities. The rock & roll/blues group "Old School" will perform from 2 to 5 p.m.

The base is accepting written memoirs for possible reading at the event.

The public also is invited to participate in a craft fair and a classic car show. A poster contest will be held for kindergarten through eighth grades.

Questions or comments about the event may be addressed to the Public Affairs Office. The toll free number is 866/359-5540 and the e-mail address is nsasp_pao_dlgr@navy.mil. Memoirs may be e-mailed or mailed to NSF Dahlgren, 6509 Sampson road, Dahlgren, VA 22448, attn: PAO. Submissions to the poster contest can be mailed to the same address.

SPECIAL SECTION On Sunday, Oct. 12, The Free Lance-Star will publish a special section to coincide with the 90th anniversary of the Dahlgren naval base. There will be stories about the history of the base and about the commanders who are setting its course for the future. THE ANNIVERSARY The 90th anniversary festivities on base will also include a craft fair, a classic car show and a poster contest for children from kindergarten through eighth grade. For more information about the Oct. 18 event and the Open House at Dahlgren School, call the base's Public Affairs Office at 866/359-5540, or go to fredericksburg .com and click on the "Dahlgren at 90" logo. YOUR MEMORIES The "Dahlgren at 90" site is interactive, allowing you to post your memories about the base and providing information on how to submit written memoirs directly to Dahlgren to be part of the event.