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| The 2002 gathering of Lane, Layne, Williams and Westbrook families is September 8, a day celebrated by much of the nation as grandparents day, aren’t we a proper bunch. This year we will meet again at the American Legion Hut in Newport, Arkansas. The agenda will be much the same as years gone by. Dinner will be potluck, then group pictures followed by games for the young and young at heart and lots of visiting. |
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The "King" is gone but the "Queen" of Rock and Roll may be in the house. My best picture of 2001, I didn't get her name but she was rocking. This my family is what it is all about, visiting family, meeting new family and just having fun. This picture was taken at the 2001 reunion., Who is she? |
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The number of years our family has been meeting each year is questioned sometimes but all will agree that it has been a long time. Grandmother Mannie Lane died June 18, 1959 and if the family met that year in September it would be our 44th. year. Any way you count it is a wonderful legacy we have received. It also comes with a bit of responsibility. The first family, Richard and Mannie's children did a wonderful job keeping the family reunion going. Most of us just grew up knowing that each year we would all be together as a family. My generation, the grandchildren of Richard and Mannie have for the last few years been trying to do our part, organizing and getting the word out. The great grandchildren are now stepping up to take over our job. Debra 'Layne' Brady and her husband Mike have been doing this for a few years. Their activities have been an exciting part of the reunion. Last year Mike was down and out and Debra Brady and Ray Layne organized and orchestrated the activities. It is now time for a new coach to step up and take over the games for 2003. Elmo will be seeking volunteers at the reunion. |
| We forgot the group pictures last year, we didn't have Bernice there telling us what to do. She will be there this year so don't forget to line up in family groups immediately after dinner. This will only take a few minutes but the family pictures will last a lifetime. |
| Bobby Layne came about as close to cashing his chips in as a human can get. He spent several weeks in very grave condition. I am very proud to say he is much better and am looking forward to seeing him at the reunion. |
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On July 12th of this year I got an e-mail from Bonita Garrabran or Bonita Lane, as we all first got to know her, Elmo Lane's oldest daughter. She said she that while cleaning out her closet she found an old kodachrome home movie reel labeled "Father's Day 1961" and "Granpa Lane's Dinner." This seemed to have got a lot of peoples attention. I sent the film to Del Layne in Orange Beach, Alabama. He is at the time of printing trying to have the 8mm film converted to digital format so copies can be made and shared with the family. The film belongs to Elmo so thank him for making it possible. |
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One of the first acts President Bush made shortly after the September 11 attack on America was to mobilize the 153rd Infantry Division, Delta Company, known as the 153rd 'Gunslingers' from Newport, Arkansas. The unit was sent to the Sinai Peninsula to guard the border between Israel and Egypt. . Sinai is most familiar to many as the "great and terrible wilderness" through which the Israelites wandered for forty years. Sgt. Patton Lane son of Jerry and Patricia Lane left for Egypt January 3, 2002 as one of the advance group to prepare for the Gunslingers 6-month deployment. He returned home July 27, 2002. Thank you Sgt. Patton Lane, it is good to know people with your dedication are ready and willing to protect us. |
