Mike Hastings (Class of '75) has lived in Copenhagen Denmark for the past 18 years and was planning to return to Indiana for his niece's wedding.  Mike found the charlestownalumni.net website and got in touch with it's owner/builder, Marilyn Duddy Greenwell, who was also his classmate.  Mike told Marilyn he wanted to try to reunite with some of his classmates and friends while in the states.

Marilyn touched base by email with some of the other Class of 1975 classmates.  They planned a gathering - a "mini-reunion" for Sunday June 29th at the Charlestown Pizza Company.  Their lunch started at 1pm, but the last of the crowd left at about 7pm.  It's pretty clear that everyone enjoyed themself.  

Before his flight out of Denmark, Mike emailed Marilyn asking if he would be able to get a ride from the airport when he arrived in town.  Knowing the quiet kind of guy Mike was in high school, Marilyn decided to find a way to make his arrival one he would never forget.  She enlisted Jenny Hecker Summitt and Debbie Pierce Bonsett to plan a surprise welcome home "event".  

Jenny owns Xtreme Transportation limousine service and offered to pick Mike up in a limo.  Marilyn and Debbie thought it would be a great surprise if Mike didn't know about the limo ahead of time.  So, Debbie dressed as patriotically as she could, hand-made a very patriotic sign and even had an "Uncle Sam" hat to greet him at the airport. 

Mike did not expect such a patriotic welcome back to the United States!  When they walked out of the airport, Mike noticed the huge stretch limo sitting there and pointed it out to Debbie.  Debbie's reply was "Yeah, that's ours".  Mike was definitely surprised!  He was even further surprised that his old friend Ron Ingram, and his wife Leslie were joining them for dinner.  Marilyn and Michael Greenwell also dined with them. 

Marilyn, Jenny and Debbie are sure that Mike will never forget his return to Indiana and reunion with dear old friends from days gone by. 

You'll find photos of Mike's return to Indiana in the "Gallery"  under Class of 1975 and 2008 Mini-Reunion.  Some photos of the Charlestown Pizza Company gathering were added on July 29th, thanks to David & Cathy Payne!  As others arrive, they'll also be added.  Hint... hint...