Lakenheath High School opened her doors on a Tuesday morning in September of 1960 for the arrival of her first students. Everything was neatly in place, lockers were up and ready for tenants, the desks were all in orderly rows in each classroom and the library shelves were up with most of the books in place. As with any construction project, not everything arrives on site at the requested time. The classroom furniture arrived just in time for the Labor Day Weekend. There were six giant lorries filled with desks, shelves, boxes of parts, books, hooks and blackboards. There was only faculty and school staff to unload and assemble all the pieces parts and by Saturday, a grave realization fell upon the exhausted staff, "there's not enough time!!"Now enters Betty Phillips, a teacher with a plan! Betty approached the principle and told him, if he would give her twenty five dollars cash, she would fetch some elves and see to the completion of the project. Now, remember that was a lot of money on an Air Force base in those days. Reluctantly, but with a look of grim desperation, the money was handed over.Betty set part two of her plan into motion. Off she sped to the Enlisted Men's Club with cash in hand. Knowing Saturday was a busy day at the club, she entered the door like a cowboy in a western. There she strode up to a crowd of G.I.s and got their attention. She offered the following barter for review."If all of you will help us unload the trucks and set up the furniture at the high school, I will give a $25.00 credit at the bar for future libations. "Now remember, that was a lot of money on an Air Force base in those days. Beer at the EM Club was only 10 cents a glass. After a few minutes of mental calculations, the stampede began. To the delight of all the staff still struggling at the "battle zone", the reinforcements arrived with gusto. The trucks were unloaded, furniture assembled and carried off to destinations within the school, blackboards hung, and all the leftover debris was cleaned up. By Monday afternoon, the job was done.Once again, we wish to thank Betty and all of the Lakenheath Teachers and Staff for all they did to contribute to our education. We are better citizens today for the values they instilled in us many yesterday's ago.
On the evening of May 23, 2007 I had the honor to meet with Donna Musil, Director & Writer for the film, Brats – Our Journey Home.If you have not seen this emotional panorama of our lives in “The Fortress”, then you must! Donna has done something truly wonderful here and all of you are well represented in the portrayals of life as Brats. I spent my 3rd to 6th grades in Germany & England then back to England for my last two years of school. Every aspect of my experience is documented in this film. The pictures are not of me personally, but I saw myself in every facial expression. I felt each and every emotion hinted at within the scripts. I left the final credits with a sense of loose ends of a great circle coming together at last. Not with a crash or fanfare, but with just a simple click.I am a Brat and I would not have it any other way!I thank you Donna for sharing your insight, your vision and the hug! 