This is a big weekend here in Ridgecrest!  The BHS 60 year All Class Reunion is happening and there's not a motel room left in town!  It's also my class (1981's) 25th reunion.  There are a lot of activities, including a time of "meet and greet" down on Balsam Street.  If all goes right, "B" Mountain will be lit up just like it is at Homecoming.  Wish you all were here.  It's the people that are in town that don't appreciate the work that goes into these gatherings. 

Hail, Hail to All Burroughs High!!!!

Hope Sizemore Fielder

Class of 81

I really enjoyed the site,it made homesick for Ridgecrest. I was anyway that's why I was nosing around and found it.I miss it more than you know.

Hi Pat,

  This web site is incredible and I recognize the tremendous effort that went into building and continues with updating it.   My humble apologies for not expressing my appreciation for your efforts earlier.   I've visited this site dozens of times over the past few years and referred many others to view it also.

  I grew up on base and I believe this website does capture much of that experience.   It is incredible nowadays to think that as a young child I could safely walk unsupervised wherever I wanted to go:  pool, library, Malt Shop, gym, youth center, or school.

  I went through a typical experience of those who grew up on base:  lived in several different houses, but settled into one near the Officer's Club; went to Groves for Kindergarten, then Richmond, Murray, and Burroughs.   I most closely associate my childhood memories with those people who went to school with me through all twelve grades.   At our BHS reunions, the kids from Richmond Elementary pose for a special group photo.

  After college, I later returned to China Lake and worked as an engineer from 1982-1991.   I met and worked with many of the parents of the kids I knew growing up.   Working at China Lake and owning homes in Ridgecrest provided me a different perspective and helped me to appreciate both Ridgecrest and China Lake better.

  My parents, Ken and Juanita Burke, moved to China Lake in 1956 and moved off base in 1978.   My mom was initially a teacher, but both ended up retiring from civil service in 1989.   They recently celebrated their golden wedding anniversary and still live in Ridgecrest.

  Best wishes to all who enjoy the nostalgic pull provided by this flood of memories.

Cheers,

Bob Burke

BHS Class of 1976

I was born on base and raised there.  Graduated in 1972 - moved away and never moved back.  Have lived in Monterey since 1976.  Have two sons both seniors - one at Fresno State and one at Monterey High.  Have taught Jazzercise for 25 years - being cheerleader at BHS in 1971 & 1972 has helped with that!  Work in the healthcare industry too.  Don't get back home too often, usually just for class reunions.  Have stayed in touch with so many from R/C that I grew up with.  It was a great place to be raised.

   No one who has ever visited or lived in R/C will ever understand who we are. We chose or our families chose for us to live in this region. When I was younger I don't think I thought about the history that China Lake and Ridgecrest had made. Our little desert town had and still has a lot to offer. My roots are buried in this little town along with some of my family. I am who I am today because of the people and the desert.

    I graduated in 1980 and left in 1981 to enter into the Marines. I have only come back briefly to visit close friends and classmates. I now live in Texas where I am the plant superintendant for the Episcopal Theological Seminary of the Southwest. Reading some of the bios makes me remember some of the deep down memories that I had forgotten about. I tell all the stories I can remember to my friends now but they don't understand. I am bringing my wife back to visit so I can show her exactly how rich it is in the desert and all the beauty this place has to offer.

   I was thrilled to find out that some of the people I grew up with had stayed behind and kept Ridgecrest alive. What a great place to have grown up in. Thanks for sharing your memories.

Marty