Lynn was a very close friend that I think of quite often. Recently a few classmates were having lunch in Cary and Lynn’s name was mentioned. It was good to see that I am not the only one who has fond memories of Lynn.
We were both in the band. Being in the band was a treat for me. I was not a very good musician, but I enjoyed the music, the activities associated with the band, and the discipline being in the band brought.
I remember one concert in particular, but mostly what took place prior to the concert.
Our band director, Mr. Braunhardt, was a gentleman, and a great role model. He was also a disciplinarian, and always wanted us to follow his instructions exactly. Everyone in the band wanted to please him because we liked him so much.
For this particular concert, we were instructed to wear white shirts, dark trousers, black or dark shoes, and black socks. Mr. Braunhardt always emphasized wearing black socks, as he thought white socks, which were so prevalent in those days, did not look good on stage.
We were instructed to arrive at the band room at least an hour prior to each concert. On this one evening, Lynn and I rode together. We arrived early and were hanging around the band room waiting for others to arrive. I happened to notice that Lynn had worn white socks. Now everyone knew Lynn was a practical joker, so I was not sure whether to mention this or not. It would have been just like Lynn to wait until the last minute to don his black socks.
As the time got closer for us to assemble in the band room, I kept waiting for Lynn to change socks. With about 5 minutes to go, I mentioned to Lynn that it was time for him to get dressed. He looked at me kind of funny like, and asked what I was talking about. I pointed to his white socks. You should have seen the expression on Lynn's face. I knew instantly that he was not playing a joke - he had forgotten to wear black socks.
Lynn was devastated and asked me what he should do as there was not enough time for him to return home to change socks (I partially blame myself for this because I realize I should have mentioned this earlier).
The way our concert stage was set up, Lynn was in the front of the stage and I was in the second or third row. I had the bright idea that we should exchange socks because there would be little chance for the audience, or Mr. Braunhardt, to see me wearing white socks. Lynn being on the front row would have been more easily noticed.
So Lynn and I switched socks.
We assembled in the band room for a little pep talk from Mr. Braunhardt. When we were dismissed us to go to the main stage, Mr. Braunhardt asked me to follow him to his office.
In Mr. Braunhardt's office, he promptly informed me of his disappointment that I had not followed his instructions. This discussion with Mr. Braunhardt probably took 5 minutes. I say discussion, but it really was not a discussion, it was a one way talk with me being on the receiving end. I should tell you that Mr. Braunhardt was such a gentleman and had such a way with words that he could administer a severe tongue lashing, and when he was done, you would feel good about what he just told you, and you would thank him.
While Mr. Braunhardt was expressing his disappointment in me, apparently the word had gotten around to some of the band members that I was catching the dickens for wearing white socks. Since Lynn and I are the only ones who knew the rest of the story, Lynn was in a quandary as to whether to tell Mr. Braunhardt the rest of the story, or let me take the heat.
While sitting in Mr. Braunhardt's office, I saw Lynn approaching the door. I could see Lynn, but Mr. Braunhardt could not. I tried to discretely wave Lynn away, but Lynn had a puzzled look on his face as if he was trying to decide what to do.
I did not see any reason for Lynn to barge in and be on the receiving end of Mr. Braunhardt's discussion, so I decided to interrupt Mr. Braunhardt and apologize. I told Mr. Braunhardt I had made a mistake and it would not happen again. My thinking was that if I could interrupt and apologize quickly, then Lynn could escape Mr. Braunhardt’s wrath.
When I apologized to Mr. Braunhardt, I think it confused Lynn, for he was still standing by the door when Mr. Braunhardt and I walked out. Mr. Braunhardt asked Lynn if he needed to speak to him, and Lynn said no. Lynn stuttered a few times then said he just wanted to make sure I was not late for taking my seat. Mr. Braunhardt thanked Lynn for thinking of me, patted him on the back, and said, "Let's go."
Mr. Braunhardt never mentioned this incident again, however, Lynn and I had many laughs over it. That was the last time Lynn forgot to wear his black socks.
Bob Kelly
Lynn was a very close friend that I think of quite often. Recently a few classmates were having lunch in Cary and Lynn’s name was mentioned. It was good to see that I am not the only one who has fond memories of Lynn.
We were both in the band. Being in the band was a treat for me. I was not a very good musician, but I enjoyed the music, the activities associated with the band, and the discipline being in the band brought.
I remember one concert in particular, but mostly what took place prior to the concert.
Our band director, Mr. Braunhardt, was a gentleman, and a great role model. He was also a disciplinarian, and always wanted us to follow his instructions exactly. Everyone in the band wanted to please him because we liked him so much.
For this particular concert, we were instructed to wear white shirts, dark trousers, black or dark shoes, and black socks. Mr. Braunhardt always emphasized wearing black socks, as he thought white socks, which were so prevalent in those days, did not look good on stage.
We were instructed to arrive at the band room at least an hour prior to each concert. On this one evening, Lynn and I rode together. We arrived early and were hanging around the band room waiting for others to arrive. I happened to notice that Lynn had worn white socks. Now everyone knew Lynn was a practical joker, so I was not sure whether to mention this or not. It would have been just like Lynn to wait until the last minute to don his black socks.
As the time got closer for us to assemble in the band room, I kept waiting for Lynn to change socks. With about 5 minutes to go, I mentioned to Lynn that it was time for him to get dressed. He looked at me kind of funny like, and asked what I was talking about. I pointed to his white socks. You should have seen the expression on Lynn's face. I knew instantly that he was not playing a joke - he had forgotten to wear black socks.
Lynn was devastated and asked me what he should do as there was not enough time for him to return home to change socks (I partially blame myself for this because I realize I should have mentioned this earlier).
The way our concert stage was set up, Lynn was in the front of the stage and I was in the second or third row. I had the bright idea that we should exchange socks because there would be little chance for the audience, or Mr. Braunhardt, to see me wearing white socks. Lynn being on the front row would have been more easily noticed.
So Lynn and I switched socks.
We assembled in the band room for a little pep talk from Mr. Braunhardt. When we were dismissed us to go to the main stage, Mr. Braunhardt asked me to follow him to his office.
In Mr. Braunhardt's office, he promptly informed me of his disappointment that I had not followed his instructions. This discussion with Mr. Braunhardt probably took 5 minutes. I say discussion, but it really was not a discussion, it was a one way talk with me being on the receiving end. I should tell you that Mr. Braunhardt was such a gentleman and had such a way with words that he could administer a severe tongue lashing, and when he was done, you would feel good about what he just told you, and you would thank him.
While Mr. Braunhardt was expressing his disappointment in me, apparently the word had gotten around to some of the band members that I was catching the dickens for wearing white socks. Since Lynn and I are the only ones who knew the rest of the story, Lynn was in a quandary as to whether to tell Mr. Braunhardt the rest of the story, or let me take the heat.
While sitting in Mr. Braunhardt's office, I saw Lynn approaching the door. I could see Lynn, but Mr. Braunhardt could not. I tried to discretely wave Lynn away, but Lynn had a puzzled look on his face as if he was trying to decide what to do.
I did not see any reason for Lynn to barge in and be on the receiving end of Mr. Braunhardt's discussion, so I decided to interrupt Mr. Braunhardt and apologize. I told Mr. Braunhardt I had made a mistake and it would not happen again. My thinking was that if I could interrupt and apologize quickly, then Lynn could escape Mr. Braunhardt’s wrath.
When I apologized to Mr. Braunhardt, I think it confused Lynn, for he was still standing by the door when Mr. Braunhardt and I walked out. Mr. Braunhardt asked Lynn if he needed to speak to him, and Lynn said no. Lynn stuttered a few times then said he just wanted to make sure I was not late for taking my seat. Mr. Braunhardt thanked Lynn for thinking of me, patted him on the back, and said, "Let's go."
Mr. Braunhardt never mentioned this incident again, however, Lynn and I had many laughs over it. That was the last time Lynn forgot to wear his black socks.