January 8th, 2016 was the 50th Anniversary of the car/train crash in Sanborn, ND that involved the St. Catherine’s Junior High Basketball team. Rodney Meidinger, and Paul Hannig died as the result of the accident and the shock of the incident is still with us to this day. As classmates and chums, I miss them dearly…
Playground Time
My friends forever play,
In canvas shoes, shooting all-star shots.
Never older, not one day
Always perfect, no worries or doubts.
Working on their pick and roll,
The ball passed between them.
Laughing smiles and cocky grins,
Arching set shots from the gym.
Endless play with childhood friends
The workout never tires them.
Spinning, twisting, baseline move
They touch the rim, having fun.
Running clock, it’s playground time,
Sights and sounds of yesteryear.
Frozen moments deeply felt,
My turn to join in, soon one year.
My friends forever play,
In canvas shoes, shooting all-star shots.
Never older, not one day
Always perfect, no worries or doubts.
-Clarence Holm
A moving tribute to your “childhood friends.”
Nicely done.
Beautiful tribute, how nice of you dear Clarence. I pray for them. Thank you, love, nia
Thank you, Are you in Turkey now?
Yes, I am. 🙂 You are welcome. Love, nia
very moving tribute, so sorry for your loss.
<3
I remember when the accident happened. Hard to believe it has been 50 years. Your poem is most touching. They are missed. ❤️
Very nice Clarence. Being in Sanborn that day and witnessing this event has stayed with me daily for 50 years.
Years have passed but time has stood still in memory of you Rod . If we wouldn’t of switched vehicles would things of changed. Remembering everything we did in those short years will be with me for ever.
Beautifully written, Clarence. Unfortunately, I tagged along with Rusty to that game. Paul was a great guy too. Freckle-faced and funny is my lasting impression of him.
Very nice, Clarence. It is hard to believe that after 50 years, the memory of that terrible tragedy is as clear as if it happened just yesterday. I will never forget you, Paul and Rod.
Thank you for your loving words about Rodney. I remember him as a friend, someone who, as a fifth grader, wrote a letter to President Kennedy, along with Joe Kozak, about becoming astronauts. They even got a letter back.
Kozak was my music teacher at 4th grade in college high. The memories are still fresh for me.