This past Christmas, I was given a copy of November Ever After. I just want to say thank you. Thank you for sharing your story. Thank you for sharing the story of the 75. Thank you for sharing the story of Marshall University.
I graduated from Marshall
in 2011, with a degree in journalism. This comes after a six-year stint as a
military journalist. So, after reading the introduction, I was already hooked,
as we (you and I) have that in common. Then, getting further into the book, I
couldn't put it down.
I've seen the documentaries.
I was at Marshall for the filming
of We Are Marshall.
I've flown in and out of Tri-State
Airport. I worked as a reporter at
WOWK-TV in Huntington, West Virginia
and covered the Fountain Ceremony several times. I have interviewed Jack
Lengyel (MU coach in the years immediately following the crash). I’ve visited Spring
Hill Cemetery
and have attended many Marshall
football games.
I know the story. I know how it
affected both the campus and the city. Being from Richmond,
Virginia, I know both a former classmate
and high school baseball coach of MU defensive lineman Tommy Zborill, one of
the crash victims.
Your book, however, really put
it over the top.
I had never heard of Ed Carter
and Felix Jordan, the two “other” guys who didn't make the flight. I never knew
about the “Homegoing” trip which was remarkable in and of itself.
I never knew that seven players
on that flight came from two high schools. I never knew about the racial tensions
that were ultimately squashed because of the crash. I never knew that Coach
Tolley was such a tough coach.
I’ve learned more about the
plane crash from your book than I ever did in my six years going to school and
working in Huntington. I could go
on for days about the things I learned, but I think you get the point.
I’m very glad that you decided,
even if it was more than 40 years later, to share your experience and memories.
It means a lot to me.
Warmest Regards,
Brooks Taylor
Public Relations and Marketing Specialist
Virginia Commonwealth
University
Richmond, Virginia
