"Rekindling the Fire of the Dragon"           What a time!  What a time!!  He allowed us to come together one more time.    The Eighth Fairview Reunion was held June 29 – July 1, 2007.  It was a time when old friends gathered together, laughed, talked, and renewed old memories.  Fairview Alumni from Alabama, Alaska, Austin, California, Dallas, Denver, Fort Worth, Greenville, Houston, Portland, Virginia, Waco, and many other cities attended this auspicious event.  There were over 300 alumni and friends in attendance at one, if not all, reunion activities.  For many, this was their first time attending a Fairview Reunion.           In keeping with our theme, “Rekindling the Fire of the Dragon,” the reunion activities kicked off Friday, June 29 in the newly opened Fairview Community Center.  The reunion theme was most appropriate because the Community Center sits in the same place as the old Fairview High School.  The Lord has done this, and it is marvelous in our eyes.  Psalm 119:23 (NIV).      Registration began at 6:00 p.m., followed by a business meeting (election of new officers and board members), and ended with a fantastic talent show that was truly a Flashback from the good old days.  Prior to the beginning, during, and ending of the talent show, the Dragons’ Auditorium was filled with laughter, hugging, and plain old glad to see those we had not seen since graduation or in years.      On Saturday, June 30, the reunion activities began with an extraordinary parade coordinated by Mr. Curtis Harrison.  The parade started at Macedonia Baptist Church.  There were decorated cars, floats, motorcycles, 4-wheelers, horses, trucks, and SUV's.  The Reunion Picnic began at the Fairview Community Center, immediately after the parade.      At 6:30 p.m., there was the Dedication of Cornerstones with services provided by Mr. Glenn Henderson and the Hiram Abiff Grand Lodge of IF&A Masons.  The reunion banquet took place immediately following the dedication.  The Keynote Speaker for the banquet was Mr. Horace Hodge, USDA Liaison Officer at Prairie View A&M University.  His speech was well-planned and delivery was inspiring!        After the banquet, it was time to really socialize, sit back, relax, listen, and enjoy the magical moving music that was provided by DJ Melody of Houston, TX.  Some Fairview Alums and friends, changed outfits, put on their dancing shoes, tried to learn the new dances, and danced the night away, until 1:30 a.m.  The music ranged from the late 50’s to modern day.       The most important time and day of the reunion was Sunday, July 1, 2007.  Many Fairview Alumni, family, and friends gathered at the Nelson-Murphy Auditorium at 10:00 a.m.  We were greeted with a scrumptious continental breakfast prepared by a very special group of alums.  The wholesome breakfast nourished our bodies and enabled our spiritual souls to be fed with the spoken word to come later in the day.      One of the greatest highlights of the reunion was the church service.  At 11:00 a.m., Master of Ceremony Bro. Rayford Stephens opened the Praise and Worship Service with a moving introduction that set the tone for the service.  The Nelson-Murphy Auditorium was filled with sounds of spiritual and uplifting music from Rev. Al Leroy Lewis and the Fairview Reunion Chorale.  Rev. Lewis chose songs that helped all present to remember what a great God we serve.  Once again, we were graced with the melodious voices of Rev. Al & Pashion Lewis with their famous hit song “It Ain’t About Us.”      What took the Praise and Worship Service to a whole new level was an awesome sermon delivered by Rev. David Keener, Pastor of Pleasant Hill Baptist Church.  His topic was “Company For Your Journey” and he preached from Psalm 23: 6.  By the end of the Praise and Worship Service, the Lord had been given “Total Praise.”   It was the Lord’s doing; it was marvelous in his eyes.  Psalm 118:23 (KJV).        Yes, he allowed us to come together one more time.   It was definitely a time to say, “It Ain’t About Us”, and “Thank You Lord” for your “Amazing Grace.”   In a most unusual move during Benny Lockett’s astonishing occasion speech, he asked those of us in attendance at the service to pause and take a look at the person sitting next to us.  After a brief moment, he continued with his speech.   It was most definitely a thought provoking moment!      Some alumnus in attendance during the 2007 reunion will not be present at the reunion in 2009.  A few days after the reunion, we were saddened by the deaths of Mr. Richard Earl Ferrell and Mr. Norris Larthridge.       If you were not in attendance for the eighth reunion, you missed the time of your life to help, “Rekindle the Fire of the Dragon.”  Perhaps you can make plans to attend the Ninth Fairview Reunion in 2009.        Stay tuned on the web for dates to be announced and pictures of the 2007 Reunion.