The Teddy Roosevelt

By Ken Hesselbacher

May 25, 2022: On Friday, May 18, 2018, I left the Bronxville Library and started walking north on Pondfield Road. As I crossed the street, I saw a magnificent white motor coach parked at the curb. And then there was a second, and then a third which had the name Camila painted on the side. Since Camila is the wife of Prince Charles and there was a celebration for Queen Elizabeth, I thought perhaps there was a large group of Bronxville natives leaving for the event!

Then I saw three more white motor coaches that led directly to the front of The Bronxville School. I then realized that the buses were taking the junior and senior classes to their prom at the Lake Shore Club on the Long Island Sound. I am sure that they had the time of their lives! As it turned out, the “Camila" logo was the name of the bus company.

I would like to tell you about another senior prom from a long time ago. Although Bill Foss was 18 years older than me, our friendship was forged on four-wall handball courts, which results in strong and lasting relationships.

In 1942 Bill was a senior at Theodore Roosevelt High School in the Bronx, looking forward to his senior prom and graduation. However, shortly after December 7, 1941, Bill and members of his Class were offered a unique opportunity. Everyone who enlisted in the armed forces by April 1942 would not have to take final exams and would be awarded diplomas. Bill exercised this option and went to fight for his country. He joined the Navy and spent four eventful years in the Pacific theater.

After the war, Bill came home to the Bronx, joined the New York City Fire Department, married, raised a family, and went on with his life. Fast forward to 1992, the fiftieth anniversary of the Class of 1942. Theodore Roosevelt High School decided that since so many had been deprived of their senior prom, they would include a Senior Prom with the 50th Anniversary celebration.

And so, after all these years, Bill was reminiscing at the prom with guys who had joined the Navy. Bill said that he served on the USS Bainbridge, a destroyer. The guy next to him said he was on the USS Intrepid, the famous aircraft carrier. Then the next guy shouted, “Wait a minute, I served on the USS Intrepid!” Yes, there were about 2,600 sailors on this carrier, and two guys from the Bronx spent three years without knowing they were on the same ship! And they finally find out fifty years later at their Senior Prom!

Bill passed away eight years ago at the age of 90. He was a class guy and had a good long life. He was a great storyteller, and I just wanted to share this one with everyone.

In May 2020, there was no Senior Prom for the Bronxville High School Class of 2020. In fact, there was no Senior Prom for any high school Class of 2000. Covid was raging, and it would have been senseless to ignore the reality of this fearsome disease. Maybe the Class of 2020 will have their Senior Prom combined with their 50th Anniversary. There is a precedent, thanks to the Class of 1942!

In a strange twist of fate, in June 2020, the entire crew of the nuclear aircraft carrier USS Theodore Roosevelt was quarantined due to an outbreak of Covid. I wondered if someone from the Bronxville High School Class of 2018 was serving on this ship.

On Friday, May 21, the Bronxville High School Classes of 2022 and 2023 had their junior/senior prom. I am sure that it was a wonderful experience. Yes, there is the joy and excitement of the prom and, for seniors, the pomp and circumstance of an upcoming high school graduation. Enjoy it! I wish them well as they get on with the rest of their lives. Hopefully, they too will have many interesting stories to relate at their 50th Anniversary.

Perhaps, most importantly, as we approach Memorial Day, we must remember all those who have served and are serving our country today. We are going through extremely turbulent times, and we owe so much to all our military services who stand guard. And all those who gave their lives in our defense. Thank you.