"Old times there are not forgotten"
The United States intent to invade Iraq was debated in Europe. The Space Shuttle Columbia disintegrated upon reentering the Earth's atmosphere resulting in seven fatalities. More than ten million people protested the United States intent to invade Iraq in 600 cities around the world. The first case of SARS was identified, an American businessman visiting Hanoi, Vietnam. The patient and the doctor who treated him both died of the disease. The World Health Organization issued a global SARS alert. The United States Supreme Court upheld "three strikes and you are out" laws. The United States invaded Iraq with limited support from allied nations. The body of Laci Peterson washed up on a shore in the San Francisco Bay, also the body of her fetus. The Human Genome Project was successfully completed. Midland Steel Products ceased operations following 110 years in business. President George W. Bush declared that the United States had prevailed in Iraq. The Old Man of the Mountain rock formation, a New Hampshire landmark crumbled following heavy rains. An outbreak amounting to 393 tornadoes were reported between May 4 and May 10, most tornadoes during a single week in recorded history. Eric Rudolph, the Centennial Olympic Park bomber was captured in Murphy, North Carolina. The lake behind the Three Gorges Dam in China was filled raising the water level more than 100 meters. Martha Stewart and her stock broker were indicted for trading stock using privileged information and then lying to federal authorities about the transaction. The Supreme Court of the United States upheld affirmative action admissions for colleges and universities. The court also struck down sodomy laws. Saddam Hussein, deposed President of Iraq was captured and his two sons along with one grandson were killed in a shoot out with U.S. Army troops. The last old style Volkswagen Beetle was assembled in Mexico. NATO assumed command of allied occupation troops in Afghanistan. Governor Gray Davis was recalled from office by California voters. He was replaced by actor Arnold Scwartzenegger. The Condcorde made its last commercial flight. China launched its first space mission - Shenzhou 5. The Commonwealth of Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court struck down anti-same-sex marriage laws in that state. An outbreak of mad cow disease was announced in Washington.
New book titles: Crossroads of Twilight, The King of Torts, The Jester, The DaVinci Code, Birthright, Armageddon, Naked Prey, The Lake House, Johny Angel, To the Nines, The Teeth of the Tiger, Bleachers, The Five People You Meet In Heaven and Born to Fly.
At the movies: The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King, Finding Nemo, Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl, The Matrix Reloaded, Bruce Almighty, X2, Elf, Terminator 3: Rise of the Machines, The Matrix Revolutions and Cheaper by the Dozen (2003).
On stage: A Day in the Death of Joe Egg, As Long as We Both Shall Laugh, Enchanted April, Gypsy (2003), Life (x) 3, Long Day's Journey Into Night, The Look of Love, Ma Rainey's Black Bottom, Nine, The Play What I Wrote, Take Me Out, Tartuffe, Vincent in Brixton, A Year With Frog and Toad, Anna in the Tropics, Avenue Q, Big River, The Boy from Oz, The Caretaker, Golda's Balcony, Henry IV, Laughing Room Only, Little Shop of Horrors, Never Gonna Dance, Oldest Confederate Widow Tells All, Retreat from Moscow, Sexaholix . . .A Love Story, Taboo, The Violet Hour, Wicked and Wonderful Town.
Emmy Awards: James Spader for The Practice, Allsion Janney for The West Wing, Michael Imperioli for The Sopranos, Drea De Matteo for The Sopranos and The Sopranos for best drama series.
January 24
The United States Department of Homeland Security began operations.
March 19
Classmate James Elias Kilpatrick, age 63, died at his home in Dalton, Georgia. Following high school, during which he was a country music enthusiast, James enlisted in the United States Army, completed his military obligation and settled in Georgia. His principal occupation in life was as a truck driver. James was survived by his wife, two sons and two daughters.
March 30
Mountain State University (once known as Beckley College) lost the Men's NAIA Division I Basketball National Championship being defeated by Concordia College of California by the score of 84-88. The game was played in Kansas City, Missouri.
June 27-29
Members of the Woodrow Wilson High School Class of 1958 gathered at Country Inns and Suites in Beckley to celebrate our 45th Class Reunion with a mixer, a dinner/dance and a picnic at Flat Top Lake.
December 26
Classmate Michael Clayton Howery died at his residence in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. Following high school where he was active in athletics, Mike settled in South Carolina. He retired as a sale representative for an electrical supply company in Georgetown, South Carolina. Mike was survived by one daughter.