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The
year 1954 was the silver anniversary of FFA in Alabama. This month’s
article will be exploring a different avenue than some of the previous Sentinel
articles. January’s article covered the years associated with World
War II, 1940-1945. March’s article dealt with the post- war years of
1946-1950. More specific information dealing with the years of 1951-1955
will be covered in another article.
A
few weeks ago, the gentlemen who presided as state FFA officers during
the silver anniversary of the Alabama FFA Association and those who were
elected as state officers at the same convention were invited to share
their memories about Alabama’s Silver Anniversary. One officer who
served during the 25th convention and one who was elected during the
same convention responded.
Douglas
Rigney, who is a deputy Commissioner of Agriculture, served as State
Reporter in 1953-54. Mr. Rigney was from Washington County and the
Millry Chapter.
Mr.
Rigney responded by saying, "Being elected a State FFA officer in
1953 was a very special event in my life and one I will never forget.
"The
first time standing before a full house in Langdon Hall in Auburn for a
general session of the convention was quite an experience for a young
country boy from Millry.
"One
of my fondest memories is of Mr. T. L. Faulkner, the FFA Executive
Secretary. Mr. Faulkner made sure we did everything just right in order
for us to have a successful convention. Mr. Faulkner went on to serve
for 13 years as the State FFA Advisor.
"I
also remember Mrs. (Francis) Mizell and how helpful she was to all of us
as well as ensuring not only the success of the convention, but our
success as young FFA officers.
"The
experiences and memories of being a statewide FFA officer have been very
helpful to me in my career in the agricultural community.
"All
of the friendships I made and the life lessons I learned as a result of
being part of something as unique and special as the Future Farmers of
America have lasted me a lifetime. I count them as a blessing everyday
of my life."
The
other past officer who responded was Garland (Tom) Bond. Mr. Bond was
elected president at the Silver Convention in 1954. He was from Hale
County and the Greensboro Chapter. Mr. Bond began his reminiscing with,
"It has been a long time since I have thought about those days in
Auburn so many years ago. So many memories over the years and those
concerning my time as a State Officer of the FFA in Alabama are among
the fondest. It was at the urging of my local FFA Advisor, T. Clifford
Smith, that I submitted my name to be considered a candidate for state
office. Mr. Smith was a wonderful man and a great influence on my life.
He became almost like a father to me since my dad died when I was 12. I
loved and respected him so much; we had some wonderful times together.
"I
remember going to the state convention in Auburn and being in awe of
those presiding officers like Ralph Barrett and Kenneth Copeland. I
thought I could never do what they were doing. But I knew I wanted to.
Mr. Smith encouraged me and I went before the nominating committee. I
remember Mr. B.P. Dilworth, of the state office, being in charge. He put
me at ease right away and the interview apparently went well as I was
elected to be the state president.
"Serving
as state president of the Alabama Association of FFA was a life changing
experience for a young farm kid from Hale County. I met people and went
places I had never dreamed of. The friendship and fellowship with the
state officers was a remarkable experience. Roy Boyd, Jerdan Bullard,
David Wilson, George Johnson and I became fast friends. We all looked
forward to every time we were together. They all visited me in my
hometown of Greensboro. My friends became their friends. We had a
wonderful time together.
"The
national convention in Kansas City, Missouri, was an awesome experience.
I remember seeing the national officers in action and thinking I’ve
just got to be one of them. I remember going to a luncheon and hearing
Bob Feller speak. The entertainment that night was Eddie Fisher and
Debbie Reynolds. They had just gotten married.
"The
national public speaking contest motivated me to enter public speaking
on the local level the next year, my senior year in high school. I lost
out in the tri-state competition. (The tri-state competition was the
state public speaking winners from Alabama, Georgia and Florida.) It was
a great experience and had a great deal to do with my life’s vocation
as you will see.
"My
first ride on an airplane was from Birmingham to Chicago to attend a
Woodmen of the World national meeting of young people from almost every
state in the union. I traveled alone. It was my first time on a plane
and certainly the first time in a large city. I think back and wonder
how I ever got to the LaSalle Hotel on the Loop in Chicago without
getting lost. By the Grace of God, I made it there and back home safely.
I remember meeting a young man from Oklahoma and another from Illinois.
They were both state officers in their respective states. We kept in
touch for a number of years. I remember touring the Chicago Board of
Trade and one of the largest banks in Chicago and appearing on a farm
show on WGN Radio.
"The
memories keep flooding back as I think of those days. Mr. Smith, his
wife and young daughter, my mother and I, drove from Greensboro to
Raleigh, North Carolina, for me to attend another national meeting of
young people. It was a wonderful trip and one of the most enjoyable
times of my life. It is always inspiring to see young people doing great
things on a big stage. That was the case there. We heard outstanding
speakers and musicians. I was able to tour all of the great universities
located in that small area of North Carolina including Duke University
where the chapel there made a lasting impression.
"My
life was changed by these experiences made possible by FFA. I could have
lived in my hometown, farmed and worked for the county highway
department as my father did. But from these experiences I was able to
have a much broader experience of life. I have spent 50 years in the
broadcast industry, first in radio and later in television. I have
managed television stations in three states and became part of the
ownership of one.
"My
wife, Theresa, and I have raised five wonderful children and we now have
ten grandchildren. They live in five states so we have plenty of places
to visit should we ever retire completely.
"But
all of these experiences and others in my younger life led to the one
thing for which I am most grateful. By the influences of all the people
whom I met, the experiences I had and many of the teachers in my school
years and the young people whom I was able to know and associate with, I
knew there was something greater. I knew I wanted to live my life for
Jesus Christ. I believe God used all of this to prepare me to become a
Commissioned Lay Pastor in the Presbyterian Church. By His Grace, I was
privileged to serve as a part-time pastor for 12 years. God has blessed
me greatly and He was able to use me, a farm boy from Hale County, to do
His work in a small rural church in northern Iowa. For that, I am most
grateful.
"I
know I have rambled but these are my memories as I sit here in Iowa
where it is zero or below outside and there is eight to ten inches of
snow on the ground. God has blessed me and it all started at the Alabama
State Convention of FFA so many years ago. Thank you for remembering
me."
It
is greatly appreciated these two past state officers have shared their
experiences. The written record of the Alabama FFA Association is
remarkable and without it much of the history of FFA in Alabama would be
lost as well as forgotten. Anytime a personal experience can be shared,
especially as it relates to an event like the Silver Anniversary of the
Alabama FFA Association, is much more beneficial for all of us.
Next
time we’ll reminisce about the years 1951-55 and other events of FFA
in Alabama during the first part of the 1950s.
Jacob
Davis is the Executive Secretary of the Alabama FFA Association. |
