Saturday, May 2, 2020
Duke and I were classmates at Clio High School as well as football teammates for four years. Although we were never what I would call, close friends, we always got along and respected each other. The last time I recall seeing him was over 50 years ago. I am not a person who remembers a lot of details in my past life, but this sweeeeeet memory has endured the test of time.
As usual, back in my youthful days, I was attempting to live up to the legacy of my last name, “Beers” by downing as many beers as possible at the annual Frankenmuth Bavarian Beer Festival (circa 1968-1969). Let’s just say that I probably (scratch that!) definitely had a few too many. I was being loud and obnoxious carrying on when I literally almost bumped into two policemen. Being underage, I sought to avoid the cops by quickly walking away from them—backwards. I was barely able to walk forwards let alone backwards and proceeded to fall on my rear-end, spilling the beer I had been carrying all over myself. The officers were soon hovering over me asking for my identification and not looking very pleased with my behavior. I was coherent enough to know that I was in trouble.
Then, a young man walked over, looked down at me and snickered. He turned to face the officers and said something to the effect, “Hey, it’s okay. I can take care of this guy.” The officers looked at the stranger and saw that he was in full USMC uniform. The young marine continued, “He won’t be any more trouble. I’ll take care of him.” The officers looked at each other, nodded and walked away.
Yes, that marine was Duke and he saw that I got home safely that night. That’s the way I remember him, as a kind and generous classmate—gifting me a memory that I cherish to this day. Thank you, Duke, and RIP.
Darryl R. Beers
Clio Mustangs, Class of 1967
