WILLIAMSON – There always seems to be "big doings" in town when Air Force Gen. (retired) Robert H. "Doc" Foglesong visits his home stomping grounds and this weekend is no exception.

But Gen. Foglesong is only part of the picture.

The Williamson High School 100th Year Reunion is the reason for the influx of visitors as 494 persons converge on the area to help celebrate the school's

centennial.

WHS Principal Johnny Branch announced that the retired Air Force officer is to be the keynote speaker for the graduation of 35 students of the class of 2010. (The school's first graduating class was composed of two students: Mary Belle Culross and Okey P. Keadle.)

Branch noted that WHS' baccalaureate service was to be held tonight (Thursday) at the Rose G.l Smith Little Theatre. The time is 7 p.m. and the special speaker is to be WHS Alumnus Jimi Watson, pastor of the Tazewell First Assembly of God Church, Tazewell, Va.

Gen. Foglesong is to speak at the 100th year graduation ceremony at 7 p.m. Friday at the West Williamson fieldhouse. One of the highlights of this event will be special recognition to 50 former graduates from as far back as 72 years. This group of "oldtime" graduates will be transported by bus from the reunion dinner Friday night, to the fieldhouse where they will march in front of the Class of 2010 and given special recognition.

Branch said the public is specially invited to attend this special graduation ceremony noting 100 years of the Williamson High School tradition of excellence in academics and athletics.

(Editor's Note: A special edition is being produced by the Williamson Daily News Friday to call attention to the special weekend events.)

Speaker Foglesong retired in 2006 after an outstanding 33-year military career. He is one of only three West Virginians who have become four-star generals. Until shortly before his retirement, he was commander of the United States Air Forces in Europe, based at Ramstein Air Base in Germany. He is involved in a non-profit foundation – Appalachian Leadership and Educational Foundation.

Foglesong is a son of Rowena West Foglesong of Chattaroy, a retired school teacher, and the late Henry "Red" Foglesong, a Norfolk & Western Railway employee.

He and his wife Mary, spend time in Charleston and vacation on their ranch in Montana. They have a son and daughter-in-law, David Foglesong and Laura Foglesong, both officers in the U.S. Air Force, and two grandsons, Robert Norman Foglesong and David Foglesong.

The WHS 100th Year Reunion Committee is composed of 18 persons, including Chairman June (Madlom) Blevins, Treasurer Sherry (Aliff) Hatfield and Secretary Joyce (Lusk) Roddy, all of whom have worked hard to make this centennial event a memorable one.

Registration for the reunion activities will be held from 1 to 5 p.m. Friday at The Brass Tree, West Second and Prichard. Dinner will be held at 6 p.m. in the Mountaineer Hotel parking structure (opposite the hotel and Coal House). Dancing will begin in the street at 9 p.m. with a popular band on hand to provide the music. In between will be the graduation of the Class of 2010 at the fieldhouse.

Saturday's schedule will begin at 11 a.m. with a memorial service at the First Baptist Church, Fifth and Harvey, followed by a Hall of Fame ceremony at 12:30 p.m. Dinner will take place at 6 p.m. at the parking structure with more dancing on the street from 9 p.m. until the participants call a halt.

Concluding the weekend will be a breakfast and farewell beginning at 9 a.m. in the hotel parking site.

Blevins praised her "wonderful reunion committee" and said members attended almost every planning meeting for the reunion.