Missing. Where, oh where, did it all go?

Well, now. That is the question. Where, indeed?

And just what is it that’s missing, Mr. Column Writer, you may ask.

Alright, I’ll tell you. Here’s what’s missing:

A framed photo, large, of the ’56 Washington High School football team. The one that was prominently displayed in trophy cases, first at the Eighth Street school, then later in the school off of Slatestone Road.

That’s it? Nope. There’s more.

The ’56 football team’s Conference Championship trophy. The Eastern Championship plaque. The State runners-up trophy. A regulation football, painted white, with appropriate lettering on it. All won by a team that had an overall 11-1-1 record and for several decades was the highest scoring team in school history.

All missing.

So, is that all? No. It is not. Also missing is the ’65 track team’s Duke-Durham Relays Championship  trophy. And the ’66 track team’s Conference Championship trophy.

Now, is that all? I don’t know, but most probably not. You see, when the school moved from Eighth Street to Slatestone, little care was taken of such memorabilia of trophies, plaques, photos, etc., one former countywide athletic director said. A shame.

Have inquiries been made regarding the missing items? Oh, yes.

Numerous school officials have been asked, to include a couple of A.D.’s, several staff members and a principal.

And? And nothing. No response. None. One even said that she was the right person to ask, that she would “get right on it.” I’m sure she meant well, but … No response.

My interest in locating these pieces of WHS athletic history is personal, of course. I was a member of the ’56 team and the coach of the ’65 and ’66 track teams. Good memories.

It would seem, however, that the symbols, the memorabilia, representing those times — photo, trophies, plaques, a football — are now just a memory.

Why, years ago they even adopted a new school alma mater (song) and a new fight song. Then someone added silver to the traditional navy and white colors. (About those ugly gray uniforms, let’s not even go there.)

So, what is left to us old timers, alumni from way back when?

Memories, that’s what’s left.

They can’t lose, break or take those away from us, can they?