The doors opened at 10 a.m. Saturday at the Gerald Elementary School for the Gerald Reunion and Homecoming. By then, the parking lot was nearly full with many cars bearing out-of-state license plates. All were eager to revisit the scene of so many of their childhood memories as a Gerald Rebel, the name of the school’s mascot.

Not just students, but teachers also returned to reminisce. Virginia Froelker, Ruth Cantrell, Marcia Bossaler, Marshall Schaefferkoetter and Lauri Link were on hand to greet former students. The current GES Principal Brad Royle, himself a former GES student, was the perfect host. He even gave some of the older “boys” a look inside the legendary janitor’s closet.

The school was beautifully decorated, both inside and out. This included a Rebel blue and white photo backdrop in the gymnasium where old trophies lined the stage. Current students were on hand to give guided tours of the newer sections of the school to the old students.

The tables in the cafeteria were full of old yearbooks, photos and other memorabilia.

The event ended at 1 p.m. and many in the group decided to continue their visiting at the Fall Fest in Legion Park, at local restaurants or by enjoying City Park.

It can be easy for those who are in and out of the local school often to forget how truly special it is. The remarks of those visiting from afar were a great reminder. The brightly decorated bulletin boards and doors, the gleaming floors and the number of staff and students who volunteered their Saturday to host the event proved that.

As a visitor said, you can look in any direction and see the pride this school instills. Indeed, Rebel pride.