Tehachapi News

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I’ll long remember the class of 2008, not because I have a son who is graduating with them, but because I won’t. My son, Joseph, drowned on Memorial Day 2005 shortly before the end of his freshman year at Tehachapi High School.  Since his death three years ago, this graduating senior class has kept his memory alive. They have mentioned him in their assemblies, dedicated soccer games to him, retired his soccer shirt #13, named a cross country invitational run after him, offered a scholarship in is name, planted a tree a Railroad park and awarded him plaques in swimming and soccer, posthumously.
On May 27, the anniversary of his death, I was invited to a memorial at the cemetery where Joseph is laid to rest. (His mother was in Idaho with our daughter who soon will deliver a baby.) Approximately 60 students from the graduating class gathered from 12:15 to 1:15 and even later to remember Joseph.  They brought flowers for the grave and white balloons upon which messages were written before letting them drift skyward toward heaven. They had even ordered a graduation cap upon which was written with embroidering pen, “In loving memory of Joseph Daniel Eisenzimmer” decorated on the outside like a soccer ball.  This they gave to me. Many shared fond memories of Joseph with the group, as did I.
Although this was meant to be a memorial for Joseph, I consider it to be a memorial to the class of 2008 for keeping Joseph alive in their memories. These young adults allowed Joseph’s memory to travel with them and with his family through those high school years that Joseph was so anxious to experience. I would like to say hurrah for the class of 2008, their families and Tehachapi High School.  It has been a memorable experience. We love you and may God bless you with much success.
                             Gary Eisenzimmer