Page 6 The Pendulum Thursday, September 29,195; - Elon student remembers lost friend Korean Airline incident: ‘I call it murder’ By John Holland Newsweek called it “a ruth less ambush” and President Reagan called it a “barbaric act” as the Korean Airline inci dent sparked world outcry against the Soviets. I call it murder. While the U.S. and the Soviets fired accusations at each other, I mourned the loss of a special friend, Loc Dang. Loc came to Monroe, N.C., with his family when I was in the sixth grade. We were class mates. He could not speak a word of English at first. We really did not become friends until high school when we played on the same tennis team together and began getting together to string rackets at his house. The only word I can think to describe Loc would be “amaz ing.” I used to think I could play tennis until I played Loc. He beat me and everyone else like a drum. I’d practice all summer with one goal in mind — to beat Loc. Needless to say, Loc re mained our number one player virtually uncontested. Help Support Family I consider my family well-to- do, so my only worry in the sum mer was at what tension to string my racket. But Loc had to work to help support his family. His dad was involved in the Vietnam government and had to remain in Vietnam. Despite having little practice time, he reached the state doubles final his junior year with Murray Simpson. Ask anyone who play ed high school tennis how hard that is to do. At one point during the year, Loc was unable to play for three matches. I was selected to take his place on the number one doubles team. I realized then how much it took to fill Loc’s shoes. Academically, Loc was a genuis. While the rest of us mortals sat confused in algeb- Editor, author speaks here Victor S. Navasky, editor of The Nation and award-winning author, will speak on “The Cold War Legacy” at 3:30 p.m. Tues day in Mooney Theater. Navasky, who has edited the magazine since 1978, wrote Kennedy Justice, a book about the U.S. Department of Justice while Robert F. Kennedy was attorney general, and Naming Names, a book about the con gressional investigations into subversion in the 1950s and the witnesses who cooperated with the investigating committees. The latter won Navasky an American Book Award. He always laughed at my jokes, no matter how bad they were. I’ll never forget those rides home or his laughter. They haunt me now. ra, Loc would be reading a book in class. When test time came. I’d be red-eyed from an all night study session, but Loc would simply look up from his novel, say “Oh,” shrug his shoulders, take the test, turn it in half-way through the call and get a 100. He was this way in every class. I don’t think he owned a textbook. The teachers didn’t seem concerned. They knew high school courses were as simple to him as first grade work would be to you and I. I remember during our senior year, he skipped school and wrote his English term paper on the day that it was due. He told me at tennis prac tice that he had simply forgot ten about it and went hom to write it. He had not even been to the library yet. A Leader Loc was our tennis team leader. He led by example, al ways coming from behind to win and never giving up. I would sit and watch him play for hours. I even modeled my forehand after his. He would always cheer other teammates through a hard match and have something to say after a tough loss that made you feel better. I used to drive him home af ter every match. He always laughed at my jokes, no matter how bad they were. I’ll never forget those rides home or his laughter. They haunt me now. What would I have said to Loc if I had known I would never see him again? I really don’t know. Maybe I would have tried to become closer to him. Tell him how envious I was of him? Included him more in the things my friends and I did? I wish I knew. One thing I do know is that it is too late now. Why is the first Homecomins: question 1 asked myself when I heard of his death is “Why Loc, of all people?” It seemed so un fair. Why not some multiple murderer on death row or some drunken bum? Worst of all, why did he die the way he did? I could under stand and handle the death of a friend from diseases, but for him to be shot down on an air liner hurts me to the bottom of Continued from page 1 my soul. It has taken me a longtimeii be able to write this withot getting upset. I have a frien named David who once told n» to take comfort in knowingthi people will eventually get whi they deserve. Someday I hop the Soviets do. But for now. don’t think anything can mab up for the loss of Loc Dang, John Holland is a sophomot majoring in political science The purchasing of dance tickets and the vot ing for the queen began Tuesday in Long Stu dent Center lobby and continues today from 9 a m, to 3 p.m. and Friday from 9 a.m. to noon. Twenty-seven candidates are on the home coming queen ballot. Each represents an orga nization. Their pictures, names, and the orga nizations they represent are on display in the lobby. The 1983 homecoming queen will be intro duced at halftime by U.S. Rep, Robin Britt, from the Sixth Congressional District of North Carolina, The new queen will be crowned by las year’s queen, Amy Burch. The game against the Lenoir-Rhyne Bean will begin at 2 p.m. SGA is sponsoringa banne: contest between all the organizations. Thi banners will be displayed around Burlingtoi Memorial Stadium. The prizes are $75 for firc place, $50 for second place, and $25 for thin place winners. If there are any questions or comments alt out homecoming, contact the SGA office ii Long 204, or phone 584-2333. Classified Ads HELP WANTED Earn extra money. Become an inde pendent dealer selling ingenious art posters. Send $2.50 for catalog, in formation to Castle Arts, P.O. Box 507A, Altamont, NY 12009. (MUSICIANS Vocalist/keyboardist (Rfiodes, organ, clavinet, Moog) w/classtcal training, band experience seeks lead guitarist, bassist, drummer to form kxal weekend band. Interests: rock, blues, funk, R&B, C&W, Sigfit readers prefen-ed; must fiave top equipment. novk»s. Serious re plies only, call 584-8857 after 6. Classified ad rates are 25 cents per word, witfi a minimum insertkxi of 10 words. Count all numbers and abbreviations as words. Deadline for classifieds is 3 p.m. Monday In Pen dulum office (208 Student Center; phone 584-2331). DO YOU NEED Hirlli (lontrol «>r Birth (ioiilr^tl in- (orination? V.l). t»r I r«‘alni«*nl? I’refriiaiicy THEN CALL l*laiiii«‘l I'amitluMMl »l tin* I rial. Inc. At ;i7;i-(K>7« WE ARE HERE TO LISTEN AND TO HELP. 418 S. (ituirl and Vt iiist>ii-Sal(‘iii. Holly Hill Florist Check for our low prices on Corsages, Roses and Helium Balloons Mon.-Sat. 9 a.m.-9 p.m. 171 HoUy Hill Mall Burlington, N.C. 27215 584-5752 “We Deliver” Hueys Bar-6-Que in Glen Raven Welcomes Elon Students and Parents. Large groups welcome Beer S' Wine available Best Bat-B-Que in the State! OPEN: Mon.-Thur. 11 ;30-8:00 Fn. &Sat. 11:30-9:00 Sunday 11:30-2:00 Call 584-7211