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.
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Classified ad rates are 25 cents per
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dulum office (208 Student Center;
phone 584-2331).
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Mon.-Sat. 9 a.m.-9 p.m.
171 HoUy Hill Mall
Burlington, N.C. 27215
584-5752
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in
Glen Raven
Welcomes Elon Students
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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
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