Dunwoody Crier — February 27, 2020

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Spruill Center CEO to retire in March

Railroad house embodies early Dunwoody history

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Fe b r u a r y 2 7 , 2 0 2 0 | T h e C r i e r. n e t | A n A p p e n M e d i a G r o u p P u b l i c a t i o n | S e r v i n g t h e c o m m u n i t y s i n c e 1 9 7 6

Austin Elementary community celebrates new school building

Air Force 1st Lt. Michael Blassie

By CARSON COOK carson@appenmediagroup.com

A SOLDIER’S STORY Sister of ‘Unknown Soldier’ recalls family’s effort to bring him home By CARSON COOK carson@appenmediagroup.com 6 66

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South Vietnam. Because of money and expectations for women at the time, she said she never thought she would go to college until a military recruiter expanded her vision of her future. “My mother was very upset,” She said. “My father didn’t think I would make it through basic training.” Contrary to her father’s expectations, Patricia Blassie served in the Air Force for 37 years and rose to the rank of colonel. The oldest of five, Michael Blassie graduated from the U.S. Air Force Academy in 1970. In May 1972, while flying his 132nd mission, Michael’s plane was shot down about 60 miles north of Saigon. His family was notified that he

DUNWOODY, Ga. — For 14 years, Air 6 Force 1st Lt. Michael Blassie was buried at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Arlington National Cemetery. Thanks to DNA evidence and the unwavering perseverance of his family, Blassie was identified and reburied in 1998. His sister, Patricia Blassie shared the family’s story with the Dunwoody-based World War II on Feb. 20. @ Roundtable @ Patricia enlisted in the Air Force 1 3/4/19 11:16 Page11 03-06-19_HAbannerBlue.qxp_Layout 11:16 AM AM Page @ 03-06-19_HAbannerBlue.qxp_Layout See Page 8 just a few years after Michael died in1 13/4/19 03-06-19_HAbannerBlue.qxp_Layout 3/4/19 11:16 AM Page 1 SOLDIER, 03-06-19_HAbannerBlue.qxp_Layout 1 3/4/19 11:16 AM Page 1 @ 66

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DUNWOODY, Ga. — School staff, elected officials, parents and students shared thanks and celebration at the official ribbon cutting of the new Austin Elementary School Feb. 19. The 900-seat school, which was built to help ease overcrowding in the district, is located on 10.2 acres of the 28-acre Dunwoody Park and Dunwoody Nature Center property. Originally located up the road at 5435 Roberts Drive, Austin has been open since 1975. Students moved into the new location in January. As part of the ceremony, three first graders shared their experiences moving to the new building, relating their excitement over the bigger classrooms, new

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white boards and the rock-climbing wall. They served as a reminder of what it’s all about, Principal Ann Cullbreath said. “In my eyes this is all about the students,” Cullbreath said. “A house is built of bricks and wooden beams. Our new Austin home is made of love and many dreams.” The ceremony also included choral and orchestral performances by the students and remarks from Interim Superintendent Ramona Tyson, Board of Education Chairman Marshall Orson, Board Member Stan Jester, DeKalb Commissioner Nancy Jester, Dunwoody Mayor Lynn Deutsch and Regional Superintendent Sherry Johnson. “We know that a school is more than a building … but it does feel good

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>> > > > CARSON COOK/Crier > From left, DeKalb >County>> School> >Board members Diijon DaCosta, Allyson Gevertz, > Marshall Vickie Turner, Chairman Mayor Lynn Deutsch, Principal > >   Dunwoody > > > >   Orson, > >   Ann Cullbreath, Interim Superintendent Ramona Tyson and Regional Superinten>   > > > > > > dent Sherry Johnson cut the ribbon on the new Austin Elementary School. > > > > > > > > >> Hours:Hours: Mon-Thurs 10-5:30, 10-5:30, Fri 10-5 Fri 10-5 Mon-Thurs Hours: Mon-Thurs 10-5:30, Fri 10-5 Hours: Mon-Thurs 10-5:30, Fri 10-5 Follow us online!

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