VCC Magazine Summer 2017

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Virginia C apitol Connections, Summer 2017
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both sides of the family. I am also related to Chester A. Arthur, who was
one of our past Presidents. When you come from a state that was born
out of the civil war, you may be touched by the past in ways in which
you are not consciously aware.
I have a copy of a newspaper article from my hometown,
Buckhannon, WV. It was published in The Republican Delta. Our
family would never have subscribed to The Democratic Record —the
thought of which makes me chuckle now. Anyhow, there is a picture
The Past Still Matters
By Edgar H. Thompson
It is interesting how we remember the past. I was going through
notebooks I keep of on-going correspondence and publications, and I
came across a note that the founding editor for The Clinch Mountain
Review hadwrittenme. He toldme the poet-laureate ofVirginia, who had
also published in that journal, told him she liked my poem “A Thousand
Dollars’ Worth of Coal.” That poem was about my grandmother, who
was born in Upshur County, West Virginia. Here is the poem:
A Thousand Dollars’ Worth of Coal
My grandmother’s one claim to wealth
was a deed to a thousand dollars’ worth of coal,
and when she needed a loan or
to prove her worth,
she would pull that paper out
and show it to people.
It made her feel
vested.
She never needed it.
She never sold it.
She died.
To the degree that it had any value
didn’t matter.
The deed disappeared into the family lore.
Any money probably found its way
into the bank account of an operator
who had already mined it.
Value and worth
as a human being?
Not much
when compared to coal.
How we remember the past is affected by what is happening in the
present, and sometimes the filters that we use are not clear and pure.
We remember things imperfectly, and had I remembered that the poet
laureate of Virginia liked one of my poems, this remembrance might
have helped me at moments when I was down, had a bad day, or had
something I had written rejected.
Why are we uncertain or unclear about what we remember? A part
of the answer to this question has to do with our history and where we
are from, of course. In my case, I was born inWest Virginia, so in some
people’s eyes I might be more Yankee than Southern, but I still have
Southern lineage. I am related to Fauquiers and Stonewall Jackson on
Herb was the type of person who could fill up a room
with his personality and passion. He was always very mindful
about his comments but had a viewpoint on most issues that
cut to the point. One thing he constantly preached about
was the need to let others know about what was happening
in Teacher Education. He wanted a quality teacher for all
classrooms, however, he especially want quality teachers for
the small and rural towns and cities of Southwest Virginia.
Herb knew if those children wanted to improve their lives they
need a solid education. He spent a major portion of his life
making a contribution. My heart is heavy but I know that he
is getting to have that conversation he has been waiting all of
his life to have…….. God Speed Herb Thompson.
John Blackwell
Coordinator of Instructional Technology and Assessment,
Virginia State University • President of Virginia Association
of Colleges for Teacher Education (VACTE) • One Voice for
Teacher Education
I’ve met few people more passionate about the field of
education, particularly as it pertained to children in poverty.
He leaves a legacy that pushed us towards a great pursuit of
equality of our schools, which gives way to knowledge and
ideals of our great state of Virginia.
Beth Ackerman
Professor • Chair of Special Education, Liberty University
Past President of Virginia Association of Colleges for
Teacher Education (VACTE)
Herb Thompson was a man who was passionate about
life and committed to his work as a teacher educator. His
voice was always full of concern for his fellow teacher
educators and for his students. Herb›s passion and voice will
be sorely missed by all of us who knew and admired him.
Jim Alouf
Professor of Education, Sweet Briar College
Edgar Herbert “Herb” Thompson age 67, of Mechanicsville,
transitioned into Heaven on Monday, July 3, 2017. He is survived
by his wife, of 38 years, Dian Thompson; and niece, Christine
Merchant (David). He proudly served his country in the U.S. Air
Force. Herb was a Professor Emeritus of Education at Emory & Henry
College, Emory, Va. He was a widely published poet, essayist and
literary critic.
Herb was a frequent contributor to this magazine, and each article
stimulated readers. Herb was my friend.
David L. Bailey, Publisher