Over 60 years later, on a blue and sunny but blustery day in Warren, the bonds created during the tumultuous teenage years of high school could be seen just as strong as the sturdy trees seen throughout the Kickemuit Middle School grounds.

“All of the Warren High School Class of ’65 grades who are here this morning began our friendships over 60 years ago, in the years from 1961 to 1965 when your school, Kickemuit Middle School, was Warren High School,” said Barbara Dobbyn, a member of the WHS Class of 1965 who organized a remembrance and tree planting event for last Friday’s Arbor Day at what is now Kickemuit Middle School. “In fact, it may be hard to believe, but some of us here today became friends 70 years ago, in kindergarten.”

About two dozen members of that class indeed came together on Friday, talking fondly with one another as two saplings were planted in the ground near the corner of Child Street and Hugh Cole Road. Students from the KMS Best Buddies program read poems and historical facts about Arbor Day.

“This is just an example of the community that you live in,” KMS Principal Dennis Morrell told the students in attendance. “Bristol and Warren is a very special place.”

Dobbyn noted in her address that the two saplings — one representing a gift from the Class of 1965 and the other a gift to the generations of students to go through the school — would have the chance to grow together as a symbolic gesture of camaraderie.

“Our young saplings will hopefully take root together and grow, side by side,” she said. “In a sense, they will be trees of friendship.”

The Class of 1965 remained close throughout the decades since graduation, with many of them meeting up for dinners and lunches — and eventually the Town Beach when Covid struck — reminiscing and making new memories.

That class graduated 125 students, but only 100 remain today. The tree planting also served as an opportunity to honor the memory of those who had passed, with each attending member placing a flower in a basket next to an inscribed stone, which was then presented with appreciation to Dobbyn.

“We remember them with fondness, and wish them peace. We will remember them when we visit our tree here,” Dobbyn said. “And we hope when you students look out a classroom window, or walk by this spot, and see these now little trees, you will think of us, and this day. And most importantly, remember that the friends you make now, here at KMS, can be with you for a lifetime if you nurture your friendships the way sun and rain will nurture these trees.”

The members of the Warren High School, Class of 1965 who have passed away include:

Joseph Amaral; Roger Araujo; Fred Auger; Paul Blouin; Maureen (Botilho) White; William Briand; Ken Daignault; Nancy (Hargreaves) Lapan; John Knowles; Steve Kozik; Sharon McCanna; Victor Milnek; George Miner; Bernadette (Nadeau) Linder; Maureen O’Brien; Joseph Paivo; William Poisson; Billy Poutre; Ron Sampson; Alyce (Silva) Burke; Nancy Skiles; Mike Snitzer; Joseph Sousa; Elizabeth (Thivierge) Lamora; Robin (Vincent) Jordan.