
DATE: Thursday, November 13, 1997           TAG: 9711120193

SECTION: NORFOLK COMPASS         PAGE: 12   EDITION: FINAL 

SOURCE: BY JOAN C. STANUS, STAFF WRITER 

                                            LENGTH:   53 lines

MAN SEEKS OWNER OF '42 RUFFNER PIN

Frank L. Parks has no idea how a Ruffner Junior High School Class of 1942 insignia pin wound up in his attic.

He just wants to get it back to its rightful owner.

``It's a mystery to me how it got there,'' said the 72-year-old Portsmouth resident. ``Where it came from, I don't know. But I know if we could find out who it belongs to, it might mean a lot to them to have it . . . or if they're not living, to their heirs.''

Although the pin is in near perfect condition, at least one of the three initials inscribed on the back in Old English script is slightly worn. The first initial is either an ``H'' or a ``V.''

More visible are the last two initials. They read ``VT.''

On the front of the pin is a casting of a man, presumably the school's namesake, with the engraving of ``Ruffner Junior High School.'' Attached by a tiny chain is the class year.

Linked together, the piece is smaller than a dime.

Still, Parks, who admits to being a sentimental sort, feels sure the pin is packed with memories for someone.

So far, his search for the owner has been futile.

``I called the school a while back . . . but they were no help in finding out who it belonged to,'' Parks said. ``I didn't know where to turn.''

Parks' only link to the Norfolk school is through his brother, who died in 1975. An industrial arts teacher, his brother had once taught at Ruffner, but not during the '40s.

When Parks' mother died in 1993, he inherited boxes of personal effects, including those of his late brother. After a cursory search, the Portsmouth man stored them away in his own attic.

``I just put everything away and forgot about it,'' he admitted.

Now a retired insurance agent who photographs lighthouses for a living, Parks was recently cleaning out his attic and discovered the pin.

``I got an idea that maybe my brother must have taken it from someone in class and just forgot to give it back,'' he said. ``I'd just like to get it back to whoever owns it.'' ILLUSTRATION: Staff photo by MARTIN SMITH-RODDEN

Frank Parks holds the little Ruffner Junior High Class of '42 pin he

found in the attic of his Portsmouth home. He thinks it might have

been among the personal effects of his late brother, who was once an

industrial arts teacher at Ruffner.

Graphic

WANT TO HELP?

If you think you know the pin's owner, call Frank Parks at

484-1159.