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We received a letter from Tom Graner this month. Tom's family has a long and interesting family history with Notre Dame. Dear Irish Legends: I just wanted to say what a great introductory letter and website. I am 33 years old, in the US Air Force and stationed in Norther Japan. I too have no greater love than Notre Dame and what it stands for. I was raised that way. Here is a little ND history behind my family. My Dad's uncle, my great uncle, went to Notre Dame at age 14. (enrolled in the primary school called the Minims) and graduated in 1924! He was a priest who wound up being the Archbishop of Bangladesh for over 30 years. I remember my Dad saying when he was 5, he had to sing the Notre Dame fight song in its entireity to get in Uncle Sunny's house in Franklin, PA, when he was coming home from ND to visit his sister. He was 62 on August 8. He has told me the story of the day when his uncle, who used to dabble in high jumping on Cartier Field, was working out and Knute Rockne came and asked who this kid was. He then spoke to my great uncle! As I mentioned, he wound up being an Archbishop and is buried in the campus cemetary. He has a glass case in the back of the Basilica with a picture of him and his Bishop's ring and cross that he wore when he said mass. If you ever get the chance to look he has the same last name as mine, he lived and died in Corby Hall. I didn't go to ND, but I told him in the mid seventies, don't worry Uncle Sunny, I will carry on the Graner tradition at Notre Dame! Sincerly, Previous Letters to Irishlegends.com If you would like submit your own letters to Irish Legends Letters please send them to letters@irishlegends.com |