John Egbert’s First Day at Gallaudet.
During the summer of 1966, I arrived Krug Hall where new students stayed at, around 7 am by taxi from the train station to attend summer school for learning sign language.
I was awed seeing some Deaf students signing very fast.
I met an oral friend that I had I knew in New Orleans at Chinchuba and was able to communicate via lipreading. We both walked to Chapel Hall for a meeting around 6 or 7 pm.
By the time we reached near Peet Hall, Frank Turk was walking fast toward us and told us to go back to Krug Hall and tell others to attend the meeting.
I couldn’t communicate to other Deaf people as I didn’t know sign language and asked my friend to call others at Krug Hall. But Frank Turk pushed me hard and told me to go to Krug Hall.
So I started to walk to Krug Hall and Frank Turk gave me another hard push and said to start running.
This was my very first day at Gallaudet!
Thank God that I didn’t get upset and continued on enjoying being with new Deaf friends.
That wasn’t the last time Frank Turk physically hit me and had a lot of experience with Frank Turk but I love Gallaudet and my new Deaf classmates.
I forgave Frank Turk and still a good friend with him.
P.S. I have a lot of stories to tell. See you all at Gallaudet for the 71’ reunion with a happy face.