Members of the George Washington High School class of 1963 gathered for a reunion of old friends and schoolmates Oct. 6 at The Royal Restaurant.

“In 1963 Alexandria was a small southern town where everybody knew everybody,” recalled Bud Mayo. “Traffic moved without congestion and King Street was still the primary shopping area.”

Mayo recalled the local hangouts for GW students.

“It is so rewarding to see old friends get together again.”

— GWHS ’63 alumni Jackie Bridges

“GW students frequented the Burger Chef across Mount Vernon Avenue from the school,” Mayo said. “On Tuesday nights the Hot Shoppe on Washington Street was a popular meeting place for members of the nine fraternities and sororities at GW and Hammond.”

Jackie Bridges was one of the three dozen or so alumni who attended the gathering.

“It is so rewarding to see old friends get together again,” Bridges said. “Some have known each other since elementary school. I was just there for three years but it’s really a privilege to be a part of this wonderful tradition.”