Thu Feb 18 2016 04:18 PM  by Larry Jeffus

I learned to weld working at Barbour Boat Works in the early 60s which led to a long career as a welding professor, textbook author, and most importantly, a welder. I have always been grateful to New Bern High School, my shop teacher, Zachariah Taylor Koonce and the ship yard for starting me on a lifelong career. As a young man, I was mesmerized by the many stories told by the old welders, such as their stories about welding on the Liberty Ships. I was pleased to learn when I returned to New Bern for my 50th class reunion that although the cityscape has changed, the people have not. It's still a warm and friendly place. Larry Jeffus Author of Welding Principles and Applications