Letter to the Editor of the Fairborn Daily Herald from Barry Hall

YOUR VIEW

Thank you, Fairborn for a special night

Dear FDH Editor, My name is Barry Hall.

I was born and raised on Morris Drive in Fairborn and graduated from Fairborn High School in 1971.

After finishing college at Central State University in 1976 I moved away from the area for a job and to start a family. On Friday Sept. 11, 2026, I was inducted into the FHS Athletic Hall of Fame.

This was not only humbling but a great honor to be included within this exclusive group. My note today is to thank the City of Fairborn, the Fairborn City Schools and the FHS Hall of Fame Committee for this wonderful recognition. Growing up in Fairborn, I had the largest backyard that any kid could ever want! FHS, East Elementary, Central Junior High, Central Park and all of the baseball fields and even at times Wright-Patterson Air Force Base afforded me the opportunity to become the athlete I became.

Through this process, I learned there is no substitute for hard work, to get up quickly when you get knocked down and a believe in yourself that you could accomplish anything you wanted to do or become. Fairborn is a special place and I’m fortunate to have grown up in such an outstanding city.

A year ago, I returned to Fairborn to bury my brother Donald and settle his affairs, that included selling the old homestead.

The Hall family owned the property on Morris Drive for 82 years through 2025. As the last family member living from our original five-member family, I wondered if I would return to Fairborn, as all of my immediate family members were gone.

After the recent events of that Friday and my Hall of Fame induction, I now have a renewed feeling about family and friends in Fairborn. Many of my old friends came to the ceremony and I’m now a member of the FHS/HOF family which will endure forever! As it turns out, the loss of my brother Donald in 2025 does not signal an end of my association with Fairborn… as the events on Sept. 11, 2026 have brought the feeling of family back into my life in a very strong way.

In closing Sept. 11, 2026 was also my birthday and what a party Fairborn threw for me! Thank you again Fairborn from the bottom of my heart for all that you have given me in the past. Your future shines so bright right now with all of your forwardthinking development. I will make sure to return to follow all the success you certainly will enjoy in the years to come!

Respectfully, Barry K. Hall