There are many stories I want to write, but the first has to be about the kindergarten class of 1926 at the Waller School in New London. There will be stories about the experiences of some of the boys in that class.

In the picture there are nine boys in the third row. On the left in a bowtie is Jake Nobrega; to his left are Zeke Plona, Tommy Stamford, Billy Kelbaugh, Harry Daghlian, Bob Olsen, Lou Burnett, Frank Vlaun (praying) and the scared little kid at the end - me. In the back of Harry is his best friend, Tom Bowler; in front of him is Dominick (Tom) Zito, who became one of the fastest high school sprinters in the state. In front of me is Aldo Valentini, and next to him is Eddie Sheflott.

The first member of the class I will write about is Harry Daghlian (pronounced Dolly-on), a brilliant student through all grades. He was working on a doctorate at Purdue University when he was called to join the Manhattan Project, which was the name given to the development of the atomic bond. Harry became the first peacetime casualty of nuclear fission when he received a fatal dose of nuclear radiation. It occurred when an experiment he was conducting went awry. He was 24 years old.

A memorial is dedicated to Harry about 200 feet south of the Waller School, on the other side of the street, overlooking Calkins Park. It is a fitting location because we spent much of our boyhood playing in that park. Some games could be rough, like the time Harry broke his leg in a pickup football game.

There is a movie about the Manhattan project, starring Paul Newman. It is named "Fat Man and the Little Boy" and there is a character in it modeled loosely on Harry.

In real life, Harry's sister, Helen, a nurse, cared for Harry from the time of the accident until he died.

Larry Crowley grew up and lived in New London for almost 80 years. Remember When is an occasional series in the New London Times. Reach Crowley at (203) 235-2931.