Presented by Michael Segers, Brought to you by Peanut.org
After slipping off for a bit of vacation, we are staying busy now sweeping
out the guestroom and changing the linens. Last week, we had our own film
critic/chef/Latin enthusiast drop by. Appropriately for the week of the Fourth
of July, we shake out the welcome mat for Army-retiree and still teacher and
wrestling coach at Worth County High School, Lieutenant-Colonel Wayne Kirkbride.
As usual, the Colonel brings us an inspiring message. So keep your feet dry; and
let our guest provide the noble thoughts. - Mike
Copyright © 1999 by LTC Wayne
Kirkbride, All rights reserved
During a recent visit to the United States Military Academy I saw two photos which caused me to wonder about the circumstances of the photos and to wonder how the principles surrounding the events of those photos could be applied to our life today. Before I explain those photos, I need to say that I was at West Point to learn how to be a member of the field recruiting force which will ensure that our young men and women who are qualified will seek a nomination to the United States Military Academy in preparation for a lifetime of service to our nation in or out of the military.
The photos centered around graduation for the class of 1999. Each graduate is commissioned as a second lieutenant, and there is a commissioning service for each cadet. In one of the photos, a proud father in the rank of sergeant first class was giving his son his first salute. Military tradition requires the second lieutenant to give a silver dollar to the first enlisted soldier that salutes him. I could tell from the smile on the father’s face that he was not interested in the silver dollar because he was so proud that his son had graduated and now was commissioned in the army that he had served.
The second was akin to the first as a proud command sergeant major was photographing the ceremony in which his son received the gold bar of a second lieutenant. The boy’s mother was pinning on the rank, and the father was beaming with pride for a job well done and for a career well begun.
Both of the fathers saw the dreams fulfilled for their sons. In my mind’s eye I put together the sequence of events for both. At the risk of being too simplistic, I saw both non-commissioned officers entering the army straight out of high school with no skills and wanting to break the chain of poverty that could have bound them. They worked hard and excelled in an army which rewards good works. They finished their first assignment and decided to stay in the army. They made this decision several times as they dragged their family all around the world as they served our nation. They found out that education was the key to success and worked hard through all the army schools as they advanced in the ranks.
I can imagine a thousand conversations that began, "If I had to do it all over again, I would rather do it as an officer." As they performed the day-to-day fatigue details, their officers were planning the next operation. While on guard, they froze guarding their post while the officer moved from post to post. (Sometimes in a heated vehicle.) While they were in the field together, he and the officer endured the same hardships, but the officer was paid more. (For most of my career, an officer received $110 hazardous duty pay, while the enlisted soldier received $55—an injustice since corrected.) Yet, they could never be officers because they did not have the college degree.
So, content with their lot, their dreams were that their sons could do better. At this point, I need to say that I truly love and respect all the soldiers who have worked with me, and I appreciate the efforts of the senior non-commissioned officers who have been the backbone of the army. In fact, without them, our army could not function. Command Sergeant Major (Ret) Russell Beard, who also teaches at Worth County High School, made it farther in his career than I advanced in mine (He has a reserved parking place at every commissary and post exchange in the army—something that you have to be a colonel to enjoy as an officer) Yet, if he could do it again, he would have rather done it as an officer.
This discussion brings us back to the hopes and dreams of the two non-commissioned officers in the picture. They had worked hard to provide a good life for their families, and now they were ensuring that their sons had even better opportunities than they had.
When I returned to Sylvester, I saw an article about a family in Westover High School that had over $300,000 worth of scholarships for their five sons. The parents were both educators and knew the value of education. The Westover article and the discussion about our two West Point graduates drives home the point that in order for us to improve, we must be afforded the opportunities and be given the environment in which we can take advantage of those opportunities. I am confident there were books available in all of these houses and the children grew up loving to read and reading to learn. I am confident that they did not have to survive poverty conditions which limited their ability to do well in school. I am confident that there were dreams and goals set early in life that were attained only with hard work.
Once I would say, "There, but the grace of God, go I," as I considered the lot of many people barely eking out an existence. Now, I say, "There, but two grandfathers who saw the need for an education, go I."
My grandfathers worked hard to ensure my parents received a good high school education. One was a custodian for the high school my father attended and one worked in a nursery and flower shop. My parents, knowing the value of an education, ensured all of my brothers, my sister and I had an opportunity to go to college. Each child make a decision concerning whether to continue the college education, but there was never a doubt concerning the initial decision.
The crescendo of my article is this. We all can prepare our children to climb higher than we did. Or we can be satisfied with eking out a minimum wage and not enjoying the life that was meant to be enjoyed. If we are minimum wage workers, we can establish an environment which will facilitate our children going to college or to a vocational school. If we are middle salary employees, we can ensure that our children are equipped to go higher. If college graduates, we should provide our children with the tools necessary to continue. It is never easy, but the end is worth all the hard work and sacrifice.
For history, tradition, and leadership, you can visit the United States Military Academy (West Point) at—
Or the United States Naval Academy at—
Or the United States Air Force Academy at—
http://www.usafa.edu