Thank you….It is not often I am so familiar with my presenter….and this is the first time I can ever remember accepting a speaking engagement when I knew…firsthand… I was the fifth choice…Nonetheless….I relish the opportunity to speak to all of you this afternoon about this year’s United Way campaign in Scurry County. I will try to convince you to give….if not because of the value of the agencies…..then because you are compassionate souls and realize that the campaign chairperson---in many ways--- controls my ongoing happiness.
Two weeks ago…..after the fourth person declined this honor….I was asked during supper…..Do you think you could possibly be inspirational?
“I mean”…she said…..”Do you have anything you could say that actually means something? Can you uplift a crowd like….say….George Strait does?”
So there you have my mission for this engagement….and as the campaign theme proclaims….. "You're AN Essential Piece."
I will endeavor to inspire in the spirit of the King….I’ve been to countless number of George’s concerts…..In the middle of hundreds of menopausal women inspired by Mr. Strait. It is scary. I don’t know if I am up to that….but….clearly….the gauntlet has been laid down.
This is officially a challenge.
I want to start in the spirit of full disclosure, I want to tell you I am a member of the Boys and Girls Club Board which benefits greatly by United Way…and I have taken a payroll deduction to support this campaign since Carol and I arrived in Texas four years ago.
I say that to let you know….I believe. I believe in the mission of United Way and I support with my time and riches the agencies served.
Over the last couple of weeks, I have thought very carefully about what inspires me. And if I could capsulate my thoughts into one phrase….I would simply say….I am greatly inspired by ultimate victory….the story of the underdog that outworks and out dreams his or her adversaries and wins. It is so American…Grabbing victory from the jaws of defeat—simply--inspires me. I have learned through my own life that nothing worth achieving is easy.
How many of you----and be honest-----completely wrote off Tony Romo on Sunday?
For a week he heard every media talking head in America say he blew the first game of the season. “Just doesn’t know how to win,” they said.
On the third play from scrimmage this past Sunday, he broke a rib….and punctured a lung.
When he left the game, I said to myself…..that’s it. He isn’t coming back…and neither are the Cowboys.
He knew what people were saying as he headed to the locker room.
What happened next will always be remembered in Cowboy forklore----He walked out of the locker room….walked up to Coach Jason Garrett and convinced him he needed to go back into the game.
Romo said afterwards----quote---“At some point this season I’m going to play with this thing…..so why not now?”
Three scores later, the Cowboys had completed a stunning overtime win on the arm of their once beleaguered quarterback.
While I admit I am not the best Cowboy fan in Snyder……In about twenty minutes, I became a great admirer of their quarterback. Sunday----he was----inspirational.
I was raised by a man----who has many personal failings-----but inspired me greatly as a young man.
My father, was by most accounts, a very good high school football player. His future as a quarterback was bright as he entered his junior year. But one morning he couldn’t get out of bed. Within days, it was apparent that he would be among the last of a generation afflicted with polio. The disease kept him in a hospital for almost a year and cost him the use of his right arm and his left leg. And so, ended his athletic career just as it was beginning. This is really one reason why I became a Rotarian 20 years ago-------Any organization dedicated to the eradication of the disease that so devastated my father’s physical health was going to be a service club that had my commitment.
My dad learned how to lock his leg….and he gained the use of his fingers. But, without any higher education…..it greatly limited his career choices. When I was in kindergarten he-----somehow----was hired as an overnight police officer in our little village in southern Illinois.
As the town grew, my dad moved up. He finished his career as the police chief. And he taught his son a very simple lesson----the same lesson taught by former North Carolina State basketball coach Jim Valvano when he was told he was dying of terminal cancer-----
NEVER, EVER GIVE UP. Adversity can only stop you if you permit it. It only makes the taste of victory sweeter.
How about the story of Sgt. Dakota Meyer, a 21-year-old who defied the orders of his superiors in Afghanistan…..and raced into a killing zone to help rescue 36 of his fellow soliders.
The young Kentuckian became the first living Marine to be awarded the Medal of Honor since 1973. He was honored by the president last week at the White House.
A mile away from an attack on US forces…..Meyer requested approval to enter a killing zone to rescue his fellow soldiers. Denied, he went anyway and entered the crossfire five times to rescue 23 Afghans and 13 Americans. He also personally pulled four American bodies from the ambush.
Meyer says he doesn’t deserve the highest honor we bestow on our heroes….
For him it was simple-----Semper Fi------Leave no one behind.
In this very community we walk among heroes each day. Snyder Police Corporal Darrell Campbell and Officer Lee Ortiz put themselves in harm’s way in July. Campbell fights daily to recover from a gunshot wound that nearly took his life. Ortiz stood firm and protected Campbell..and others… from further harm. It all happened in our little town. Campbell says he will overcome this adversity. He says he is determined to recover…and recover in total. On Thursday of last week he walked 198 feet with only the use of a cane. He deserves our daily prayers as he fights to achieve ultimate victory.
All summer long, our firefighters battled monster fires almost daily to protect our homes, our loved ones. Every time they took a call at the firehouse, they knew they could be marching into a Bastrop kind of disaster. Only because of their tenacity and courage could they climb onto those emergency vehicles and race out to meet the flames.
You want inspiration?
Every day I am inspired by the fact that my savior climbed up onto a wooden tree and died an excruciating death for my shortcomings.
All of these examples demand character……Coach Rogers told the Rotary recently that he constantly talks about D-T-R-T with his players.
Do The Right Thing.
And that brings me to the real message for us here this afternoon.
Represented here are organizations that D-T-R-T every day….all day long.
Hundreds of kids are served and taught solid West Texas values at the Scurry County Boys and Girls Club. Staff provides guidance and instruction in the skills needed to survive and succeed in life….
The Snyder Child Day Care Center----the money given by United Way serves as a match for federal dollars to provide a loving and safe place for children whose parents must work….or attend school….or have a disability.
Gateway Family Services---which provides 24 hour shelter with food, clothing and basic needs for kids and adults who are victims of sexual assault, violence or trauma.
The Boys and Girl Scouts who collectively develop our youth---teaching them character and service..
The West Texas Children’s Advocacy Center which serves children who are victims of alleged crimes or abuse…
The American Red Cross of Southwest Texas---providing families with good, clothing, shelter and medical assistance follow disaster…
Cancer Services Network---proving emotion and financial support to cancer patients in 19 West Central Texas counties….including Scurry.
The Scurry County Food Cupboard---the brainchild of the county’s ministerial alliance----feeding those that need help.
And the Snyder Volunteer Fire Department----charged with the task of saving lives and property of the citizens of Scurry County…
You see-----inspiration surrounds us. All we have to do is identify it. And once we do----we realize-----we have a capacity for greatness within our own being. We can overcome devastating health problems…..we can throw a winning pass with broken ribs…..we can summon the strength to defeat or overcome disease.
All we have to do is-----Do the Right Thing.
And for us, here today, Doing the Right Thing means supporting the United Way.
Let us commit ourselves to raising the goal of $93,000 for this year.
Now, you remember my mission here today------
In the words of King George…….I want you to write this down. (pause)
Use it as a bookmark….stick it on you frigerator door….
Hang it in a picture frame--- up above the mantel--- where you’ll see it for sure….
God Bless you….our community….our country and please support The United Way.
"You're AN Essential Piece"
Thank you.
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