Several months after Lakewood High School graduation, I spoke at a summer school assembly. My topic was, "How to Stay Out of War." (I was an early student activist.) There was a temptation to bring the manuscript today, but I didn't want to be charged with starting World War III.
You are aware of the convoluted history of the late '30's. I served slightly under four years in the Army Air Corps. There was an incident in primary flight training I want to share with you as I learned an exceptionally valuable lesson which has played so relevant a part in my life.
My civilian instructor was a former Rocky Mountain bush pilot. One day he recalled a light plane had made a forced landing in a remote mountain canyon. Other pilots evaluated the plane and concluded that it would have to be dismantled and trucked out. My instructor sized up the situation and said he could fly the plane out.
He entered the cabin, seat belted, turned on the engine, jockeyed into position for takeoff, locked the brakes and opened the throttle to full power. With the plane straining, he released the brakes, began to trundle down the bumpy canyon floor, rapidly reaching flying speed and then began to climb fast. The canyon mountain rim was cleared and he landed safely in Denver.
The importance of this incident is if you have a project or problem, begin early with full power and climb fast!
It was exactly 60 years ago today, May 31, I graduated from Lakewood High School. As I look out today, I'm aware of three extremely important things: your youth, your energy, your power. The greatest of these is the huge reservoir of power each one of you has within. My generation sought to make this a better world. We had our successes and our failures. But you are young and you are fresh. You have had an exceptional Lakewood High School education the breadth and depth we never dreamed of. Your successes are limited only by the height of your ambitions. And to these successes I know can be yours, I salute each and everyone of you!
Now remember the example of the downed aircraft. Get started for takeoff. Capitalize on your youth, your energy, your power. And why not begin your climb this afternoon!
May 31, 1994
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