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Commander in Chief's Trophy 4/19/91 [OA 6897] [2]
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Commander in Chief's Trophy 4/19/91 [OA 6897] [2]
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Records of the White House Office of Speechwriting (George H. W. Bush Administration)
Speech Backup Chronological Files
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Originally Processed With FOIA(s):
FOIA Number:
S
S
FOIA
MARKER
This is not a textual record. This is used as an
administrative marker by the George Bush Presidential
Library Staff.
Record Group/Collection:
George H.W. Bush Presidential Records
Collection/Office of Origin:
Speechwriting, White House Office of
Series:
Speech File Backup Files
Subseries:
Chron Files, 1989-1993
OA/ID Number:
13752
Folder ID Number:
13752-007
Folder Title:
Commander in Chief's Trophy 4/19/91 [OA 6897] [2]
Stack:
Row:
Section:
Shelf:
Position:
G
26
21
3
5
Cunt- heris the meno & game the Prindent
yesterday that it might he of use for
your Friday greech
March 28, 1989
INFORMATION
MEMORANDUM FOR THE PRESIDENT
FROM:
MARK DAVIS
SUBJECT:
ETHICS SPEECH
Event: You will give two speeches on the day you unveil your
ethics legislation in early to mid April. One speech will be
before political appointees; this will be a more precise,
programmatic look at your legislation. The second speech, which
I am drafting, will be given before several hundred congressional
interns and pages. I recommend that this speech concern ethics
in the broader context of basic American values.
Theme: We expect our leaders to live up to our best standards.
Yet these standards do not emanate from Washington. They are to
be found in the everyday conduct of working men and women; in the
postman who checks on the elderly resident at home; in the
cashier who runs after the customer she overcharged.
Tone: No preaching, no holier-than-thou rhetoric. Just an
acknowledgement that many of these young men and women are
beginning a long career in government, and that now is the best
time in their lives to embrace certain standards.
Content: Ethics legislation will bring about uniformity,
simplicity and fairness to federal ethics laws. We do not want
to scare off good people with laws that are too complex to
understand or obey. Congress must be included: the American
people will not long respect a legal system that treats the
branches of government differently.
Caveat: An ethics law is not a political weapon, a blunt
instrument with which to pound the opposition. It is not a gag
with which to silence the outspoken. It is not an instrument of
torture with which to torment the unpopular. It is a tool for
government as good, as honest and as wise the nation it serves.
information (including source selection, proprietary
information, and information about trade negotiations),
in the course of a representation to the government or
aiding and advising such a representation.
ADDITIONAL NEW POLICIES
1.
Enforcement.
a.
The legislation would extend the Independent
Counsel statute to Congress.
b.
The legislation proposes the creation of a
Congressional Ethics Office.
2.
Post-employment restrictions
a.
Repeal of the existing two-year bar on senior
executive branch employees on assisting
representation "by personal presence" in matters
in which they had previously been involved.
(Lifetime bar on representation in such matters
continues.)
3.
Conflict-of-Interest Waivers
a.
Simplified waiver standards for members of
advisory commissions, allowing waivers when the
appointing official determines that the need for
an official's services outweighs the potential for
conflict-of-interest. Waivers would be available
to the public.
b.
Required formal or informal consultation with OGE
on waivers.
C.
Authority in the President to waive the financial
conflict-of-interest law when the national
interest so requires.
4.
The bill would prohibit the personal use of
contributions by political action committees and
toughen the rules for such contributions.
m
in invite all
caplent we a . print
broden
int is It 3 25
a will
Service
(Smith/Grossman)
April 15, 1991
Draft Eight
FORCE
PRESIDENTIAL REMARKS: TROPHY REMARKS
ROSE GARDEN
no, Roosevelt
THURSDAY, APRIL 19, 1991
will be
insted
see of AF Donald Rice
(mere
Chiof Tony Mc Peak
Players, coaches, and official family of a team that
believes that "whatever it takes, just do it." // Lieutenant
institud
General Hamm -- as we note your retirement, we also salute your
career. / Coach DeBerry -- the Norman Schwartzkopf of the
(ciun)
gridiron. / Colonel Schweitzer. We remember Colonel Clune, who
is in our thoughts and prayers. And let me welcome all of you to
you Brown Worth
the White House. And to ceremonies about a trophy which has come
to roost among the Falcons. // DK
ups lack in
For nearly two decades, the Commander in Chief's Trophy has
embodied football supremacy among the Air Force Academy, West
you
Point, and the Naval Academy. / [[Which leads me to a request:
Let's keep this between you and me. I wouldn't want Annapolis to
know that an old Navy man is giving a trophy to the Air Force. ]]
//
Every serviceman can appreciate the old adage : "In life,
as in a football game, the principle to follow is: 'Hit the line
hard. // Think of Eddie Rickenbacker. He hit the line hard.
So did other Air Force heroes like Billy Mitchell and Chuck
Mgn Mgn.6ml
Yeager and Steve Richie. // They were proud to be air warriors
-
- made us proud to be Americans. They knew ours would not be the
land of the free if it were not also the home of the brave. //
on 2230
Haply
the
Dr
Been in
Me
worth
2
This year, you wrote another chapter in that pioneering cu382
history. Air Force 15, Army 3 -- the first time in a decade you
2
WP
beat the Cadets at West Point. // [[Colin Powell still hasn't MG
forgiven you]]. // Air Force 24, Navy 7. / Ouch. / DK
Black Kntghts
You won six regular-season victories. // [[Come to think of
it, what's left to conquer? In the last eight months, the Air
Force has defeated Army, Navy, and Saddam's Beene Republican Guard. ]]
// I think of how J.T. Tokish and Lane Bean stopped a last-
minute conversion against Texas-El-Paso to secure a winning
record and help Air Force make the Liberty Bowl. // And, no, I'm
not forgetting what you did to Ohio State in that Bowl itself --
this
is
the kind
the biggest upset since the last time I caught a big fish. // On of dub
iole we
the ground -- in the sky -- you looked opponents in the eye --
set speered
and made those opponents blink. //
at for
Ask linebacker Brian Hill. He led the Falcons in tackles
against Ohio State -- a school whose head trainer is his dad.
/
Ask Chris Howard. In 1989, he was one of two Academy cadets to
90
win a Rhodes Scholarship. In 1990, he and other teammates --
Paul Walski and Rodney Lewis and Joe Wood -- helped Air Force win
the game of football, and the larger game of life
? what's that sup
2 mean ?
I have often said that "Character is not something hype you have.
bolie
how
Character is something you are." The Air Force forms the essence
bout
represents on abodis
of America's character. // Thirty years ago, General Curtis LeMay
spoke of this when he observed: "The Air Force is the key to the
kind of national defense we need." Let me close with a more
EllenPiazza
AF speechmits
Sey's off
(703)695-
THIS is NOT how fuote appear
1326
Even
3
blue-suitiens" blue -su
recent story that shows the resolution and dedication of our
MG
"ainmen"
approprint
-ask
Airfore
by
troops in gold and blue. // todays AirFored
I recently had the chance to welcome home Scott "Spike"
Thomas, whom you remember as an All-American football safety at
Fighter Squadia
the Academy. / After graduating, Scott joined the 33rd Tactical
Unit at Shaw Air Force Base in South Carolina -- then went to the
Persian Gulf. / There, one day, at 30,000 feet, his plane had
engine
mechanical failure. He ejected safely -- only to find himself
alone / on rocky terrain / inside Iraqi territory. //
Spite
Lying on the ground, Scott thought of his football days --
as he says, "knowing you've got to succeed so that the team can
775-0) (803)
succeed." Once, his teammates were Air Force Falcons. Now, it
was his wingman and best friend Eric Dodson, who organized a
rescue operation.
In the greatest crisis of his life, Spike Thomas relied on
the steel and bravery forged at the Air Force Academy. He never
not
Duz
panicked. He endured freezing cold, and driving rain. He kept
his eye on the ball -- and ultimately, was pulled to safety by
the rescue squad
not
his friend. / What an example of the greatness that is the
really
United States Air Force. What a metaphor for the cause larger
than ourselves which sets, and keeps, men free. //
To Scott and Eric -- to all of you -- America salutes your
splendid year on and off the gridiron. God bless you. And may
God bless the United States of America.
#
#
#
#
1747
Mjn Mike Gould
appox6
Min Bynn
PRESIDENTIAL REMARKS: REGIONAL PRINT/ELECTRONIC MEDIA
WASHINGTON, D.C.
FRIDAY, MARCH 3I, I989
Ladies and gentlemen, fellow communicators.
Welcome to Washington, D.C. I've been traveling a lot, and I
must say this is a wonderful idea: to stay put, and invite all of
you to come see me.
A few weeks ago, I said that if news hadn't reached Lubbock yet,
it wasn't really news. Well, today, from Lubbock to Los Angeles to Lima,
Ohio, I'm pleased to have the chance to meet with such a cross-section
of print and broadcast journalisms.
In several moments, I'll be pleased to take questions. But,
first, let me speak briefly, and directly, to an issue central to me,
personally, and our Administration: The issue of ethics.
Seven weeks ago, I issued an Executive Order creating the President's
Commission on Federal Ethics Law Reform. And I asked its members to recommend
steps which would foster full confidence in the integrity of all Federal
public officials and employees.
On March 9, this Commission filed its report and its recommendations.
And, today, acting on them, I am announcing a new Executive Order and
legislation to enforce ethics in fact, not merely theory. This legislation
will be sent next week to the Congress. And I will issue my Executive Order
when that legislation is passed.
Both means seek a common end: TO raise ethical standards, to avoid
conflicts of interest, and to ensure that violating the law-even the
appearance of wrong-doing--will not, can never, be tolerated.
There are those, of course, who say that public ethics cannot be
legislated. But it can be encouraged, respected, and adhered to in
government. For as public servants, we must reflect the best values of
America--the postman who attends to an elderly shut-in; the cashier who
runs after a victim she overcharged.
It comes down to this: In public service, morality is a necessity,
not luxury-something to build upon, not discarded on a whim. Our ethics
program will affirm that fact, and bring uniformity, simplicity, and fairness
to Federal ethics laws.
Accordingly, our ethics program rests on four key principles.
First, it insists that ethical standards for public servants must
be exacting enough to ensure that officials act with utmost integrity. The
public's confidence is not ours to inherit by the right of kinds. We must
earn that confidence; it must be constantly renewed. For example: Our bill
will prohibit the personal use of contributions by political action committees
and toughen the rules for such contributions.
Secondly, our ethics program says that America cannot afford unreasonably
restrictive requirements that discourage able citizens from entering public
service.
That is why we have carefully crafted new post-employment restrictions.
And why we want to allow persons who are required to divest assets in order to
avoid conflicts of interest to defer their tax liability. And earlier this
week, I received the final report of the National Commission on the Public
Service. While I'm not about to dictate to Congress the level of its pay, I
do support an increase in government salaries.
THE WHITE HOUSE
WASHINGTON
>
3
must be constantly renewed. Jefferson put it best: "The whole
art of government consists in being honest."
Secondly, our ethics program says that America cannot afford
unreasonably restrictive requirements that discourage able
citizens from entering public service. That is why we have
carefully crafted new post-employment restrictions. And why we
want to allow persons who are required to divest assets in order
to avoid conflicts of interest to defer their tax liability.
Then, there's the third principle of our ethics program. It
insists that standards be fair, uniform, and reflect good old-
fashioned common sense.
For instance, some financial interests are too minor to
create any meaningful conflict-of-interest. So, I want the Office
of Government Ethics to have the authority to issue regulations
authorizing waivers to executive-branch employees from the
conflict-of-interest statute. And I want that Office to issue
regulations which clarify the statute's requirements.
Regarding financial disclosure, our program would eliminate
the statutory rigidity requiring seven specific, very narrow
categories in the Ethics in Government Act for reporting assets
and income. Instead, while setting upper and lower bounds that
assure real disclosure, we will let OGE determine, periodically,
the other categories to use.
And we're asking officials from all three branches to
jointly simplify the forms that must be filled by prospective
Presidential appointees - the forms you've memorized in your
4
Our new Executive Order will update ethical standards for
executive-branch employees. And we're urging additional
penalties for violations of criminal conflict-of-interest laws.
You know, an old adage claims that "when all is said and
done, as a rule, more is said than done." Well, our program's
fourth principle, like the previous three, aims to dodge that
pitfall. This principle insists that standards be equitable
across all three branches of government. By saying "Yes" to
fairness, we can reject a double standard.
Today, I propose the following:
To extend to legislative- and judicial-branch employees and
to judges the Federal statute that prohibits employees from
taking actions that affect their own financial interests. To ban
honoraria for federal officials and employees in all three
branches. And to produce a statute creating a uniform cap on
earned income that senior officials in the executive and
legislative branches can receive.
Let us remember: No branch of government is superior to
another. None warrants preferential treatment. Each deserves a
level playing field.
Therefore, I ask that the existing one-year post-employment
"cooling-off" period for senior executive-branch employees also
apply to other branches. And I want a two-year ban against the
disclosure of defined non-public government information.
Assuming the continued existence of the Independent Counsel, I
request that we extend that statute to cover the Congress. And I
5
want to create an independent ethics office for the Congress, to
be headed by an independent official, confirmed by both houses.
((You know, there's an old New England story about a man,
stuck in the mud with his car, who was asked by a passing
motorist whether he was really stuck. "You could say I was
stuck, " the fellow said, "if I was really going anywhere "))
In short,
our ethics program shows exactly where we are going, and
seeks to
e
white By Turing more, and keeping more, of the best and brightest
to government we seek to build a better, brighter nation. And
by helping others -- honorably, ethically -- we seek to show how
public service is not the sum of its perks or possessions, but of
how we conduct ourselves.
I have said that any definition of a successful life must
include serving others -- in a child care center, in the nation's
classrooms, and, yes, in its government. For in the end, that is
what public service is all about. We are not islands unto
ourselves. We are partners, for our fate is not divisible.
Henry Clay observed, "Government is a trust, and the
officers of the government are trustees; and both the trust and
the trustees are created for the benefit of the people."
My friends, government is a trust, and we are its trustees.
So, let us create a government which benefits the people. And
as humane and selfless public officials, let us prove ourselves
worthy of their trust.
Thank you for your patience. )
And now, CTTbe
Thank you, God bless you, and God bless America.
pleased to take
# # #
your questions.
11 April 1991
MEMORANDUM FOR CURT SMITH
FROM:
JENNIFER GROSSMAN
SUBJECT:
POSSIBLE AIR FORCE QUOTES
1)
"What makes the Air Force great is the commitment, courage,
and determination of the Air Force's men and women, and the
rock-solid support of their families."
-- Current Secretary of the Air Force Don Rice
2)
"Never in the field of human conflict was so much owed by so
many to so few. "
-- this, of course, is Winston Churchill on the
RAF to the House of Commons on 20 August 1940. I
think, however, that we could remark upon how the
same gratitude is due our Air Force men and women
of Desert Storm.
3)
"Thus far man has not been able to build an electronic brain
that can
display courage and love of liberty. Nor can the
machine be dedicated to God and country. Therefore, man,
because he has a brain and a soul, is going to continue to be
the key to the kind of national defense we need."
The late General Curt LeMay, Chief of Staff of
the Air Force, 1961.
4 April 1991
MEMORANDUM FOR CURT SMITH
FROM:
JENNIFER GROSSMAN
SUBJECT:
SPORTS INFO AT AIR FORCE ACADEMY
Per your suggestion, I contacted Sports Information at the
Air Force Academy where I spoke with David Kellogg (719) 472-
NOW
3950. This gentleman informed me that the trophy is "emblematic
of football service academy supremacy. " I also learned that Air
X
Force has won for the past two consecutive years ('90 and '89).
The score for this previous season: defeated Navy 24 to 7 (at
Falcon Stadium in Colorado Springs), defeated Army 15 to 3 (at
West Point; Note: this win marked the first time since '82 that
the Air Force has defeated Army at West Point proper).
The trophy title began in 1972. Since then, the Air Force
Academy has won the title 6 times, and was tied for it 3 times.
The Army and Navy, on the other hand, both have a record of 5
wins and 3 ties. By the way, in a tied season the trophy, which
is a rotating trophy, is retained by the school that won it the
preceding year.
Kellogg informs me that the trophy itself is a "gorgeous
piece of hardware" -- standing 2.5 feet tall and weighing 170
pounds.
Historically, at the presentation ceremony, the head
football coach, the superintendent, and the athletic director
share the dais. These are head football coach Fischer DeBerry,
superintendent Lt. Gen. Charles Hamm, and athletic coach Col.
John Clune. A bit about these three: DeBerry became head
football coach at the Air Force Academy in 1984; since then the
Falcons have won the trophy four times --in '85, '87, '89, and
'90. Hamm, it might be noted, will be retiring this summer.
And, sadly, Clune has just been diagnosed with cancer. If he is
unable to attend the ceremony he will be represented by his
successor, Col. Ken Schweitzer.
UPSET: The three service academies have a contract with
Liberty Bowl in Memphis, Tennessee. A clause in the contract
specifies that the winner of the Commander-in-Chief trophy will
be the host school in the yearly playoff providing that they have
an overall winning record against other schools during the
season. This past year on Dec. 17, '90, the Air Force Academy
team went to the Bowl a 17 point underdog against Ohio State --
the largest point spread of any post-season ball game -- and
walked away with an upset victory of 23 to 11. Kellogg points to
this as one of the most notable victories in Air Force Academy
history.
A Touching Touch of Color: One of the young men who
will attend the ceremony is inside linebacker Brian
Hill. His father is head trainer at Ohio State. It
must have been with ironic pride that this dad watched
his son lead the opposing team in tackles against Ohio.
Brian was voted by the media the Air Force Academy's
"Defensive Player of the Game."
ANOTHER STAR: One of the football seniors that will be here
is Cadet Chris Howard. Last year he won the Rhode Scholarship
(one of the two academy cadets to do so).
P.S. Kellogg is faxing me more material (i.e. info on trophy,
DeBerry's bio) which I will deliver to you ASAP.
5 April 1991
MEMORANDUM FOR CURT SMITH
FROM:
JENNIFER GROSSMAN
SUBJECT:
CONVERSATION WITH AIR FORCE HERO SCOTT "SPIKE"
THOMAS
NOTE:
Scott also graduated from the Air Force Academy in
Colorado Springs. He too was with the Falcons; his
position, defensive back. And the ultimate of all tie-
ins, in his senior season, the team won the Commander-
in-Chief's trophy. During his last years at the
Academy, Scott was coached by Fischer DeBerry.
HERO:
Out of the frying pan into the fire -- When
Scott's plane began experiencing mechanical
failure, he ejected safely only to find himself
inside Iraqi territory. Scott remained calm while
his wingman (and his best friend) Eric Dodson
organized a rescue operation. Thanks to that
teamwork, Scott is with us today.
"As far as sports are concerned, and being a pilot -- it
seems like the two are worlds apart, but they're really very
similar. Being physically fit is the key in both. But more
importantly, being part of a team, a group -- when you leave
football you seem to lose the feeling of being part of a team,
something larger than yourself. Then, when you become a fighter
pilot and become part of a squadron, you get that feeling back.'
"Coaches taught us so much, not just about football, but
about living making decisions, knowing what's right and what's
wrong. Without the guidance I personally received from those
guys, I don't know where I'd be today. When you get into a
decision-making situation like that over in the Gulf, you
remember what they taught you, and what you learned from the
game."
DESCRIBING EJECTION AND RESCUE IN GULF: "It was kind of in two
phases. My wingman, who also happened to be my best friend,
stayed in close contact with me after the ejection. Things were
getting done without the need for words. During the rescue
preparations, out there in Iraq, everything was very calm because
of the confidence we had in each other -- much like the
confidence you have in your football teammates."
"Then as I'm on the ground and I'm all by myself. I thought
of my football days, being alone, knowing you've got to succeed
so that the team can succeed. When you're all alone in the Iraqi
desert, it's like being the only guy covering a receiver going
long for a pass, knowing that you're the only one who can stop
him. So you take care of what you can take care of. I knew that
Eric, my wingman, was taking care of everything else."
8 April 1991
MEMORANDUM FOR CURT SMITH
FROM:
JENNIFER GROSSMAN
SUBJECT:
RESCUE DETAIL
On Sunday February 17, Scott Thomas was on a bombing mission
with his wingman Eric Dodson (A wingman follows/flies beside the
lead pilot, and while he goes after the same targets as the lead,
it is the latter who directs him, making the decisions). They
were to go after specified enemy bridges on the Euphrates River.
Completing the mission, they started their climb for the trip
home.
At about 30,000 feet, Scott's engine began to malfunction.
They were over 100 miles from the Saudi border -- well inside
Iraqi territory. With the engine smoking, Scott remained calm;
going through all the procedures in an effort to remedy the
situation. Dodson closed in to take a look at Scott's plane.
Smoke was pouring out, and the craft was leaking fluid --
probably fuel. The engine was still running, but without much
thrust, about as much as at idle.
At that point, both pilots jettisoned their fuel tanks
(Dodson to get rid of enough drag to keep with Scott's plane).
They still had good altitude, but with almost 100 miles to the
border, the situation looked less than promising. There were
three paths before them: either glide back across the border,
using altitude to descend and taking a shot at landing; stretch
it across the border and eject; or simply eject right there and
then.
Within minutes, the first two options were eliminated.
Scott couldn't hold his altitude. The AWACS controller vectored
two F-15s to provide cover. Scott's engine began to fall apart -
- literally: metal scraps and sparks flying off it. Dodson
spotted fire from the engine, and Scott's plane started to shake
violently. He knew there was no other way out.
Ejecting at 12,000 feet, it took Scott about five minutes to
reach ground. He describes the strange sensation of ejecting out
of a fiery plane and then sinking into clouds of whirling snow
flurries. His wingman let the controllers know he saw a good
chute. He marked the coordinates of the position, passed them on
the controllers who in turn passed them on to the rescue team and
helicopters.
Scott landed on rocky terrain. Given mild winds, he didn't
get dragged around much -- suffering only a gash to his chin.
Disengaging from his chute, he walked to the top of a small
ridge, scanning the area for anyone that might have seen him.
Satisfied that he was secure, he moved back to his equipment. He
shed a
radioed his wingman that he was on the safe on the ground.
Dodson came below the clouds and Scott told him, "You're right
above me now. " That was the last communication for two hours.
Because of the clouds he had just been through, and more on
the horizon, Scott anticipated the coming storm. He had to
figure some way to keep himself dry, knowing that in those parts,
when night falls, the temperature plummets. His life raft,
propped upside down on two dead bushes, functioned as reasonable
shelter. And as the storm came, Dodson departed, limited by the
weather and low fuel.
Alone, there was nothing left to do but wait. He spent his
first hour preparing to get picked up, drinking lots of water,
thinking about the rescue. Some miscommunication about the
rescue time stretched his second hour to uncomfortable limits.
His solitude was plagued by fears of capture, but fortified by
prayers and hope. "It got pretty lonely," he admits, "but I
remained confident."
Almost two hours to the minute from his ejection, he began
to hear the choppers. Crawling out of his makeshift shelter, he
assembled his equipment and grabbed a few "souvenir rocks. A
flash of panic seized him when the helicopters initially passed
overhead, missing him. When they continued, he used a device
(which remains confidential) to signal them (perhaps the Falcons
rallying cry?) and they circled back. "As they came out to get
me," Scott recalls, "one of the guys grabs me and says, 'Are you
okay?' I said, 'Yeah, let's just get the hell out of here. "
Annish
2421
starry
5 April 1991
MEMORANDUM FOR CURT SMITH
FROM:
JENNIFER GROSSMAN
SUBJECT:
FLYING QUOTES
and sounh will
1)
"It is probable that future war will be conducted by a
special class, the air force, as it was by the armored
knights of the Middle Ages."
--William Mitchell: Winged Defense, 1924.
2)
"Air power is a thunderbolt launched from an egg-shell
invisibly tethered to a base. "
--Hoffman Nickerson: Arms and Policy, X, 1945.
3)
"The engine is the heart of an aeroplane, but the pilot is
its soul."
--Sir Walter Raleigh: War in the Air, I. 1922.
4)
and Isaiah might have been thinking of the Falcons when
he said "They shall mount up with wings as eagles."
--Isaiah, XL. 31
4 April 1991
MEMORANDUM FOR CURT SMITH
FROM:
JENNIFER GROSSMAN
SUBJECT:
PRELIMINARY INFO ON PRESENTATION OF COMMANDER-IN-
CHIEF'S TROPHY
Major Mike Gould will probably be our major contact for this
event. Unfortunately, he is out of town and therefore out of the
loop until Monday. Mike was a football player and coach at the
Air Force Academy -- plus, he's a real football buff. I will set
up a meeting with him which you can join, or not, as you wish.
I did speak with a Military Aide, however, who gave me the
following: the presentation of the trophy is a virtually annual
event, with the triumphant team coming to the White House. I
question, however, whether POTUS gives formal remarks because I
have been unable as yet to find any precedents in Presidential
Documents (I'll keep trying). Obviously, the Air Force Academy
football team is this year's conquering hero.
I did find Reagan's commencement address at the U.S. Air
Force Academy in Colorado Springs (May 30, 1984) i and the
following excerpts may shed some light on both the Air Force
Academy and the trophy itself:
"You've lived with the traditions and pioneering spirit of
Rickenbacker, Billy Mitchell, Spaatz, Yeager, Lance Sijan,
and the Mercury 7. You know that without the yeast of
pioneering, we cannot rise above the status quo."
"This Academy was not built just to produce air warriors; it
was also built to produce leaders who understand the great
stakes involved in the defense of this country, leaders who
can be entrusted with the responsibility to protect peace
and freedom."
"For the past 12 years, the Commander in Chief's trophy
has symbolized football supremacy among the Air Force
Academy, West Point, and Annapolis. I understand that it's
a rotating trophy, but from the performance of the Falcon
football team these last 2 years, it looks like you have
other ideas. [Laughter]
Last year, the scores weren't even close. When I think
back to my playing days at a place called Eureka College, I
must tell you, I can sympathize, however, with West Point
and Annapolis. [Laughter] I remember some rough afternoons
a
on the gridiron, in which we were winning too many 'moral
victories. I [Laughter]
But as all athletes know, character is built on the
playing fields through hard work, fair play, and gritty
determination to rise to the highest challenge. The Duke of
Wellington once remembered that the Battle of Waterloo was
won on the playing field of Eaton."
DICTIONARY
QUOTATIONS
Barry Liddle
76 Dictionary of Sports Quotations
Dictionary of Sports Quotations
77
FOOTBALL
FOOTBALL
(ALL CODES)
(AMERICAN)
1 Football, in all its varieties is pre-eminently a game of military
1 Losing the Super Bowl is worse than death. You have to get
tactics.
up next morning.
A. E. Crawley
George Allen
The Book of the Ball, 1913, p. 184.
Inside track', The Sunday Times, Jan. 22, 19S4.
2 The tactical difference between Association Football and Rugby
2 The algebra teacher used to be the football coach. Now the
with its varieties seems to be that in the former the ball is the
football coach is the algebra teacher.
missile, in the latter men are the missiles.
Sammy Baugh
A. E. Crawley
'Scorecard', Sports Illustrated, Jul. 2, 1962, p. 6.
Ibid., p. 185.
3 Football is not a contact sport - it's a collision sport. Dancing
3 A Welsh defeat at soccer or a Scottish defeat at Rugby can be
is a contact sport.
treated by the local populations with relative shoulder-shrug-
Duffy Daugherty
ging indifference, but for the, Welsh to lose at Rugby or the
'Scorecard', Sports Illustrated, Oct. 14, 1963, p. 14.
Scots to lose at soccer is akin to a national disaster.
B. Dobbs
4 If a football player isn't tough as nails to begin with and in
Edwardians at Play: Sport 1890-1914, 1973, p. 75.
good, hard condition, he's flirting with a wheel-chair.
Wilfrid Diamond
This Guy Marciano, 1955, p. 16.
4 Up, and by coach to Sir Ph. Warwickes, the street being full
of foot-balls, it being a great frost.
5 You can learn more character on the two-yard line than you
Samuel Pepys
can anywhere in life.
(Play being possible because the frost would have reduced the
Paul Dietzel
amount of horse-traffic)
Quoted by Rex Lardner.
The Diary of Samuel Pepys, Jan. 3, 1665.
Sports Illustrated, Nov. 26, 1962, p. 32.
5 It has always seemed to me that one of the big differences
6 College Football today is one of the last great strongholds of
between Rugby and soccer is the assumption that in Rugby the
genuine old-fashioned American hypocrisy.
players will do their best to play to the laws; while in soccer
Paul Gallico
the players follow the laws until it is to their advantage to break
'Last Stronghold of Hypocrisy', in G. H. Sage (ed.),
them
Sport and American Society: Selected Readings (1938), 1970,
Derek Robinson
p. 111.
Rugby World, vol. II, no. 3, Mar., 1971, p. 16.
7 In the professional world, a black quarterback is decidedly a
6
you base football player.
rara avis. A rather more common avis is the black cornerback.
William Shakespeare
Paul Gardner
(Earl of Kent), King Lear, act I, sc. IV, 1. 95.
Nice Guys Finish Last: Sport and American Life, 1974,
p. 150.
Cignere the rest)
78 Dictionary of Sports Quotations
Dictionary of Sports Quotations 79
8 American Football is not so much a sport as a way of strife.
15 Championships are won on defense.
Doug Ibbotson
Vince Lombardi
Sporting Scenes, 1980, p. 91.
Quoted by Tex Maule.
Sports Illustrated, no. 19, 1967, p. 30.
9 They say football is America's greatest game, but it's not. The
greatest game in America is called opportunity. Football is
16 If the meek ever inherit the earth, our defensive line is going
merely a great expression of it.
to wind up owning Texas.
Joe Kapp
Jerry Moore
Quoted by James Lawton.
'Coaches' Corner', Scholastic Coach, Dec., 1982, p. 57.
The All American War Game, 1984, p. 12.
17 Discipline represents a combination of what is imposed by the
coach and what is accepted by the player.
10 Placekickers aren't football players. They're hired feet.
Darrell Mudra
Alex Karras
Scholastic Coach, Aug., 1982, p. 34.
'Coaches' Corner', Scholastic Coach, Apr. 1979.
18 Every successful coach must have a successful quarterback.
Ara Parseghian
11 American football is about many things. It is about great skill
'Scorecard', Sports Illustrated, Nov: 30, 1964, p. 20.
and brute power, about American tradition and ambition and,
in a real sense, the way the world's richest, most self-indulgent
19 We're looking forward to a great season at the University of
society sees itself. Most of all, American football is about
California - if we can find a way to put cleats on their sandals.
money.
Ronald Reagan
James Lawton
"Scorecard', Sports Illustrated, Apr. 24, 1967, p. 20.
The All American War Game, 1984, intro.
20 A football player has always been referred to as a football player.
12 There is much to fascinate in the more sporting aspects of
He's not. He's a man who happens to play football.
gridiron football, in the character of the players and the tactics
Hank Stram
of the coaching, but any understanding of it as a phenomenon
Quoted by Peter Richmond.
has to be informed by the fact that without television and
Miami Herald, Nov. 25, 1984.
gambling it would today probably be just another game.
James Lawton
21 There's no tougher way to make easy money than pro football.
Norm Van Brocklin
Ibid.
"Scorecard", Sports Illustrated, Oct. 23, 1967, p. 16.
13 If all of sport is a magnificent triviality, American football seems
22 Many an All-American has been made by a long run, a weak
least tolerant of the limitation.
defense, and a poet in the press box.
James Lawton
Robert Zuppke
Ibid., p. 2.
'Coaches' Corner', Scholastic Coach, Dec., 1982.
14 Offense is the shop window of football. Defense is the heart
and the conscience and, often, the entrails.
James Lawton
Ibid., p. 123.
80
Dictionary of Sports Quotations
Dictionary of Sports Quotations 81
FOOTBALL
7 When they sign a new player who plays in your position it is
not funny.
(ASSOCIATION)
Eamon Dunphy
Only a Game?: The Diary of a Professional Footballer, 1976,
p. 45.
8 The beauty of football is its plasticity; each country that
1 When more people are talking soccer topics from one Saturday
embraces it has something new to give; British efficiency and
to the next instead of 'H' bombs, wars and politics, the country
endurance, Latin flair and fire, South American virtuosity and
will be a better place to live in.
acrobatics, Central European perfectionism.
Henry Adamson
Brian Glanville
FA News: The Official Journal of the Football Association,
The Footballer's Companion (ed.), 1962, p. 15.
Jan., 1962, p. 208.
9 My name is Jimmy Greaves. I am a professional footballer. And
I am an alcoholic.
2 The struggle between defence and attack - the basic contest in
Jimmy Greaves
football - is really, and always, the chief interest in any football:
This One's On Me, 1979, cover.
that is why a 'friendly' match never quite rings true.
John Arlott
10 Born on the streets, nurtured in the Public Schools and fathered
'The Appreciation of Football',
by The Football Association, football owes its greatness and the
in A. H. Fabian and Geoffrey Green (ed.), Association
rapid and sturdy growth of its youth to the principles of the
Football, 1960, vol. 2, p. 180.
Cup Competition.
Geoffrey Green
The Official History of the FA Cup, 1949, p. 9.
3 There is no harder exercise in the appreciation of football than
that of taking one's eye off the ball.
11 Football is easily understood by everybody, its rules are simple,
John Arlott
it also has spectacular appeal. But along with its clarity, football
Ibid., p. 189.
remains mysterious, surprising and
not at all simple:
Gyula Grosics
Sport in the USSR, Oct., 1981, p. 27.
4 Football can be no more than a minor corner of any balanced
life. Within that corner, however, it can be roundly satisfying.
12 After whisky, footballers have been the favourite and most
John Arlott
expensive export from Scotland to England.
Ibid., p. 200.
Jimmy Guthrie
Soccer Rebel: The Evolution of the Professional Footballer,
1976, p. 14.
5 Soccer is a man's game; not an outing for mamby-pambies.
J. Charlton
For Leeds and England, 1967, p. 158.
13 The growth of football is not a footnote in the social history of
the twentieth century but a plain thread in it.
Arthur Hopcraft.
6 The beauty has gone out of football
it has lost its poetry,
The Football Man, 1970, p. 22.
its artistic gentleness
Alfredo Di Stefano
14 Improvisation is the hardest skill of all to counter.
Quoted by Matt D'Arcy.
Bob Hughes
The Sunday Times Magazine.
Manchester Evening News, Sep. 13, 1972.
82 Dictionary of Sports Quotations
Dictionary of Sports Quotations 83
15 The coach means a lot but it's the players who play.
Kevin Keegan
21 Cinema and football alike can be understood as culturally-avail-
able opportunities of escape from work in the negative sense
Sport in the USSR, Apr., 1980, p. 36.
or, more positively, in the psychoanalytical sense for escape
into fantasy.
16 Soccer has three kinds of players;
Ian Taylor
Those who watch the ball
'Football Mad: A Speculative Sociology of Football
Those who watch the other players
Hooliganism', in Eric Dunning (ed.),
Those who watch space.
The Sociology of Sport: A Selection of Readings, 1971, p. 364.
The most limited players are those who watch the ball. The
most advanced are those who look for and exploit available
22 Football is all very well as a game for rough girls, but is hardly
space.
suitable for delicate boys.
A. E. Maher
Oscar Wilde
Scholastic Coach, Aug., 1978.
(In conversation)
Quoted by Alvin Redman.
The Epigrams of Oscar Wilde, 1952.
17 Some monopolies may arise either through the possession of
land containing particular minerals, spa water or a desirable
location. Other monopolies may reflect freakish ability - Maria
Callas's voice; George Best's feet.
B. J. McCormick et al
arise.) (Natural causes - one of the ways in which a Monopoly may
FOOTBALL
Introducing Economics, 1974, p. 334.
(AUSTRALIAN RULES)
18 A man who had missed the last home match of 't'United had
to enter social life on tiptoe in Bruddersford.
J. B. Priestley
The Good Companions.
1 Football is a great character builder. A lad learns to give and
Quoted by Anton Rippon.
take hard knocks. He begins to understand the meaning of
Soccer: The Road to Crisis, 1983, p. 15.
mateship.
Bruce Andrew
19 To say that these men paid their shillings to watch twenty-two
Foreword in Dick Wordley (ed.), How to Play Aussie Rules,
1963.
hirelings kick a ball is merely to say that a violin is wood and
catgut, that Hamlet is SO much paper and ink. For a shilling
the Bruddersford United AFC offered you Conflict and Art.
2 Kicking across goals is the type of thing that makes old men
J. B. Priestley
out of coaches.
Terry Callan
Ibid.
Ibid., p. 44.
20 play. The principles of play are far more important than systems of
3 If there comes a time when there is a real 'blue' then you have
Mike Smith
to be in it
Bob Davis
Success in Football, 1982, p. 9.
Ibid., p. 3.
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U.S. AIR FORCE ACADEMY
FAX TRANSMITTAL
DATE:
4 April 1991
ATTENTION: JENNIFER GROSSMAN
FROM: DAVE Kellogg
NO. OF PAGES INCLUDING THIS PAGE:
4
PLEASE NOTE JENNIFER, I hope I All
of this info helps.
PlEASE cAll if you have
fuether questions.
SPORTS INFORMATION OFFICE PHONES:
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Commander In Chief's Trophy
Falcons Defending Champs
Air Force is the defending champion of the 1891 Com-
the Air Training Command and $ former Air Force Academy
mander in Chief's Trophy. Victories over Army and Navy last
athletic director. The 1972 seeson was viewed as an ap-
season marked the sixth time the Falcons have won the
propriate time to establish such a trophy since it marked the
coveted award, It also guaranteed Air Force a bid in the Liberty
first year of round robin competition in football between the
Bowl where they faced Ohio State.
service academies.
The three service academies
General Simier proposed
entered into a five-year contract
the idea to the Air Force
with the Liberty Bowl. The CIC
Academy Association of
winner, providing it has a bowl-
Graduates in early 1972.
worthy record, serves as the
The Association in turn
bowl's host team.
proposed the project to the
The Commander in Chief's
alumni associations of
Trophy is symbolic of service
West Point and Annapolis
academy football supremecy. The
as suitable for joint spon-
trophy is named in honor of the
sorship by the three or-
President, who is the Commender
ganizations.
in Chief of the U.S. Armed Forces.
The Commender in
Each year, the rotating trophy is
Chief's Trophy is three
presented to the service academy
sided and stands 2.1/2 feet
with the beet won-loat record In
tall. It weight approximate
interservice competition.
Iv 170 pounde. The trophy
Army captured the trophy in its
is engraved with the seal of
first year of existence. Navy took
each academy and displays
possession in 1973 and held it
B sculptured model of the
through the 1878 sesson. Army
mascot of each school.
regained the trophy with a 2-0
The year in which the
record in 1977 but Nevy recep-
trophy is won is engraved
tured it In 1978 and held it until
on a plate on the ap-
1982 when the Falcons brought it
propriate academy's side
to the Air Force Academy for the
of the trophy. In the event
first time.
there is no olear winner In
The Idea for the establishment
a particular year, the trophy
of an interservice football trophy
remains with the winner of
originated with the late General
the previous year's com-
George B. Simier, commander of
petition.
Trophy Competition
1972
W
L
1977
W
L
Navy
1
1
1988
W
L
Army
2
0
Army
2
0
Army
o
2
Army
a
o
Navy
1
+
Navy
1
1
AIR FORCE
1
,
AIR FORCE
o
2
AIR FORCE
o
2
1983
W
L
Navy
o
2
AIR FORCE
2
o
1973
W
L
1978
W
L
Navy
1
1
1989
W
L
Navy
2
o
Nevy
2
0
Army
o
2
AIR FORCE
2
o
AIR PORCE
1
1
Army
1
,
Navy
1
1
Army
o
2
AiR FORCE
o
2
1984
W
L
Army
o
2
Army
2
0
1974
W
L
1979
W
L
AIR FORCE
1
1
1990
W
L
SCORES
Navy
1
1
Navy
2
0
Nevy
o
2
AIR FORCE
2
0
AIR FORCE
1
1
AIR FORCE
1
1
Army
1
1
Army
1
1
Army
9
2
1985
W
L
Navy
0
2
AIR FORCE
a
o
1975
W
L
1980
W
L
Navy
1
1
TOTAL RECORDS
Navy
2
0
Navy
1
1
Army
o
2
W
4.
T
AIR FORCE
1
1
AIR FORCE
1
1
AIR FORCE
21
10
o
Army
o
2
Army
1
1
1988
W
L
Nevy
17
18
1
Army
2
o
Army
15
20
1
1976
W
L
1981
W
L
T
AIR PORCE
1
1
Navy
1
1
Navy
1
0
1
Navy
0
2
TROPHY TITLES
AIR FORCE
1
1
AIR FORCE
1
1
0
W
T
Army
1
1
Army
0
1
1
AIR FORCE
6
$
1987
W
L
Navy
I
$
AIR FORCE
2
0
Army
#
$
1982
W
L
Army
1
1
AIR FORCE
2
0
Navy
o
2
51
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Head Coach
Fisher DeBerry
Few football coaches have had the kind of success
enjoyed by Air Force's Fisher DeBerry. After six seasons
as the Falcons' leader, DeBerry has won national coach of
the year honors, taken his teams to five bowl games,
including the 1990 Liberty Bowl and achieved an overall
record of 55-30-1, a winning percentage of 85 percent.
But you don't have to look at the record book to know
DeBerry is a winner. Once you have been around him even
briefly -- watching his colorful, enthusiastic, infectiously-
positive style punctuated by some rapid-fire Southern
vocalizing -- you recognize him as a man who cares not
only about winning, but about people.
DeBerry preaches the traditional values of God, family,
country and hard work. He also practices what he
preaches. Married to his college sweetheart, the former
LuAnn Coppedge of Cheraw, S.C., he is very close to his
son and daughter, both in college, and to his mother and
grandmother in South Carolina. An administrative board
member at his church, he is active in the Fellowship of
Christian Athletes locally and nationally. DeBerry also
sponsored the chapter at his former university.
DeBerry is a member of the American Football Coaches
Association (AFCA) Board of Trustees. He serves on
several AFCA committees, including the ethics committee
and the All-American selection committee. DeBerry is also
Falcon fans can thank another coach for bringing De-
on the NCAA football rules committee.
Berry to Colorado. When Ken Hatfield was the Air Force
In the off-season, he lectures at coaching clinics
coach, he searched for an offensive edge that would
throughout the country. He seldom turns down a com-
reverse the team's string of losing seasons. Hatfield
munity or church public speaking request.
decided the wishbone offense of Appalachian State,
He and his wife are Involved with the March of Dimes,
which was ranked nationally in rushing, total offense and
the Arthritis Foundation, the Muscular Dystrophy Associa-
scoring, might be the answer. In 1980, Appalachian State
tion, the Martin Luther Home and Ronald McDonald House.
offensive coordinator Fisher DeBerry was hired as the Air
He also serves as the chairman for the Red Ribbon
Force quarterbacks coach.
anti-drug campaign.
That 1980 season, In which the Falcons recorded a
Helping, contributing, sharing and working together are
2-9-1 mark, didn't appear much different from the team's
important concepts that permeate DeBerry's life and the
three other two-win seasons in the previous six years.
entire Air Force football program. Accordingly, the coach
What was different was that DeBerry started teaching the
credits his players and his assistants for all the success he
wishbone.
has enjoyed.
DeBerry At A Glance
FULL NAME: James Fisher DeBerry
(secondary): Appalachian State - 1971.79 (defensive
NICKNAME: Fisher
coordinator, offensive coordinator);
BORN: June 9, 1938, Cheraw, S.C.
U.S. AIR FORCE ACADEMY: March 1, 1980 (quarter-
HIGH SCHOOL: Cheraw, S.C., 1952-56
backs), 1981-83 (offensive coordinator), Dec. 27, 1983-
HIGH SCHOOL ATHLETICS AND HONORS: Football-
present head coach.
quarterback, linebacker, defensive line, 3 letters (all-
COACHING HONORS: 1985 consensus national col-
state, team captain, most valuable player); Basketball 3
lege coach of the year (American Football Coaches
letters (team captain): Baseball - pitcher, infielder, 5
Association, Walter Camp, Bobby Dodd, American Foot-
letters (all-state, team captain): Track distance running,
ball Writers Association).
2 letters.
BOWL EXPERIENCE: 1970 NAIA Championship Bowl
COLLEGE EDUCATION: Wofford College, 1956-
(coach); 1982 Hall of Fame Bowl (coach); 1983 Inde-
1960, B.A. psychology; University of Pittsburgh, 1961-
pendence Bowl (coach); 1984 Independence Bowl (head
63, M. Ed. guidance.
coach); 1985 Bluebonnet Bowl (head coach); 1987 Hula
COLLEGE ATHLETICS: Football flanker, defensive
Bowl (assistant coach, West team); 1987 Freedom Bowl
back; Baseball - second base, shortstop.
(head coach); 1989 Liberty Bowl (head coach); 1990
COLLEGE ATHLETIC HONORS: Football - 2 letters;
Liberty Bowl (head coach); 1990 Japan Bowl (Assistant
Baseball - 3 letters, NAIA all-district team.
Coach, West Team)
COACHING EXPERIENCE: Bennettsville H.S., S.C.
WIFE: LuAnn. CHILDREN: One daughter, Michelle,
1960- 61 (essistant); McClenaghan H.S., Florence, S.C.
and one son, Joe.
1963-68 (assistant); Wofford College - 1969-70
HOBBIES: Gardening, golf, jogging.
4
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The next season, with DeBerry now as offensive coor-
back Ron Gray four games into the season, the Falcons
dinator, the number of wins doubled to four. In one more
railled around Rob Perez, who was listed No. 3 on the
season, the number of wins doubled again, to eight, and
depth chart at the season's start.
Air Force found itself in its first bowl game in 12 years. in
Despite losses to nationally-ranked Brigham Young and
DeBerry's third season as offensive coordinator, the Fal-
Notre Dame, the young Falcons defeated Navy (24-7) in
cons won 10 games, including their second straight bowl
Falcon Stadium. Then, for the first time since 1982,
victory.
downed Army at West Point (15-3). The two service
When Hatfield left in 1984 for Arkansas, DeBerry was
academy wins gave DeBerry a 11-3 service academy
asked to take over full control of the Air Force football
record. The Army win set up a crucial game with Texas-El
program. DeBerry's inaugural season as head coach was
Paso in the Sun Bowl. The Falcons needed a victory to
impressive - an 8-4 record, including a win over Notre
gain a Liberty Bowl spot. Leading 14-7 with under two
Dame and a victory over Virginia Tech in the Independence
minutes to play, UTEP scored on 8 reverse. The Miners
Bowl,
opted to go for the win by running a two- point conversion.
In the 1985 season, DeBerry's second as head coach,
Inside linebacker J.T. Tokish and lineman Lane Beene
he almost achieved the perfect year. His Falcons soared
stopped the running play to perserve the victory. This win
to a 12-1 record, a number five ranking from United Press
sent the Falcons back to Memphis for the second straight
International (number eight from Associated Press), and 8
year. This time they were matched up against Ohio State
victory over Texas in the Bluebonnet Bowl, The season
from the Big 10 conference.
also included his second win in a row over Notre Dame
The Falcons entered the bowl game a 17-point under-
(Air Force's fourth consecutive tri-
dog to the bigger, more experienced
umph over the Fighting Irish), the Com-
DeBerry's Record
Buckeyes. When the fat lady finally
mander-in-Chief's Trophy and a share
sung her tune, the scoreboard read: Air
of the Western Athletic Conference
Year
W
L
T
Force 23, Ohio State 11. It marked
(WAC) title. In his first two seasons as
1984
8
4
0
DeBerry's third bowl victory in five
head coach (1984 and 1985), DeBerry
1985
12
1
0
bowl appearances.
won 13 consecutive games.
1986
For DeBerry, the individual honors
6
5
0
Growing up in South Carolina, De-
Berry learned that Injuries, luck and
were just as impressive. He was
1987
9
4
o
determination are important In-
selected conference coach of the year
1988
5
7
o
gredients of the game. At Cheraw High
by the WAC and national coach of the
1989
8
4
1
School, he had an outstanding prep
year by the American Football Coaches
Association, the Football Writers As-
1990
7
5
o
career in which he earned all-state
honors in football and baseball. At
sociation of America, the Walter Camp
Total
55
30
1
Wofford College, DeBerry continued as
Football Foundation, the Bobby Dodd
a standout athlete. He was a two- year
Foundation and Chevrolet/CBS- TV.
football letterman as a flanker and defensive back and a
After a fast start in 1986, his team finished with a
three-year baseball letterman who was selected to the
disappointing 6-5 record. However, the 1987 team
NAIA all-district team.
rebounded with a 9-4 record, including a 33-28 loss to
DeBerry's coaching career began at Bennettsville High
Arizona State in the Freedom Bowl. Star quarterback Dee
School in his home state in 1960. He then served as a
Dowis sat out the game with a broken wrist. The 1987
commissioned officer In the U.S. Army and completed
highlights included having the second- leading rushing
three years of active reserve duty. During that period, he
offense in the nation and the Outland Trophy winner,
earned a master's degree in education from the University
defensive lineman Chad Hennings,
of Pittsburgh. In 1963, he became an assistant coach at
The 1988 season again produced the nation's second-
McClenaghan High School in Florence, S.C. His baseball
best rushing offense, but the defense was marred by injury
teams won more than 100 games in his five seasons with
and misfortune. The 5-7 record, DeBerry's first losing
the school.
season as a head coach, was punctuated by many near
An opportunity to coach at the college level presented
victories: a 39-36 loss to San Diego State as the Aztecs
itself when his alma mater, Wofford, offered him the
scored a fourth-down touchdown with 24 seconds remain-
position of secondary coach in 1969. In his two years at
ing in the game; a 48-45 loss to Wyoming on a field goal
Wofford, the team won 21 consecutive games and was
with one second to play; a 31-24 loss to Texas-El Paso as
ranked number one in the nation before losing in the small
the game ended with the Falcons driving inside the Miners'
college championship.
10- yard-line; and a 19-14 loss to Hawaii when the
In 1971, DeBerry moved to Appalachian State with his
Rainbows returned a fumble 91 yards for a touchdown
college coach as his defensive coordinator. During a
with three minutes to play.
six-year tenure directing the defense, his team was ranked
in 1989, Air Force captured the Commander-In-Chief's
as high as sixth in the nation in pass defense. Following
Trophy by defeating Army and Navy and finished second
three years as offensive coordinator with great success
in the WAC. The team finished with an overall record of
running the wishbone attack, he was ready for the call
8-4-1. En route, to this winning mark, the Falcon quarter-
from Air Force in 1980. In fact, In 1979 his rushing offense
back Dee Dowis finished sixth in the Heisman Trophy
was ranked first among NCAA Division I schools.
balloting and was named the Offensive Player of the Year
During his seven years as head coach, DeBerry's teams
in the league.
have produced two consensus All-Americans, six other
The 1990 season was a rollercoaster ride that ended
players named to various All-America teams, seven
with DeBerry's sixth winning regular-season (6-5), a
Academic All-Americans, three NCAA Scholarship win-
second consecutive Commander-in-Chief's Trophy and a
ners, and three National Football Foundation and Hall of
return trip to the Liberty Bowl. After losing starting quarter-
Fame Scholar-Athletes and one Rhodes Scholar.
5
Administration of Ronald Reagan, 1984 / May 30
given a tour of the facility.
Colorado Reagan-Bush volunteers and Re-
Following his appearance at the center,
publican officials. He remained at the hotel
the President went to the Broadmoor Hotel,
overnight.
where he attended several receptions for
Address at Commencement Exercises at the United States Air Force
Academy in Colorado Springs, Colorado
May 30, 1984
Secretary Orr, General Gabriel, General
before you and to turn them into opportu-
Scott, Senator Goldwater, Congressman
nities for America. Your experience at this
Kramer, and distinguished guests, officers,
magnificient institution, guided by honesty,
cadets, and friends of the Air Force:
integrity, and an abiding loyalty to our
It's an honor and a real pleasure to come
nation will serve you well.
to Colorado Springs and to the Pike's Peak
Dedicated instructors have increased
region. I just hope all Americans have the
your knowledge and understanding. You've
opportunity to visit Colorado and this
been trained to deal in facts, not wishful
breathtaking campus. Like me, they'll feel a
thinking. And in doing many things togeth-
deep pride in you, the men and women of
er in classrooms, squadrons, and on the
our Air Force Academy.
playing fields, you've learned the value of
On the flight from Washington, I asked
leadership and discipline and the need for
our Air Force pilot for a few tips on Acade-
both.
my tradition. Well, he talked about Cadet
You've lived with the traditions and pio-
Nino Baldacci-|laughter}-and then he of-
neering spirit of Rickenbacker, Billy Mitch-
fered to demonstrate an Immelman and a
ell, Spaatz, Yeager, Lance Sijan, and the
wingover. [Laughter] And my Air Force
Mercury 7. You know that without the yeast
aide turned pale and said, "Mr. President, it
of pioneering, we cannot rise above the
would be better if you just remember the
status quo.
Air Force Academy is 7,250 feet above sea
Personal honor, courage, and professional
level, and that's far above West Point and
competence will guide your thoughts and
Annapolis." [Laughter]
actions. You understand the horrors of war,
The greatest privilege of my office has
and you know that peace with freedom is
been to lead the people who defend our
the highest aspiration of our time. As a
freedom and whose dedication, valor, and
matter of fact, these past 4 years have pre-
skill increase so much our chance to live in
pared you to take your place in the best
a world of peace. I believe that we've made
darn air force in the world.
great progress in our efforts to rebuild the
So, now that I've paid your superiors a
morale and the readiness of our Armed
compliment, I hope they won't mind if
Forces. Once again, young Americans wear
their Commander in Chief pulls rank just
their uniforms and serve their flag with
this once. I hereby direct that the Secretary
pride, and our military forces are back on
of the Air Force and the Superintendent of
their feet and standing tall.
the Air Force Academy remit all existing
And now, the class of 1984 has its turn.
confinements and other cadet punishments
After 4 years of hard work and dedication,
for minor offenses, and that this order be
you've earned the right to be saluted. It will
carried out today.
now be your responsibility to guard the
By the calendar, 52 years separate my
flame of peace and freedom and to keep
college class from yours. Yet by the changes
that flame burning brightly.
mine has seen, it might as easily have been
Your jobs will never be easy. But I be-
520. The world which the class of '32 had
lieve you're ready to meet the challenges
grown to know would soon disappear. True,
759
May 30 / Administration of Ronald Reagan, 1984
America was in the midst of a great world-
than my life expectancy when I was born.
wide depression which all of us desperately
That's a source of annoyance to a number
wanted to escape. Our immediate concern
of people-[laughter}
was work, but our class, like every college
But the greatest of all resources is the
class, also thought about the future-and
human mind; all other resources are discov-
what a future it has been.
ered only through creative human intelli-
The pace of change, once orderly and ev-
gence. God has given us the ability to make
olutionary, became frantic and revolution-
something from nothing. And in a vibrant,
ary. A series of scientific and technological
open political economy, the human mind is
revolutions flashed past us, touching Ameri-
free to dream, create, and perfect. Technol-
cans everywhere and every day. A new
ogy, plus freedom, equals opportunity and
future was discovered and then quickly re-
progress.
discovered. Technological progress was a
Now, what about your generation? Where
cataclysmic rush.
do you go from here? The quickening pace
The armies of Napoleon had not moved
shouldn't generate the belief that the tide
across Europe any faster than Caesar's le-
of events is beyond your control. No, you
gions eighteen centuries earlier-and nei-
should be confident that with wisdom, re-
ther army worried about air cover. But
sponsibility, and care you can harness
from my college days to yours, we went
change to shape your future.
from open cockpits to lunar landings, from
We've only seen the beginning of what a
space fiction to space shuttles. Plotted on a
free and courageous people can do. The
graph, the lines representing technological
bold, not the naysayers, will point the way,
progress would leap vertically off the page,
because history has shown that progress
and it wouldn't matter whether you plotted
breakthroughs in agriculture or medicine,
often takes its greatest strides where brave
people transform an idea which is scoffed at
communications or engineering, genetics or
military capability.
by skeptics into a tangible and important
During the past few decades, the way we
part of everyday life.
look and think about our world has changed
Your generation stands on the verge of
in fundamental and startling ways. In 1932
greater advances than humankind has ever
"splitting the atom" was a contradiction in
known. America's future will be deter-
terms. We knew the word "atom" came
mined by your dreams and your visions.
from the Greek "atomos," meaning indivisi-
And nowhere is this more true than Ameri-
ble and, by definition, you couldn't split
ca's next frontier-the vast frontier of
anything that was indivisible. But Albert
space.
Einstein wouldn't arrive in the States until
The space age is barely a quarter of a
the following year, and the Manhattan
century old, but already we've pushed civi-
Project had not yet begun. The nuclear age
lization forward with our advances in sci-
was more than a decade away.
ence and technology. Our work on the
So many of the things that we take for
space shuttle gives us routine access to the
granted today didn't exist on my com-
landscape above us, dropping off payloads,
mencement day: transistors, computers, su-
performing experiments, and fixing satel-
personic flight, fiber optics, organ trans-
lites. And I believe we've only touched the
plants, microelectronic chips, and xerogra-
edge of possibilities in space. It's time to
phy. Yes, even the venerable Xerox ma-
quicken our pace and reach out to new
chine is only 25 years old.
opportunities.
Our progress results from human creativi-
This past January, in my State of the
ty and the opportunity to put our knowl-
Union Address, I challenged our nation to
edge to use to make life better. We have
develop a permanently manned space sta-
yet to rid the world of disease and sickness,
tion and to do so within a decade. And now
but today more people are living longer
we're moving forward with a strategy that
than ever before in human history. In many
will chart the future course of the U.S.
ways the good old days never were. In fact,
space program.
I've already lived some two decades longer
The strategy establishes priorities, pro-
760
Administration of Ronald Reagan, 1984 / May 30
S born.
vides specific direction for our future ef-
who built the West let the unknowns and
number
forts, and assigns responsibilities to various
dangers overwhelm them? Where would
government agencies. Above all, America's
we be if our aviation pioneers let the diffi-
is the
space strategy offers a balanced program
culties and uncertainties sway them?
discov-
that will best serve the down-to-earth needs
The only limits we have are those of your
intelli-
of our own people and people everywhere.
own courage and imagination. And our
) make
Our goals are ambitious and yet achieva-
freedom and well-being will be tied to new
ibrant,
ble. They include a permanently manned
achievements and pushing back new fron-
nind is
presence in space for scientific, commercial,
tiers. That's the challenge to the class of '84.
echnol-
and industrial purposes; increased interna-
If I could leave you with one final
ty and
tional cooperation in civil space activities;
thought, it would be to remind you again:
expanded private investment and involve-
The measure of America's future safety,
Where
ment; cost-effective access to space with the
progress, and greatness depends on how
shuttle; and strengthened security and ca-
g pace
well you hold fast to our most precious
e tide
pability to maintain the peace.
values-values that embody the culmination
The benefits to be reaped from our work
o, you
of 5,000 years of Western civilization. Let
in space literally dazzle the imagination.
m, re-
your determination to make this world
Together, we can produce rare, life-saving
arness
better and safer override all other consider-
medicines, saving thousands of lives and
ations.
hundreds of millions of dollars. We can
what a
This Academy was not built just to
). The
manufacture superchips that improve our
competitive position in the world computer
produce air warriors; it was also built to
e way,
market. We can rapidly and efficiently
produce leaders who understand the great
ogress
stakes involved in the defense of this coun-
repair defective satellites. We can build
brave
space observatories enabling scientists to
try, leaders who can be entrusted with the
ffed at
see out to the edge of the universe. And we
responsibility to protect peace and freedom.
ortant
can produce special alloys and biological
You are those leaders. And while you must
materials that benefit greatly from a zero-
know better than those before you how to
rge of
gravity environment.
fight a war, you must also know better than
S ever
Let me give you just one exciting glimpse
those before you how to deter a war, how
deter-
that illustrates the great potential of how
to preserve peace.
isions.
working in space can improve life on Earth.
As you look to the future, always remem-
Ameri-
There is a medicine called-and I'm not
ber the treasures of our past. Every genera-
er of
quite sure of my pronunciation-it is either
tion stands on the shoulders of the genera-
"urokinase" or "urokenase", but whichever
tion that came before. Jealously guard the
of a
name, it is used to treat victims of pulmo-
values and principles of our heritage; they
d civi-
nary embolism and heart attacks caused by
didn't come easy.
in sci-
blood clots. On Earth, this medicine is very
Inspiration springs from great tradition.
T the
difficult and expensive to produce. About
As military officers, guard the traditions of
to the
500,000 doses are needed annually at a cost
your service built here in the foothills of the
loads,
of $500 million. Dr. Robert Jastrow, chair-
Rockies and in the air over Ploesti, Mig
satel-
man of the first NASA Lunar-Exploration
Alley, the Red River Valley, and a thousand
d the
Committee, notes that tests in our shuttle
other places. The traditions you hold will
ne to
have shown that production of urokinase in
serve you well.
new
zero gravity could reduce that cost by a
Good luck, Godspeed, and God bless you
factor of ten or more. We could make this
all.
of the
medicine available to thousands of people
[At the conclusion of his formal address,
ion to
who cannot afford it at today's price.
e sta-
Our willingness to accept the challenge of
the President presented the Medal of Honor
space will reflect whether America's men
to William J. Crawford.]
d now
y that
and women today have the same bold
Now, there's something I want to do that
U.S.
vision, the same courage and indomitable
means a lot to me and, I'm sure, will mean
spirit that made us a great nation. Where
a lot to you. We're graced with the compa-
pro-
would we be if the brave men and women
ny of a man who believed so much in the
761
May 30 / Administration of Ronald Reagan, 1984
values of our nation that he went above and
and killed the crew. He then worked his
maa
beyond the call of duty in defending them.
way, under continuous fire, to the other,
198
In July 1944 a grateful nation bestowed
and with one grenade and the use of his
Ame
the Medal of Honor on a soldier, a private,
rifle, killed one enemy and forced the re-
chai
for extraordinary heroism on Hill 424 near
mainder to flee. Seizing the enemy ma-
emy
Altavilla, Italy. The soldier could not accept
chine gun, he fired on the withdrawing
the award that day. He was a prisoner of
Germans and facilitated his company's ad-
war, and his father accepted in his behalf.
vance.
Since early in this century, it has been
The President. Thank you. I think every-
Toa
customary for the President to present the
one could sit down, couldn't they?
Medal of Honor. Well, nearly 40 years have
Colonel Wallisch. Oh, yes, sir.
at a
gone by, and it's time to do it right. A
The President. Yes, please be seated.
Anr
native son of Colorado and certainly a good
[Laughter] Sometimes I don't know my
friend of the Air Force Academy will for-
May
own power. [Laughter]
ever be in the select company where the
For the past 12 years, the Commander in
heroes of our country stand.
Chief's trophy has symbolized football su-
The
It gives me great pleasure to ask Mr. Wil-
premacy among the Air Force Academy,
distin
liam J. "Bill" Crawford, formerly of the
West Point, and Annapolis. I understand
men,
36th Infantry Division, to come forward.
that it's a rotating trophy, but from the per-
our N
Colonel Wallisch. Please rise. Attention
formance of the Falcon football team these
eveni
to orders: The President of the United
last 2 years, it looks like you have other
celeb
States takes pleasure in awarding the Medal
ideas. [Laughter]
endui
of Honor to William J. Crawford for service
Last year, the scores weren't even close.
liance
as set forth in the following citation.
When I think back to my playing days at a
Thi
For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity
place called Eureka College, I must tell you,
aftern
at risk of life above and beyond the call of
I can sympathize, however, with West Point
met h
duty in action with the enemy near Alta-
and Annapolis. [Laughter] I remember
Atlant
villa, Italy, 13 September 1943. When Com-
some rough afternoons on the gridiron, in
realisr
pany I attacked an enemy-held position on
which we were winning too many "moral
the th
Hill 424, the Third Platoon, in which Pri-
victories." [Laughter]
to me
vate Crawford was a squad scout, attacked
But as all athletes know, character is built
as base platoon for the company. After
on the playing fields through hard work,
The
reaching the crest of the hill, the platoon
fair play, and gritty determination to rise to
allianc
was pinned down by intense enemy ma-
the highest challenge. The Duke of Wel-
firmati
chine gun and small-arms fire.
lington once remembered that the Battle of
ern ci
Locating one of these guns, which was
Waterloo was won on the playing field of
with fr
dug in on a terrace on his immediate front,
Eaton.
foresig
Private Crawford, without orders and on his
It gives me great pleasure to ask Cadets
other I
own initiative, moved over the hill under
the enemy fire to a point within a few yards
First Class Marty Louthan, Michael Kirby,
Alth
and John Kershner to come forward to
foresee
of the gun emplacement and single-handed-
accept the Commander in Chief's trophy.
taken
ly destroyed the machine gun and killed
right o
three of the crew with a hand grenade, thus
[After presenting the trophy, the President
North
enabling his platoon to continue its ad-
was made an honorary member of the foot-
the lon
vance.
ball team and was given a Falcon jersey.]
in moc
When the platoon, after reaching the
alliance
crest, was once more delayed by enemy
Note: The President spoke at 9:38 a.m. at
to the (
fire, Private Crawford, again in the face of
Falcon Stadium on the Academy grounds.
liberty.
intense fire, advanced directly to the front,
In his opening remarks, he referred to Sec-
midway between two hostile machine gun
retary of the Air Force Verne Orr, Gen.
We c
nests, located on a higher terrace and em-
Charles A. Gabriel, Chief of Staff of the Air
plishme
placed in a small ravine.
Force, and Gen. Winfield W. Scott, Superin-
there ai
Moving first to the left, with a hand gre-
tendent of the U.S. Air Force Academy.
even fu
nade, he destroyed one gun emplacement
Following his remarks, the President was
commit
762
Administration of Ronald Reagan, 1984 / May 30
made an honorary member of the class of
ticipated in the awarding of the diplomas
1984 and was awarded the Distinguished
to the graduating cadets.
American Award by William Thayer Tutt,
Following the ceremonies at the Acade-
chairman of the board, U.S. Air Force Acad-
my, the President returned to Washington,
emy Foundation. The President then par-
DC.
Toasts of the President and Secretary General Joseph M.A.H. Luns
at a Dinner Honoring the NATO Foreign Ministers on the 35th
Anniversary of the North Atlantic Alliance
May 30, 1984
The President. Secretary General Luns,
tinue to be an indispensable bulwark
distinguished guests, and ladies and gentle-
against aggression, terrorism, and tyranny.
men, it's an honor and a pleasure to welcome
Our unity will be the essential framework
our NATO partners to the White House. This
for building a constructive dialog with our
evening has been a special opportunity to
adversaries and reducing the risks of war
celebrate the unprecedented success of our
and the level of nuclear arms. And I know
enduring friendship, our partnership-an al-
that it will be our societies, the democra-
liance dedicated to peace and freedom.
cies, that will offer a bright and hopeful
Thirty-five years ago, in the troubled
future for our people and for people every-
aftermath of a tragic conflict, 12 nations
where.
met here in Washington to sign the North
We can be confident. The events of the
Atlantic Treaty. That event was an act of
past year challenged us, and the Western
realism. The member nations recognized
democracies stood firm in the face of an
the threat to their security and undertook
intense Soviet campaign of intimidation,
to meet it together.
aimed at undermining NATO's commit-
ment to defend Europe and preserve
The establishment of the North Atlantic
peace. Today we are stronger and more
alliance was also an act of optimism, an af-
conscious of our unity. And that's of crucial
firmation of the enduring vitality of West-
importance, because when the Soviet Union
ern civilization. Thirty-five years of peace
becomes convinced that NATO cannot be
with freedom testify to the wisdom and the
shaken it may finally realize it has a clear
foresight of those nations, and of the four
and compelling interest to return to the ne-
other nations who have since joined NATO.
gotiating table. We will be waiting, ready to
Although the founders could not have
meet them halfway.
foreseen the dramatic changes that have
Tonight is more than a celebration of an
taken place since 1949, their vision was
right on the mark. By uniting Europe and
anniversary. It's also an opportunity to rec-
North America, NATO has made possible
ognize the special contributions of our Sec-
the longest period of peace and prosperity
retary General. Joseph Luns is a distin-
in modern history. And today our proud
guished diplomat and a man of many vir-
tues.
alliance remains united in its commitment
to the defense of democracy and individual
First as the Dutch Foreign Minister, and
liberty.
then at NATO's helm, he's been at the
center of the transatlantic bridge for nearly
We cannot be content with the accom-
30 years. His mission-his vision, I should
plishments of the past. As we look ahead,
say-his humor, and his patience have sus-
there are compelling reasons to strengthen
tained us in good times and bad. As Secre-
even further our solidarity and unity. Our
tary General, he's never lost sight of the
commitment to collective security will con-
goals and objectives of our alliance, and
763
2) Ref Utah 52-21
-we were lucky to be
where we were at
-we sot puded by
ND, pundred by
Brigher you
Beat Any at up
for 1st '82 time since
8-9:30 C-SRAN
THE WHITE house
WASHINGTON
THE WHITE HOUSE
WASHINGTON
Jennifer /Curt,
Comments look good to me.
Some additional info to consider:
1 Col John Clune, the retiring
Athletic Director, has recently
be diagnosed with cancer. He is
undergoing treatment, is very. ill
(most libely terminal) and will
be unable to attend ceremony.
a comment wishing him well
may be appropriated
- In Clame's place will be Colonel
Ken Schweitzer who is to assume the
athletic Director job when Col Clune
retires this summer. sleet. 4 Chisephead
- Other comments penciled in -
Thanks
- Mike gould
1 another AF has,
or now my of more
were AT
2
more examples
62
Steve Richie
instead
56 Here
Roosevelt Room
Season highlights
1) Texas - El Paso,
needed 2 beat then 2 seeme
a wins reend + advace 2 lib
Bowl, was leading 14-7
I min 40 sees, they scened fouchder
on a reverse. Elected 2 go for
how they saned the day at T- El Pan
z pt convers in, which ment
that AF had 2 Stop this 2pt +
Commers attomp, it was all a
noting T-E1 Pas, ra another
reverse play, JT Tokisht Lane Bear
stopped the number 2 Prent th scene
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(Smith/Grossman)
April 9, 1991
Draft Four
FORCE
PRESIDENTIAL REMARKS:
TROPHY REMARKS
ROSE GARDEN Reservelt Ro
THURSDAY, APRIL 19, 1991
F
Players, coaches, and official family of a team which
believes that "whatever it takes, just do it. " 11 Lieutenant
General Hamm -- as we note your retirement, we also salute your
career. / Coach DeBerry the Norman Schwartzkopf of the
gridiron. / Colonel Clune, Welcome to the White House. And to
ceremonies about a trophy which has come to roost among the
Falcons. 11
For nearly two decades, the Commander in Chief's Trophy has
embodied football supremacy among the Air Force Academy, West
Point, and Annapolis. / [[Which leads me to a request: Let's
keep this between you and me. I wouldn't want Annapolis to know
that an old Navy man is giving a trophy to the Air Force. 1:11
Every servicemar can appreciate the old adage :
as in a football game, the principle to follow is
hard. " 11 Think of Eddie Rickenbacker.
so did other Air Force heroes like Billy
51,
crew of
how AF guys th Merchay progre
Yeager and the
They were proud to be air warriors
made us proud to be Americans. They knew ours would not be
the land of the free if it were it also the home of the brave.
year, you wrote anoth chapter in that pioneering
histor.
Air Force 15, Army 3 -- the first time in
cade you
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2
beat the Cadets at West Point. 11 [[Colin Powell still hasn't
forgiven you] 11 Air Force 24, Navy 7. 11 Ouch. 11 / [[Barbara
got an idea of what it's like to go up against your defense back
rode a sled
at Camp David.
in January when she/silid into a tree^]] 11
You won six regular-season victories. 11 [[Come to think of
it, what's left to conquer? In the last eight months, the Air
Irag's
Force has defeated Army, Navy, and the Republican Guard. ]] //
And, no, I'm not forgetting what you did to Ohio State in the
Liberty Bowl -- the biggest upset since the last time I caught a
fish. 11 On the ground -- in the sky -- you looked opponents in
the eye -- and made those opponents blink. 11
Ask linebacker Brian Hill. He led the Falcons in tackles
against Ohio State -- a school whose head trainer is his dad. 11
[[I hear you passed up a visit to the Pentagon because you
consider Brian to be the real Secretary of Defense. ]] // Ask
Chris Howard. In 1989, he was one of two Academy cadets to win a
Paul Walski Rob Perez J.T. Tokish
Rhodes Scholarship. In 1990, he and other teammates ---
and
Rodney Lewis Joe wood
-
and and - -- helped Air Force win the game of football, and
the larger game of life. 11
This year, of course, the Air Force helped win not a game
alone --- but a crusade for what is right and just. I refer to
the Persian Gulf -- where you ensured that aggression would not
stand. // Since 1947, the Air Force has known that when it comes
to national defense, finishing second means finishing last.
in the Gulf, you helped freedom finish first. 11
chan quote
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3
As a result, today millions once enslaved are warmed by the
lamp of liberty. Today, too, the United States has seldom stood
taller in the councils of the world. Never again will friend or
foe doubt America's resolve to win a war or secure the peace. 11
To which I say: Thank God. And thank you. 11
I have often said that "Character is not something you have.
Character is something you are.' The Air Force forms the essence
of America's character. 11 years ago, spoke of this when he
observed:
"
II Let me close with a more recent story that
shows the resolution and dedication of our troops in gold and
blue. //
I recently had
Spike
whom you remember as
R opportunity to
Scott Thomas was an All-American football safety at the
elcome home
Academy. His nickname was "Spike" his opponents can tell you
why / After graduating, Scott joined the 33rd Tactical Unit at
Shaw Air Force Base in South Carolina -- then went to the Persian
Gulf. / There, one day, at 30,000 feet, his plane had mechanical
failure. He ejected safely -- only to find himself alone / on
rocky terrain / inside Iraqi territory. 11
Lying on the ground, Scott thought of his football days --
as he says, "knowing you've got to succeed so that the team can
succeed." Once, his teammates were Air Force Falcons. Now, it
was his wingman and best friend Eric Dodson, who organized a
rescue operation. 11
In the greatest crisis of his life, Spike Thomas relied on
the steel and bravery forged at the Air Force Academy. He never
panicked. He endured freezing cold, and driving rain. He kept
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is in services
4
this
his eye on the ball -- and ultimately, was pulled to safety by
his friend. / What an example of the greatness that is the
United States Air Force. What a metaphor for the cause larger
as-
than ourselves which sets, and keeps, men free. 11
49021
To Scott and Eric -- to all of you -- America salutes your
splendid year on and off the gridiron. God bless you. Next
year, take it easy on the Naval Academy. And may God bless the
United States of America.
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Photocopy-Preservation