We Didn’t Know How Lucky We Were!

by Russ Davis, Class of ’63, Lee’s Summit High School

Thank you so very much. Since much of what brings me here tonight is based on my military service, it is only fitting that I ask that we begin my remarks with a moment of silence to honor the 60 American soldiers, 62 marines, 3 sailors, and 3 airmen, as well as the 14 members of the British Army, 10 Royal Marines, 2 members of the Royal Air Force, and 5 British sailors who have given their lives in Operation Iraqi Freedom. . . May we remember the words of Thomas Jefferson, “The price of freedom is eternal vigilance.”

You know, 1963 was a long 40 years ago, and it’s great to be back in this familiar, comfortable place, with so many good friends and neighbors. To say that this is a great honor for me would certainly seem a bit cliché, but it’s indeed true. The most humbling award one ever receives is from his peers and his fellows, the stuff of his beginnings and of his soul. So, I thank you humbly for this recognition.

In the words of so many, the Class of ‘63 was a pretty unique bunch. I always thought so, and I still do. And, if I do say so, we’ve done pretty well. We’ve gone a long way – both in terms of personal growth and also often in distance from home, but yet, there’s a little bit of each of us right here in this place – just as there is a lot of this place in each of us. You know, a great American and a great Missourian, President Harry S Truman once said*, “I always tell students that it is what you learn after you know it all that counts.” As always, he was so right. We left these halls knowing it all – and, just as they planned, went on to learn such a great deal more. One thing that I learned was how very fortunate I was to be from this place, this Lee’s Summit in America’s heartland. I’ve met a lot of people all over the world, and none of them had it as quite good as I did. We didn’t know how lucky we were!

Our former First Lady and current senator from New York wrote a book centered on the old African proverb, “It takes a village to raise a child.” As I often do, I have to disagree with Mrs. Clinton – just a bit this time. What it takes to raise a child is a loving, caring family; and I now realize how fortunate I was to have grown up in that kind of environment: a father who challenged me to learn and to grow and who inculcated in me the vision that I could do anything I set my mind to, if I worked hard enough at it – just as he did; a reassuring, supportive mother who was always there with a helping, comforting hand – and she still is; rock-steady grandparents who taught me the value of the land and an awful lot of what life and hard work are all about; and finally a grandmother – one of the true pillars of this community – who taught me the value of education and who sewed the seeds of leadership and community service. I know she’s is beaming up there right now. We didn’t know how lucky we were!

But then, Mrs. Clinton was also right about that “village.” It takes a caring, concerned, and supportive community to help instill and to reinforce the values of religion and education and working together for the greater good in this wonderful country of ours. There, I was also most fortunate. The Lee’s Summit community has always been so supportive of its youth and of its school system. Under the inspired leadership of Dr. Bernard Campbell, this school system asked for what it needed, and the community’s answer was always “yes” – “yes” because they trusted his judgment, and “yes” because they believed in his integrity. He is still the greatest role model for those virtues that you or I or anyone could ever have, and I thank him so very much for his example. Another great Missourian, Samuel Clemmons (Mark Twain) said, in part, “. . . the really great make you feel that you, too, can become great.”

So, I had it both ways – a loving, supportive family and a caring, giving community. We didn’t know how lucky we were!

To conclude, I’d like to quote a great lady from where I live now, the late Katherine Graham, “To love what you do and feel that it matters – how could anything be more fun?” I thank you again for this truly great honor. I accept it with the admonition to all of you who follow in our footsteps: take the time to appreciate this wonderful school system and this great, supportive community, because someday, in some place like this, you’ll come to realize, as I have, just how very, very lucky we were!  Thank you.

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