WelcometoSTH!
WearedelightedtohaveyouaspartofourSTHcommunity,andwelookforwardtomeeting youinperson.Aspartofyourpreparationforthefirstdayofhighschool,theEnglishfacultyhas selected five speeches foryoutoreadthissummer
Before the first day of classes,youmustprint,read,and annotate allfivespeechesabout heroism Considerthefollowingkeyquestionsasyoureadandannotate:
● Who is the hero in the speech?
● What characteristics, traits, or actions make this person heroic?
● What are the key lessons suggested by this hero’s characteristics, traits, or actions?
ThesespeechesprovideafoundationforthetextsyouwillreadinyourfreshmanEnglishclassat STHwhereinthefocusisonheroesandonculturalidealsofheroism.
Whatis“annotating”?
To“annotate”meanstoaddmarkings,notes,questions,comments,observations,etc.tothetext youarereading. Annotatingisnotsimplyunderliningandcirclingtext.Youshouldbe thinking aboutthewordsyouarereading,andyourannotationsareyour“writtenthoughts.”
Yourannotationsshouldbeinthemarginsandanyotheropenspacesonthepage.
Youshouldannotatetoidentifymainideasandmessages,particularlythekeywordsandphrases ofthetextthatsupportandprovideevidenceforthesemainideasandmessages.Clearlyidentify what is important aboutthetextand why.Giventhekeyquestionslistedabove,youalready knowitisimportanttoidentifytheheroesandtokeeptrackoftheheroiccharacteristics,traits, andactionsofthosepeople.Youshouldalsokeeptrackofthechallengestheheroesfaceandthe waystheyovercomethosechallenges.And,ofcourse,youwillwanttonoteanylessons suggestedbytheheroes’stories.
Youmustbringyourprintedandannotatedcopyofallfivespeechestothefirstday ofclass;youwillearnthefirstgradeofthesemesterfordoingso.Youwillneedthe printed,annotatedspeechesduringclassdiscussionsandforin-classwriting activities.
SpeechOne:
The following are the remarks by Naval Adm. William H. McRaven, former commander of U.S. Special Operations Command, at the University-wide Commencement at The University of Texas at Austin on May 17, 2014.
PresidentPowers,ProvostFenves,Deans,membersofthefaculty,familyandfriendsandmost importantly,theclassof2014.Congratulationsonyourachievement.
It'sbeenalmost37yearstothedaythatIgraduatedfromUT.Irememberalotofthingsabout thatday.IrememberIhadathrobbingheadachefromapartythenightbefore.IrememberIhad aseriousgirlfriend,whomIlatermarried—that'simportanttorememberbytheway—andI rememberthatIwasgettingcommissionedintheNavythatday
ButofallthethingsIremember,Idon'thaveacluewhothecommencementspeakerwasthat evening,andIcertainlydon'trememberanythingtheysaid.So,acknowledgingthatfact,ifIcan't makethiscommencementspeechmemorable,Iwillatleasttrytomakeitshort.
TheUniversity'ssloganis,"Whatstartsherechangestheworld."I’vegottoadmit—Ikindof likeit."Whatstartsherechangestheworld."
Tonighttherearealmost8,000—therearemorethan8000—studentsgraduatingfromUT.That greatparagonofanalyticalrigor,Ask.Com,saysthattheaverageAmericanwillmeet10,000 peopleintheirlifetime.That'salotoffolks.But,ifeveryoneofyouchangedthelivesofjust10 people—andeachoneofthosefolkschangedthelivesofanother10people—andanother 10—theninfivegenerations—125years—theclassof2014willhavechangedthelivesof800 millionpeople.
800millionpeople—thinkofit—overtwicethepopulationoftheUnitedStates.Goonemore generationandyoucanchangetheentirepopulationoftheworld—eightbillionpeople.
Ifyouthinkit'shardtochangethelivesof10people—changetheirlivesforever—you'rewrong; it’snothard—anyonecandoit.IsawithappeneverydayinIraqandAfghanistan:Ayoung ArmyofficermakesadecisiontogoleftinsteadofrightdownaroadinBaghdadandthe10 soldierswithhimaresavedfromclose-inambush.InKandaharprovince,Afghanistan,a non-commissionedofficerfromtheFemaleEngagementTeamsensessomethingisn'trightand directstheinfantryplatoonawayfroma500-poundIED,savingthelivesofadozensoldiers.
But,ifyouthinkaboutit,notonlywerethesesoldierssavedbythedecisionsofoneperson,but theirchildrenwerealsosaved.Andtheirchildren'schildrenweresaved.Generationsweresaved byonedecision,byoneperson.
Butchangingtheworldcanhappenanywhereandanyonecandoit.So,whatstartsherecan indeedchangetheworld,butthequestionis—whatwilltheworldlooklikeafteryouchangeit?
Well,Iamconfidentthatitwilllookmuch,muchbetter.Butifyouwillhumorthisoldsailorfor justamoment,Ihaveafewsuggestionsthatmayhelpyouonyourwaytoabetterworld.And whiletheselessonswerelearnedduringmytimeinthemilitary,Icanassureyouthatitmatters notwhetheryoueverservedadayinuniform.Itmattersnotyourgender,yourethnicorreligious background,yourorientation,oryoursocialstatus.
Ourstrugglesinthisworldaresimilar,andthelessonstoovercomethosestrugglesandtomove forward—changingourselvesandtheworldaroundus—willapplyequallytoall.
IhavebeenaNavySEALfor36years.ButitallbeganwhenIleftUTforBasicSEALtraining inCoronado,California.BasicSEALtrainingissixmonthsoflongtorturousrunsinthesoft sand,midnightswimsinthecoldwateroffSanDiego,obstaclescourses,unendingcalisthenics,
dayswithoutsleepandalwaysbeingcold,wet,andmiserable.Itissixmonthsofbeing constantlyharassedbyprofessionallytrainedwarriorswhoseektofindtheweakofmindand bodyandeliminatethemfromeverbecomingaNavySEAL.
But,thetrainingalsoseekstofindthosestudentswhocanleadinanenvironmentofconstant stress,chaos,failureandhardships.TomebasicSEALtrainingwasalifetimeofchallenges crammedintosixmonths.
So,herearethe10lessonsIlearnedfrombasicSEALtrainingthathopefullywillbeofvalueto youasyoumoveforwardinlife.
EverymorninginbasicSEALtraining,myinstructors,whoatthetimewereallVietnam veterans,wouldshowupinmybarracksroomandthefirstthingtheywouldinspectwasmybed. Ifyoudiditright,thecornerswouldbesquare,thecoverswouldbepulledtight,thepillow centeredjustundertheheadboardandtheextrablanketfoldedneatlyatthefootoftherack.
Itwasasimpletask—mundaneatbest.Buteverymorningwewererequiredtomakeourbedto perfection.Itseemedalittleridiculousatthetime,particularlyinlightofthefactthatwere aspiringtoberealwarriors,toughbattle-hardenedSEALs,butthewisdomofthissimpleacthas beenproventomemanytimesover.
Ifyoumakeyourbedeverymorningyouwillhaveaccomplishedthefirsttaskoftheday.Itwill giveyouasmallsenseofpride,anditwillencourageyoutodoanothertaskandanotherand another.Bytheendoftheday,thatonetaskcompletedwillhaveturnedintomanytasks completed.Makingyourbedwillalsoreinforcethefactthatlittlethingsinlifematter.Ifyou can'tdothelittlethingsright,youwillneverdothebigthingsright.
And,ifbychanceyouhaveamiserableday,youwillcomehometoabedthatismade—thatyou made—andamadebedgivesyouencouragementthattomorrowwillbebetter.
Ifyouwanttochangetheworld,startoffbymakingyourbed.
DuringSEALtrainingthestudentsarebrokendownintoboatcrews.Eachcrewisseven students—threeoneachsideofasmallrubberboatandonecoxswaintohelpguidethedingy. Everydayyourboatcrewformsuponthebeachandisinstructedtogetthroughthesurfzone andpaddleseveralmilesdownthecoast.Inthewinter,thesurfoffSanDiegocangettobe8to 10feethighanditisexceedinglydifficulttopaddlethroughtheplungingsurfunlesseveryone digsin.Everypaddlemustbesynchronizedtothestrokecountofthecoxswain.Everyonemust exertequaleffortortheboatwillturnagainstthewaveandbeunceremoniouslydumpedbackon thebeach.
Fortheboattomakeittoitsdestination,everyonemustpaddle.Youcan'tchangetheworld alone—youwillneedsomehelp—andtotrulygetfromyourstartingpointtoyourdestination takesfriends,colleagues,thegoodwillofstrangersandastrongcoxswaintoguideyou.
Ifyouwanttochangetheworld,findsomeonetohelpyoupaddle.
OverafewweeksofdifficulttrainingmySEALclass,whichstartedwith150men,wasdownto just42.Therewerenowsixboatcrewsofsevenmeneach.Iwasintheboatwiththetallguys, butthebestboatcrewwehadwasmadeupofthelittleguys—themunchkincrewwecalled them—noonewasoveraboutfive-foot-five.
ThemunchkinboatcrewhadoneAmericanIndian,oneAfricanAmerican,onePolishAmerican, oneGreekAmerican,oneItalianAmerican,andtwotoughkidsfromtheMidwest.They out-paddled,out-ranandout-swamalltheotherboatcrews.Thebigmenintheotherboatcrews wouldalwaysmakegood-naturedfunofthe tiny little flippers themunchkinsputontheir tiny little feet priortoeveryswim.Butsomehowtheselittleguys,fromeverycornerofthenationand theworld,alwayshadthelastlaugh—swimmingfasterthaneveryoneandreachingtheshore longbeforetherestofus.
SEALtrainingwasagreatequalizer.Nothingmatteredbutyourwilltosucceed.Notyourcolor, notyourethnicbackground,notyoureducationandnotyoursocialstatus.
Ifyouwanttochangetheworld,measureapersonbythesizeoftheirheart,notthesizeoftheir flippers.
Severaltimesaweek,theinstructorswouldlineuptheclassanddoauniforminspection.Itwas exceptionallythorough.Yourhathadtobeperfectlystarched,youruniformimmaculately pressed,andyourbeltbuckleshinyandvoidofanysmudges.Butitseemedthatnomatterhow mucheffortyouputintostarchingyourhat,orpressingyouruniformorpolishingyourbelt buckle—itjustwasn'tgoodenough.Theinstructorswouldfind"something"wrong.
Forfailingtheuniforminspection,thestudenthadtorun,fullyclothedintothesurfzoneand then,wetfromheadtotoe,rollaroundonthebeachuntileverypartofyourbodywascovered withsand.Theeffectwasknownasa"sugarcookie."Youstayedinthatuniformtherestofthe day—cold,wetandsandy.
Thereweremanyastudentwhojustcouldn'tacceptthefactthatalltheireffortswereinvain. Thatnomatterhowhardtheytriedtogettheuniformright,itwasunappreciated.Thosestudents didn'tmakeitthroughtraining.Thosestudentsdidn'tunderstandthepurposeofthedrill.You werenevergoingtosucceed.Youwerenevergoingtohaveaperfectuniform.Theinstructors weren’tgoingtoallowit.
Sometimesnomatterhowwellyouprepareorhowwellyouperformyoustillendupasasugar cookie.It'sjustthewaylifeissometimes.
Ifyouwanttochangetheworld,getoverbeingasugarcookieandkeepmovingforward.
Everydayduringtrainingyouwerechallengedwithmultiplephysicalevents—longruns,long swims,obstaclecourses,hoursofcalisthenics—somethingdesignedtotestyourmettle.Every
eventhadstandards—timesyouhadtomeet.Ifyoufailedtomeetthosestandardsyourname
waspostedonalist,andattheendofthedaythoseonthelistwereinvitedtoa"circus."Acircus wastwohoursofadditionalcalisthenicsdesignedtowearyoudown,tobreakyourspirit,toforce youtoquit. Noonewantedacircus.
Acircusmeantthatforthatdayyoudidn'tmeasureup.Acircusmeantmorefatigue—andmore fatiguemeantthatthefollowingdaywouldbemoredifficult—andmorecircuseswerelikely.
ButatsometimeduringSEALtraining,everyone—everyone—madethecircuslist.
Butaninterestingthinghappenedtothosewhowereconstantlyonthelist.Overtimethose students—whodidtwohoursofextracalisthenics—gotstrongerandstronger.Thepainofthe circusesbuiltinnerstrength,builtphysicalresiliency.
Lifeisfilledwithcircuses.Youwillfail.Youwilllikelyfailoften.Itwillbepainful.Itwillbe discouraging.Attimesitwilltestyoutoyourverycore.
Butifyouwanttochangetheworld,don'tbeafraidofthecircuses.
Atleasttwiceaweek,thetraineeswererequiredtoruntheobstaclecourse.Theobstaclecourse contained25obstaclesincludinga10-foothighwall,a30-footcargonetandabarbedwire crawl,tonameafew Butthemostchallengingobstaclewastheslideforlife.Ithadathree-level 30-foottoweratoneendandaone-leveltowerattheother Inbetweenwasa200-foot-longrope. Youhadtoclimbthethree-tieredtowerandonceatthetop,yougrabbedtherope,swung underneaththeropeandpulledyourselfhandoverhanduntilyougottotheotherend.
Therecordfortheobstaclecoursehadstoodforyearswhenmyclassbegantrainingin1977.The recordseemedunbeatable,untiloneday,astudentdecidedtogodowntheslideforlifehead
first.Insteadofswinginghisbodyunderneaththeropeandinchinghiswaydown,hebravely mountedtheTOPoftheropeandthrusthimselfforward.
Itwasadangerousmove—seeminglyfoolish,andfraughtwithrisk.Failurecouldmeaninjury andbeingdroppedfromthetraining.Withouthesitationthestudentsliddowntheropeperilously fast.Insteadofseveralminutes,itonlytookhimhalfthattimeandbytheendofthecoursehe hadbrokentherecord.
Ifyouwanttochangetheworld,sometimesyouhavetoslidedowntheobstacleheadfirst.
Duringthelandwarfarephaseoftraining,thestudentsareflownouttoSanClementeIsland whichliesoffthecoastofSanDiego.ThewatersoffSanClementeareabreedinggroundforthe greatwhitesharks.TopassSEALtrainingthereareaseriesoflongswimsthatmustbe completed.Oneisthenightswim.
Beforetheswimtheinstructorsjoyfullybriefthetraineesonallthespeciesofsharksthatinhabit thewatersoffSanClemente.Theyassureyou,however,thatnostudenthaseverbeeneatenbya shark—atleastnotrecently.But,youarealsotaughtthatifasharkbeginstocircleyour position—standyourground.Donotswimaway.Donotactafraid.Andiftheshark,hungryfor amidnightsnack,dartstowardsyou—thensummonupallyourstrengthandpunchhiminthe snout,andhewillturnandswimaway.
Therearealotofsharksintheworld.Ifyouhopetocompletetheswimyouwillhavetodeal withthem.
So,ifyouwanttochangetheworld,don'tbackdownfromthesharks.
AsNavySEALsoneofourjobsistoconductunderwaterattacksagainstenemyshipping.We practicedthistechniqueextensivelyduringbasictraining.Theshipattackmissioniswhereapair
ofSEALdiversisdroppedoffoutsideanenemyharborandthenswimswellovertwo miles—underwater—usingnothingbutadepthgaugeandacompasstogettotheirtarget.
Duringtheentireswim,evenwellbelowthesurface,thereissomelightthatcomesthrough.Itis comfortingtoknowthatthereisopenwateraboveyou.Butasyouapproachtheship,whichis tiedtoapier,thelightbeginstofade.Thesteelstructureoftheshipblocksthemoonlight,it blocksthesurroundingstreetlamps,itblocksallambientlight.
Tobesuccessfulinyourmission,youhavetoswimundertheshipandfindthekeel—the centerlineandthedeepestpartoftheship.Thisisyourobjective.Butthekeelisalsothedarkest partoftheship—whereyoucannotseeyourhandinfrontofyourface,wherethenoisefromthe ship'smachineryisdeafeningandwhereitiseasytogetdisorientedandfail.
EverySEALknowsthatunderthekeel,atthedarkestmomentofthemission,isthetimewhen youmustbecalm,composed—whenallyourtacticalskills,yourphysicalpowerandallyour innerstrengthmustbebroughttobear.
Ifyouwanttochangetheworld,youmustbeyourverybestinthedarkestmoments.
Theninthweekoftrainingisreferredtoas"HellWeek."Itissixdaysofnosleep,constant physicalandmentalharassment,andonespecialdayattheMudFlats.TheMudFlatsareanarea betweenSanDiegoandTijuanawherethewaterrunsoffandcreatestheTijuanaslues,aswampy patchofterrainwherethemudwillengulfyou.
ItisonWednesdayofHellWeekthatyoupaddledowntothemudflatsandspendthenext15 hourstryingtosurvivethefreezingcoldmud,thehowlingwindandtheincessantpressureto quitfromtheinstructors.AsthesunbegantosetthatWednesdayevening,mytrainingclass, havingcommittedsome"egregiousinfractionoftherules"wasorderedintothemud.
Themudconsumedeachmantilltherewasnothingvisiblebutourheads.Theinstructorstoldus wecouldleavethemudifonlyfivemenwouldquit—justfivemen—andwecouldgetoutofthe oppressivecold.Lookingaroundthemudflatitwasapparentthatsomestudentswereaboutto giveup.Itwasstillovereighthourstillthesuncameup—eightmorehoursofbone-chilling cold.
Thechatteringteethandshiveringmoansofthetraineesweresolouditwashardtohear anything.Andthen,onevoicebegantoechothroughthenight,onevoiceraisedinsong.The songwasterriblyoutoftune,butsungwithgreatenthusiasm.Onevoicebecametwoandtwo becamethreeandbeforelongeveryoneintheclasswassinging.Weknewthatifonemancould riseabovethemiserythenotherscouldaswell.
Theinstructorsthreateneduswithmoretimeinthemudifwekeptupthesinging,butthe singingpersisted.Andsomehowthemudseemedalittlewarmer,thewindalittletamer,andthe dawnnotsofaraway.
IfIhavelearnedanythinginmytimetravelingtheworld,itisthepowerofhope.Thepowerof oneperson—Washington,Lincoln,King,MandelaandevenayounggirlfromPakistan,Malala onepersoncanchangetheworldbygivingpeoplehope.
So,ifyouwanttochangetheworld,startsingingwhenyou'reuptoyourneckinmud.
Finally,inSEALtrainingthereisabell.Abrassbellthathangsinthecenterofthecompound forallthestudentstosee.Allyouhavetodotoquitisringthebell.
Ringthebellandyounolongerhavetowakeupat5o'clock.Ringthebellandyounolonger havetodothefreezingcoldswims.Ringthebellandyounolongerhavetodotheruns,the obstaclecourse,thePT—andyounolongerhavetoendurethehardshipsoftraining.Allyou havetodoisringthebelltogetout.
Ifyouwanttochangetheworlddon'tever,everringthebell.
Tothegraduatingclassof2014,youaremomentsawayfromgraduating.Momentsawayfrom beginningyourjourneythroughlife.Momentsawayfromstartingtochangetheworld—forthe better.Itwillnotbeeasy.But,YOUaretheclassof2014,theclassthatcanaffectthelivesof 800millionpeopleinthenextcentury.
Starteachdaywithataskcompleted.Findsomeonetohelpyouthroughlife.Respecteveryone. Knowthatlifeisnotfairandthatyouwillfailoften.Butiftakeyoutakesomerisks,stepup whenthetimesaretoughest,facedownthebullies,liftupthedowntroddenandnever,evergive up—ifyoudothesethings,thenthenextgenerationandthegenerationsthatfollowwillliveina worldfarbetterthantheonewehavetoday.Andwhatstartedherewillindeedhavechangedthe world—forthebetter.
SpeechTwo:
Stacey Abrams is an American politician, lawyer, and novelist who served as Minority Leader of the Georgia House of Representatives from 2011 to 2017; she was her party’s nominee in the 2018 Georgia gubernatorial election. Representative Abrams made the following remarks on a Ted Talk in December, 2018.
WhenIwasinhighschoolattheageof17 IgraduatedfromhighschoolinDecatur,Georgia, asvaledictorianofmyhighschool Iwasveryproudofmyself.
Iwasfromalow-incomecommunity,IhadgrownupinMississippi,we’dmovedfrom MississippitoGeorgiasomyparentscouldpursuetheirdegreesasUnitedMethodistministers. Wewerepoor,buttheydidn’tthinkwewerepoorenough,sotheyweregoingforpermanent poverty.Andso,whiletheystudiedatEmory,IstudiedatAvondale,andIbecamevaledictorian. Well,oneofthejoysofbeingvaledictorianinthestateofGeorgiaisthatyougetinvitedtomeet thegovernorofGeorgia.Iwasmildlyinterestedinmeetinghim.Itwaskindofcool.
Iwasmoreintriguedbythefactthathelivedinamansion,becauseIwatchedalotof"General Hospital"and"Dynasty"asachild.AndsoIgotupthatmorning,readytogotovisitthe governor.Mymomandmydad,whowerealsoinvited,gotup,andwewentoutside.Butwe didn’tgetinourcar.Andinthesouth,acarisanecessarything.
Wedon’thavealotofpublictransit,therearen’talotofoptions.Butifyou’reluckyenoughto liveinacommunitywhereyoudon’thaveacar,theonlyoptionispublictransit.Andthat’swhat wehadtotake. Andso,wegotonthebus.AndwetookthebusfromDecaturallthewaytoBuckhead,where theGovernor’sMansionsatonthisreallybeautifulacreageofland,withtheselongblackgates thatranthelengthoftheproperty.
WegettotheGovernor’sMansion,wepullthelittleleverthatletsthemknowthisisourstop,we getoffthebus.Mymom,mydadandI,wewalkacrossthestreet.Wewalkupthedriveway, becausetherearecarscomingup,carsbringinginstudentsfromallacrossthestateofGeorgia. Sowe’rewalkingalongtheside.Andaswewalksinglefilealongtheside,mymomanddad sandwichingmetomakesureIdon’tgethitbyoneofthecarsbringingintheother valedictorians,weapproachtheguardgate.
Whenwegettotheguardgate,theguardcomesout.Helooksatme,andhelooksatmyparents, andhesays,"Youdon’tbelonghere,thisisaprivateevent."
Mydadsays,"No,thisismydaughter,Stacey.She’soneofthevaledictorians."Buttheguard doesn’tlookatthechecklistthat’sinhishands.Hedoesn’taskmymomfortheinvitationthat’s atthebottomofherveryvoluminouspurse.Instead,helooksoverourshoulderatthebus, becauseinhismind,thebusistellinghimastoryaboutwhoshouldbethere.Andthefactthat weweretoopoortohaveourowncar thatwasastoryhetoldhimself.Andhemayhaveseen somethinginmyskincolor,hemayhaveseensomethinginmyattire;Idon’tknowwhatwent throughhismind.Buthisconclusionwastolookatmeagain,andwithalookofdisdain,say,"I toldyou,thisisaprivateevent.Youdon’tbelonghere."
Now,myparentswerestudyingtobecomeUnitedMethodistministers,buttheywerenotpastors yet.Andsotheyproceededtoengagethisgentlemaninaveryrobustdiscussionofhis decision-makingskills.Myfathermayhavementionedthathewasgoingtospendeternityina veryfieryplaceifhedidn’tfindmynameonthatchecklist.Andindeed,themanchecksthe checklisteventually,andhefoundmyname,andheletusinside.
ButIdon’tremembermeetingthegovernorofGeorgia.Idon’trecallmeetingmyfellow valedictoriansfrom180schooldistricts.TheonlyclearmemoryIhaveofthatdaywasaman standinginfrontofthemostpowerfulplaceinGeorgia,lookingatmeandtellingmeIdon’t
belong.Andso,Idecided,20-some-oddyearslater,tobethepersonwhogottoopenthegates.
Unfortunately,youmayhavereadtherestofthestory.Itdidn’tquiteworkoutthatway.
AndnowI’mtaskedwithfiguringout:HowdoImoveforward?Because,yousee,Ididn’tjust wanttoopenthegatesforyoungblackwomenwhohadbeenunderestimatedandtoldtheydon’t belong.IwantedtoopenthosegatesforLatinasandforAsianAmericans.Iwantedtoopen thosegatesfortheundocumentedandthedocumented.Iwantedtoopenthosegatesasanallyof everycommunity.Iwantedtoopenthosegatesforthefamiliesthathavetocallthemselvesthe victimsofgunviolence.IwantedtoopenthosegateswideforeveryoneinGeorgia,becausethat isourstate,andthisisournation,andweallbelonghere.ButwhatIrecognizedisthatthefirst trywasn’tenough.Andmyquestionbecame:HowdoImoveforward?HowdoIgetbeyondthe bitternessandthesadnessandthelethargyandwatchinganinordinateamountoftelevisionasI eaticecream?
WhatdoIdonext?AndI’mgoingtodowhatI’vealwaysdone.I’mgoingtomoveforward, becausegoingbackwardsisn’tanoptionandstandingstillisnotenough.Yousee,Ibeganmy raceforgovernorbyanalyzingwhoIwasandwhatIwantedtobe.
AndtherearethreequestionsIaskmyselfabouteverythingIdo,whetherit’srunningforoffice orstartingabusiness;whenIdecidedtostarttheNewGeorgiaProjecttoregisterpeopletovote; orwhenIstartedthelatestaction,FairFightGeorgiaNomatterwhatIdo,Iaskmyselfthree questions:WhatdoIwant?WhydoIwantit?AndhowdoIgetit?Andinthiscase,Iknow whatIwant.Iwantchange.ThatiswhatIwant.Butthequestionis:WhatchangedoIwantto see?AndIknowthatthequestionsIhavetoaskmyselfare:One,amIhonestaboutthescopeof myambition?Becauseit’seasytofigureoutthatonceyoudidn’tgetwhatyouwanted,then maybeyoushouldhavesetyoursightsalittlelower,butI’mheretotellyoutobeaggressive aboutyourambition.
Donotallowsetbackstosetyouback.
Numbertwo,letyourselfunderstandyourmistakes.Butalsounderstandtheirmistakes,because, aswomeninparticular,we’retaughtthatifsomethingdoesn’tworkout,it’sprobablyourfault. Andusually,thereissomethingwecoulddobetter,butwe’vebeentoldnottoinvestigatetoo muchwhattheothersidecouldhavedone.Andthisisn’tpartisan it’speople.We’retoooften toldthatourmistakesareoursalone,butvictoryisasharedbenefit.Andso,whatItellyoutodo isunderstandyourmistakes,butunderstandthemistakesofothers.Andbeclearheadedaboutit. Andbehonestwithyourselfandhonestwiththosewhosupportyou.Butonceyouknowwhat youwant,understandwhyyouwantit.Andeventhoughitfeelsgood,revengeisnotagood reason.Instead,makesureyouwantitbecausethere’ssomethingnotthatyoushoulddo,but somethingyoumustdo.Ithastobesomethingthatdoesn’tallowyoutosleepatnightunless you’redreamingaboutit;somethingthatwakesyouupinthemorningandgetsyouexcited aboutit;orsomethingthatmakesyousoangry,youknowyouhavetodosomethingaboutit.But knowwhyyou’redoingit.Andknowwhyitmustbedone.You’velistenedtowomenfrom acrossthisworldtalkaboutwhythingshavetohappen.Butfigureoutwhatthe"why"isforyou, becausejumpingfromthe"what"tothe"do"ismeaninglessifyoudon’tknowwhy.Because whenitgetshard,whenitgetstough,whenyourfriendswalkawayfromyou,whenyour supportersforgetyou,whenyoudon’twinyourfirstrace ifyoudon’tknowwhy,youcan’t tryagain.
So,firstknowwhatyouwant.Second,knowwhyyouwantit,butthird,knowhowyou’regoing togetitdone.
Ifacedafewobstaclesinthisrace.Justafew.Butinthepursuit,Ibecamethefirstblackwoman toeverbecomethenomineeforgovernorinthehistoryoftheUnitedStatesofAmericafora majorparty.Butmoreimportantly,inthisprocess,weturnedout12millionAfricanAmerican votersinGeorgia.ThatismorevotersthanvotedontheDemocraticsideoftheticketin2014.
OurcampaigntripledthenumberofLatinoswhobelievedtheirvoicesmatteredinthestateof Georgia.WetripledthenumberofAsianAmericanswhostoodupandsaid,"Thisisourstate, too."ThosearesuccessesthattellmehowIcangetitdone.Buttheyalsoletmeunderstandthe obstaclesaren’tinsurmountable.They’rejustalittlehigh.ButIalsounderstandthatthereare threethingsthatalwaysholdushostage.Thefirstisfinances.Now,youmayhaveheard,I’mina littlebitofdebt.Ifyoudidn’thearaboutit,youdidnotgooutside.Andfinancesaresomething thatholdsusbacksooften,ourdreamsareboundbyhowmuchwehaveinresources.Butwe hearagainandagainthestoriesofthosewhoovercomethoseresourcechallenges.Butyoucan’t overcomesomethingyoudon’ttalkabout.Andthat’swhyIdidn’tallowthemtodebt-shameme inmycampaign.Ididn’tallowanyonetotellmethatmylackofopportunitywasareasonto disqualifymefromrunning.Andbelieveme,peopletriedtotellmeIshouldn’trun.Friendstold menottorun.Alliestoldmenottorun."USAToday"mentioned[that]maybeIshouldn’trun. Butnomatterwhoitwas,Iunderstoodthatfinancesareoftenareasonwedon’tletourselves dream. Ican’tsaythatyouwillalwaysovercomethoseobstacles,butIwilltellyou,youwillbedamned ifyoudonottry.
Thesecondisfear.Andfearisreal.Itisparalyzing.Itisterrifying.Butitcanalsobeenergizing, becauseonceyouknowwhatyou’reafraidof,youcanfigureouthowtogetaroundit.
Andthethirdisfatigue.Sometimesyoujustgettiredoftrying.Yougettiredofreadingabout processesandpoliticsandthethingsthatstopyoufromgettingwhereyouwanttobe. Sometimes,fatiguemeansthatweacceptpositioninsteadofpower.
Weletsomeonegiveusatitleasaconsolationprize,ratherthanrealizingweknowwhatwe wantandwe’regoingtogetit,evenifwe’retired.That’swhyGodcreatednaps.Butwealso learninthosemomentsthatfatigueisanopportunitytoevaluatehowmuchwewantit.Because
ifyouarebeatendown,ifyouhaveworkedashardasyoucan,ifyouhavedoneeverythingyou saidyoushould,anditstilldoesn’tworkout,fatiguecansapyouofyourenergy.Butthat’swhy yougobacktothe"why"ofit.BecauseIknowwehavetohavewomenwhospeakforthe voiceless.Iknowwehavetohavepeopleofgoodconsciencewhostandupagainstoppression.I knowwehavetohavepeoplewhounderstandthatsocialjusticebelongstousall.Andthat wakesmeupeverymorning,andthatmakesmefightevenharder.BecauseIammoving forward,knowingwhatisinmypast.Iknowtheobstaclestheyhaveforme.Iknowwhatthey’re goingtodo,andI’mfairlycertainthey’reenergizingandcreatingnewobstaclesnow.But they’vegotfouryearstofigureitout.Maybetwo.Buthere’smypoint:IknowwhatIwant,and thatisjustice.IknowwhyIwantit,becausepovertyisimmoral,anditisastainonournation.
AndIknowhowI’mgoingtogetit:bymovingforwardeverysingleday Thankyousomuch.
SpeechThree:
On July 12, 2013, Malala Yousafzai made the following speech at the United Nations Youth Assembly in New York, New York.
InthenameofGod,themostbeneficent,themostmerciful.
HonorableUNSecretaryGeneralMrBanKi-moon,respectedpresidentoftheGeneralAssembly VukJeremic,honorableUNenvoyforglobaleducationMr.GordonBrown,respectedeldersand mydearbrothersandsisters:Assalamualaikum.
Todayitisanhonorformetobespeakingagainafteralongtime.Beingherewithsuch honorablepeopleisagreatmomentinmylifeanditisanhonorformethattodayIamwearinga shawlofthelateBenazirBhutto.Idon’tknowwheretobeginmyspeech.Idon’tknowwhat peoplewouldbeexpectingmetosay,butfirstofallthankyoutoGodforwhomweallareequal andthankyoutoeverypersonwhohasprayedformyfastrecoveryandnewlife.Icannot believehowmuchlovepeoplehaveshownme.Ihavereceivedthousandsofgood-wishcards andgiftsfromallovertheworld.Thankyoutoallofthem.Thankyoutothechildrenwhose innocentwordsencouragedme.Thankyoutomyelderswhoseprayersstrengthenedme.Iwould liketothankmynurses,doctorsandthestaffofthehospitalsinPakistanandtheUKandthe UAEgovernmentwhohavehelpedmetogetbetterandrecovermystrength.
IfullysupportUNSecretaryGeneralBanKi-mooninhisGlobalEducationFirstInitiativeand theworkofUNSpecialEnvoyforGlobalEducationGordonBrownandtherespectfulpresident oftheUNGeneralAssemblyVukJeremic.Ithankthemfortheleadershiptheycontinuetogive. Theycontinuetoinspireallofustoaction.
Dearbrothersandsisters,dorememberonething:MalalaDayisnotmyday.Todayisthedayof everywoman,everyboyandeverygirlwhohasraisedtheirvoicefortheirrights.Thereare
hundredsofhumanrightsactivistsandsocialworkerswhoarenotonlyspeakingfortheirrights, butwhoarestrugglingtoachievetheirgoalofpeace,educationandequality.Thousandsof peoplehavebeenkilledbytheterroristsandmillionshavebeeninjured.Iamjustoneofthem. SohereIstand,onegirlamongmany.Ispeaknotformyself,butsothosewithoutavoicecanbe heard.Thosewhohavefoughtfortheirrights.Theirrighttoliveinpeace.Theirrighttobe treatedwithdignity.Theirrighttoequalityofopportunity.Theirrighttobeeducated.
Dearfriends,on9October2012,theTalibanshotmeontheleftsideofmyforehead.Theyshot myfriends,too.Theythoughtthatthebulletswouldsilenceus,buttheyfailed.Andoutofthat silencecamethousandsofvoices.Theterroriststhoughttheywouldchangemyaimsandstop myambitions.Butnothingchangedinmylifeexceptthis:weakness,fearandhopelessnessdied. Strength,powerandcouragewasborn.IamthesameMalala.Myambitionsarethesame.My hopesarethesame.Andmydreamsarethesame.Dearsistersandbrothers,Iamnotagainst anyone.NeitheramIheretospeakintermsofpersonalrevengeagainsttheTalibanoranyother terroristgroup.Iamheretospeakfortherightofeducationforeverychild.Iwanteducationfor thesonsanddaughtersoftheTalibanandalltheterroristsandextremists.Idonotevenhatethe Talibwhoshotme.Eveniftherewasaguninmyhandandhewasstandinginfrontofme,I wouldnotshoothim.ThisisthecompassionIhavelearnedfromMohamed,theprophetof mercy,JesusChrist,andLordBuddha.ThisisthelegacyofchangeIhaveinheritedfromMartin LutherKing,NelsonMandelaandMohammedAliJinnah.Thisisthephilosophyofnonviolence thatIhavelearnedfromGandhi,BachaKhan,andMotherTeresa.Andthisistheforgiveness thatIhavelearnedfrommyfatherandfrommymother Thisiswhatmysoulistellingme:be peacefulandloveeveryone.
Dearsistersandbrothers,werealizetheimportanceoflightwhenweseedarkness.Werealize theimportanceofourvoicewhenwearesilenced.Inthesameway,whenwewereinSwat,the northofPakistan,werealizedtheimportanceofpensandbookswhenwesawtheguns.The
wisesaying,"Thepenismightierthanthesword."Itistrue.Theextremistsareafraidofbooks andpens.Thepowerofeducationfrightensthem.Theyareafraidofwomen.Thepowerofthe voiceofwomenfrightensthem.Thisiswhytheykilled14innocentstudentsintherecentattack inQuetta.Andthatiswhytheykillfemaleteachers.Thatiswhytheyareblastingschoolsevery daybecausetheywereandtheyareafraidofchangeandequalitythatwewillbringtoour society.AndIrememberthattherewasaboyinourschoolwhowasaskedbyajournalist:"Why aretheTalibanagainsteducation?"Heansweredverysimplybypointingtohisbook,hesaid:"A Talibdoesn’tknowwhatiswritteninsidethisbook."
TheythinkthatGodisatiny,littleconservativebeingwhowouldpointgunsatpeople’sheads justforgoingtoschool.TheseterroristsaremisusingthenameofIslamfortheirownpersonal benefit.Pakistanisapeace-loving,democraticcountry.Pashtunswanteducationfortheir daughtersandsons.Islamisareligionofpeace,humanityandbrotherhood.Itisthedutyand responsibilitytogeteducationforeachchild,thatiswhatitsays.Peaceisanecessityfor education.Inmanypartsoftheworld,especiallyPakistanandAfghanistan,terrorism,warand conflictsstopchildrenfromgoingtoschools.Wearereallytiredofthesewars.Womenand childrenaresufferinginmanywaysinmanypartsoftheworld.
InIndia,innocentandpoorchildrenarevictimsofchildlabour.Manyschoolshavebeen destroyedinNigeria.PeopleinAfghanistanhavebeenaffectedbyextremism.Younggirlshave tododomesticchildlabourandareforcedtogetmarriedatanearlyage.Poverty,ignorance, injustice,racismandthedeprivationofbasicrightsarethemainproblems,facedbybothmen andwomen.Today,Iamfocusingonwomen’srightsandgirls’educationbecausetheyare sufferingthemost.Therewasatimewhenwomenactivistsaskedmentostandupfortheir rights.Butthistimewewilldoitbyourselves.Iamnottellingmentostepawayfromspeaking forwomen’srights,butIamfocusingonwomentobeindependentandfightforthemselves.So dearsistersandbrothers,nowit’stimetospeakup.Sotoday,wecallupontheworldleadersto
changetheirstrategicpoliciesinfavourofpeaceandprosperity.Wecallupontheworldleaders thatallofthesedealsmustprotectwomenandchildren’srights.Adealthatgoesagainstthe rightsofwomenisunacceptable.
Wecalluponallgovernmentstoensurefree,compulsoryeducationallovertheworldforevery child.Wecalluponallthegovernmentstofightagainstterrorismandviolence.Toprotect childrenfrombrutalityandharm.Wecalluponthedevelopednationstosupporttheexpansionof educationopportunitiesforgirlsinthedevelopingworld.Wecalluponallcommunitiestobe tolerant,torejectprejudicebasedoncaste,creed,sect,colour,religionoragendatoensure freedomandequalityforwomensotheycanflourish.Wecannotallsucceedwhenhalfofusare heldback.Wecalluponoursistersaroundtheworldtobebrave,toembracethestrengthwithin themselvesandrealizetheirfullpotential.Dearbrothersandsisters,wewantschoolsand educationforeverychild’sbrightfuture.Wewillcontinueourjourneytoourdestinationof peaceandeducation.Noonecanstopus.Wewillspeakupforourrightsandwewillbring changetoourvoice.Webelieveinthepowerandthestrengthofourwords.Ourwordscan changethewholeworldbecausewearealltogether,unitedforthecauseofeducation.Andifwe wanttoachieveourgoal,thenletusempowerourselveswiththeweaponofknowledgeandlet usshieldourselveswithunityandtogetherness.
Dearbrothersandsisters,wemustnotforgetthatmillionsofpeoplearesufferingfrompoverty andinjusticeandignorance.Wemustnotforgetthatmillionsofchildrenareoutoftheirschools. Wemustnotforgetthatoursistersandbrothersarewaitingforabright,peacefulfuture.
Soletuswageagloriousstruggleagainstilliteracy,povertyandterrorism,letuspickupour booksandourpens,theyarethemostpowerfulweapons.Onechild,oneteacher,onebookand onepencanchangetheworld.Educationistheonlysolution.
Educationfirst.Thankyou.
SpeechFour:
On September 17, 2009, President Barack Obama delivered the following speech at the Presentation of the Medal of Honor ceremony at the White House in Washington, DC.
THEPRESIDENT:Pleasebeseated.Goodafternoon,andwelcometotheWhiteHouse.
OfalltheprivilegesservingasPresident,there'snogreaterhonorthanservingas Commander-in-Chiefofthefinestmilitarythattheworldhaseverknown.Andofallthemilitary decorationsthataPresidentandanationcanbestow,thereisnonehigherthantheMedalof Honor.
Ithasbeennearly150yearssinceournationfirstpresentedthismedalforconspicuousgallantry andintrepidityinactionattheriskoflifeaboveandbeyondthecallofduty Andinthosenearly 150years throughcivilwarandtwoworldwars,KoreaandVietnam,DesertStormand Somalia,AfghanistanandIraq,andcountlessbattlesinbetween tensofmillionsofAmericans haveworntheuniform.Butfewerthan3,500havebeenrecognizedwiththeMedalofHonor Andinourtime,theseremarkableAmericansareliterallyoneinamillion.Andtodaywe recognizeanother SergeantFirstClassJaredC.Monti.
TheMedalofHonorreflectstheadmirationandgratitudeofthenation.Sowearejoinedby membersofCongress includingfromSergeantMonti'shomestateofMassachusetts,Senator JohnKerryandCongressmanBarneyFrank.We'rejoinedbyourSecretaryofDefenseRobert Gates,ChairmanoftheJointChiefsofStaffAdmiralMikeMullen,andleadersfromacrossthe ArmedForces.
WearejoinedbytheleadersoftheArmytowhichSergeantMontidedicatedhislife:Secretary PeteGeren;ourincomingSecretary confirmedbytheSenatelastnight JohnMcHugh;Chief ofStaffGeneralGeorgeCasey;SergeantMajoroftheArmyKenPreston;andJared'sfellow soldiersandcommandersfromthelegendary10thMountainDivision.Andwearejoinedby thosewhonowwelcomeSergeantMontiintotheirstoriedranks--membersoftheMedalof HonorSociety.
Buttodayisnotabouthighofficialsandthosewithstarsontheirshoulders.It'sacelebrationofa youngsoldierandthosewholovedhim,whomadehimintothemanhewasandwhojoinus today.HismotherJanet;hisfatherPaul;hisbrotherTim;andhissisterNiccole andfromhis grandmotherMarjorietohissix-yearoldnieceCarys,andcousinsandauntsandunclesfrom acrossAmerica morethan120proudfamilyandfriends.
Duty Honor Country Service.Sacrifice.Heroism.Thesearewordsofweight.Butaspeople asapeopleandasaculture,weofteninvokethemlightly Wetossthemaroundfreely Butdowe reallygraspthemeaningofthesevalues?Dowetrulyunderstandthenatureofthesevirtues?To serve,andtosacrifice.JaredMontiknew TheMontifamilyknows.Andtheyknowthatthe actionswehonortodaywerenotapassingmomentofcourage.Theyweretheculminationofa lifeofcharacterandcommitment.
TherewasJared'scompassion.Hewasthekidatschoolwho,uponseeingastudenteatinglunch alone,wouldwalkoverandbefriendhim.Hewastheteenagerwhocutdownasprucetreeinhis yardsoasinglemomintownwouldhaveaChristmastreeforherchildren.Heevenboughtthe ornamentsandthepresents.HewasthesoldierinAfghanistanwhoreceivedcarepackages, includingfreshclothes,andgavethemawaytoAfghanchildrenwhoneededthemmore.
TherewasJared'sperseverance.Cutfromthehighschoolbasketballteam,hecamebackthenext year,andthenextyear,andthenextyear threetimes finallymakingvarsityandoutscoring someofthetopplayers.Toldhewastooyoungforthemilitary,hejoinedtheNationalGuard's delayedentryprogramasajuniorinhighschool.Andthatsummer,whileotherkidswereatthe beach,Jaredwasdoingdrills.
TherewasJared'sstrengthandskill--thechampionshipwrestlerandtriathletewhowentoffto basictraining,just18yearsold,andthenservedwithdistinctionasaforwardobserver,withthe heavyresponsibilityofcallinginairstrikes.HereturnedfromhisfirsttourinAfghanistanhighly decorated,includingaBronzeStarandArmyCommendationMedalforvalor.
AndtherewasJared'sdeepandabidingloveforhisfellowsoldiers.Maybeitcamefromhis mom,whowasanurse.Maybeitcamefromhisdad,ateacher Guidedbythelessonshelearned athome,JaredbecametheconsummateNCO thenoncommissionedofficercaringforhis soldiersandteachinghistroops.Hecalledthemhis"boys."Andalthoughobviouslyhewasstill younghimself,someofthemcalledhim"grandpa."(Laughter.)
Compassion.Perseverance.Strength.Aloveforhisfellowsoldiers.Thosearethevaluesthat definedJaredMonti'slife andthevalueshedisplayedintheactionsthatwerecognizehere today
ItwasJune21st,2006,intheremotestnortheastofAfghanistan,neartheborderwithPakistan.
SergeantMontiwasateamleaderona16-manpatrol.They'dbeenonthemoveforthreedays downdirtroads;sloshingthroughrivers;hikingupsteepmountaintrails,theirheavygearon theirbacks;movingatnightandintheearlymorningtoavoidthescorching100-degreeheat.
Theirmission:tokeepwatchonthevalleydownbelowinadvanceofanoperationtoclearthe areaofmilitants.
Thosewhowerethererememberthateveningonthemountain--arockyridge,notmuchbigger thanthisroom.Somewerestandingguard,knowingtheyhadbeenspottedbyamaninthe valley.SomewerepassingoutMREsandwater.Therewastalkofhomeandplansforleave.
JaredwasoverheardrememberinghistimeservinginKorea.Then,justbeforedark,therewasa shuffleoffeetinthewoods.Andthat'swhenthetreelineexplodedinawalloffire.
Onememberofthepatrolsaiditwas"likethousandsofriflescrackling."Bulletsandheavy machinegunfirericochetingacrosstherocks.Rocket-propelledgrenadesrainingdown.Fireso intensethatweaponswereshotrightoutoftheirhands.Withinminutes,onesoldierwaskilled; anotherwaswounded.Everyonedoveforcover Behindatree.Arock.Astonewall.Thispatrol of16menwasfacingaforceofsome50fighters.Outnumbered,theriskwasreal.Theymightbe overrun.Theymightnotmakeitoutalive.
That'swhenJaredMontididwhathewastrainedtodo.Withtheenemyadvancing soclose theycouldheartheirvoices hegotonhisradioandstartedcallinginartillery Whentheenemy triedtoflankthem,hegrabbedagunanddrovethemback.Andwhentheycamebackagain,he tossedagrenadeanddrovethembackagain.AndwhentheseAmericansoldierssawoneoftheir own wounded,lyingintheopen,some20yardsaway,exposedtotheapproachingenemy JaredMontididsomethingnoamountoftrainingcaninstill.Hispatrolleadersaidhe'dgo,but Jaredsaid,"No,heismysoldier,I'mgoingtogethim."
Itwaswrittenlongagothat"thebravestaresurelythosewhohavetheclearestvisionofwhatis beforethem,gloryanddangeralike,andyet,notwithstanding,goouttomeetit."JaredMonti sawthedangerbeforehim.Andhewentouttomeetit.
Hehandedoffhisradio.Hetightenedhischinstrap.Andwithhismenprovidingcover,Jared roseandstartedtorun.Intoallthoseincomingbullets.Intoallthoserockets.UponseeingJared, theenemyinthewoodsunleashedafirestorm.Hemovedlowandfast,yardafteryard,thendove behindastonewall. Amomentlater,heroseagain.Andagaintheyfiredeverythingtheyhadathim,forcinghim back.Facedwithoverwhelmingenemyfire,Jaredcouldhavestayedwherehewas,behindthat wall.ButthatwasnotthekindofsoldierJaredMontiwas.Heembodiedthatcreedallsoldiers strivetomeet:"Iwillalwaysplacethemissionfirst.Iwillneveracceptdefeat.Iwillneverquit.I willneverleaveafallencomrade."Andso,forathirdtime,herose.Forathirdtime,heran towardhisfallencomrade.Saidhispatrolleader,it"wasthebravestthingIhadeverseena soldierdo."
Theysayitwasarocket-propelledgrenade;thatJaredmadeitwithinafewyardsofhiswounded soldier Theysaythathisfinalwords,thereonthatridgefarfromhome,wereofhisfaithandhis family:"I'vemadepeacewithGod.TellmyfamilythatIlovethem."
Andthen,astheartillerythatJaredhadcalledincamedown,theenemyfireslowed,then stopped.Thepatrolhaddefeatedtheattack.Theyhadheldon butnotwithoutaprice.Bythe endofthenight,Jaredandthreeothers,includingthesoldierhediedtryingtosave,hadgiven theirlives.
I'mtoldthatJaredwasaveryhumbleguy;thathewouldhavebeenuncomfortablewithallthis attention;thathe'dsayhewasjustdoinghisjob;andthathe'dwanttosharethismomentwith otherswhoweretherethatday.Andso,asJaredwouldhavewanted,wealsopaytributetothose whofellalongsidehim:StaffSergeantPatrickLybert.PrivateFirstClassBrianBradbury.Staff SergeantHeatheCraig.
Andwehonorallthesoldiershelovedandwholovedhimback--amongthem noncommissionedofficerswhoreminduswhytheArmyhasdesignatedthis"TheYearofthe NCO"inhonorofallthosesergeantswhoarethebackboneofAmerica'sArmy.TheyareJared's friendsandfellowsoldierswatchingthisceremonytodayinAfghanistan.Theyarethesoldiers whothismorningheldtheirownceremonyonanAfghanmountainatthepostthatnowbearshis name CombatOutpostMonti.Andtheyarehis"boys" survivingmembersofJared'spatrol, fromthe10thMountainDivision whoareherewithustoday AndIwouldaskthemallto pleasestand.(Applause.)
LikeJared,thesesoldiersknowthemeaningofduty,andofhonor,ofcountry LikeJared,they remindusallthatthepriceoffreedomisgreat.Andbytheirdeedstheychallengeevery Americantoaskthisquestion:Whatwecandotobebettercitizens?Whatcanwedotobe worthyofsuchserviceandsuchsacrifice?
SergeantFirstClassJaredC.Monti.InhisproudhometownofRaynham,hisnamegracesstreets andscholarships.Acrossagratefulnation,itgracesparksandmilitaryposts.Fromthisday forward,itwillgracethememorialstoourMedalofHonorheroes.Andthisweek,whenJared Montiwouldhavecelebratedhis34thbirthday,weknowthathisnameandlegacywilllive forever,andshinebrightest,intheheartsofhisfamilyandfriendswhowilllovehimalways.
MayGodblessJaredMonti,andmayHecomforttheentireMontifamily.AndmayGodbless theUnitedStatesofAmerica.(Applause.)
Janet,Paul,wouldyoupleasejoinmeatthepodiumforthereadingofthecitation.
The citation is read:ThePresidentoftheUnitedStatesofAmerica,authorizedbyActof Congress,March3rd,1863,hasawardedinthenameofCongresstheMedalofHonortoStaff SergeantJaredC.Monti,UnitedStatesArmy.
Forconspicuousgallantryandintrepidityattheriskofhislifeaboveandbeyondthecallofduty:
StaffSergeantJaredC.Montidistinguishedhimselfbyactsofgallantryandintrepidityabove andbeyondthecallofdutywhileservingasateamleaderwithHeadquartersandHeadquarters troop,3rdSquadron,71stCavalryRegiment,3rdBrigadeCombatTeam,10thMountain Division,inconnectionwithcombatoperationsagainstanenemyinNuristanProvince, Afghanistan,onJune21st,2006.WhileStaffSergeantMontiwasleadingamissionaimedat gatheringintelligenceanddirectingfireagainsttheenemy,his16-manpatrolwasattackedbyas manyas50enemyfighters.Onthevergeofbeingoverrun,StaffSergeantMontiquicklydirected hismentosetupadefensivepositionbehindarockformation.Hethencalledforindirectfire support,accuratelytargetingtheroundsupontheenemywhohadclosedtowithin50metersof hisposition.Whilestilldirectingfire,StaffSergeantMontipersonallyengagedtheenemywith hisrifleandagrenade,successfullydisruptinganattempttoflankhispatrol.StaffSergeant Montithenrealizedthatoneofhissoldierswaslyingwoundingontheopengroundbetweenthe advancingenemyandthepatrol'sposition.Withcompletedisregardforhisownsafety,Staff SergeantMontitwiceattemptedtomovefrombehindthecoveroftherocksintothefaceof relentlessenemyfiretorescuehisfallencomrade.Determinednottoleavehissoldier,Staff
SergeantMontimadeathirdattempttocrossopenterrainthroughintenseenemyfire.Onthis finalattempt,hewasmortallywounded,sacrificinghisownlifeinanefforttosavehisfellow soldier.StaffSergeantMonti'sselflessactsofheroisminspiredhispatroltofightoffthelarger enemyforce.StaffSergeantMonti'simmeasurablecourageanduncommonvalorareinkeeping withthehighesttraditionsofmilitaryserviceandreflectgreatcredituponhimself,Headquarters andHeadquartersTroop,3rdSquadron,71stCalvaryRegiment,3rdBrigadeCombatTeam,10th MountainDivision,andtheUnitedStatesArmy.
SpeechFive:
On March 4, 1993, Jim Valvano was awarded the inaugural Arthur Ashe Courage and Humanitarian Award at the first annual ESPY Awards. Accepting the award, he delivered the following speech.
Thankyou,Thankyouverymuch.…Ican’ttellyouwhatanhonoritis,toevenbementionedin thesamebreathwithArthurAshe.ThisissomethingIcertainlywilltreasureforever.But,asit wassaidonthetape….I’mgoingtospeaklongerthananybodyelsehasspokentonight.That’s thewayitgoes.Timeisveryprecioustome.Idon’tknowhowmuchIhaveleftandIhavesome thingsthatIwouldliketosay.Hopefully,attheend,Iwillhavesaidsomethingthatwillbe importanttootherpeopletoo.
Whenpeoplesaytomehowdoyougetthroughlifeoreachday,it’sthesamething.Tome,there arethreethingsweallshoulddoeveryday Weshoulddothiseverydayofourlives.Number oneislaugh.Youshouldlaugheveryday Numbertwoisthink.Youshouldspendsometimein thought.Numberthreeis,youshouldhaveyouremotionsmovedtotears,couldbehappinessor joy Butthinkaboutit.Ifyoulaugh,youthink,andyoucry,that’safullday That’saheckofa day Youdothatsevendaysaweek,you’regoingtohavesomethingspecial.
Ialwayshavetothinkaboutwhat’simportantinlifetomearethesethreethings.Whereyou started,whereyouareandwhereyou’regoingtobe.WhenIthinkofwhereIstarted,Ihaveto rememberthefirstspeechIevergave.IwascoachingatRutgersUniversity,thatwasmyfirst job,andIwasthefreshmancoach.That’swhenfreshmenplayedonfreshmanteams,andIwas sofiredupaboutmyfirstjob….TheveryfirsttimeIstoodinthelockerroomtogiveapeptalk. That’saspecialplace,thelockerroom,foracoachtogiveatalk.Somyidolasacoachwas VinceLombardi…LombarditalkedaboutthefirsttimehespokebeforehisGreenBayPackers teaminthelockerroom,andtheywereperenniallosers.Hewantedittobeemotional,soit wouldbebrief.Sohere’swhathedid.Normallyyougetinthelockerroom,Idon’tknow,
twenty-fiveminutes,ahalfhourbeforetheteamtakesthefield,youdoyourlittlexando’s,and thenyougivethegreatKnuteRocknetalk.Yougetyoursquadready….Lombardi,what hesaidwashedidn’tgoin,hewaited.Histeamwondering,whereishe?Whereisthisgreat coach?He’snotthere.Tenminuteshe’sstillnotthere.Threeminutesbeforetheycouldtakethe fieldLombardicomesin,bangsthedooropen,andHewalkedinandhewalkedbackandforth, likethis,justwalked,staringattheplayers.Hesaid,"Alleyesonme."andhesaid"Gentlemen, wewillbesuccessfulthisyear,ifyoucanfocusonthreethings,andthreethingsonly.Your family,yourreligionandtheGreenBayPackers."Theyknockedthewallsdownandtherestwas history.Isaid,that’sbeautiful.I’mgoingtodothat.Yourfamily,yourreligionandRutgers basketball….I’mpracticingoutsideofthelockerroom…Notyet,notyet,family,religion, RutgersBasketball.Alleyesonme.Igotit,Igotit.Thenfinally,threeminutes…Igotoknock thedoorsopenjustlikeLombardi.Boom!Theydon’topen.Ialmostbrokemyarm.NowIwas down,theplayerswerelooking.Helpthecoachout,helphimout.NowIdidlikeLombardi,I walkedbackandforth,andIwasgoinglikethatwithmyarmgettingthefeelingbackinit.
FinallyIsaid,"Gentlemen,alleyesonme."Thesekidswantedtoplay,they’renineteen."Let’s go,"Isaid."Gentlemen,we’llbesuccessfulthisyearifyoucanfocusonthreethings,andthree thingsonly Yourfamily,yourreligionandtheGreenBayPackers,"Itoldthem..Iremember that.IrememberwhereIcamefrom.
It’ssoimportanttoknowwhereyouare.IknowwhereIamrightnow Howdoyougofrom whereyouaretowhereyouwanttobe?Ithinkyouhavetohaveanenthusiasmforlife.You havetohaveadream,agoal.Youhavetobewillingtoworkforit.
Ijustgotonelastthing,Iurgeallofyou,allofyou,toenjoyyourlife,thepreciousmomentsyou have.Tospendeachdaywithsomelaughterandsomethought,togetyouremotionsgoing.To beenthusiasticeverydayandasRalphWaldoEmersonsaid,"Nothinggreatcouldbe accomplishedwithoutenthusiasm,"tokeepyourdreamsaliveinspiteofproblemswhateveryou have.Theabilitytobeabletoworkhardforyourdreamstocometrue,tobecomeareality.
NowIlookatwhereIamnowandIknowwhatIwanttodo….Weneedmoneyforresearch.It maynotsavemylife.Itmaysavemychildren’slives.Itmaysavesomeoneyoulove.…-weare startingtheJimmyVFoundationforCancerResearch.Anditsmottois"Don’tgiveup,don’t evergiveup."….I’mgoingtoworkashardasIcanforcancerresearchandhopefully,maybe, we’llhavesomecuresandsomebreakthroughs.
I’dliketothink,I’mgoingtofightmybrainsouttobebackhereagainnextyearfortheArthur
Asherecipient.Iwanttogiveitnextyear!
Iknow,Igottago,Igottago,andIgotonelastthingandIsaiditbefore,andIwanttosayit again.Cancercantakeawayallmyphysicalabilities.Itcannottouchmymind,itcannottouch myheartanditcannottouchmysoul.Andthosethreethingsaregoingtocarryonforever. IthankyouandGodblessyouall.