>>~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
> >>SUMMARY: A Canadian citizen comments on his son's graduation at USAFA.
> >>**************************************
> >>Retransmitted from the Calgary Canada Herald without comment.
> >>
> >>BY: David Bly, Calgary Herald, COLORADO SPRINGS -
> >>
> >>The day Bill Clinton came to the United States Air Force Academy at
> >>Colorado
> >>Springs, I stood, cameras in hand, near a wall upon which was engraved
the
> >>academy's code of honor: "We will not lie, steal or cheat, nor tolerate
> >>among us anyone who does." If only the U.S. president would wander past
> >>that
> >>wall, I thought. A photo like that could ensure me a comfortable
> >>retirement.
> >>
> >>Clinton and I were at the academy this month for the graduation of the
> >>Class
> >>of 1999, he as commander-in-chief of the U.S. armed forces, and I as the
> >>father of one of the 944 graduates. As my wife, Janet, is a U.S.
citizen,
> >>my
> >>children have their choice of citizenship. Our son Brandon, wanting a
> >>career
> >>in aviation, applied to the air force academy because there is no
> >>comparable
> >>opportunity anywhere in the world. He graduated with a degree in
> >>aeronautical engineering, was commissioned as an air force officer and
> will
> >>begin training as a jet pilot next spring.
> >>
> >>Graduation from any university is an achievement worth celebrating. At
the
> >>USAFA, it's the culmination of four grueling years of study, training
and
> >>discipline. Some don't make it for physical, academic or emotional
> reasons.
> >>A few decide, after two years, they would rather choose another path.
Some
> >>are expelled for violating the honor code. The USAFA rates high
> >>academically, but its aim is more than academics strives to develop
moral
> >>and ethical leadership. As cadets pursue their degrees of choice, they
are
> >>being trained to become air force officers. Integrity and a high
standard
> >>of
> >>conduct are expected.
> >>
> >>We were not excited about the presidential visit. For us, it was an
> >>annoyance. Brandon's commissioning ceremony had to be moved to 5:45
p.m.,
> >>because Clinton wanted to use the building where the commissioning was
> >>scheduled. Later, we had to be in our stadium seats two hours before the
> >>graduation, because of security. For others, it was an insult I heard of
> >>retired air force officers who boycotted the graduation, because they
felt
> >>Clinton's participation, given Monica Lewinsky and other scandals,
> >>detracted
> >>from the dignity of the event. The air force academy is a military base,
> >>but
> >>it is also a popular tourist spot. Each day at noon, busloads of
tourists
> >>arrive to watch 4,000 cadets line up and march to lunch in an elaborate
> >>parade that leaves the cadets only 15 minutes to eat. On the day Clinton
> >>came to town, some areas were closed as security was beefed up. Access
was
> >>limited to those invited to the graduation. It would not have been a
safe
> >>day to go skulking through the academy's forests with bird-watching
> >>binoculars.
> >>
> >>As the stadium filled, helicopters pounded the air overhead. Entrance
was
> >>through metal detectors. Handbags were searched. Snipers in battle dress
> >>patrolled the top tiers of the stadium. Sprinkled throughout the crowd
> were
> >>secret-service agents, easy to spot because they wore dark suits,
> >>sunglasses
> >>and earpieces. They spoke into their sleeves a lot and scanned the
crowds
> >>constantly. There was nothing secret about them.
> >>
> >>Clinton's imminent entrance was announced. We stood. And we stood. Eight
> >>minutes later, the president of the United States of America walked on
to
> >>the football field and toward the podium. No explanation was given for
why
> >>he kept 30,000 people waiting on their feet in the sun. As he walked
under
> >>the crossed sabres of the honor guard, the applause was restrained and
> >>polite, but not enthusiastic. Around me, I heard comments about
respecting
> >>the office, if not the man. No one jeered, but no one cheered. As I
> watched
> >>the newly minted second lieutenants stand to salute their commander in
> >>chief, I wondered how many of them were thinking what I was thinking:
"If
> >>Bill Clinton had been a cadet here, he would have been kicked out for
> lying
> >>and cheating."
> >>
> >>Actually, he probably wouldn't have qualified for admission. To enter
the
> >>academy, an applicant must first be nominated by a member of Congress.
> This
> >>year, 8,800 applied for nomination and 2,148 qualified. Of those, 1,275
> >>received appointments to the academy. They were chosen on the basis of
> such
> >>criteria as academics, athletics, citizenship and leadership. And moral
> >>character. If Clinton was aware of the lukewarm reception, he didn't
show
> >>it. He cracked his jokes, defended his actions in the Balkans and took
> >>personal credit for saving democracy as we know it.
> >>
> >>As he announced he was sending 7,000 more troops to the Balkans, I heard
> >>more muttered comments about sending troops to a foreign country to
> >>distract
> >>attention from personal problems at home. His manner was smooth, but my
> >>American wife was not impressed. "I had hoped he would honor the
graduates
> >>for their achievements," she said, "and acknowledge what they have been
> >>through to get this far. But it was just a political speech. He didn't
> >>uplift me or inspire me as I hoped someone in his position would."
> >>
> >>Perhaps Clinton's advisers suggested he not talk too much about what the
> >>academy stood for. Perhaps they felt it would not be astute to talk
about
> >>personal integrity and a high standard of conduct. As a Canadian, I felt
a
> >>little awkward amid the unabashed patriotism of the event, but as a
> father,
> >>could not help being choked up at seeing 2nd Lieut. Bly step forward,
> >>salute
> >>smartly and shake hands with the president. Never mind that this
president
> >>had besmirched the office -- my son and his comrades had every reason to
> >>stand tall. The applause became thunderous as the graduates came to
> >>attention at the order of the academy's commanding officer. Clinton was
> >>forgotten as cadets and their families realized this was the end of a
> long,
> >>hard journey. It was an intoxicating moment when the superintendent
> barked:
> >>
> >>"Class of 1999 - dismissed!"
> >>
> >>As nearly a thousand white hats were flung into the air, the
Thunderbirds,
> >>the U.S. air force's aerobatic team, roared over the stadium in salute.
> >>Youngsters spilled onto the field to collect the hats as souvenirs, and
> >>families and friends milled about. There was much hugging and laughter
and
> >>celebrating. I looked beyond the turmoil. The presidential cavalcade,
> which
> >>had arrived with much fanfare, was quietly leaving the stadium. Few
> >>noticed.
> >>No one applauded. After all, it wasn't about a president who had lied
and
> >>cheated. It was about 944 young men and women who hadn't. |
