800 Meter Run

For the first time in about 15 years, I laced up the shoes to run 800 meters, (that is 2 laps around an outdoor track). This was my best event in high school and a few weeks ago my 29 year-old brother-in-law gave me an opportunity to see what the creaky old legs could do. His high school runners bet him that he could not run an 800 in under two minutes. Now, he is a bonafide track stud, but even for him this was somewhat of a challenge. So, a friendly gathering of high school track athletes, a few college ones, and a handful of ,well, old people took to the track to see what they could do in 90 degree heat.

In preparation for the event, I spent a few weeks doing some old track workouts. As intimidating as they were, the body and mind soon began to remember how much they loved and missed this torture. The feeling of running four to six 200's, and coming out of the turn with a burst of speed (or at least what felt like a burst of speeed) and heading down the homestretch was like drinking from the fountain of youth.

The gun went off, and trying desperately to keep the ego in check, I immediately found myself in last. That was all part of the strategy though, a strategy that involved not biting off more than I could chew and finishing in respectable elder statesmen fashion, that is last, but no so far back that I obtained the dreaded sympathy clap. The strategy paid off and I finished with a decent time of 2 minutes and 19 seconds, about 20 or 21 seconds slower than my all-time best. Moreover, I didn't finish last, I finished second to last and Eric didn't break 2 minutes (he did run a nasty 2:01 though). I guess father time catches up to us all, but I'm still encouraged. I think down the road, I might see if I can try and test the limits of mind and body and try to run a mile in 5:00 or under.

Tuskegee Airmen Visits Westfield

I was fortunate to obtain the contact information for a 90 year old retired Lieutenant Colonel named Walter McCreary. McCreary was one of the first African American fighter pilots . He served in World War II and after being shot down spent time in a German POW camp. His story was quite compelling and he thoroughly enjoyed talking about it and answering the many questions that the 300 or so high school students directed his way. At the end of the Q & A, the students gave him a standing ovation and then thronged him desiring handshakes, autographs, and pictures. It was great to be able to spend time with living history. It was equally great to see kids understand the magnitude of who was before them and what he accomplished. Hats off to the Lt. Col., and hats off to the kids. (Below is the introduction I gave before he spoke).

Good morning Westfield students. If you are here today, it is most likely because you are enrolled in either World History II or US History. For those of you who do not know me I am Mr. Chapman and I am a World History II teacher here at Westfield. After I introduce our speaker, he is going to tell us his story. Once he has completed his story, we are going to have some time to take your questions. So, students and teachers alike be prepared to participate here shortly. Back in February, my classes reached the point in the course where we entered the 20^th century. I explained to my students that this was the time some thought that if ever it looked like global civilization might reach its apex, tame all obstacles in its way, and accomplish the most extraordinary achievements of all time it would be in the 1900’s. Unfortunately the 20^th century turned out, in many respects, to be somewhat the opposite, for it contained several events which turned the world into a place where civilization came close to the brink of destroying itself. There was the imperialistic mad scramble for Africa as well as European imperialism in places like China and Southeast Asia. In addition to World War I, the Russian Revolution, World War II, the Cold War and a series of other wars that you are all quite familiar with, there were a handful of mass genocides that took place throughout the world. Sometimes, the barbarism and sheer devastation that took place in the 20^th century can be quite depressing if you fail to include the positive achievements of some of the century’s best and brightest.

Today’s speaker is one of these best and brightest, an individual who showed tremendous bravery when all of the odds were stacked against him. I am going to quickly say a few words about him, but I want him to be able to take all of the time he needs to tell his own story in his own words. He was raised in San Antonio and had graduated from Tuskegee University in 1940 when he received a draft notice. He already had a civilian pilot's license and signed up for the Tuskegee Army Air Corps program, becoming one of the first pilots of the all-black 100th Fighter Squadron.

He was shipped overseas in January 1944 and was based outside Naples. He flew 89 missions in the P-39, the P-47 and the P-51. (This would be roughly double the number of missions that the average white pilot would fly). His story is quite extraordinary and as a result people in high places took notice. The highest honor that Congress can award a civilian is the Congressional Gold Medal. Past recipients include: George Washington, Ulysses Grant, Charles Lindbergh, Thomas Edison, Jonas Salk, Winston Churchill, Jesse Owens, Mother Theresa, Elie Wiesel, Nelson Mandela, Rosa Parks, and Martin Luther King. Today’s speaker along with many other Tuskegee airmen was also awarded a Congressional Gold Medal in March of 2007. Someone once said, “In the long history of humankind there have been those selfless beings who in the face of opposition allowed their lives to represent more than their own existence.” We have here at Westfield High School one of these selfless beings in our midst today. He faced opposition on all sides, not only from the Axis Powers, but from his own government, from his own military, and from his own countrymen who treated him and other African American military personnel like second class citizens before, during, and even after their military service. Yet, he and other Tuskegee Airmen were instrumental in helping to spearhead a movement for civil rights that would go on to change the hearts and minds of a nation that needed desperately to have its hearts and minds changed. The world becomes a better place when such people allow their lives to represent more than their own existence. Sir, it is an honor and a delight to have you here with us this morning. Would you please give a warm welcome to the Retired Lieutenant Colonel Walter McCreary?