TIGER WOODS' SPEECH AT THE INAUGURATION
Tiger Woods received a special invitation to speak at the inauguration of President Obama. His inviters were stunned when he did not deliver the message they expected.
It is easy to see why they were upset at the message he chose to deliver that historic day. It is easy to see why we didn't hear about the speech in the media- I just learned of it myself from an email from a friend. I always knew Mr Woods to be a fine young man with outstanding moral character and one of immense courage- he took after his father.
His speech was simply titled "You'll Never Walk Alone." Here it is, as it is posted on the P.G.A. Web site: http://www.pga.com/2009/news/industry/01/19/woods.lincoln/index.html
"I grew up in a military family - and my role models in life were my Mom and Dad, Lieutenant Colonel Earl Woods. My Dad was a Special Forces operator and many nights friends would visit our home. They represented every branch of the service, and every rank.
"In my Dad, and in those guests, I saw first hand the dedication and commitment of those who serve. They come from every walk of life. From every part of our country. Time and again, across generations, they have defended our safety in the dark of night and far from home.
"Each day -- and particularly on this historic day -- we honor the men and women in uniform who serve our country and protect our freedom. They travel to the dangerous corners of the world, and we must remember that for every person who is in uniform, there are families who wait for them to come home safely.
"I am honored that the military is such an important part, not just of my personal life, but of my professional one as well. The golf tournament we do each year here in Washington is a testament to those unsung heroes."I am the son of a man who dedicated his life to his country, family and the military, and I am a better person for it.
"In the summer of 1864, Abraham Lincoln, the man at whose memorial we stand, spoke to the 164th Ohio Regiment and said: 'I am greatly obliged to you, and to all who have come forward at the call of their country.'
"Just as they have stood tall for our country - we must always stand by and support the men and women in uniform and their families.
"Thank you, and it is now my pleasure to introduce the US Naval Academy Glee Club."
The selflessness of this young man is astonishing. Imagine yourself in his shoes- the world watching, hanging on your every word, and not being an unintelligent person, you know what is expected of you. You know the new President and his throngs of fans will welcome you warmly when you "toe the line", but you don't. You do not compromise your principles, you do not water down your remarks and try to be someone you are not.
Tiger is no stranger to standing up. Remember when he left Stanford and entered the P.G.A.? He was not openly welcomed. Remember when no culture would embrace him? Black people said he was not a man of color, Asians didn't claim him either. How difficult was that? How hard would that be to take at any age, let alone such a young age as he was at the time? Remember when he won a tournament early in his career and when asked how he thought he played he remarked not very well- that he still had a lot to improve upon? I remember the outcry of the media and the rest of the P.G.A. about his arrogance.
Turns out, he was right. He knows himself better than anyone. In fact, I would submit he may know himself better than anyone else knows themselves, and he stays true to himself.
Though I do not know this extraordinary gentleman, I can tell you he is on a very short list of people I would like to meet in this lifetime. His qualities are rare, particularly these days. He says what he means and does what he says. He does not seek the limelight, nor does he wilt in it. He stands strong and resolute, and pays homage to those who do not seek anything more than a simple "Thank you"- his parents and the people who have chosen to defend this great land. I thank him for that and those qualities. I pray he is a role model in those aspects of life as much as he is for his fame and wealth.
Way to go Tiger- Way to go!
