For Immediate Release
Office of Mrs. Bush
May 23, 2003
Remarks by Mrs. Bush at Fort Campbell High School Commencement
Thank you for the warm welcome. Thank you, Patrice and
congratulations. Thank you, Principal Killebrew, Assistant Principal
Gallivan, Superintendent Diekmann, and distinguished faculty of Fort
Campbell High. I'm proud to be at the home of the 101st Airborne
Division. To all of the Screaming Eagles here, America thanks you for
your courage and service to your country.
Welcome parents, family, friends and especially, the class of 2003.
I bet when you were dissecting frogs in Coach Lange's class, you never
thought this day would come. After grading some of your papers, he
probably didn't either. Today marks the culmination of many years of
determination and hard work - many years of worrying about SATs, a prom
date, and making sure your shirt was tucked in. Congratulations - now
you can un-tuck those shirts!
Congratulations especially to the parents. With daughters in
college ourselves, President Bush and I know what you're feeling today.
A great deal of pride, a little sadness and utter relief that they're
moving out and you get to use the phone again. Today is a day you've
imagined for your sons and daughters since they were born - and their
graduation is an affirmation of your support.
Class of 2003, your graduation honors your loved ones - especially
those who are still deployed. Those that are not here - are here in our
hearts. You will honor them throughout your life as you work to
improve your communities and the world. But there is no better time
than now to thank your parents, family, and teachers whose hard work
has brought you to this day - so I invite you to give them a big round
of applause.
Today is bittersweet for parents. You are proud, yet anxious -
unsure of what the world holds for your children - and what an empty
nest holds for you. I remember the day our girls graduated from high
school and headed off to college. They say parents often have to get
out of the house when their kids leave because it gets lonely. Everyone
deals with it in different ways. But I told George I thought running
for President was a little extreme.
Congratulations to the faculty of Fort Campbell High. You've done a
wonderful job of developing the minds and talents of this class. You've
given them values, lessons, love - and too many reminders about tucking
in their shirts. You can be assured that you send them into the world
well- prepared and well-dressed.
Class of 2003, thanks to your parents and teachers, you've received
a great education at an award-winning school. Fort Campbell strives to
give students both a strong academic and social foundation. Here
personal growth is as important as academic success. You've learned to
respect and cherish life, to love and serve your neighbor and your
country, and to use kindness and service to others as your guiding
principles.
These are the same principles that inspire your moms and dads and
every member of the United States military. You should be incredibly
proud of your parents - every American should be proud to live in a
country where citizens serve with such dedication. Our entire nation
appreciates the sacrifices military families make - and we pray that
our troops will return safely and soon. Over the last year, the world
witnessed the skill and resolve of our military. We've seen their
courage and their decency to the people of Afghanistan and Iraq.
From the beginning of battle to this very hour, our troops have
conducted themselves with honor and compassion. In Baghdad last month,
U.S. Marines helped to free more than 100 children who, according to
one report, had been jailed for refusing to join the dictator's Baath
Party.
Malnourished and wearing rags, the children were overjoyed to see
their parents and our troops.
Lt. Colonel Fred Padilla, Commander of the 1st Battalion 5th
Marines said, "The children just streamed out of the gates and their
parents just started to embrace us. Hundreds of kids were swarming us
and kissing us."
Graduates, soon you will be heading out into the world. After
today's fanfare, you will look back over your time at Fort Campbell and
remember many things. You'll remember the friends you've made and
you'll remember your favorite teachers like Ms. Ladd and Mrs. Robinson.
Years from now you may remember cheering for the Falcons at football
games or hanging out at Hooper Lanes. Maybe you'll remember the
hamburgers in the cafeteria - I hear they're pretty unforgettable.
But I hope you remember this as well - remember the values you've
learned from your parents and teachers - respect, perseverance, and
integrity. In the past four years, you've gained the academic skills
that will guide you in your next endeavor. But more importantly, you've
learned who you are and who you can be. A high school diploma is a
great achievement - but the true value of your education is not in a
piece of paper - it is in the person you have become.
At times you may have been frustrated being a military child -
being the new kid on the block all the time. You may have been annoyed
moving for the 10th time - or worried about making friends at another
new school. But these experiences not only make you special - they make
you stronger. You have an amazing resiliency to adapt to new
situations, friends, and cultures. Cherish these experiences - they
make you who you are - and they will help you throughout your life,
especially in college, the military and the working world.
Soon, you will venture into a world where you can wear more than
green, white and blue polo shirts. Some of you, like Patrice, may be
attending this very university or another college. Some may begin
working right away. And some of you may join the military like Philip
Bachus, who couldn't be here tonight because he is already in basic
training. Some of you may not be sure what your plans are - and I may
be one of the few people to tell you this - but its okay not to have
your future mapped out.
You can not imagine what life will be like in a few years nor do
you know what the future holds. The important thing is to follow your
heart and to be open to new experiences. Don't be afraid of trying and
failing - be afraid of not trying at all. Some very successful people
have had their share of disappointment and failure. Walt Disney was
once fired by a newspaper for lack of ideas. Dr. Seuss's first book was
rejected by 27 publishers before it sold six million copies. And
Michael Jordan was once cut from his high school basketball team.
I knew from an early age what I wanted to do. My second grade
teacher, Mrs. Gnagy inspired me to become a teacher. I went to college
and earned a degree in education. I started teaching - but soon
realized that what I enjoyed most was teaching children to read. So I
went go to graduate school to become a librarian. And then I fell in
love and that changed everything!
The simple fact is that life changes - and our goals, dreams, and
priorities change with it. If you plan every detail of your life, you
will never live the life that was meant for you. I've learned that it's
not important what you do in life or where you go - it's how you live
life that's important and how you treat others. What matters is what
you put into life, not what you get out of it.
You may think this is my parting advice to you today - after all, a
commencement speaker is supposed to give some grand life advice. But I
can't let you embark upon one of the most exciting adventures of your
life without a few more words of wisdom. During your time at Fort
Campbell, you took an "I Will" pledge to respect each other and serve
your community. I invite you to take this pledge again today, and say
"I Will" to some advice that I hope will guide you in the adventure of
life. Today, promise yourself and all of us that:
You will treasure your education. Remember that education is
freedom and it never ends. Whether you go on to college or to work,
education is life long - so strive to learn every day.
You will continue to make public service a priority in your lives
and work to help a neighbor in need.
You will take a chance on meeting new friends, while never letting
go of your homies.
You will remember ten years from now, that Laura Bush said homey at
your graduation.
You will work to be extraordinary at one thing, and good at many
different things.
You will learn from your mistakes. Mistakes make life interesting,
while learning from them makes it meaningful.
You will be responsible and accountable. Although your family and
friends will always be there for you, today you are officially on your
own.
You will read more than Cliff Notes. Buy a bookcase and fill it
with classics like Shakespeare and Thoreau and read them.
And you will appreciate the little things in life - and especially
the people in your life. Say 'I love you' to someone every day -
especially to yourself.
You've made a lot of promises, but there is one last thing I want
you to do as Fort Campbell seniors. Take a look around at your
classmates. You may have known each other for four years or only four
months - but this will likely be the last time you're all together. But
unlike many of the moves and transitions you've made, you don't have to
say goodbye. You will always be connected by the values you've learned
here - respect, perseverance, and integrity. You've shared these as a
class, and now you'll share them with the world. The future may be
uncertain, but the friends and the memories you've made at Fort
Campbell are forever. Congratulations, Class of 2003.
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