Charleston Youth Leadership Conference 23-26 June 2009
by Captain Fred Massey, USN (Ret.)
General Westmoreland Charleston Chapter Youth Leadership Conference Director
As has been our experience in the past, the group of students attending this year’s conference was exceptionally bright and inquisitive. Coming from regionally diverse locations, they melted quickly into a well behaved, functionally cohesive group of active participants. I couldn’t have been more pleased with the selections made by our supporting chapters and organizations.
Once aboard the USS Yorktown at Patriot’s Point, the students were given access to troop berthing and presented with folders describing the ensuing events. Included in their folders were copies of The Key to the Constitution and Ten Most Patriotic American Speeches furnished by the PEC. They were encouraged to review the Bill of Rights and four of the speeches for later discussion and help in developing their essays. This year we asked the students to prepare an essay on their thoughts relative to the economy. The topic was: with the current state of the economy, “Is America in a State of Decline.” Answers would not be judged right or wrong, they simply had to adequately defend their position. A first prize of $100.00 was presented to the winner with $50.00 awarded to the second and third place essays.
The team building exercise conducted on the flight deck provided us with a quick look at the natural leaders. Turning the tarp without getting off, walking the flight deck in teams of four on 2x4’s and a host of other thought provoking skill exercises allowed the students to show how to get their fellow teammates working together to achieve simple goals and give them confidence as decision makers. The biggest problem we encounter each year is the summer heat on the flight deck. (SEE PHOTOS BELOW)
We were fortunate again this year to have several returning speakers, but one new arrival had the students listening in rapt attention as he described growing up in a segregated South Carolina town where a black man had to walk off the sidewalk into running water in a soaking rain to let him and his mother pass. He related a story his father told of bending to the pressure of white peers and the regret he had for not attending a black friend’s funeral. Somewhere lingering in his subconscious was a question of the meaning: “all men are created equal”.
A black marine whom he had encountered earlier in his career saved his life in the 1983 Beirut marine barracks bombing. Pinned under concrete with life-threatening pressure on his diaphragm, the marine, suffering a mortal wound and using his ebbing strength, lifted a wall using his remaining arm –the other had been torn off in the explosion – to extract him. Somehow race wasn’t an issue and as the black marine lay dying in his arms, the sergeant clearly understood that the segregation of his earlier life was wrong. The promise he made to his mortally wounded friend was that he would write to his mother and tell her how her son died with valor. That letter became a book – Color Blind.
Always well received, the students again were given the opportunity to see “Blackhawk Down” an engaging film depicting courage under fire and determination of will. “World Trade Center” gives the student a study in faith and the will to survive in the most dire of circumstances. Facing and overcoming adversity is also the theme of “The Last Lecture” a video by Randy Pausch who recently passed away. The message is clear that you should pursue your dreams and reach beyond your “potential.” I intend to continue the use of this video to give an important life lesson to our students.
I’m always impressed with our Sojourner’s presentation on building the flag and the meaning behind its construction. Combined with a tour of Fort Sumter in Charleston harbor, the students are instilled with a sense of patriotism and allowed to reflect on their freedoms under the Constitution. Tears again welled up in the eyes of the students and the speaker as Colonel Quincy Collins recited his rendition of “I am Old Glory.” I recommend that everyone google Quincy on the internet and see how moving a tribute this short poem is.
With the current trend in declining ethics in the business world and government leaders, the chance to hear how a lack of ethics impacts not only our economy, but also how we approach international, state and local politics is an important part of our program. Our speakers addressed ethics in business, law enforcement and government generating significant interest and discussion among the participants.
Although most of our students arrive by mass transportation provided by their sponsoring chapters, we were fortunate to have a number of parents visit this year. I know the venue provides a hardship to our long distance participants, but from discussions with the parents who were able to attend, it is worthwhile encouraging their attendance. From the comments I’ve heard from observers onboard the Yorktown and at Fort Sumter, I know the parents are doing a fantastic job raising these young leaders of the future. To be a part of that process is invigorating and well worth the time spent organizing and implementing the YLC commitment.
For other views of the YLC see the CV-10 Naval Aviators Log YLC page.