Section 88 | Legacy

Legacy

When I first started writing this Notes From the Section Chair column, I was expecting to make it a weekly occurrence. I was doing so well.

And then my high school mentor passed away.

It's hard trying to find the words that I really want to say here. The words that really mean something about how much he meant to me. The words that properly show ho much I cared about him, respected him, and thankful for everything that he did for me over the years. But, my brothers, it would be the deepest folly were I to attempt, through any poor words that I might write, to add to the rich experiences that we had over the years.

Therefore, today I choose to talk about legacy. I really don't look at legacy as the positions someone's had, or the awards they received. I look at legacy and, for myself, legacy is defined by the way that someone motivate others even when they're no longer around. The ability to motivate others to find the place within their hearts, their minds, and their souls to achieve the most that they can. Legacy isn’t about the awards that you win, or the recognition that you get. Most people with a legacy that care about the greater good would rather have the award of motivated, capable men and women carrying on what they did to achieve the greatness than to have the physical hardware that sometimes comes along with it.

As we get ready to close out another academic year, I ask each of you to look within yourself to think about those who have motivated you, and have left a legacy of leadership, friendship, and service that will stay with you long past
your APO days. I ask that you look within yourselves and do two things. One, thank the person. Do it face to face, and really mean it. Make sure that they know that they really have touched you and have made a significant difference in your life. Secondly, I ask what are you willing to do to show those around you that their actions did speak louder than words, and that your actions carry on what they originally started.

I know that I have a lot of acting to do to help keep one man’s legacy alive.

Until next time, take care of yourselves, and each other.

Stephen Kent
Section 88 Chair