Roger O. Johnson served as MC for the Wednesday night banquet. Roger's words
could not have better represented the thoughts and feelings of us all here in
Topeka. The following is both the invocation and opening speech that Roger
so eloquently presented to us that night. It's a bit long for an email, but
I urge each and every one of you to please take the time to read it through
completely. By doing so, you will most certainly come to understand why
Nationals MUST continue, as we all did that night .....
-----------------------------
INVOCATION by Roger O. Johnson
Bow our heads reverently, and join hands with others at your table .....
Please contemplate those things that you revere -- your God, your values,
your family and friends:
Our hearts tremble with confused emotions -- shock, anger, rage, sympathy
..... as we ask ourselves "why" or "how" ..... We are shaken as individuals,
as families, and as communities -- and especially as a nation. It is easy to
feel weak and vulnerable.
We are thankful that we are among some of our dear friends and loved ones
during this time of peril and confusion.
We join our hands and our hearts with thoughts of those most deeply affected
by this grave tragedy -- all of the rescue workers and families of the
innocent dead. We wish fervently for calm and comfort for all in this hour
of greatest need.
We ask for the spirit of hatred and violence that caused these acts be
stilled, and we pray that the decisions and deliberations of our leaders be
guided with care and wisdom.
Let us for a moment, consider in silence, the pain of others far greater than
our own; and the resolve with which we face the future.
Thank you.
------------------------------
OPENING SPEECH by Roger O. Johnson
A written speech is unusual for me, but this is the only way to be sure I can
get it out without emotion taking over.
What to say ..... this is very difficult.
Yesterday morning, exactly as we were playing the National Anthem to begin
our event, the first of the planes hit the World Trade Center. As news of
this surreal event began to filter among us, for many the question was,
"Where do I want to be?" at this time of crisis. For me, I wanted to be back
in Ohio with my family -- participating in this event was suddenly
unimportant.
Many among us have made the choice to return home, with our blessing and
understanding. Many others had situations that didn't allow for the delay we
faced, and also had to depart. We miss them all, looking at the empty seats
among us. And then there are those who have been personally touched by this
disaster, and our hearts and prayers are especially with them.
To the question: "Where do I want to be?", my second choice is to be with my
extended family -- this very gathering tonight of our dearest and closest
friends.
And clearly among our friends are those with Middle Eastern heritage and
religions. If the speculation about the perpetrators of these incidents is
true, we want to assure these friends that we love and regard them as highly
today as much, or more than, we did early yesterday morning.
I must tell you that you that I spent time last evening in a wonderfully
therapeutic session, standing out in the dark in Solo City talking with dear
people long into the night, each of us hesitating and delaying heading off to
bed as we sought the companionship and contact with fellow humans; unwilling
to return to the horror of the TV screen and our nightmares.
On one hand, it is easy to feel guilty about continuing this hobby and this
event, this recreational activity, this fun -- in the absence of some of us,
and in light of how trivial it all seems given yesterday's events. But IF WE
GIVE IN, give up, quit, concede and walk away it means that the bastards have
won and accomplished their goals.
This cannot happen. This cannot stand. They cannot derive another ounce of
satisfaction; nor even the motivation for further attacks on us. We MUST
persevere, and show to them and the world that we CANNOT be dominated or
intimidated.
So we will stay and persevere. It will absolutely be the most difficult
thing we have ever done in our SCCA lives. Finishing what we started will be
very hard and take extraordinary effort -- but finish we must.
It will be without the usual joy and elation; it will be painful and
difficult, it will be with heavy hearts -- yet I assure you that it will
bring out the very best in each of us.
Let's talk for a moment about the issues: normally this huge group of type
"A" personalities will have a thousand opinions on any topic. In unusual
circumstances, much of our strength and success is derived from our debate,
diversity, and dissent ..... but not now. Not now.
You will hear about decisions and plans tonight that you may disagree with.
Things that might have been, in your opinion, done better. Things that, had
your ideas been included, might have been far more acceptable.
Instead, let's talk about the appropriate response: This is not the time for
dissent, but to have faith and confidence in our leadership, both here and in
Washington. This is not the time for hindsight, accusations, and
recriminations. In the face of this great calamity our strength is in our
unity, not in our dissent.
Never in my life's experience have I seen and heard so many people wanting to
help. Isn't that the most frustrating thing about this situation; wanting to
help, but not knowing how?
What we saw yesterday was the price of leadership. Most of us here in this
room are leaders and know the cost of standing firm on clear issues of right
and wrong, and accept that cost willingly.
I challenge you all to have confidence in those folks here that we have
collectively chosen for leadership, and accept that their decisions are truly
in the best interests of all of us.
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