|
October 1962 was witness to one
of the most dramatic and terrifying encounters
in modern world history. With the discovery
of offensive missile sites in Cuba, it appeared
that the United States and the Soviet Union
were heading to the brink of a possible nuclear
war.
On a Thursday morning, still
three days shy of the Soviet announcement that
the missiles would be removed from Cuban soil,
Bud Wilkinson wrote to easy the concern of his
worried son:
10/25/1962
- Thursday AM
Dear Jay,
It was good to talk with
you last night. I share your concern over the
international situation, but don't believe it
is actually a bit different now than it has
been for the past 8 or 10 years.
The so-called "cold
war" is an actual war - in being - in every
way except that there are no overt military
operations: On the psychological, economic,
and propaganda fronts we are at war and have
been for some time: Military operations haven't
begun because the Russians know they can't win.
As long as we maintain our ability, in the literal
sense, to absolutely blast Russia and every
living thing there off the face of the earth,
there will be no war.
For your generation it is
a hard, long road of constant preparedness.
In our Christian society we earnestly strive
for peace and freedom - but recorded history
shows that man - being men - in all ages and
generations - has lived in war or the threat
of war. It is not pleasant - but unfortunately,
it has always been an unpleasant fact of life
along with illness, hunger, privation, etc.
Mom said you told her football
didn't seem too important now. Actually, Jay,
it never has been as an end in itself. Although
people distort the idea, the fact remains that
the game is fundamentally educational for the
participants. As Admiral Byrd said about exploring
the Pole - "It isn't getting to the Pole
that counts. It's what you learn on the way."
This is the best brief analysis
of football. It isn't winning or losing that
have lasting value or importance. The effort,
the dedication, the sacrifice you make for a
cause - your team - the working with others
toward a common, most demanding goal. The loyalty,
the joys, the disappointments, and above all
learning to give your TOTAL best mentally, emotionally,
and physically. These are qualities that make
a man. And there is no other place they are
learned so well.
You will find as you grow
older that your football experience will have
given you an inner strength and discipline which
will enable you to meet the vicissitudes of
life and fortune with your head high and your
banners flying because you will know what hard,
demanding preparation truly is - and that life's
challenge is not actually from outside events
- but rather with your own self - to do, always
the very best of which you are capable.
When you do this - as you
always do - you have literally won regardless
of the score. I should add that it has been
my experience that the score will be right too
- (the personal or business situation included)
because most people are incapable of delivering
their best in all situations. McArthur said
"On these fields of friendly strife are
sewn the seeds that on other fields in future
years, will bear the fruits of victory."
He didn't mean only war and battles. He was
speaking of all human affairs.
I'm looking forward to seeing
you soon - and I'm pulling for the Blue Devils.
Good luck this week.
Love always,
Dad
|
