Former Green Beret speaks at Centre
By ROWENA PLETT
Staff writer
"Leadership is not difficult. It's hard to do, but it's simple," according to Lieutenant Colonel Mark Johnson. "It's the hard right, not the easy wrong."
The former Green Beret officer from Eudora spoke Oct. 28 to Centre High School students.
Exuding self-confidence and pride, the inspirational speaker spoke excitedly about the fact that Kansas is the heart of America. He said the leaders of this nation get strength from the heart of America.
"You can do anything you want," he told the students, citing well-known Kansans such as Dwight Eisenhower, Amelia Earhardt, and Walter Chrysler. He said Jack Kilby, a native of Great Bend, created the integrated circuit called the microchip in 1958, which led to the modern computer industry.
"You are the future of our country and the future starts today," he continued. "This is the first day of the rest of your life. What are you going to do with it?"
Students were electrified as Johnson shared some of his experiences as a Green Beret. One time, during the Gulf War, he and his seven teammates were discovered while 300 miles inside Iraq. They called for evacuation. The ensuing battle resulted in 1,500 Iraqis killed and all the Green Berets rescued.
"The battle was won in the preparation phase," he said. "That is the important phase. It will save your life."
Johnson said everyone is a leader. He encouraged students to surround themselves with good people and make them better. He noted that younger people look up to them, so they need to live in such a way as to command respect.
He said a leader exhibits confidence, excitement, and concern for others, and an inspiring leader also elicits a commitment to excellence.
"Humans are more important than hardware," he said, adding that all the trophies and awards in the world mean nothing in the end. "All that counts is how significant an impact you've had on others."
"Be happy about being a leader, be happy about being right, and make the impossible possible," he concluded.
