Nuke Gingrich

I have heard of Tiger Woods, and his amazing accomplishments in the game of golf, but never knew much about him. Tiger always seemed to be a private person, and his personal life isn’t the daily fodder for sensational publications. Of course, I knew his father was retired Army, and that Tiger was a child prodigy at golf, and also that he earned a scholarship to Stanford University. As a result, I never questioned his intelligence, or his ability at golf, even if it is a game I have no interest in.

Imagine my, pleasant, surprise when I received an email about a two minute speech he gave at one of the Obama inauguration events. An inauguration that I missed every second of.

Here is the video, and the transcript.

“We Are One,” an inauguration celebration for President-elect Barack Obama.

“I grew up in a military family – and my role models in life were my Mom and Dad, Lt. Colonel Earl Woods. My dad was a Special Forces operator and many nights friends would visit our home. They represented every branch of the service, and every rank. In my Dad, and in those guests, I saw first hand the dedication and commitment of those who serve. They come from every walk of life. From every part of our country. Time and again, across generations, they have defended our safety in the dark of night and far from home. Each day — and particularly on this historic day — we honor the men and women in uniform who serve our country and protect our freedom. They travel to the dangerous corners of the world, and we must remember that for every person who is in uniform, there are families who wait for them to come home safely. I am honored that the military is such an important part, not just of my personal life, but of my professional one as well. The golf tournament we do each year here in Washington is a testament to those unsung heroes. I am the son of a man who dedicated his life to his country, family and the military, and I am a better person for it. In the summer of 1864, Abraham Lincoln, the man at whose memorial we stand, spoke to the 164th Ohio Regiment and said: ‘I am greatly obliged to you, and to all who have come forward at the call of their country. ‘Just as they have stood tall for our country – we must always stand by and support the men and women in uniform and their families. Thank you, and it is now my pleasure to introduce the US Naval Glee Club.”

I don’t know if Tiger wanted to be a part of this event, historic though it was, but what is certain, he refused to make his appearance another fawning display over our new President, as so many others have. Instead, he honored his father, and all of the honorable men and women who have served, and are serving, this great nation, have defended it’s ideals, and kept it safe from our enemies.

Tiger has impressed me, and I know now, that he is a reasonable, and centered individual.
He’s one cool dude, IMO.

Cross-posted at Urban Grounds.