Point of View - Graduates: Live an honorable life

Talk about it

My advice to this year’s graduates is simple and stolen – “live an honorable life.”

While I’m not advising you to steal – remember to always credit your sources – I feel borrowing some words from Father Andrew Marthaler is better than most things I could come up with myself.

As the retired priest spoke before a small crowd at the Lakeside Cemetery in Osakis on Memorial Day, his words inspired me, and it’s my wish they will inspire you as you embark on this new chapter in your lives as adults.

He read the names of local men who died in wars that took place long before your time. Yet even though you may not have any connection to these soldiers, I ask you to consider them at this great crossroads in your life.

Better yet, drive over to the St. Nicholas Cemetery and visit the graves of the veterans. Introduce yourself, share your hopes and dreams, your plans for the future. Then stop and think about the great sacrifices these men made for their country, many not much older than you are right now.

Ask yourself if you would be willing to give up your iPods, cell phones and instant messaging to give your life for your country.

Think about the next four years – as you explore your newly found freedom will you live a life that fallen soldiers would be proud of?

It doesn’t matter how far you travel from Osakis, it’s my wish that each and every one of you amazing people carry a little piece of this community with you. That piece of small town accountability that you learned about – and often felt smothered by – in this place you called home.

You can do it. We believe in you.

Tags: point of view, opinion, editorials