Dear fellow alumni and friends of the School of Dentistry,
Relationships are an important part of our journey through life. I speak to them often and continually reinforce the importance of developing and nurturing relationships. Personal and professional relationships are central to our purpose and many times ‘our why’.
It’s been 20 years since René retired from the Navy. She served 26 years and built many relationships over the years. So, when it was time for her to choose a retirement speaker, she knew exactly who she wanted to serve as her guest of honor — and it was not me. Greg was a Navy Captain who had an amazing career of service, primarily as a leader in operational and battlefield healthcare. She first met Greg when he was a mid-grade officer, and she was a young, enlisted Sailor. They remain close friends to this day. Greg related this story during his remarks at her retirement ceremony. It was a formative moment for me regarding the importance of relationships and making a difference in the lives of those around us.
It is the story of Captain Charlie Plumb, an F-4 Phantom jet naval aviator, who was shot down on his 75th combat mission during the Vietnam War. He was held a prisoner of war for 2,103 days — nearly 6 years. I cannot do his story justice, so please allow me to quote from Captain Plumb.
“Recently, I was sitting in a restaurant in Kansas City. A man about two tables away kept looking at me. I didn’t recognize him. A few minutes into our meal he stood up and walked over to my table, looked down at me, pointed his finger in my face and said, “You’re Captain Plumb.”
I looked up and I said, “Yes sir, I’m Captain Plumb.”
He said, “You flew jet fighters in Vietnam. You were on the aircraft carrier Kitty Hawk. You were shot down. You parachuted into enemy hands and spent six years as a prisoner of war.”
I said, “How in the world did you know all that?”
He replied, “Because, I packed your parachute.”
I was speechless. I staggered to my feet and held out a very grateful hand of thanks. This guy came up with just the proper words. He grabbed my hand, he pumped my arm and said, “I guess it worked.”
“Yes sir, indeed it did,” I said, “and I must tell you I’ve said a lot of prayers of thanks for your nimble fingers, but I never thought I’d have the opportunity to express my gratitude in person.”
He said, “Were all the panels there?”
“Well sir, I must shoot straight with you,” I said, “of the eighteen panels that were supposed to be in that parachute, I had fifteen good ones. Three were torn, but it wasn’t your fault, it was mine. I jumped out of that jet fighter at a high rate of speed, close to the ground. That’s what tore the panels in the chute. It wasn’t the way you packed it.”
“Let me ask you a question,” I said, “do you keep track of all the parachutes you pack?”
“No,” he responded, “it’s enough gratification for me just to know that I’ve served.”
I didn’t get much sleep that night. I kept thinking about that man. I kept wondering what he might have looked like in a Navy uniform. I wondered how many times I might have passed him on board the Kitty Hawk. I wondered how many times I might have seen him and not even said ‘good morning,’ ‘how are you,’ or anything because, you see, I was a fighter pilot and he was just a sailor. How many hours did he spend on that long wooden table in the bowels of that ship weaving the shrouds and folding the silks of those chutes? I could have cared less … until one day my parachute came along and he packed it for me.”
Source: www.charlieplumb.com
Sometimes, in the challenges that life gives us, we miss what is really important. We may miss an opportunity to say good morning, please, or thank you, to congratulate someone on something wonderful that has happened to them, give a compliment, or just do something nice for no reason at all.
The moral of the story: As you travel through your life’s journey, I would encourage you to pause and connect with people in your life who packed your parachute … or maybe, more importantly, those whose parachute you may be packing. Perhaps it is time to give someone a call and thank them for packing your parachute. Despite the significant difference in ranks at the time, as much as Greg packed René’s parachute, it is fair to say that she packed his.
Thank you for all you do for our School and especially for our students and those entrusted to our care.
Lead well at every engagement. Glad to be here. Let’s Go!
Stephen Pachuta
Dean