You can't keep a good person down.
That was never more apparent than last spring at the Boston Marathon. Lake Stevens resident and marathon runner Bill Iffrig, 78, was knocked to the ground by the blast of a terrorist's bomb only a few feet from the finish line.
Surprise? Shock? Certainly those emotions and more passed through Bill as he struggled to his feet and, no doubt, struggled to make sense of what had just happened.
But you know what? Like many other athletes that day, Bill finished his race.
I attribute his tenacity to an inner drive, a deep sense of purpose all true athletes cultivate in order to successfully compete.
Lots of other folks in America have that same tenacity and inner purpose––I am talking about those who strive, compete and lead throughout all layers of the fabric of American life.
You can't keep us down. You can't stop what makes us great.
Bill Iffrig's triumph at the Boston Marathon makes that abundantly clear.
By the way, we attempted to bring Bill to the Senior Games to speak at our Annual Athlete's Celebration, but he had firm plans that conflicted with the night of our event.
No worry, we have another great program in store for you all. But while we're still on the subject, I hope we all keep the Boston Marathon lesson in mind: Terror has never succeeded, and never will. Ideas and actions that harm others or keep them down are like runners who stumble out of the starting gate––they'll never catch up with those who know that the secret to life is getting out there and moving forward, accepting the challenge to be more and do more with the time that God has given us.
Sure, competing is tough.
But you win by doing your best, not threatening or obstructing the efforts of others.
––Jack
That was never more apparent than last spring at the Boston Marathon. Lake Stevens resident and marathon runner Bill Iffrig, 78, was knocked to the ground by the blast of a terrorist's bomb only a few feet from the finish line.
Surprise? Shock? Certainly those emotions and more passed through Bill as he struggled to his feet and, no doubt, struggled to make sense of what had just happened.
But you know what? Like many other athletes that day, Bill finished his race.
I attribute his tenacity to an inner drive, a deep sense of purpose all true athletes cultivate in order to successfully compete.
Lots of other folks in America have that same tenacity and inner purpose––I am talking about those who strive, compete and lead throughout all layers of the fabric of American life.
You can't keep us down. You can't stop what makes us great.
Bill Iffrig's triumph at the Boston Marathon makes that abundantly clear.
By the way, we attempted to bring Bill to the Senior Games to speak at our Annual Athlete's Celebration, but he had firm plans that conflicted with the night of our event.
No worry, we have another great program in store for you all. But while we're still on the subject, I hope we all keep the Boston Marathon lesson in mind: Terror has never succeeded, and never will. Ideas and actions that harm others or keep them down are like runners who stumble out of the starting gate––they'll never catch up with those who know that the secret to life is getting out there and moving forward, accepting the challenge to be more and do more with the time that God has given us.
Sure, competing is tough.
But you win by doing your best, not threatening or obstructing the efforts of others.
––Jack