Giving Thanks
(From a Toastmaster “Icebreaker” speech, November 24,1964)
Giving thanks is something we all tend to forget, and I’m grateful for this opportunity which you, the Toastmasters have provided me. To publicly give thanks to the many people in my life to whom I owe a debt of gratitude.
First to my mother and deceased father for allowing me to be born on August 4, 1930 in Duluth Minnesota, during one of the most fascinating and inspiring eras the history of the world has ever known, then guiding and watching over me through my formative years, assisting me to develop a mind and conscience of my own.
Then to the many Nuns and teachers who had the patience too spend time and effort teaching a many times too wise, often times poor student, and several times a bad boy. Particularly to Sister Valeria, my first grade teacher and continuing for seven years to be my playwright, director, critic and producer in all of Saint Clements’ elementary school plays, I give thanks. Until now the only opportunity I had to show my appreciation, was to name our daughter Valerie, for this wonderful person who helped me to learn something of myself.
Thanks to the many people who gave me jobs starting at the age of nine in Bud Lapanta’s grocery store, Gustafson’s Bakery, Duluth News Tribune, East-End Cleaners, Kainer Brothers’ Bum-boats in Duluth Harbor, Johnson’s Book Bindery and the many odd-jobs where as a young boy I was able to earn and learn financial independence in a small way.
Thanks to the U.S. Navy for the opportunity to serve three years from 1947 to 1950 and to learn a great deal about my fellow man.
To Stan Bittner, who in 1950, after my discharge, helped me get into the Carpenters’ Union as an apprentice, and then gave me my first job as a carpenter, I give thanks.
Thanks to Don Locy for introducing me to the Junior Chamber of Commerce in 1955. thanks to Hank Lucas, who in 1957 helped me get my real estate license; To John MacShane, John Zitney, Max Woods, John Stecko and John Briggs for getting me interested in politics, which subsequently led to my successful election to the Buena Park City Council in 1957, then to fellow councilman Dennis Murphy, Fred Harbor, Phil Peek and John Stecko for their confidence in appointing me Mayor in 1958.
I am grateful for the opportunity I was given to tour Japan and Korea in 1959 with 14 young Buena Park Little League boys.
I am also grateful to Nathan and David Shapell for the experience they gave me by hiring me to join them in an opportunity of a life time inlearning the real estate development business.
Thanks to my bother Jim, Bette Went and Chet Bassett, my first employees in 1963 for their loyalty, hard work and unselfish attitude in helping our new little business grow.
A very special thanks to my wife Shirley, whom I married on October 3 rd 1948, and whho bore my three young sons, Kirk 15, Lynn 14, Brian 8 and my daughter and queen of the household Valerie, three years old this coming Friday, the 27 th of November. Shirley has always been at my side, right or wrong, and encouraged my every move. She has worked hard and well at the job of being wife, mother, secretary, advisor and counselor of over 16 years.
Finally I want to thank God for providing all the wonderful people and experiences I have encountered that have molded my life to the present day. I hope he sees fit to allow me to continue my life and experiences, so that someday I can feel a small part of this tremendous debt of gratitude has been repaid and that I have contributed a share in helping someone else on earth enjoy their life just a little bit more.