That kid cut me right to the quick. He was saying, ““This isn’t my world you’re talking about. Can I still make it?’’ My answer was: ““Yes, you can.’’ That boy may not have had what I had growing up, but, I said, ““there are people here who care for you, who will mentor you, who will watch over you and teach you right from wrong.''
As I began traveling around the country in retirement, my own interests turned inward, from national security and cold war to what is going on here at home. I have seen social, cultural and racial divides that are deeply troubling. These are problems government can’t solve, so it’s up to us to get on with it. Last Friday we started: I had the unusual privilege of standing in the White House beside two of the presidents I had served–Bill Clinton and George Bush. One had defeated the other at the polls, but old rivalries are giving way to a common purpose. We were together to announce the Presidents’ Summit for America’s Future, which will be held in Philadelphia on April 27-29. Presidents Gerald Ford and Jimmy Carter and First Ladies Hillary Clinton, Lady Bird Johnson and Nancy Reagan will be present to welcome the delegations from every state and hundreds of volunteer groups. The goal is not just to celebrate ““service’’ but to encourage corpo- rations and nonprofits to further mentoring, skill training, child health care, service to community and safe places for children.
It won’t be easy. In my travels, I have met many youngsters. Too many of them are in despair. I saw for myself during 35 years in the military what happens when you take young people, provide a nurturing, structured environment and give them leaders to look up to. I’ve since wondered what would happen if only we could make that model available to every kid.
I find that so many people are anxious to do more, if only we can help them channel their time, energy and treasure. There’s no reason every company in the country can’t take one kid, 10 kids or 100 kids and teach them about the workplace. There’s also a place for local government. Look at California, where Gov. Pete Wilson has created a program to recruit 250,000 mentors for at-risk youngsters by 2000. Each of us who has been blessed must reach down or reach back and lift up somebody in need.
