Thursday, June 14, 2001 | 8:23 a.m.
Ruthe Deskin is assistant to the publisher. Reach her at deskin@ lasvegassun.com.
Several years back I was asked to give some advice to recent high school graduates. This is what I told them. I believe it is still true:
First, a quote from the Declaration of Independence, "We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal."
Abraham Lincoln, in his memorable address at Gettysburg, used the phrase, "dedicated to the proposition that all men are created equal."
Far be it from me to question great men and women of the past, but it's really a fallacy to believe that we are all created equal. We come into this world with different degrees of health, intelligence, talent and even physical attributes. In no area are we born equal, except, perhaps, in the eyes of our maker.
A youngster who first sees life from a roach-infested tenement cot has a few strikes against him. Not so the child born with the proverbial silver spoon in his mouth. Without inborn talent, becoming a concert pianist or noteworthy in the arts is impossible. Any success in life is dependent upon the talents that lie dormant and flourish with discovery and hard work. For many, life can be a bed of roses. Others have to clear away the thicket before accomplishing their goals.
But graduates should not be dismayed. The trick is to discover one's own special place on this Earth and develop accordingly.
Equality isn't a given. Minorities and the downtrodden can attest to that as they have fought through generations for their space on this Earth.
A French author said it like this: "What another would have done as well as you, do not do it. What another would have said as well as you, do not say it; written as well, do not write it. Be faithful to that which exists nowhere but in yourself -- and thus make yourself indispensable."
It has been said that the best advertising is word of mouth. If that is true, Joe and Bobbie Schott of San Antonio could be declared ambassadors of goodwill for Las Vegas.
The retired newspaper editors from Texas have been touting Las Vegas since the 1960s when Dick Odesskey and Tony Zoppi were active in hotel-casino public relations work.
In those days the Schotts would drive to Las Vegas twice a year.
A planned visit this month has great significance for them. On Sunday they will be celebrating their 45th wedding anniversary at Sam's Town. In a recent communication they recalled having met members of the Boyd family, David Alello of Sam's Town, Bob Maloney, John Blink and Suzie Chenen.
A happy anniversary to Joe and Bobbie Schott, who have been Las Vegas fans for so many years.
A recent column referring to the census report showing a decline in the number of married couples in the United States brought comments from several whose marriages had lasted more than 50 years.
The longest on record was that of local residents Duke Ingraham and his beloved bride of 71 years, an anniversary they celebrated with family and friends.
When asked to explain the success of long unions, most replied, "We have always been each other's best friend."
In this modern world, a wag suggests, "Be friendly with everyone you meet. You never know with whom your company may merge tomorrow."
archive
