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Letter: His life was an influential dash

Friday, March 12, 2004 | 5 a.m.

WEEKEND EDITION

March 13 - 14, 2004

A few years ago there was a poem making the e-mail rounds. It was titled "How do you live your dash?" The dash is the little thing on your gravestone between the year you are born and the year you die. It represents the time you spend on Earth. I have the poem taped inside my kitchen cupboard door.

When I saw it today it reminded me of Gov. Mike O'Callaghan. The poem said, in part, "For it matters not how much we own; but how we live and love." Anyone who knew Mike could tell you he lived his life well and how he loved life. He chose to be a teacher and a soldier. No one becomes a teacher or a soldier to become rich.

Teacher and soldier -- those two words may be the most important words in his obituary. He never quit teaching and influencing, and fighting for what was right. He can be proud of how he spent his dash. And we can consider ourselves lucky to have met him.

JAN JENKINS

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