Friday; April 19

Do you know where you were thirty-one years ago today? April 19 is not one of those “remarkable” dates for a lot of people – but for some of us, it is engrained in our brains. For those in Waco, Texas it is probably memorable for being the final day in the standoff between agents of the federal government and the Branch Davidians that took the lives of about 80 people. However, for those of us who lived in South Dakota, it was another tragedy that captured our hearts and minds. On that day, eight of our friends, family and neighbors were killed in an airplane crash near Dubuque, Iowa – among them was Governor George Mickelson. To appreciate the impact this would have on the state, you need to understand just how small and close-knit of a community it is. A lot of people either knew those on board that plane or knew someone who knew someone who was killed in the crash. Some believe that Waco was a national tragedy, but I can tell you from first-hand experience, that plane crash was a regional calamity.

Each April 19 I think about that day in 1993 and I am reminded of just how fragile life is. You never know what can or will happen on any given day. While it might sound like I am urging you to exercise caution, what I am really trying to do is to get you live every day to its fullest! Being young doesn’t protect you from potential dangers, nor does being famous shield you from what might happen. Remember – today is our day to make something significant happen!

Think About It!

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