 |
Do all the good
you can,
By all the means you can, In all the ways you can, In all the places you can, At all the times you can, To all the people you can, As long as ever you can. - John Wesley |
Our next honoree for tonight was born, reared and educated in East Carroll Parish. He was reared in a God-fearing religious home, and was strongly influenced by a God-fearing mother.
The honoree and I grew up together. He lived in the city and I lived in the country. He never liked to play a lot of silly games. He loved to draw all the time, and I liked to read all the time. So, when he came to my house, my mother used to say, "Don't you want to play with your little cousin?" I would say, "no," And when I visited him, his mother would say, "Don't you want to play with your little cousin?" He would say, "no." Such was his dedication to his God-given talent.
When our honoree grew up, he attended Southern University, where under the guidance of his professors, he honed and mastered his talents. He returned to his home town determined to make a difference in the lives of young people and the citizens of Lake Providence.
He has been characterized in many ways:
Some say he has always, even a a child, been a person who tells you just like it is. For example, when he was 4th grads, his teacher said, "Boys and girls, today I want you to write a composition about yourself. I want you to tell me just what's inside of you"
So, when the teacher got his paper, this is what our honoree had written. "In me, there is a lot of blood, and a heart, and a brain, some bones, and a stomach. And in my stomach, there is an apple, a peanut butter and jelly sandwich, and a glass of milk."
Our honoree has also been characterized as a "Nike Person," that is, he has that "Just Do It" attitude. When our annual Christmas Parade had seemingly petered out, this determined young man pulled together has resources, his friends, and this community and revived our annual Christmas Parade.
Our honoree has also been characterized as a shrewd business person, even as a child. When he was about 11 or 12 years old, he went to the bank to deposit $75.00 in his savings account. The teller said, "My goodness, that's a mighty big deposit. How did you earn all this money?" Our honoree answered, "I sold Christmas cards." "Well, you did really well," said the teller. "You must have sold cards to a lot of people in your neighborhood." "No, mam," said our honoree, "I sold all my cards to one family. You see, their dog bit me."
Oliver Wendel Holmes once said, "I find the real thing in this world is not so much where we stand, as in what direction we are moving." As a community, we are glad that our honoree for this evening chose to come back in the direction of his hometown, Lake Providence. We have no doubt that East Carroll Parish is a better place because of the direction he chose to take.
No person was ever honored for what he received. Because you see, honor is the reward for what you give. And so, on behalf or the "This Is Your Life Committee" and the community of Lake Providence, we want to say to this outstanding educator, artist, musician, deacon, and devoted father:
That we want you to continue
to:
| Do
all the good you can,
By all the means you can, In all the ways you can, In all the places you can, At all the times you can, To all the people you can, As long as ever you can. |
 |
Honoree, Solomon Armstrong, "This Is Your Life."
(Introduction Speech by Alice Jean Nichols)
|
|
|
PARADE '98 |
|
MOTHER |
MUSIC |
|
|
