I left home at 8:00 this morning and returned at 9:30 this evening. In between I soaked up the sights, sounds, smiles, tears, and pageantry of a beautiful Commencement Day in the Shoe. I chatted with those for whom the day was special enough to be first in line well before the gates opened, visited with a grandmother who came all the way from Colorado for her first time in the Stadium, and talked with someone lucky enough to have signed to the hearing impaired the commencement addresses of two different Presidents.

Along the way I met a mother who went back and finished her degree after 20 years had passed. At the Jesse Owens memorial I met a young black man who shared with me that he felt he was there today because Jesse and others like him helped pave the way, and then welcomed me into a very moving graduation party held by his family.

With some cooperation from these folks and others you will be able to read all about their special and interesting graduation memories in Stories of the Shoe.

Congratulations to all the graduates and their parents, friends and relatives. And to my good friend Barry Schneck, who made the walk and received his diploma today, well done Barry!