Ohio Stadium is immortal and timeless. It has stood the same way (except for a face-lift) for 87 years now. It will stand that way at least 75 more. The cast of characters comes and goes, but the roars for them still echo the same way down from C Deck. Tippie Dye, Bill Willis, Les Horvath. Jim Parker. Vic Janowicz. Paul Warfield. Rex Kern, Jack Tatum, Jim Otis. Archie, Cornelius, and Pete. Spielman. Eddie. Troy. AJ. And others yet unnamed. It has stood there for our ancestors, it is there for us, and it will stand there for our children and their children, who will cheer the same cheers and carry on our traditions.

We though are different. We are mortal. I was reminded of that yesterday with a slap in the face via a phone call from my friend and fellow Buckeye Harry. Harry and I started at Ohio State the same day. We studied the same major and sat side by side in our agronomy classes in Townshend Hall. We graduated the same year. Went to work for the same agency. Even roomed together during our basic training.

Our USDA careers have paralleled each other, though he was always the brighter. As one of the good ones in public service, Harry has risen much higher. He started at the bottom of our agency and is now very near the top in our headquarters in Washington D.C. Along the way he never forgot his roots on the farm in the hills of Meigs County, the OSU education that allowed him to travel from there to the nation's capital, or we folks on the front line that he was there to serve. Some people get to the top by climbing over others. Harry got there by doing good and the right thing.

Harry was calling yesterday to tell me that he will be retiring May 1 after 37 years of government service. I already knew that. More importantly, he was calling to tell me something I didn't know. The words hit like a ton of bricks. Harry has been diagnosed with ALS or Lou Gehrig's Disease.

They are honoring Harry today in Washington at a reception in the Whitten Building. I regret I can't be there and thought, "What could I do?" The next best thing is to share with you the proud accomplishments of this fine man and successful OSU alumnus. And, to ask for your help for my friend.

Pray for some more good years for your fellow Buckeye, Harry Slawter.