This is a great story that not many know of a great Olympian who paid the ultimate sacrifice for his country. In the spirit of the Olympics I thought i would post this for people to read. It is the true definition of a hero.
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North Dakota Sports Hall of Fame
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The purpose of the North Dakota Sports Hall of Fame at the Jamestown Civic Center is to honor and recognize those individuals who have played a major role in the growth and development of sports in the State of North Dakota, and to further promote sports and sportsmanship to the public of North Dakota by so honoring those who have made outstanding contributions in sports.
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Cliff Cushman Cushman was a man with a vision. He didn't worry about what could have been: he was more interested in what could be. He was recognized as N.D. athlete of the year in 1960 and as a hurdler in track at the University of Kansas. Cushman won a silver medal in the 1960 Olympic Games in Rome, placing second to another American in the 400 meter hurdles. His dream of capturing the gold medal at the 1964 games was lost when he stumbled over a hurdle at the final U.S. Olympic trial meet in Los Angeles. Everyone felt sorry for the world athlete who came so close to, yet so far from reaching a dream.
After that experience, Cushman wrote a letter to the Grand Forks Herald in which he asked the young people in his hometown not to feel sorry for him, but instead to set goals for themselves.
His letter, written on an airplane only hours after the unfortunate fall, has always been an inspiration.
After graduating from Kansas in 1961, Cushman became a fighter pilot in the Air Force. In September 1966, he was listed as missing in action in Vietnam.
Cushman was 28 years old at the time. His wife, Carolyn, and 10-month-old son, Colin, could only wait.
Said his wife after being informed of her husband's status: "Somewhere in Vietnam he's running the biggest race of his life. It's like watching a race in which Cliff is running - only you can't see the finish tape. He's in excellent physical condition. Cliff also has a very deep faith in God. What better combination could there be?"
November 6, 1975, Clifton E. Cushman was officially declared dead. But his timeless inspirational message lives on.
His letter
A CHALLENGE TO YOUTH
Don't feel sorry for me. I feel sorry for some of you!
You may have seen the U.S. Olympic Trials on television. If so, you watched me hit the fifth hurdle, fall and lie on the track in an inglorious heap of skinned elbows, bruised hips, torn knees and injured pride, unsuccessful in my attempt to make the Olympic team for the second time.
In a split second, all the many years of training, pain, sweat, blisters and agony of running were simply and irrevocably wiped out. But I tried! I would much rather fall knowing I had put forth an honest effort than never to have tried at all.
This is not to say that everyone is capable of making the Olympic team. However, each of you is capable of making your own personal "Olympic Team," whether if be the high school football team, the glee club, the honor roll, or whatever your goal may be. Unless your reach exceeds your grasp, how can you be sure what you can attain?
Over 15 years ago, I saw a star -- first place in the Olympic games. I literally started to run for it.
In 1960, I came within three yards of it; this year, I fell and watched it recede four more years away. Certainly, I was very disappointed. However, there is nothing I can do about it now but get up, pick the cinders from my wounds, and take one more step followed by one more and one more, until the steps turn into miles and the miles into success.
I know I may never make it. The odds are against me, but I have something in my favor – desire and faith. Romans 5:35 has always had an inspirational meaning to me in this regard:
"...we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not disappoint us..."
At least I am going to try.
How about you? Would a little extra effort on your part bring up your scholastic average or enable you to make the athletic team?
Let me tell you something about yourselves. You are taller and heavier than any past generation in this country. You are spending more money, enjoying more freedom, and driving more cars than ever before, yet many of you are unhappy.
Some of you have never known the satisfaction of doing your best in sports, the joy of excelling in class, the wonderful feeling of completing a job, any job, and looking back on it knowing that you have done your best.
I dare you to cut your hair neatly, to clean up your language, to honor your mother and father, and to go to church without being compelled by your parents.
I dare you to unselfishly help someone less fortunate than yourself and enjoy the wonderful feeling that goes with it, to become physically fit, and to read a book that is not required in school.
I dare you to look up at the stars and set your sights on one of them that, up to now, you thought was unattainable. There is plenty of room at the top, but no room for anyone to sit down.
Who knows? You may be surprised at what you can achieve with since effort. So get up, pick the cinders from your wounds and take one more step.
I dare you.
Sincerely,
Clifton E. Cushman
September 17, 1964
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
North Dakota Sports Hall of Fame
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The purpose of the North Dakota Sports Hall of Fame at the Jamestown Civic Center is to honor and recognize those individuals who have played a major role in the growth and development of sports in the State of North Dakota, and to further promote sports and sportsmanship to the public of North Dakota by so honoring those who have made outstanding contributions in sports.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Cliff Cushman Cushman was a man with a vision. He didn't worry about what could have been: he was more interested in what could be. He was recognized as N.D. athlete of the year in 1960 and as a hurdler in track at the University of Kansas. Cushman won a silver medal in the 1960 Olympic Games in Rome, placing second to another American in the 400 meter hurdles. His dream of capturing the gold medal at the 1964 games was lost when he stumbled over a hurdle at the final U.S. Olympic trial meet in Los Angeles. Everyone felt sorry for the world athlete who came so close to, yet so far from reaching a dream.
After that experience, Cushman wrote a letter to the Grand Forks Herald in which he asked the young people in his hometown not to feel sorry for him, but instead to set goals for themselves.
His letter, written on an airplane only hours after the unfortunate fall, has always been an inspiration.
After graduating from Kansas in 1961, Cushman became a fighter pilot in the Air Force. In September 1966, he was listed as missing in action in Vietnam.
Cushman was 28 years old at the time. His wife, Carolyn, and 10-month-old son, Colin, could only wait.
Said his wife after being informed of her husband's status: "Somewhere in Vietnam he's running the biggest race of his life. It's like watching a race in which Cliff is running - only you can't see the finish tape. He's in excellent physical condition. Cliff also has a very deep faith in God. What better combination could there be?"
November 6, 1975, Clifton E. Cushman was officially declared dead. But his timeless inspirational message lives on.
His letter
A CHALLENGE TO YOUTH
Don't feel sorry for me. I feel sorry for some of you!
You may have seen the U.S. Olympic Trials on television. If so, you watched me hit the fifth hurdle, fall and lie on the track in an inglorious heap of skinned elbows, bruised hips, torn knees and injured pride, unsuccessful in my attempt to make the Olympic team for the second time.
In a split second, all the many years of training, pain, sweat, blisters and agony of running were simply and irrevocably wiped out. But I tried! I would much rather fall knowing I had put forth an honest effort than never to have tried at all.
This is not to say that everyone is capable of making the Olympic team. However, each of you is capable of making your own personal "Olympic Team," whether if be the high school football team, the glee club, the honor roll, or whatever your goal may be. Unless your reach exceeds your grasp, how can you be sure what you can attain?
Over 15 years ago, I saw a star -- first place in the Olympic games. I literally started to run for it.
In 1960, I came within three yards of it; this year, I fell and watched it recede four more years away. Certainly, I was very disappointed. However, there is nothing I can do about it now but get up, pick the cinders from my wounds, and take one more step followed by one more and one more, until the steps turn into miles and the miles into success.
I know I may never make it. The odds are against me, but I have something in my favor – desire and faith. Romans 5:35 has always had an inspirational meaning to me in this regard:
"...we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not disappoint us..."
At least I am going to try.
How about you? Would a little extra effort on your part bring up your scholastic average or enable you to make the athletic team?
Let me tell you something about yourselves. You are taller and heavier than any past generation in this country. You are spending more money, enjoying more freedom, and driving more cars than ever before, yet many of you are unhappy.
Some of you have never known the satisfaction of doing your best in sports, the joy of excelling in class, the wonderful feeling of completing a job, any job, and looking back on it knowing that you have done your best.
I dare you to cut your hair neatly, to clean up your language, to honor your mother and father, and to go to church without being compelled by your parents.
I dare you to unselfishly help someone less fortunate than yourself and enjoy the wonderful feeling that goes with it, to become physically fit, and to read a book that is not required in school.
I dare you to look up at the stars and set your sights on one of them that, up to now, you thought was unattainable. There is plenty of room at the top, but no room for anyone to sit down.
Who knows? You may be surprised at what you can achieve with since effort. So get up, pick the cinders from your wounds and take one more step.
I dare you.
Sincerely,
Clifton E. Cushman
September 17, 1964