Subject: Tiger Woods comments/speech
given at the inauguration
Tiger Woods spoke Sunday at the
Lincoln Memorial in Washington during "We Are One," an inauguration
celebration for President-elect Barack Obama. Below is the text of his
speech, entitled "You'll Never Walk Alone," as posted on his Web site:
"I grew up in a military family - and
my role models in life were my Mom and Dad, Lt. Colonel Earl Woods. My
dad was a Special Forces operator and many nights friends would visit
our home. They represented every branch of the service, and every rank..
In my Dad, and in those guests, I saw first hand the dedication and
commitment of those who serve. They come from every walk of life. From
every part of our country. Time and again, across generations, they have
defended our safety in the dark of night and far from home.
Each day -- and particularly on this historic day -- we honor the men
and women in uniform who serve our country and protect our freedom. They
travel to the dangerous corners of the world, and we must remember that
for every person who is in uniform, there are families who wait for them
to come home safely.
I am honored that the military is such an important part, not just of my
personal life, but of my professional one as well. The golf tournament
we do each year here in Washington is a testament to those unsung
heroes. I am the son of a man who dedicated his life to his country,
family and the military, and I am a better person for it.
In the summer of 1864, Abraham Lincoln, the man at whose memorial we
stand, spoke to the 164th Ohio Regiment and said: 'I am greatly obliged
to you, and to all who have come forward at the call of their country.'
Just as they have stood tall for our country - we must always stand by
and support the men and women in uniform and their families.
Thank you, and it is now my pleasure to introduce the US Naval Glee
Club."
I have never been more proud of Tiger
Woods than when I heard his 2-minute tribute to the military at the
Inaugural Celebration in Washington DC . You know he was greatly
pressured to be there. You know the liberals have been mad at him for a
decade for not joining their ranks. You know he didn't want to be there.
So instead of paying homage to Obama, he paid tribute to our soldiers.
Not one time did Tiger mention Obama or the inauguration or the new
administration. You know, he knew he would disappoint, even anger, many,
many liberals. But Tiger is his own man. His old man taught him to be
his own man. Somewhere in that cold, gray Washington sky, old Earl was
smiling down on his son.
And there will be one more crying hug
waiting for Tiger when he passes through the Pearly Gates!
