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The 25th Anniversary of
NTL, and the Rearing of the Next Generation
Part Two of Two By Dave Andrusko Editor’s note. My family is on vacation. While we are gone I’ll be running some new stories plus past articles that you've indicated you liked. This ran July 2. Dave There are lots of ways you can measure growing a tad long in the tooth. At my age, Carbon-14 dating comes to mind.
Another way is to watch the founders and early Presidents of National Teens for Life celebrate the 25th anniversary of NTL. They are now in their late thirties and early forties, but they have lost none of their enthusiasm, humor, or dedication. I knew them as young adolescents. Now all are adults and some with children of their own. A number of qualities stood out for me as I listened to NTL founding President Jack St. Martin, Joleigh Little, Dr. Angela Franks, Derrick Jones, and Liz Crnkovich. Near the top is that the current crop of NTLers clearly found them to be kindred spirits, alive in their defense of unborn children. I also found them to be passionately articulate, none more than Jack and Liz. In her funny, inspiring remarks Liz invoked a memorable line from the "Lord of the Rings" trilogy. Frodo is lamenting that he cannot accomplish his task alone. Galadiel tells Frodo, "This task was appointed to you, and if you do not find a way, no one will." Frodo responds, "I know what I must do, it's just that... I'm afraid to do it." But Galadriel raises his spirits by reminding him, "Even the smallest person can change the course of the future." The parallel is apt. If we--you and I--do not take up the cause of the powerless, then who will? Given the daunting resources of our opponents, this could be an intimidating undertaking. But the men and women, boys and girls who have flocked to our Movement are made of sterner stuff. They go forward because they know it is the accumulation of a thousand different little things successfully accomplished that makes the big breakthroughs possible. And they go forward because, thanks in large part to the leaders of NTL, they know that generation after generation of pro-life champions is being reared. When St. Martin asked all those born after the Supreme Court's tragic Roe v. Wade decision to stand and be recognized, at least half of the room stood up. Congratulations to NTL as it celebrates its 25th anniversary. Please send all of your comments to daveandrusko@gmail.com. If you like, join those who are now following me on Twitter at http://twitter.com/daveha. |
