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OpinionNovember 13, 1996

To the editor: Inspiration is a strange phenomenon. More often than not it is simply mistaken as a moment of excitement in youthful eyes or fascination that will soon fade as soon as the next day. Test this from your own experience. What moment or mentor inspired you or your hero on to life's path? Was it early in your life, or something you experienced as you developed a more complex perspective in school? Was it simply a place that you visited and the people there?...

Tom Royle

To the editor:

Inspiration is a strange phenomenon. More often than not it is simply mistaken as a moment of excitement in youthful eyes or fascination that will soon fade as soon as the next day.

Test this from your own experience. What moment or mentor inspired you or your hero on to life's path? Was it early in your life, or something you experienced as you developed a more complex perspective in school? Was it simply a place that you visited and the people there?

Some people never experience the sensation that comes when you first realize, "This is my calling, a destiny that I want to make happen." Still, for many this is a moment that they can recall for the rest of their lives. Just ask your father or mother to describe such a moment, then observe their eyes and expressions. You'll see it right there.

Some of the newest technologies have inspired enormous bursts of this energy. Take, for example, the development of personal computers. Bill Gates and thousands of others were instantly inspired, almost transfixed, by the moment.

Many years ago, such a developing technology inspired a handsome and daring young man to risk his life in the crossing of the Atlantic by air for the first time, all the way to Paris. From that day, not only had Lindbergh's life changed, but millions of others would be inspired to leave the surly bonds of this earth. Their moment of inspiration had arrived.

Today we are not impressed with our next business trip on that jet airliner or the schedules and luggage delays. Aviation is as commonplace as the automobile.

Well, it just ain't so. We are fortunate here in Cape Girardeau. That spirit of adventure and inspiration is alive and well at the city airport. Remember that place that was a military training area at one time?

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I'm sure that many of you recall the excitement and wonder you felt the first time you went to an airport -- the sounds, the look of those shiny airplanes. Wow!

So, what's the point of this?

The point is we have a great opportunity to excite and maybe even inspire a few of our children by taking a trip to the airport. The ride is short, and traffic is not usually a problem now that the political campaigns are over.

There are even programs that are sponsored by the Experimental Aircraft Association members called Eagle Flight that are intended to introduce children and young adults to general aviation.

Tours are often welcomed by the fixed-base operator and the control tower. I have seen many of the local daycare centers take advantage of this.

Here is an opportunity to share a Saturday morning with your son or daughter visiting the airport and watching the airplanes. Many of the local pilots are more than happy to show the kids an airplane up close. After all, they are just big kids themselves.

They even have hot chocolate in the restaurant. Maybe you'll get to see a future airline captain or Top Gun instructor while you are there. Say "Hi" to her if you do.

TOM ROYLE

Cape Girardeau

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