By Col. Leonard Griggs
As a son of the Commonwealth of Virginia and a proud graduate of West Point, I am keenly aware of the meaning, significance and merit of tradition. It establishes a means of preserving treasured values that enrich future generations.
Tradition, however, can also become an albatross when it impedes change. “That’s not how we have done it in the past,” is something we unfortunately hear too often. So it goes in St. Louis.
Although I lived in many places as a result of my military career, St. Louis is my home. I live here by choice. I like it here. That’s why I am consistently bewildered by residents’ negativity and apologetic comments about perceived shortcomings of this region, our home.
This attitude is generally reflected in our local media’s coverage of St. Louis. During the recent announcement of my retirement as Lambert Airport Director, I offered reporters and their editors an example of the region’s negativity. I proposed that if Jesus Christ were to appear in St. Louis and recreate one of his miracles by walking across the Mississippi River, the media would observe, “See, we told you he couldn’t swim!”
Hopefully no one is offended by my comment. It was offered as constructive criticism. I am not suggesting that we close our eyes to problems. After all, our dreams can be a bridge connecting an awareness of where we are to our desired destination.
We can invoke a more optimistic perspective. We must issue a challenge that as a community we will dare to be better. Alternatively, we can adopt Alexander Pope’s position of “blessed is he who expects nothing, for he shall never be disappointed.”
Our cultural institutions, universities and health care facilities rival those found in any city. Our attractive cost of living and geographic location are tremendous advantages for economic development. Of course, we have our beloved sports teams, and I will not attempt to list our fabulous collection of restaurants. Perhaps our most valuable asset is all of us—the people of our region.
In 1993 I witnessed hundreds of area residents banding together to battle a vicious and unforgiving flood. Charities and civic causes are typically supported by the generosity of this community. Although there will always be people with needs, we, collectively, have a knack for responding when presented with a challenge. In spite of our best efforts, we would be more effective if we would take on a more proactive perspective.
About 50 years ago, Adlai Stevenson observed, “All progress has resulted from people who took unpopular positions.” Are we really so burdened by maintaining traditions that we too easily turn our backs on proposed changes?
We in St. Louis have many reasons to be proud. Encourage each other to adopt this attitude and express it to those who live elsewhere. Please bear in mind that this plea for positive thinking is coming from that gruff old maniac with the mustache.
Basically, my entire adult life thus far has been devoted to public service, and my years at Lambert Airport were truly a labor of love. Again, I chose to make St. Louis my home. My wish for our community is to realize our full potential. We have demonstrated an ability to extend a helping hand. Let’s become more comfortable with offering our town a collective pat on the back.
I hope to see you at one of my grandchildren’s activities, at the Fox, at a Rams game or even at the grocery store. Please make a point of telling me why you love St. Louis. Naturally, there will be times when we disagree, but we must not allow such differences to diminish our St. Louis pride.
Col. Leonard Griggs retired as director of Lambert Airport on December 31. He was first appointed director in 1977.
