Tom Hanks played Captain Miller in the 1997 film that helped me put real perspective on my life. I have even done a couple of speaking engagements on the parallels between my life and the film and how I have dealt with being an at-risk kid growing up. The message to the kids and teachers that I've spoke to is to be somebody's Captain Miller.
To capture his full essence watch the clip linked below. A quick summary of his character is this, he is a leader. A leader who can lead by example and put himself out in front of his men to get them where they need to be. He is smart but stays focused. His men saw him as a mystery because he didn't try to make friends with his men he simply put them where they needed to be to accomplish the mission. In then in the end, because the situation demanded it, he showed his humanity to his men to bring them closer.
As I have stated in an earlier post, for poor kids people are currency. I have been lucky enough to have several people willing to be my wealth over the years and thus my Captain Millers. Mr. Forbes was a Captain Miller because I always felt welcomed and valued in his room. He taught me and connected with me. He is one of the few teachers I made a real connection with. I don't think he knew I had become an educator but I'm sure he would have been a bit shocked to learn that. But really that's what you do for your Captain Millers. At the end of the film his last words to Private Ryan were, "earn this." That's what you have to do for them every day. True Captain Millers don't want a thank you, they just want to know that the sacrifices they were making along the way made a difference.
Who are your Captain Millers? Have you earned their sacrifice today?
Superman died??? Sorry to hear that.
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