Musings from the CU Suite

Written by Anthony Demangone

I spent the better part of this week in Louisville, Kentucky. NAFCU hosted its Board of Directors and Supervisory Committee Conference. 

It was a huge success, and we have a lot to live up to for next year's event in San Francisco. 

These ladies were the life of the party at our Derby fundraiser at Churchill Downs.

The keynote speaker was Major Dan Rooney. He urged us to look around us and to seize opportunities when they present themselves. When the door opens, act.

It happened for Major Rooney as he returned from his second tour of duty in Iraq.  A fighter pilot, Rooney knew about the danger that our armed forces face. But on his flight home, his life changed.

As his flight landed, the pilot announced they carried the remains of Corporal Brock Bucklin on board, asking all passengers to respectfully remain seated while his casket deboarded.

Major Rooney watched as Corporal Bucklin’s twin brother walked somberly alongside the flag-covered casket to meet his family. Among them was the deceased Corporal’s young son, Jacob. Major Rooney ached as he thought of his own wife and little girls. Seeing the other side of war through the eyes of Jacob, was life-altering.

Sadly, over half the passengers had disregarded the pilot’s request and deboarded. Major Rooney decided he had to do something. Not only would he pay tribute to American soldiers and their families, he would live as a reminder among civilians that it is our duty to honor the sacrifices of those who preserve the freedoms we so easily take for granted.

Major Rooney committed to spend his life changing the future of America’s grieving spouses and children. In 2007, he formed the Folds of Honor Foundation; a 501C-3 nonprofit organization dedicated to providing educational opportunities to the families of these heroic Americans.

Major Rooney's story was moving. And his message was clear There will be times in your life when you have a chance to make a difference. It might be risky, but a door opens to show a possible path. Too often, he said, we wait too long. And the door shuts. 

It got me thinking a bit. After the conference ended, I had a few hours to kill. So I visited the Louisville Slugger Factory and Museum. And another example of seizing an opportunity struck me square in the forehead.

The first Louisville Slugger bat wasn't made at a baseball bat factory. Rather, it was made in a furniture woodworking shop. A young boy saw a professional baseball player break his bat. The boy had tinkered with making his own bats in his father's workshop. He convinced the ballplayer to let him make a bat. He did. And the next day, the ballplayer had three hits. 

Quite a few players wanted bats from the young man. 

That young boy turned that into the household name that supplies bats for most major league baseball players. And what was the nickname of that first pro player? 

The Louisville Slugger.

The story is amazing. 

That is an actual bat used by Mickey Mantle. And that physique was used by Babe Ruth. (The bat part is true.)

It was a wonderful week in Louisville. And I tell you, it has  me thinking about doors. Especially those that open...