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A Tribute
A Tribute to Saint Patrick, its students, and to Richard S. Clare '64, Shamrock and Viet Nam Veteran
I am pleased to share with you three fundamental reasons why it is easy and natural for me to support Saint Patrick with Financial Aid:
First, there is the desire for others to share in my realization of the significant benefits provided by my Saint Patrick educational experience. I have long recognized that significant practical knowledge and benefit transferred to me, that go far beyond what was ever expected or anticipated, even at graduation.
Despite privileged education at a number of institutions of higher learning and other experiences, the fundamental practical knowledge that makes the train run, came from Saint Patrick High School. You young men with us today do not realize it, but a similar experience will be awaiting you. When I attended school here, there were considerably more Christian Brothers in the faculty, who placed that knowledge in our minds in a special way, so that it would be available to us to call upon when we needed it. Today, you have the same opportunity with wonderful, dedicated teachers, with vastly improved interactive teaching methods and the willingness to openly share their diverse life experiences with you.
The second reason I contribute to Saint Patrick is a very special classmate I had in Richard S. Clare, who was a flesh and blood student, just like the one who may be sitting with you at your table today or in class or other activities with you at school through your years here. Following graduations here and later at Loyola, I left the Chicago area and would never return as a resident, except to visit family, so I had lost all communication with Saint Patrick.
I had attended St. Ferdinand grammar school with graduation in 1960. In 1987, I had the privilege of attending our 27-year grade school reunion and learned that Richard Clare was not there because he had been killed in Viet Nam back in 1969.
The following year, I traveled to Washington DC with my family, and we found Rich's name on the Wall at the Viet Nam War Memorial. Through research with other classmates, I learned that Rich had died on a lonely battlefield on the other side of the world from a massive chest wound from enemy mortar fire on a particular day of July in 1969. The date was not significant to a lot of people, but for me it was particularly significant, as I was at a bachelor party with groomsmen and others in planning my wedding for the very next day.
I can tell you that the revelation was like a spear being thrust through my heart, with a feeling that everything that happened the next day and thereafter with my family was in some way attributable to Rich's personal sacrifice. From that time forward, I vowed that the knowledge of Rich and his sacrifice would no longer be unknown or forgotten to others as it had been to me.
Such is the reason for the Richard S. Clare Memorial Scholarship and Endowment that attempts to provide humble support for a few at our school in his memory. There is also a tribute to him and other school veterans of every military conflict dating all the way back to the Civil War, located at the northwest corner of the school, at the rear entrance from the parking lot to the athletic field (Shamrock Victory Field). We are particularly blessed with relatively few known casualties with Rich from the terrible Viet Nam conflict, however we have numerous other veterans to remember back to school roots in 1861.
The third and most significant reason for Financial Aid support of Saint Patrick are you special young men, who are with us this afternoon as Beneficiaries, and your counterparts, who are unable to attend with their sponsors. It is a real pleasure for me to attend with two special students who have communicated with us throughout their four years and finally get to meet them both and wish them well as they graduate and complete their careers at Saint Patrick.
How can we not be proud of these and all our young men and their personal achievements?
Our students indicate a desire to someday be able to give to others in support of a Saint Patrick education, in keeping with what has been given to them. Such is a major cornerstone toward the future successful operation of Saint Patrick High School. Facts are that the basic school tuition, that is subsidized and assisted with Financial Aid, does not get it done in covering thefull cost of educating a student.
Such only covers about 70% of the cost. This means that, despite the tremendous efforts of Br. Konrad, the Board of Trustees, and the Administration, to manage and control costs, only about $.70 of every $1.00 is actually covered by assessed tuition. There are certain costs that cannot be shortchanged like teacher salaries and benefits and facility quality, that assure our educational vitality, safety, and security and are essential to our operational existence, that cannot be compromised. Thus we need the added support of wonderful Benefactors, like the ones with us here today and many others.
As you aspiring Students, future Alumni, and Graduates consider your role as future potential Benefactors, it is important that you understand that these wonderful, generous Benefactors, who are with us today, are normal, hard working people like you and me. There are not many philanthropic leaders like Bill Gates or Warren Buffett among our supporters. These good people put their slacks and shoes on one at a time, rather than leap or hover over them for entry in a single bound.
Like our parents, it is not likely that many limousines pick them up and return them home from work each day. They work very hard for whatever they have, and work equally hard to manage their blessings to assure they remain available to do whatever is required in their personal life situations. Like me, a few of us have been privileged to have enjoyed a Saint Patrick High School education, as a foundation of tools to combine with hard work for whatever we are able to do in life, but the rest is a gift from God, as to what we are given, for however long, and what we are able to accomplish.
In conclusion, please let me express our thanks to Br. Konrad and his Institutional Advancement Staff for the most special opportunity to attend this luncheon and finally get to meet our Students, as well as the rest of you. Special thanks to all of you Students for everything you do to share your experiences with your Benefactors. Special thanks to all of you Benefactors and Staff Members for all you provide in wonderful leadership and support of Saint Patrick.
Thank You!
Tom Davies '64
