John naber louis zamperini quotes
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By George Morris
When I picked up the office phone and recognized the caller from a Baton Rouge church-supported school, I knew a story pitch was coming. What I didn’t expect was the subject.
“Would you like to interview Louis Zamperini?”
Why, yes. Yes. I. Would.
By , Zamperini had already become famous to a new generation because of Laura Hillenbrand’s book, “Unbroken.” The folks at Parkview Baptist School were audacious enough to think Zamperini, then 94, would be willing to come and speak to the high school students. Zamperini was gracious enough to fly out from California to do just that.
The public wasn’t invited, but Zamperini met with a small group of reporters in a conference room a few steps from sanctuary where he would speak. John Naber, a fellow Olympian (, swimming) and fellow University of Southern California alumnus, helped the frail Zamperini negotiate those steps.
But, though, his body was weak and his hearing not what it used to be, Zamperini remained mentally sharp, and independent enough to take issue with Tom Brokaw’s famous characterization of himself and his comrades.
“We were not the greatest generation,” Zamperini said. “We were the hardy generation. We were overcomers. We had to overcome a lot.”
Few overcame as much as Zamperini himself.
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Adolph Kiefer Passes Away At 98 Years Old
Legendary swimmer and Olympic gold medalist Adolph Kieferhas passed away at the age of Prior to his death, he was the oldest living American Olympic champion.
Kiefer passed at his Illinois home at in the morning on Friday, May 5. He was a month shy of his 99th birthday.
The International Swimming Hall of Fame published a lengthy obituary today, recounting Kiefer&#;s legacy both in the pool and out. Kiefer suffered from neuropathy that kept him confined to a wheelchair late in his life, but he continued swimming, as he could still stand up in the water. The ISHOF notes that Kiefer had been hospitalized with pneumonia in recent months.
USA Swimming also released a statement on Kiefer&#;s passing, including this quote from interim Executive Director Mike Unger: “Adolph Kiefer embodied swimming and lived it every day of his life. He was a pioneer for our sport in the truest sense of the word Adolph was so passionate about swimming and exuded it to everyone. When you met him, he made you feel so special and he was amazing to be around.”
Kiefer won the meter backstroke at the Berlin Olympics, setting an Olympic record that would stand for 20 years. He was also the first man to break one minute in the yard backstroke, doing so as a h
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