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Tears of Pride

by John F. Tamburo, Editor in Chief, Publisher
Originally Posted: 12/1/2004 10:06:02 AM
Last Updated: 12/2/2004 4:06:06 PM

Patrick Daley is 29 years old.  He just graduated, with honors, from the prestigious business school at the University of Chicago.  With MBA fresh in his hands, he makes a decision.  Instead of waltzing directly into a six-figure job at any Chicago corporation, he enlists in the Army!  Not only that, he is qualified to be an officer by virtue of his advanced degree, he enlists.  No officer’s commission.  When he completes basic training, he will be eligible for ground service anywhere in the world.  Great guy, huh?  There’s more.  His father is Richard M. Daley, dynastic mayor-king of Chicago.  Mayor Daley is the son of Mayor Richard J. Daley, and between them they have ruled Chicago for over 30 of its 170 years.

"In 1992, Patrick Daley got into some trouble for an underage beer party and a fight at the Daleys’ Michigan summer home.  Mayor Daley at the time held a news conference, in which he broke down crying as he expressed his disappointment."

In 1992, Patrick Daley got into some trouble for an underage beer party and a fight at the Daleys’ Michigan summer home.  Mayor Daley at the time held a news conference, in which he broke down crying as he expressed his disappointment.  I was 30 years old at the time, and a Chicago native living in exile in Houston, Texas.  I got my hometown news from WGN cable.  I watched this press conference and remember feeling for the man.  I remember hoping that my first child (who was on her way to us at the time) would never get into such trouble.

"Patrick Daley got his life in order.  No affirmative action program needed.  He straightened up, flew right, got an education and proceeded to get himself a high-honors MBA with perhaps the best business school on Earth.  Then he showed the great character that his father and mother instilled into him."

Then something happened:  Patrick Daley got his life in order.  No affirmative action program needed.  He straightened up, flew right, got an education and proceeded to get himself a high-honors MBA with perhaps the best business school on Earth.  Then he showed the great character that his father and mother instilled into him.  He volunteered for the Army, not as an officer, but as a regular man.  This is a success story that should have every American brimming over with pride in this fine young man, and ready to offer hearty congratulations to the mayor and his wife for a job well done.

Patrick Daley made his decision to enlist before the election, but in deference to his father’s prominence in the Democratic party (Patrick Daley is a Bush supporter), he delayed his entry to the end of this year.  While some may be tempted to decry that decision, I say applaud it.  It shows a respect for his parents that is exactly what all of us owe those who God entrusted to raise us. 

This last weekend, mayor Daley had a second press conference where his son was on the list of topics.  For the second time, he was in tears.  However, this time, he was shedding well-earned tears of pride.  Mayor Daley, take a bow.  You and your wonderful wife have done an outstanding job bringing up an excellent son.