I was visiting Kent State on May 3rd and 4th to be there for the 40th Anniversary of the Kent State shootings. I was a senior and graduating from college in 1970 and have a strong connection to this event and many tangential events, as I have been an American History teacher in Penfield, NY for nearly 40 years before I retired. I did not attend Kent State, but wanted to be there as a matter of closure for me. My daughter is a teaching intern in their graduate program in the school of history.

As I was walking around campus one afternoon I was hailed by a very articulate and interesting film studies student who was conducting on the spot video interviews of people "that looked interesting to him". Naturally, being a loquacious classroom teacher I asked him what he was doing this for and he replied it was going to be used (maybe) with a few others as some kind of inspirational composite of "average citizens" commitment to energy resources. He was associated with : The Repower America campaign to galvanize the American public around a bold new clean energy plan and a revitalized national energy infrastructure. He said it might be primarily for grade school students as they studied environmental issues. I said I'd be glad to speak extemporaneously on this subject (after I MADE him listen how, in my senior year I was involved in the First Earth Day on my SUNY campus and had planted pine seedlings). He said he needed 20 seconds. I was ready for whatever he needed as I'm always good to go without any script......... (ya can't be in front of 8th graders and survive unless you can talk....). So, off I went and decided to plump for First Wind - for some obvious and personal reasons (I like you guys). I know grade schoolers won't "get" the part about me "talking to the windmills when the wind is down" because I'm long winded. He was almost laughing as I greased this little spot down and signaling me to hurry up. I concluded by having a laugh on myself — as I always used humor as a teacher in my classroom.

As I was greatly affected by the history and personal connections to the Kent State Shootings and the Vietnam War, I was so happy to speak about positives in our country today - God knows kids grow up thinking the end is near and we must have hope, humor and positive words for individuals and businesses that care on many levels for us and our future.




Your friend,

Gene Benoit