Nick Caporella2:22
Thank you, Dr. Peale, honored guests, ladies and gentlemen. In keeping with the mood of these last two days, I would like to tell you of someone who was responsible for my ideals and my philosophy. It's that philosophy and those ideals that led me here this evening, and I think it only just that I introduced that man to you so that you can get a complete understanding and a good feeling for him. I would like you to close your eyes and move your head forward. I'm going to recite a poem that will completely describe the man to you. Somebody said it couldn't be done, and he, with a chuckle, replied, 'Maybe it couldn't, but he wouldn't be one to say so until he tried.' So he buckled right in with the trace of a grin on his face. If he worried, he hid it. And he started to sing as he tackled this thing that couldn't be done, and he did it. Most of you who knew my father would say that completely describes that individual. Many, many years ago, when I was a small boy, approximately seven years old, my father was building a septic tank at our home. His home was constructed on a national – for those of you who don't know, that's a pile of residue left over from underground mining operations. Most of my family at the time, I recall, always commented on the luxurious surroundings of that home, being on a national. Well, we were constructing this septic tank. We couldn't get very close to the location with our truck that contained a concrete block, so the truck is parked approximately 150 feet away. My father and I started to carry two concrete blocks from the truck to the septic tank. I was so small and the blocks were so heavy. I wanted desperately to do well for him, and he suggested I carry a small block rather than a large one. These small blocks were used to construct corners. He asked me to take one half block, put it in both of my arms, and walk slowly toward the location. As we started to walk, he said, 'Nick, I'm going to teach you something today that will help you carry these blocks better.' And he started, 'Somebody once said that it couldn't be done,' and I would repeat, 'Somebody once said that it couldn't be done.' The next trip from the truck to the septic tank location, my father suggested I carry two half blocks, one in each arm, to balance me, not to sag from left to right, and he said, 'Okay, let's go. Somebody once said that it couldn't be done, and he, with a chuckle, replied...' And I'd say, 'Somebody once said that it couldn't be done, and he, with a chuckle, replied...' I don't know when it started, but I noticed that I was carrying a full block each trip from the truck to the septic tank. And I'll never forget, as he handed me the last one, he said, 'And he tackled this thing that couldn't be done, and he did it.' It was many years later that I came to realize the importance of that lesson that day. It was a philosophy lesson that has enabled me to achieve far beyond my wildest dreams. If someone would have told me that if I work very, very hard I would end up standing before such an impressive group with all my friends, loved ones, business associates, listening to me speak about an award that is shared by so many distinguished individuals in our nation, I would have not believed it. I believe that philosophy lesson has enabled me to get here this evening, and because of that, I accept this award on behalf of my father, who gave me my direction in life, and my mom, who claims to be responsible for all other qualities I may have, and rightfully so. On behalf of my parents and all my loved ones, my brother, his family, my wonderful children, and most especially my lovely wife, Thomasina, a beautiful person that the Lord decided to only make one of. I wanted to thank Dr. Peale, the awards committee, my fellow recipients, our most gracious host this evening, Carlos Romulo, and all those who had a part in helping me make this evening a memory that time cannot erase.
