THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Saturday, June 8, 1996 TAG: 9606080275
SECTION: LOCAL PAGE: B1 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY KIA MORGAN ALLEN, STAFF WRITER
LENGTH: 78 lines
Capt. Scott O'Grady stood before the graduating seniors of Norfolk Collegiate on Friday and gave credence to the adage ``it's a small world.''
A year ago, the U.S. Air Force pilot was rescued from the Bosnian terrain after six days of eating bugs and drinking rainwater after his F-16C fighter jet had been shot down. Marine Brig. Gen. Martin Berndt commanded the rescue mission.
On Friday, Berndt's 18-year-old son, Dennis, was among the 59 Norfolk Collegiate high school graduates. Also graduating was Dario Cosic, a Bosnian exchange student who was in Tuzla at the time O'Grady was shot down. He sat before the man he had been hoping to meet for months.
``It's unfortunate when we forget how fortunate we are until we are threatened. Life in itself is a gift,'' O'Grady said.
``You never do know when it's gonna come to an end.''
He shared stories about his life as a kid growing up in Spokane, Wash. He wanted to be a Ninja warrior. He flashed a schoolboy smile and told seniors to never forget to be happy.
``If you can do nice things for people, do them,'' he said. ``There are a lot of awards when you help someone else.''
He described fulfilling his dream of becoming an Air Force fighter pilot. He was commissioned in 1989.
``Don't let anyone tell you that you can't achieve your dream. If you can do one thing, remember to venture out and look forward to the future and your dreams.''
O'Grady's speech was short and sweet. He promised not to ``bore'' the graduates with long-winded stories about the desolate peacekeeping mission. But he couldn't help but share his enthusiasm about his Norfolk visit.
``This is a double pleasure,'' O'Grady said. ``It's really nice to be able to go and talk at schools and to the true youth of today who are the future of tomorrow. And, it's nice that I get to visit with the Berndt family. We have a friendly relationship. They kind of adopted me.''
Dennis Berndt was responsible, along with other senior class members, for encouraging his dad to ask O'Grady to be commencement speaker.
``I think it's real neat to have him speak. I'm hoping the other seniors get to meet him,'' Dennis said. ``He's a nice guy, real genuine. He's kind of like a brother who visits home from college.''
Gen. Berndt was equally pleased, not only for O'Grady's appearance but also for being able to also speak at his son's graduation.
``How many guys get to do that. What a thrill,'' he said. ``O'Grady has really become another member of the family.''
O'Grady's charisma piqued the graduates' curiosity about his ability to survive at the most trying time. His wisdom and encouragement held a special intrigue for the students.
Cosic, who was visibly nervous and openly excited about meeting the man who worked to bring peace to his native land, was especially excited.
``He is a celebrity in my country. I feel very honored to meet him and very obligated to him for what he has done for my country,'' the 17-year-old exchange student said. ``He brought something to my country that we didn't have for 3 1/2 years, and that's peace.''
Since O'Grady, 30, left active duty five months after ducking and hiding in the Bosnian tundra, his life has taken on a whirlwind of commitments.
In addition to his duties in the Air Force Reserve, he frequently visits schools and talks to students. With a best-selling book, ``Return with Honor,'' and a stint introducing war movies on TNT, fame did not come without a price.
``My life has been absolutely crazy. It's like living someone else's because it's not supposed to happen to you.
``It's supposed to happen to the other guy.'' ILLUSTRATION: Color photos by Huy Nguyen/The Virginian-Pilot
Capt. Scott O'Grady, with Marine Brig. Gen. Martin Berndt, who
brought him to Norfolk.<
Dario Cosic of Bosnia wipes a tear after a speech in which he
thanked O'Grady, Brig. Gen. Berndt and the other peacekeepers. by CNB