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The following speech was given by BG Fletcher M. Lamkin Jr., at the Wreath laying ceremony for President Grant  held on 27 April 00 at Grant’s Tomb.

           Ladies and gentlemen, honorable members of Congress, and honored guests, it is a great privilege for me to stand
before you today on this 178^th birthday of Ulysses S. Grant.  Today we pay tribute to a great soldier and statesman who helped this country through some of the darkest years in our history.  My focus today will be on Ulysses Grant's strength of character, for I believe that he stands as an example to all of us that each of us can make a difference in this world. 

Few historians would categorize Grant as a naturally brilliant soldier or statesman.  In fact, history often treats Grant as a man of fate.  The outbreak of the Civil War in April 1861 created an opportunity for Grant to be the right man at the right time.  I suggest that the success of Ulysses S. Grant was not due to fate or mere good luck, but to the fact that Grant was a leader of character.  By character I mean he exemplified a spirit of selfless service, perseverance, loyalty, and courage.  

        As the Dean of the United States Military Academy, I have devoted a great deal of my life to educating leaders of character--Young men and women who may someday be called upon, like Grant, to lead this nation in difficult times.  I believe that study and understanding of individuals such as Ulysses Grant is instrumental to preparing our nation’s leaders for the challenges they will face in an ever-changing world.   
           
        On the surface, Grant’s pre-Civil War life seems unremarkable.  He grew up in the small hamlet of Georgetown Ohio.  Grant’s father, a rough-hewn man of modest means, was determined that his children receive an education.   At an early age young Sam Grant was determined to leave his mark in the world.   His eyes never left the horizon of possibilities.  Grant was appointed to West Point in 1839.  Overall he was an average student with the notable exceptions of horsemanship and mathematics.  In his famous Memoirs written in his final years, Grant noted that he was not much of a student.  He was well known for the somewhat scandalous habit of reading novels instead of his lessons. 

In 1843, Grant graduated 21^st in a class of 39.  Other members of Grant’s class included Longstreet, McClellen, Buckner, and Sherman.  Surrounded by such men, Grant seemed to be destined for mediocrity.  Although Grant’s academic record was not exactly the stuff of legend, he did show a glimmer of the self-confidence and focus that would become his trademark.   During his first year at West Point, General Winfield Scott paid a visit to the Academy to inspect the Corps of Cadets.  Grant thought he would never match Scott’s heroic stature, but he firmly believed in his own potential to one day take Scott’s place as the reviewing officer.

            After leaving West Point, Grant served gallantly in the War with Mexico.    Grant’s commanding officer noticed something special in this young man from Ohio.  "I have found in Lieutenant Grant a most remarkable and valuable soldier. I anticipate for him a brilliant future if he should have an opportunity to display his powers when they mature."  After the war, the Army returned to its frontier duties and Grant faded into the background of peacetime routine.  

In 1854, Grant resigned from the Army to pursue a career in business.  Several difficult years of business failure and personal hardship followed.  On the eve of Civil War, Grant was 39, the father of four children, and bankrupt; yet he never lost confidence in himself.  Three short years later this middle-aged failure would be General-in-chief of the Armies of the United States.  In seven years Grant would be elected President.  How did this happen?   

            Let me suggest that this happened because of the focus, loyalty, and ideals of Ulysses Grant.  Grant never doubted the rightness of the cause he fought for or his own abilities to serve that cause.   John Stuart Mill once said, “one man with beliefs is worth a thousand with interests.”  Grant’s beliefs were with the future of the United States.  After suffering a day of near defeat at Shiloh in 1862, Grant’s former classmate and subordinate William Sherman found his rain-drenched commander standing under a tree near the battlefield.  In discussing the days events Sherman said, “Well Grant, We’ve had the devil’s own day, haven’t we.”  Grant’s brief reply hinted at his strength of spirit. “Yes. Lick’em tomorrow, though.”  And so he did.
       
         Ulysses Grant served his country selflessly and with loyalty.   A fellow Union Army General described this quality in Grant:

"The great distinguishing qualities of General Grant were truth, courage, modesty, generosity and loyalty.  He was loyal to every work and every cause in which he was engaged--to his friends, his family, his country and to his God, and it was these characteristics which bound to him with hooks of steel all those who served with him.”   

When Grant took command of the Union Armies, Sherman wrote of his old friend these famous lines, "I always knew when I was in trouble that Grant was thinking about me and would get me out.  And he did."  Something in Grant’s character inspired Sherman.  A bond, forged through respect and loyalty, existed between them that endured tremendous adversity.  

            As we begin a new century our nation will face many challenges.  The United Sates will need men and women with the strength of character exemplified by Ulysses Grant.  Those of us charged with providing the nation with its future leaders must not forget the example of individuals like Grant.  His achievements remind us that anyone, regardless of talents or weaknesses, might one day provide vital service to the nation.  We all share this responsibility for guiding and teaching young people about their ability to shape the future.  Our nation’s future demands it.

            To you young people out there, I hope that Ulysses Grant will be an example for your lives.  Don't you ever, ever let someone tell you that you are mediocre.  Don't let a teacher, fellow student, or family member convince you that you are not special.  Like Grant, you need to know in your heart of hearts that you are special, and you need to prepare yourselves, as Grant did, for the moment when your calling comes.  You can make a difference in this world, but only if you are willing to prepare yourselves, believe in yourselves, and step forward with confidence and resolve when your calling comes.