Ken Taylor Passes

I was both shocked and saddened when I heard that former Ambassador Ken Taylor passed away the other day in New York City.  You'll remember that Ken was the Canadian Ambassador to Iran when the Country was taken over by religious extremists.

The terrorists took over the American Embassy and held hostage over 200 Americans.  Six embassy staff members escaped capture and sought refuge in the Canadian Embassy.   Ken and his staff housed the six Americans and with the help of the CIA managed a plan to get them out of Iran safely.

The plan worked!  The six Americans escaped Iran, safely disguised as Canadians.   Ken was awarded the American Congressional Gold Medal for his efforts.  A highly fictitious account of that escape was the plot of the movie Argo.

Ken was an alumnus of mine.  We both attended Crescent Heights High School in Calgary.  Ken graduated a little over a decade ahead of me.  We knew of Ken Taylor when I was in high school, and he came to speak to us once.  I was always impressed with his ease of conversation, his sense of humor and his genuine interest in those around him.

He spoke to us again last spring at Crescent's hundredth anniversary.  He spoke of his years growing up in Calgary and attending Crescent.  He said a few things which I have used when talking to young people.  Ken was indeed one of my personal heroes.

Rest in peace Ken.  You are one Canadian who did make a difference in the world!

Crescent Heights High School Reunion

I hope you all had a great Victoria Day long weekend!

I had a fun one.  I attended the fiftieth anniversary of my high school graduation from Crescent Heights High School in Calgary, which corresponded with the one hundredth anniversary of the school's founding. 

My wife and I were able to attend many of the events scheduled over the three day celebration.  I met several classmates, many of whom I recognized only by name.  We've all changed a bit since then!

At the closing banquet, two very distinguished Crescent graduates, Ken Taylor and Doug Mitchell, spoke about the importance of their high school to their lives overall.  It was quite moving.

Here's a big "thank-you" to Century of Celebration Co-Chairs Murray Anderson and Stew Hambly, along with their little army of volunteers for making last weekend most memorable.