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Kids Hear Franks Appeal

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By LENORA LAKE

llake@tampatrib.com

Published: December 10, 2008

TAMPA - Using the theme "Ain't This a Great Country," retired Army Gen. Tommy Franks called upon about 400 charter high school students, faculty members and guests to learn daily and strive for their best.

"I don't want any of you worrying about getting a job at McDonald's," he said recently at Brooks-DeBartolo Collegiate High School's first Distinguished Speaker Series presentation.

"I want everyone in here worrying about how you are going to own McDonald's."

Franks, commander of U.S. Central Command from July 2000 to July 2003, recounted growing up in Wynnewood, Okla., and attending the University of Texas, where he "flunked out" after two years. He decided to join the Army as a private.

"Ain't this a great county?" he asked. "When I was your age, I wasn't as great as you are."

He said his father and his wife of nearly 40 years, Cathryn Carley Franks, who accompanied him to the presentation, were the biggest influences on his life.

His father told him to be "FEISTY," an acronym for focus, energy, integrity, solving the problem, taking the blame and "yes, I do windows."

"Do whatever needs to be done," he said.

Following his presentation, students asked questions about his career and philosophy.

Adam McEndree, 17, a senior, asked Franks whether he supported a military draft and how he felt about it during the Vietnam War, when Franks did tours of duty there.

"I didn't like it then. I thought it was pathetic - and I still think it is pathetic," he said.

Turning to business sponsors attending the event, Franks asked how many of them would want employees who were required to be there.

"There is no way you would get the same work," he told them.

The speaker series is designed to bring guest lecturers to the students while raising money for the school through sponsorships.

The charter school, at 11602 N. 15th St., was founded by Tampa Bay Buccaneers linebacker Derrick Brooks and the Eddie DeBartolo family.

Correspondent Lenora Lake can be reached at (813) 865-4851.

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