Why I Became a Lion
From the November 2023 District 12-S Newsletter (with updates now that I found the memory book my mom left for me)
I was what you would call a hellraiser as a kid. I passed 1st through 4th grade on trial and failed the 5th grade.
I think they only let me out of 5th grade the second time because they wanted me out of there. I burned down a trailer in Roswell, NM. On Barksdale ir Force Base (BAFB), I helped destroy a couple of million dollars worth of construction equipment, which caused the delayed opening of new barracks and a new hospital by several months. I accomplished all this before my 13th birthday.
In the 6th grade, I stabbed a bully in the back and shoved another bully’s arm through a plate glass door, nearly severing his forearm. Yes, I had an angry and violent temper. Later in my life, my mom showed me a letter she kept from the BAFB Base Commander that stated that if my dad didn’t get control of his delinquent dependent, his dependent could be excluded from the base. My mom told me that meant my dad could be dishonorably discharged from the USAF.
What turned me from an out-of-control person to the pleasant, good-looking, and humble person you know today? A teacher who paid attention.
In the second semester of 9th grade, a teacher noticed I did well in some classes and very poorly in others. She sent a note home to my parents about getting my eyes checked. Yep, it turned out I was severely near-sighted AND color-blind. Being a Webster, from the 1st through both times in the 5th grade, I was always seated in the back row of the classroom. I couldn’t see anything the teacher was doing. A concerned teacher and glasses changed me.
All of this is the reason I am so passionate about vision screening. I want to help kids not have a miserable, angry, and possibly violent childhood because no one knows they can’t see what is happening in the classroom or life. Thank you, fellow Lions, for helping kids have a more normal childhood and successful school years through your vision screening service.
If we only change one child’s life, we have changed the world.
Remember, Life is for Service.
Lion Webster
12-S District Admin
I am forever thankful that a screening in ECE or kindergarten found my granddaughter was severely farsighted! We thought she was just clumsy running into things right in front of her! I don’t know if the Lions had anything to do with early education eye screens back in 2004/2005 but I am thankful for what they do
Most clubs started screening back in the late 60s/early 70s. The devices that are available now for Lions are very advanced and can spot issues in seconds that recommend a referral to a professional.
Love your story, just really hate that you have to give up the road in Lionism. I also understand the need to put your family first. I had to put my family first the year I was district governor, Daryl had to have brain surgery in August, and Dick and Tom had to take over. LCI told me family came first. If anything I can do, let me know.
Very interesting story Carl, and yes, a great reason to be passionate about Lions Clubs and Vision Screening. Thanks for sharing.
Wow, classmate! I never knew.
With your new political responsibilities (congratulations btw !) you probably won’t have the time to read and response to this, but who knows, it is certainly quite hard to quickly get over what’s literally been a vocation for you. Rest assured that you did left a mark on the community and an indelible one and you won’t be forgotten anytime soon ! Having said that, you surely know that you now left quite a number of orphaned sheep in the wild, don’t you ? I’ve done several researches and I haven’t found something even remotely close from the quality of your scripts. Do you know if anyone envision to be the new torch bearer and provide us with up to date scripts ? I hope this message finds you well and I wish you all the best for your new career. Best regards. Yvan
Sorry, but no one has offered to update any of the scripts or files. I update what I can when I can.