Writer admires Jim Amerson’s dedication

I have recently moved to the significant town of Shawnee on purpose and find it more than to my liking. It is a friendly, growing, bustling place.
I really want to talk about the writer of the Play Sports Letter to the Editor on Friday the 12th.
I am not a long-time friend of Jim Amerson, but I am an admirer since the first time I met him. After being a hero in the Korean War, Jim came back to a signal career as a coach and teacher. Then, recently, he took over the leadership of Oklahoma Boys’ State, which had been considered the best in the country. It had fallen on some hard times because of political considerations and Jim’s quiet manner and professional ability to insist on real quality had put it back where it belongs: among the elite.
I worked for Jim three years at Oklahoma Boys’ State and saw him interact with staff, the attendee boys, and all the important figures who made Boys’ State a stop on their summer agenda. The man is a miracle at knowing what he wants and getting it. I found myself knocking on this door when I needed advice on how to proceed. I never saw him use Boys’ State for his own personal advantage. He did not use it to build his ego. He treated all as equals with himself, and it made Boys’ State fly.
The thing Jim wants is a strong America and he knows that Boys State is the place to begin training the leaders of a strengthened America in the future. He dealt with problems and successes exactly the same, as the gentleman and Patriot he is. Pott. Co. should feel very proud of having a citizen who contributes personally to the growth of patriotism and the training of those who will see it continue.
I have heard this may be his last year as director. That would be one big loss for Oklahoma, nay, for the country as a whole.
With love and respect for a fine American and a good leader.

Tommy Richard McConnell
Shawnee