Panama Coach and Captain Speech
7/17/2010

Speech for Panama

This is it. These are the days of our lives. Right here.
Right now. This is Owego.

I remember when I was 8 years old, in bunk Bridger, sitting on this very field, on this very night, waiting for this moment. Now here I am, a head coach, standing along side my captains, Andrew and Teddy, 9 years later; and nothing's changed.

It’s been 50 years gone, 50 years celebrated. So what is it that sustains this summer camp for 50 years?

This moment--right here, right now--is the magic of Lake Owego Camp. The stillness of the warm summer air commands our attention and leaves us speechless.

As days pass, year to year, we grow older and wiser, but lose touch with our youth. This place brings us together for one sole purpose: to reunite our minds with our bodies, to bring us back to the present.

These Olympic Games absorb us completely. They forbid us to think about the future, and prohibit us to live in the past.

It's days like this that fill up the slots in our minds that hold our dearest memories. It's days like this that make young men cry. It's days like this that bond us all together.

We are here. We are now. We are Panama.

We, the proud nation of Panama, would like to take this opportunity to thank our judges for allowing us to participate in these great Olympic Games. Throughout our history, the people of Panama have struggled with disease and warfare. From the Spanish occupation of the old world to the modern warfare of the past century, Panama has fought for its right to thrive--and has succeeded. Our indefinite spark of tenacity propels and motivates us to advance in all fields.

Like Lake Owego, Panama is comprised of determined, united, and distinctive individuals who are raring to seize the gold; with the empowering spirit of Lake Owego within, we can, we're strong, we'll beat it! We honor and respect the brotherly competition and wish all countries the best of luck.

We are here. We are now. We are Panama.

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