A Tribute to Oliver North

Last week Lt. Col. Oliver North spoke at Regent University’s Executive Leadership Series. More than 600 people came to hear him speak about radical Islam and “The Greatest Challenge Facing America.” I had the privilege of hosting and getting to know him.

I remember when North first burst upon the national scene. It was July 1987 when he was called to testify in the Iran Contra hearings. The Democrats on the congressional committee were licking their chops as North was called to testify. They planned to take him down and if they played their cards right—the administration of President Ronald Wilson Reagan.

Most of us over the age of 30 remember watching some of the hearings that summer. North testified in his Marine dress uniform resplendent with row after row of combat–earned medals, short cropped hair—looking every bit the epitome of a clean cut All-American Marine. Making his testimony all the more striking was a two-tiered dais filled with more than 25 representatives and senators, plus staffers, arrayed in a menacing semi-circle about him. They looked like wolves closing in on a kill.

An amazing thing happened during those hearings. Americans watched the proceedings like it was the World Series and were soon cheering for the patriotic, God-fearing, courageous, highly-decorated war hero. An American icon was born.

Since that summer 21 years ago he has run for the U.S. Senate, written 12 books, written a syndicated column, hosted War Stories on Fox, visited the combat zones of Iraq and Afghanistan 14 times since 9-11, and founded the Freedom Alliance, a foundation that provides scholarships to the children of service members killed in action.

Last week I was privileged to observe North up close for one night and nearly a full day. I found him to be noble, generous, caring, kind and compassionate. He made a special effort to greet the family of a Make-a-Wish kid and posed for pictures until they got tired. He took time to pray for our University and our founder during a special 30th anniversary celebration (both of these were unscheduled). He was a true gentleman who treated everyone with respect. He shook every hand offered, signed and personalized nearly 200 books.

Lt. Col. Oliver North became a hero to me in 1987. However, sometimes when you meet your hero in person you’re disappointed.

I was not disappointed. Having spent time with him, he remains a hero to me. Semper Fi, Col. North.