Spirit of body or of the group. A sense of pride, honor shared by those in the same group or undertaking.

For anyone who has ever met General H. Norman Schwarzkopf or has gotten to know him through the pages of his world-wide bestseller, It Doesn't Take A Hero , he is a man of uncommon honor, foresight and integrity. His personality is infectious and forthright. His demeanor is benevolent, yet assertive. In speaking with him, you find him well-rounded, caring and intriguing as heck. When he speaks of the many charities he's involved with presently, this giant of-a-man easily becomes tearyeyed for the tremendously ill children he's come to know.

In his deep voice and precise gestures you feel his compassion, love and concern for the seriously ill kids he is fund-raising for as well as see his conviction in doing the best he can for them. Yet, if you've read the history books, newspapers, internet transcripts or have seen any of his commentaries during Desert Storm, TV interviews or NBC's documentary special What's Right With America , you quickly surmise he's a warrior; the counterpart of his genteel side. He's a warrior not perhaps by choice, but by fulfilling the motto most inscribed in his head by West Point training; "Duty, honor and country." By living the motto he became the epitome of a great leader as well as one of the United States Army's highest ranking officers; an honor bestowed on less than half a percent of the United States military officer corps. His character is molded by honorable actions, putting service before self, a montage of unique experiences and esprit de corps. As the General puts it, "Esprit de corps is an old military term that dates back to the days of Napoleon. It means the "spirit of the organization or a fierce belief in the organization you're part of along with a high morale."

In layman's terms you may interpret esprit de corps as a collective or group effort to get a job done well and to do it with a "team spirit." As an acknowledged leader of many organizations, the General is often a fomenter of the esprit de corps attitude. In being a "tone-setter" and "pace-setter" of many operations, the General's performance is normally unexcelled. And that is exactly what General Schwarzkopf is about...he does the best he can at everything he does. "No matter what it is I do, I am going to do the best I possibly can at it. You see that's my work ethic (ethic being the operative word here). If I were pumping gas at a gas station, I would want to be the best gas pumper at that gas station...only because that's my ethic . I think that's what this country lacks today."

Indeed, the General's psyche was molded from the philosophical integrity and intense nationalism of his generation. He came into being "himself" near the time of World War II. It was a time when he saw his father, a brigadier general in the Army, and really the entire freeworld take charge and defend the fundamental principles of democracy. (The very nature of democracy - where a system of government in which the people, no one class or a select group, share in directing the state's activities - embraces the fundamental notion of esprit de corps.)

From the onset of the General's adolescence to the genesis of his military career, he seemed to grasp onto the principles of the cadet's code of honor of, "I shall not lie, cheat or steal." This doctrine, if you will, was the formula that made up his, and, essentially, American society's, professionalism and strong work ethic. As a world traveler and as a connoisseur of cultures of sorts, the General has discerned that most people in the United States are living above the world's norm. For the most part, Americans are well-taken care of. In fact, today's U.S. 's governmental system has made it easier than ever before for families to be provided for without much effort from their part.

"Let's face it; you can live very comfortably in this country without having to work a lot. People don't have to work very hard anymore. There's a lot of "protectionism" out there to perpetuate this ethic. The General further states that our new mentality has evolved from the decay of our family structure, sense of community, school system and church involvement. He says, "There's a lack of discipline that's been documented since the Korean War. We had a

lot of people who collaborated with the enemy; so we studied the situation and the studies showed the principle reason for the collaboration with the enemy was the lack of self-discipline. It was traced all the way back to the lack of disciple within the home, community, school and church systems. These are the places at a very early age where discipline is instilled and once introduced to good habits you develop a sense of self-discipline," states the General.

"When people can graduate from high school in the state of Texas and they don't even know the name of the country immediately south of Texas ...that's frightening. What that tells you is that our standards have been lowered. OK. With lower standards, people can get by with doing less. If your standards are high, people have to do more to succeed. Standards are a measure of success. I worry that our standards are being lowered and the emphasis on individual liberty at the expense of community liberty bothers me. For example, in Florida , they just released a whole bunch of convicted felons on the principle that they did not have "X" number of square feet in their prison cells. So they were released because their "individual rights" were being violated. Now, what about the rights of the community for protection from these kind of people? We've gone so far over on the side of the rights of the individual that we forget the reason laws were created. Laws were created when individuals recognized that for their mutual defense and mutual benefit that they should come together as a group and pass laws that will control our conduct within this group. Rights of a community and rights of a society can be violated by the rights of individualism. Don't get me wrong, I am a strong believer in individual rights. I believe you should be able to do "your own thing" as long as you are not violating the rights of someone else. That means you can go ahead and dye your hair purple. But you cannot dye your hair purple and go and hold up a bank," explains the General. "The strength of our country is its people and that we are a great melting pot. No matter who you are or where you came from, you can be assimilated into our society," says the General.

It seems that multi-culturalism will always be an issue in the United States as our country is so diverse. There are times one may wonder if race, religion, culture or other influences could stand ahead of being an American. If push came to shove...and desperate internal conflict arose coast to coast, would Hispanic America choose their Hispanic descent over being an American...would Blacks, Orientals, Jewish or Catholics or any other faction choose their culture over being an American citizen? No one really knows. You would only hope that in our diversity, we would find our greatest strengths. It is our ability to accept each other; to accept the beautiful things of all the different people, that allows us to be a giant power. If we allow "separatism" it tears at the fundamental values of America . "I think you can be proud to be Black and, at the same time, be very proud to be a Black American," says Schwarzkopf. This is a quintessential aspect of America .

There's a lot of good things happening in America too. Just view General Schwarzkopf's What's Right With America series to find out that we are a nation of concerned, innovative and compassionate citizens. From Schwarzkopf's current life's devotion in helping seriously ill children to national volunteer groups helping at risk kids, America seems to be on an up-swing of creating an "esprit de corps" attitude again. It's evident the country's mood is moving back to focusing on our higher standards of value. Discipline and a sense of community are being reintroduced into our mindset. As the General says, "You cannot help a person up the hill without getting a little closer yourself." There's a benefit to every one who's a "team player" it seems; particularly if you're on a team with "Stormin' Norman."

Presently, at least half of the General's time is filled with charity work. He is passionate about the organizations he's involved with and believes through charities and lectures, he is serving his country as much, if not more, than he was when he was on active duty in the military. He uses his popularity and notoriety to give back what he feels he has been so fortunate in receiving. He says, "I've been blessed in so many ways by the acceptance of the American people. OK. Now, what am I going to do with what I have? People have wanted me to go into politics. They've wanted me to run for president. I am not interested in that. So my goal now is to use my popularity to give back what I've been given via charitable causes."

One of his current endeavors is fund-raising for The Boggy Creek Gang which was founded by himself, actor, Paul Newman and Ted Forstmann. It is modeled after the "Hole in the Wall Gang Camp" in Connecticut for chronically ill children.The Boggy Creek Gang's prescription for the kids is to have "fun." They are there to enrich youngsters seemingly bleak lives. Cancer, AIDS, diabetes, asthma, sickle cell anemia, crania facial disorders and kidney disease are some of the illnesses that plague these children.

Another endeavor of his is called Starbright. "Steven Spielberg and I are involved with this project. It is a $60 million dollar project that is to improve the life of chronically ill children in hospitals. Here we are creating a "virtual reality, computer world" that children isolated in hospitals can meet and interact with other children from other hospitals. They can play together and meet other children and escape from the prison of their illnesses," he says. "I hold a shoot in Florida every year to raise monies for spinal cord paralysis. In five years I've given over $2.5 million dollars towards the cure of this devastating condition. I am on the Nature Conservancy Board of Trustees. I am the national spokesperson for the recovery of the grizzly bear. I am the national spokesperson for prostate cancer and I am on several boards for the awareness for prostate cancer."

Whew. It seems that you could go on forever with the causes he is involved with. He donates his time and effort for goodwill and, perhaps, to create a twinkle in an innocent child's eye or to help perpetuate the existence of a species or to keep the landscape of America pristine. One mother told him and Mr. Spielberg that their efforts had created a miracle. He explains, "A mother came up to Steven and I at Mount Sinai Hospital in New York a couple years back and said, 'I don't know if you know it, but you've created a miracle with Starbright.' The mother described how her daughter had to undergo chemotherapy quite regularly and every time she'd get out of chemo, she'd lie in bed and suffer for two weeks. 'Well, my daughter had chemo treatment last week and got out of bed in one day because she wanted to go back to the Starbright world.'"

Doctors have documented that many of the kids participating in Starbright have had their pain medicine reduced as much as 80 percent. The kids see, feel and touch the warmth of this caring program each time they launch into the cyber-space. Most probably, it's not only the child's interaction with other like children as well as the intrigue and sense of curiosity the program stimulates, but the mere and simple fact it was created, that gives the kids the psychological wherewithal to lessen their need for pain killers. The program, in and of itself, says, "we care about you; we want you to be OK; we are thinking about you; we share your pain; we love you."

In essence, it is creating an "esprit de corps" or a sense of real togetherness and unity with the kids. Which, then again, is very apropro for everything the General is associated with. (If you wish to donate towards the General's fundraising efforts, turn to page 59 for addresses of charities.)

Breathing. The simple act of inhaling and exhaling is the General's favorite Rocky Mountain activity. He loves to do it and he does it all the time, needless to say. He does it, however, with particular enthusiasm when he is in Telluride, Colorado . He describes the motion with such passion you can easily envision his chest and nostrils swelling with exuberance to fill his lungs with crisp, clean, cool air. He seemingly has a lust for drawing in the invisible agent. (If one could bottle it and sell it to benefit a worthy charity, most likely, the General would get on that bandwagon to promote it.) Ahh... the simple/free things in life are always the best, aren't they?

In so many places now-a-days, you live in controlled environments. You go from your air-conditioned home, to your air-conditioned car, to your air-conditioned office...you get the picture. He says, "I just love to open a window and hear the wind blowing through the trees. I love to hear the thunder in the mountains. I feel a tremendous sense of release when I am in the mountains. The mountains give me strength and moral clarity; they did when I was in Europe in the Alps years ago and they do more so in Telluride today."

Since the General's catapult into public life with the Gulf War and his new-found security via various media ventures, he found the need to venture West to look for a spot where he could "breathe" once in a while. He said, over a four-year span, he went to nearly 90% of Colorado's resort towns, Washington, Idaho, Montana and Wyoming looking for a place that had a refreshing dose of mountain air with no airs, if you will. "Time and time again, I resisted going to Telluride because it had the image of being 'glitzy.'" Knowing the General's attitude of "liking to be in the trenches," one could judge why he veered away from the town. He needed, however, to get a certain "monkey off his back" so to speak. That monkey was the former lieutenant governor of Florida , Bobby Brantley. "Bobby's friend kept saying, 'Get Schwarzkopf to Telluride! Get him to Telluride.'

So, just to get him off my back, I took a plane to Telluride and fell in love with the place," explains the General. "Uhh...I am not sure how to describe Telluride. It's warm, it's friendly, it has character. Let me see, how else can I explain Telluride...hmmm. It's warm, it's friendly, it has character. Yea! It's warm, it's friendly and it has character!" Without poking fun at the General's broken-record verbiage, it became quite obvious that he had in fact fallen in love, as for the first time in the interview the "cat got the General's tongue." He was at a loss for words in describing his new found love and his eyes glistened with excitement. The General also reiterated a few times that the natural beauty and splendor of Telluride was what initially attracted him to the area. This "describing Telluride episode" revealed the genteel side of his multi-faceted character once again and made him seem more like a "common fellow."

Enter the warrior - on skis. "I used to be an intermediate kamikaze (Japanese suicide attack pilot) skier and now I am advanced-mediocre. I am not a good skier or will I ever be. I get up there and just kind-of do my thing. Double-blue runs are stretching it for me. OK. I am on a plateau of mediocrity that I've been on all my life with skiing. I really should be much better but..." Annnneee Savathhhhh (Telluride's ski school director) where are you? The General may be in need of some technical/ mechanical advise. Brakes perhaps?

The General declares, "I ski for the same reason I do everything else in Telluride and that is to be there ." And, of course, breathe there. He likes to ski in Telluride because there are not a lot of people. He relishes the uncrowdedness and lots of open space not only in his alpine adventures but when he is snowmobiling, cross-country skiing or simply walking his dogs, Griz and Orso. He quite obviously just loves being in, as he describes it, "the majestic wilderness."

As far as being an outdoorsman, he's avid. Yet as he says, "I am a jack of all trades and a master of none." He loves to hike, particularly Bear Creek Trail, and he's an addicted fly-fisherman. He is the current world-record holder for the Dolly Varden (trout) caught on two-pound test fly line in Alaska . Proudly, his whisked a 4" x 5" print of vibrant red-toned fish from his side table to show it off. It was undoubtedly a beauty. (His next fishing quest is to catch a sailfish on a fly rod.) As the General returned his photo to its proper setting, attention was brought to the decor of his office. Most everything reflected an image of nature. From the duck paintings on the wall to the gigantic molds of grizzly bear prints on the floor, you could infer he revers Mother Nature. He works out daily, often times amidst groves of quaking aspen, Colorado blue spruce and towering ponderosa pine by riding his mountain bike, hiking or walking. He also likes to go to the local fitness club as part of his daily regime. "Everyone's involved with some kind of activity in Telluride. It's a very healthy environment," says the General.

The General loves the vibrations of the Telluride people. He loves the "pulse rate" of the town and, of course, its

warmth, friendliness and abundance of character. He feels, however, that Telluride isn't sure of its identity. "I don't think that Telluride has come to grips with what it wants to be. It cannot have the best of all possible worlds. It cannot become a major tourist attraction and still be a homespun, little Western town. You cannot welcome tourist money and, at the same time, reject the concept of tourism," he explains. "OK, let me explain. Last year you had the Bluegrass Festival on the 20th of June bringing in 10,000 people; a major, major event. Then on the 4th of July you had this neat little parade. The parade was so small town USA ; it was so refreshing my NBC camera men couldn't get enough pictures of it!"

He seems to view the local parade as being more of a "major event" than a huge festival because it personified the spirit of the town's people. It demonstrated communal banshee and the locals' "esprit de corps." T h a t 's what enthralled the General....seeing town's folk celebrate their town in their own individualistic ways. He likes "real things" and "real people." There's an esprit de corps in Telluride. Everyone wants the same thing. They just view it in different ways he says. And yet, through attracting different peoples like second homeowners, Telluride (or perhaps the political powers that be) seems to clutch onto or are somewhat resistant in newcomers town participation, some quality growth steps and other types of maneuvers that may further enhance Telluride's integrity, charm and economy. They should be welcoming with opening arms people who want to be part of the community and work with them, not against them. The nemesis of any large organization is not giving value or respect to all the players. Perhaps in allowing the new genre in, Telluride will send out a more clear message and get to where it wants to get more quickly.

Politics aside, it's easy to surmise that the General feels Telluride is splendid and that its natural beauty and charisma give it a five-star ranking. Like the General, one may also recount Telluride as having an infectious and multi-faceted personality. It has a home-spun quality, while at the same time has an up-scaleness to it. It's dynamic, progressive and on-the-move; yet it's low-key, friendly and earthy. Its town's people embody a spirit of pride which, quite singularly, tries to preserve the character of the town, while, at the same time sanctions quality growth. The town itself is very much like the General himself. Perhaps that's what attracted him to the area. That, or perhaps, that elusive thing called esprit de corps.

Surprisingly, General H. Norman Schwarzkopf would rather have his legacy be; number one, of being a good father; number two, of being of help to chronically ill children and; number three, of being a general who won a war. He believes that the rest of his life will be devoted to helping the very sick and promoting the American morale. "Dare to live your dreams," he frequently says."Because you're in America you can." He might also say things like... "Be all that you can be and experience all you can. There's no substitute for experience. Do the best you can at everything you do and do it with a "team spirit" and enthusiasm. Help each other. Join in. Get down. Get into it. Set your standards high...excel."

More so than anything now-a-days, it seems the General is a teacher and a great one at that. He is a promoter of values and integrity. He teaches and practices what he has been taught; "Duty, honor and country." His various efforts are instilling back into society all that is good and all that is great with this country. Why? Because he cares. He cares about his team called America and because he is a loving father, a concerned citizen and an (retired) officer, a gentleman and an American hero.