Easily The Best

Over the course of my 15 years in the community newspaper business, I've been to more than my fair share of chamber of commerce banquets. Of course, that means I've also heard plenty of keynote speakers.

Without a doubt, Thursday night's featured speaker at the 103rd Terrell Chamber of Commerce Membership Banquet was the best.

I'll admit this was not the first event I'd attended where WFAA Channel 8 news anchor John McCaa had spoken. However, the message he delivered last night to a crowded room at Furlough Middle School was one that I think any Terrell resident or business owner would have been proud to hear.



For a little more than 20 minutes, McCaa offered an outsider’s view of our community. In an entertaining style that combined humor, poise, levity and insight, McCaa entertained with his stories while pinpointing exactly what he believes makes Terrell a great community: character.

“The reason why I love your community is because despite all the pressure you get to change, you stay true to what makes Terrell great,” McCaa said. “What I’m interested in is character because that is what I think our young people are looking for — someone to tell them about character. They want to know what it is you should do when times get tough. How do you get through those times? You, the people of Terrell, essentially told us that you can do that. You have shown us what character is.”

Of course, we all remember the words McCaa on air about Terrell in 2009 shortly after our community had lost its fifth son to military action in the Midddle East.

“I spent the first 18 years on this earth living on military bases around the world. My father was a career U.S. Air Force NCO. I take the service and sacrifice of our men and women in uniform very seriously,” McCaa said. “I must tell you that I have never lived anywhere in any state or country in which the people of a community showed more respect for their fallen sons and daughters, than Terrell. Your entire community is to be commended for not forgetting these brave men or their families.”

On Thursday, McCaa expounded upon that sentiment.

“You honored these men not because they died, but because they lived — and because they lived here,” McCaa said. “They got their values from this community — they got them from you. They were special men because of what they learned growing up here.”

McCaa added that our community should not only serve as a role model for local youth, but is an example for all communities.

“You have given this country a lesson in how to honor its finest,” McCaa said. “I thank you for that.”

And we thank you, Mr. McCaa, for reminding us why we love Terrell so much.