My Three Sons (TV Series)

Robbie Wins His Letter (1963)

Peter Brooks: Hank Ferguson

Quotes 

• Mr. Armstrong : Students, I know many of you feel about the scholarship award but in time you'll come to realize its importance. Both to our country and to yourselves as individuals. I've learned that your parents feel very strongly about this and they persuaded someone you all know to make the award. May I introduce Brigadier General Jimmy Stewart.

  Hank Ferguson : Holy cow Jimmy Stewart.

  Mr. Armstrong : That's right this is Jimmy Stewart and he is a brigadier general in the United States Air Force Reserve. He is just completing his tour of active duty in the Air Force and is returning to the west coast. Students, General Stewart.

  [Loud applause] 

  General James Stewart : Mr. Armstrong, students, good afternoon. Some of you seemed surprised to see me here well as a matter of fact I was surprised too when Dr. Harper told me the students were going to honor an egghead. And the reason for that is because when I was in high school that word described a fella who goofed up. I wish you could have been with me the past few days upon the mountains near Colorado Springs. I visited a school dedicated to developing what perhaps could be called super eggheads. You would have enjoyed seeing 2500 youngsters just a couple of years older than you competing in various athletics, football, basketball, fencing, wrestling and each a modern egghead in his own right because academic leadership is a mandatory requirement for admission to that school. Maybe by this time you've guessed that I'm talking about the United States Air Force Academy. Where the program is devoted to developing leadership. Now I don't mean only military leaders to plan Air tactics, I mean leaders in science and diplomacy, astronautics, electronics, physics, the humanities, leaders in tomorrow's world. One of the most important things they learn is enscribed on a statue that stands amid the rolling hills and it reads: man's flight through life is sustained by the power of his knowledge. That's so true. You're growing up in the midst of a complex and wonderful world. A world of science. We take for granted our accomplishments in space but this is only the beginning of the space age and the marvels of automation in our everyday lives. Progress in the future depends on knowledge, on education. This group and other students across the country around the world are in a sense competitors in this quest for knowledge. I think the winner of any competition is not just average, he's earned his victory and the right to recognition and I'm glad the students and faculty of this high school have decided to recognize with an appropriate award a winner in academic achievement. It's an important award and I believe in it and I'm proud to present it. The first award for scholarship, a sweater and Bryant Park B to Robert Douglas.

  Hank Ferguson : [to Robbie]  you've done it