Reflections for May 21

La Tercera, Friday, May 22, 2021

DEAR DIRECTOR,

We are fortunate that every year we celebrate May 21, Navy Glory Day. It is a lasting gift from Prat and his glorious crew, allowing us to reflect on their example and what happened that day. Not only does it provide us with a holiday, but more importantly, it often rescues us when we feel we are sinking and reminds us of the importance of caring for the crew, the need for clarity of purpose, the value of example, and selfless leadership, all of which are necessary in present-day Chile. Prat could have kicked the ball to the corner that day, but he did not, and he did not get distracted by the signs from the north indicating the presence of the Huáscar. He remained calm, focused on his mission, and the rest of the story is well known to all of us.

For Chile, Prat and his crew.

Richard Kouyoumdjian
Vice President, AthenaLab