Six degrees of separation is the theory that
everyone and everything is six or fewer steps away, by way of
introduction, from any other person in the world, so that a chain of
"a friend of a friend" statements
can be made to connect any two people in a maximum of six steps. It
was originally set out by Frigyes
Karinthy in
1929 and popularized by a
1990 play written
by John Guare. My first reaction to the theory was…No way! So, I put it to the test. For instance – I know LTG (Retired) Don Rodgers. His is friends with George W. Bush. (I’m just one-away from Bush!) Bush knows Putin in Russia…three away. Don and June had coffee with the previous Pope when they were
in Rome…two away from the Pope! Well, I guess the theory is pretty accurate. One of the connections I like the most is my 3-away
connection to Billy Graham…Don Rodgers to Bush to Graham! It’s not like I could go to North Carolina and knock on
Billy’s door and expect to be invited to dinner but still, I like
having the connection.
So, what is the practical application to this theory? The first is a family link to everyone known by members of my
large family. Counting
great &
great great nephews and nieces there are approximately 120 in my
family circle…located all over the USA. I have relatives who are friends with people in Papa New
Guinea and England and Burkina Faso and Australia, etc.
My brother even knows some government officials in New
Guinea…I’m only one away from them. My son, Eddie, graduated High School with and knew Chris
Kyle, The American Sniper. I am proud to be just one away from him.
The next application of the theory is, of course, my OCS
family. I know many of
you personally and many of you know people in high places that would
amaze all of us. So, for
many of you, I am just one away from those you know and even your
family members. I
especially appreciate all of the Class 02-67 guys I struggled and
sweated with in the ‘trenches’ of Fort Gordon. I spent some time in
‘harm’s way’ with some of you and will always be grateful for
our connection as “brothers-in-arms.” I have gotten to know many others of you through Association
Reunions and associated activities. You have given me a connection to ‘your world.’ Most of you will never know what my connection to you has
meant to me; how it has impacted my life for the better. I am grateful for my connection to all of you.
Certainly, as Chaplain, my most important connection is the
one with God. I
understand that different Faiths have different interpretations of
that connection. But, as
a Christian, my connection to Him is described in John 14:6… “Jesus said to him,
I am the way, the truth,
and the life. No one comes to the Father
except through me.” It is awesome to understand that through my belief in Jesus
Christ…I am just one-away from…GOD! So, NOW would be a good time to assess whatever your
connection is to our Creator. I encourage you to work to make that connection as close and
solid as possible.
May your connections be blessed!
Max Holt, Class 02-67, Association
Chaplain
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