Cliff Cushman was a man with a vision. He didn’t worry about what could have been; he was more interested in what could be.

He was recognized as ND Athlete of the Year in 1960 and as a hurdler in track at the University of Kansas. Cushman won a silver medal in the 1960 Olympic Games in Rome, placing second to another American in the 400-meter hurdles. His dream of capturing the gold medal at the 1964 games was lost when he stumbled over a hurdle at the final US Olympic trial meet in Los Angeles. Everyone felt sorry for the world athlete who came so close, yet so far from reaching a dream.

After that experience, Cushman wrote a letter to the Grand Forks Herald in which he asked the young people in his hometown not to feel sorry for him, but instead to set goals for themselves. His letter, written on an airplane only hours after the unfortunate fall, has always been an inspiration.

After graduating from Kansas in 1961, Cushman became a fighter pilot in the US Air Force. In September 1966, he was listed as missing in action in Vietnam. Cushman was 28 years old at the time. His wife, Carolyn, and 10-month-old son, Colin, could only wait.

Said his wife after being informed of her husband’s status: “Somewhere in Vietnam he’s running the biggest race of his life. It’s like watching a race in which Cliff is running only you can’t see the finish tape. He’s in excellent physical condition. Cliff also has a very deep faith in God. What better combination could there be?”

November 6, 1975, Clifton E. Cushman was officially declared dead. But his timeless inspirational message lives on.