Len Wass

Dear America:

Growing up we always had someone to dinner, so they could later watch my father work on their car until midnight—a daily event. Dad always worked hard to support the family; after all he only had an 8th grade education like Mom. Our annual vacation was going to Wisconsin to work on Grandpa Wass's dairy farm, like mowing hay and milking cows.

In 8th grade dad leased a garage and gas station where I started working—seven days/week, 365 days/year—after school until midnight and on the weekends. By 10th grade I was overhauling engines and automatic transmissions. I was even towing-in disabled cars without a driver's license. Dad's gas station was on a busy Chicago street, two blocks away from a banquet hall owned by our US Congressman, John C. Kluczynski.

TV was getting going in the 1950s and I started watching "Men of Annapolis" and "Silent Service: War Patrols out of Pearl Harbor". It occurred to me that if I went to the US Naval Academy (Annapolis) I could also be a Pearl Harbor submariner. So, I asked my Mom to take me to Congressman Kluczynski's banquet hall to meet him. The meeting went well and he made a Principal candidate, which meant I was "in" if I passed the academic and physical requirements. No problem on the academic test, but then I was told I needed uncorrected 20/20 vision. My right eye was near sighted but I went for the test anyway. To this day I cannot explain why, but I saw uncorrected 20/20 on the test I was given. Thank you Lord!

On May 5, 1960, I went to the world's busiest airport, Midway, and took my first flight ever, to Washington DC to enroll at Annapolis. Plebe (Freshman) Summer was hell, but it would take more than hell to get me back to the garage/gas station in Chicago. So was Plebe Year because USNA still had incredible hazing of Plebes. No problem for me, I kept thanking the Lord for the opportunity.

In my senior year I applied for nuclear submarines and had to be interviewed by ADM Hyman Rickover, the Father of the Nuclear Navy—a crusty, old man who threw me out of his office twice in a barrage of profanity before accepting me on the third attempt. I jokingly tell folks that Rickover "taught me to cuss." That started my 26-year submarine career, 5 Active & 21 Reserves.

After Active Duty, on three submarines (two out of Pearl Harbor) and nuclear power training, I was admitted to the University of Chicago where I was awarded an MBA in Finance & International Business. A 25-year career in Management Consulting to Boards and CEOs of Fortune 500 Companies followed—mainly energy companies with nuclear power. I built the largest, most profitable practice in this giant Firm and proudly note that my group taught electric utilities how to properly build and operate nuclear power generating stations, which up to then were a catastrophe waiting to happen.

Even after retirement I stayed close to the US Submarine Force, especially the boats out of Pearl Harbor. And I have never forgotten the blessings God had given to me, including being born in the United States of America, a country where opportunity flourishes for those willing to work hard, which exists in no other country of the world. I love you, and thank you, America!

Leonard R. Wass

Captain, USN (Ret.)