PITTSFIELD — Former U.S. Sen. Jim Webb is scheduled to open Maine Central Institute’s Patterson Lecture Series at 7 p.m., Friday, Oct. 15, at Parks Gymnasium, at 295 Main St.

James Webb Contributed photo

After graduating high school in Nebraska, Webb attended the University of Southern California on a Naval Reserve Officers Training Corps scholarship before being appointed to the United States Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland, where he excelled and received the Superintendent’s Letter for Outstanding Leadership, according to a news release from the institute.

As a Marine lieutenant in Vietnam, Webb was awarded the Navy Cross, Silver Star, Bronze Star and two Purple Hearts, but had sustained significant shrapnel damage and was medically retired due to his wounds.

After leaving the military, Webb earned a law degree from Georgetown and began a two-pronged career of writing and government service. He has authored 10 books, including “Fields of Fire,” a novel about the Vietnam War, worked as a filmmaker and world-traveled journalist, taught literature at the Naval Academy, was a fellow at Harvard’s Institute of Politics, and is currently the Distinguished Fellow at Notre Dame’s International Security Center.

In government service he was a committee counsel in the House of Representatives, served in the Pentagon as Assistant Secretary of Defense and Secretary of the Navy, and in 2007 was elected to the United States Senate.

“When I was in Marine Officers Basic School, the instructors pushed us with one seemingly simple question: What do you do now, lieutenant?” said Webb. “When you’re a Marine, and it’s life or death, that question becomes heavier than you’d ever imagine. However, it’s applicable to all of us when we’re facing adversity. What do you do now? It might not be a life-or-death decision, but knowing that next move — hopefully, one that yields a positive outcome — will define who we are as leaders, and how we work together as a team.”

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“I’m excited to talk with members of the community, but particularly the students,” Webb said. “I hope that they walk away from this presentation with a renewed sense of the greatness of our country and the challenges that face us during these very difficult times.”

The series is free and open to the public. Because of COVID spacing requirements, seating is limited to approximately 100 individuals, on a first-come, first-served basis. Regardless of vaccination status, appropriate face coverings will be required.

To watch the live event or for more information, visit mci-school.org.

 

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