News-Info-Alerts

Re: Potential Is A State Of Mind

From: POW-MIA InterNetwork

Date: January 06, 2003

"'Potential is a state of mind,' says ex-POW
PAUL CATALA pcatala@hernandotoday.com

SPRING HILL - For 2,420 days, Ed Hubbard called a bare, six-foot cell home.

And from 1966 to 1973, the six and a half years retired United States Air Force colonel spent imprisoned by the North Vietnamese, Hubbard used will, perseverance, tenacity and faith to make it out alive, get home and finish his military career.

Thursday, Hubbard will bring his powerful message of motivation to Spring Hill in two separate presentations.

From 1 to 3 p.m. at Stage West Community Playhouse, 8390 Forest Oaks Blvd., and from 6:30 to 9 p.m. at VFW Post 10209, 15166 Spring Hill Drive, Hubbard will give an emotionally charged, motivational presentation on his past as a prisoner of war.

He will also discuss how he pushed over obstacles in his life and reached his own personal potential despite having to overcome some dire circumstances.

Sponsored by Edward Jones Investments, Hubbard also will discuss "Escape from the Box: The Wonder of Human Potential," a book he wrote in 1994 based on his captivity and offer suggestions on how anyone can raise their own human potentials in life.

Although sponsored by the investment company, the presentation will not be financial in nature.

Paul Conrad, Edward Jones Spring Hill investment representative, said Hubbard's message is powerful for any investors, financially or with life.

"I'm proud to be associated with Col. Hubbard and honored to have him speak in our area," he said. "His words are an inspiration to us all and even more so at this pivotal point in our nation's history."

Rather, Hubbard said, it will be about overcoming adversity and hopefully, inspire others to strive for achievement.

"Without a focus and a game plan to improve myself a little more each day, I would never have survived in a North Vietnamese prison, much less life after prison," he said.

As an accomplished artist, published author and motivational speaker, Hubbard, 65, has a steady schedule of touring and talking about his experiences and his book. He said his talks aren't made for shock value, but to focus on the positive parts of being a POW that he could seek out.

The stop in Hernando County will be followed by visits to Auburndale Friday and on to Austin, Texas -- a much more flexible schedule than what he had during the Vietnam War.

"Human potential is nothing but a state of mind," said Hubbard, who was released from Hanoi in 1973. "It's determined by two things and if you want to find out what they are, come out and I'll tell."

Hubbard's time in enemy hands started at 2 a.m. July 20, 1966, after he got some breakfast and attended a briefing for his mission that day. Later that day, he was shot down by a surface-to-air missile over North Vietnam and was captured after spending eight hours in the jungle.

While in the hands of the enemy, Hubbard, drawing on personal will and determination, managed to achieve being able to do 300 push-ups and 2,700 sit-ups, memorizing a 46-verse poem and even learning Spanish without ever hearing or speaking it before.

Hubbard credits his ability to overcome and even in some ways, to prosper, while being held prisoner, certain factors in his life. He said success comes through having accountability, culture, pride, responsibility, courage to be innovative and exuding enthusiasm.

In captivity, Hubbard said he noted there were three categories the POWs in his encampment fell into -- the largest group died in captivity; another group committed suicide while captive; and a small group left with smiles on their faces.

"It was up to us how we viewed our situation," said Hubbard, who lives in Ft. Walton Beach. "I haven't had a bad day since changing my perception 35 years ago. It's the attitude you take at that moment which will determine how your day will be."

Hubbard said his bad attitude and feelings of self-pity during his first five months in captivity almost made his imprisonment torturous. With Christmas approaching, another prisoner helped him change his attitude and when Hubbard said he was able to convince himself that most of the world's population was worse off than he was, he decided he was going to survive.

After he was released, Hubbard said he earned five college degrees in seven years in the evenings while he continued his military career.

Hubbard, who is married to Jennifer and has a son, David, said although his time as a POW was a living Hell, he said it showed him anyone can make a change in their lives, despite their conditions.

"Cognitive zeal is not what this is all about; rather, it's about heart, spirit and a willingness to test one's own capabilities," he said.

Hubbard became a motivational speaker in 1985 after spending 10 years heading the largest safety organization in the U.S. Air Force.

For information on Hubbard's presentation, call 688-0731.


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