Re: Ex-POW Becomes Inspirational Speaker

Date: March 24, 2004

"Vietnam Veteran Hopes Experience Can Help Arkansans

Reporter: Beth Hunt  

A Vietnam Veteran who spent six and a half years of his life in captivity is hoping his experience will help people in Arkansas. Retired Air Force Colonel Edward Hubbard is visiting several different communities across the state telling his inspirational story of survival. Tuesday night, he spoke to residents in Hot Springs. Colonel Hubbard re-lives his experience almost every day. He travels the country speaking to people about his survival and how others can overcome any obstacle. It was 1966--combat troops were on the ground in Vietnam. Ed Hubbard was a young airman just beginning to experience the most grueling six and a half years of his life as a POW.. now 38 years later, hubbard will tell you he always knew he would make it out alive.

the Retired Colonel shares his personal experiences on a daily basis.

[Hubbard] "I had a broken jaw from a guard hitting me in 68. No medical care for that. You spend a lot of time holding your head saying, this really hurts and there's nothing you can do about it."

Now, a motivational speaker, Hubbard is using his life to make changes in others. He says every generation can take something away from his message.

[Hubbard] "You have to quit worrying about whether you're going to make it and you have to make a conscious decision you will make it and you have to do what it takes to do that."

If you're interested in listening to Colonel Hubbard speak, he'll be in Arkansas over the next couple of days. Wednesday, he'll be speaking at the Rotary Club and National Park Community College in Hot Springs. On Thursday, he'll be speaking at SAU in Magnolia, and South Arkansas Community College in El Dorado.

© KATV, LLC"