Two thousand four hundred and twenty days.
That is the number of days Col. Ed Hubbard spent in North Vietnam as a prisoner of war.
On July 27, Hubbard is scheduled to speak at Rogers State University to share the lessons of survival he learned in captivity and how to apply those lessons to overcome any obstacle and push the envelope of personal potential.
As a survivor of six and a half years of captivity in North Vietnam from 1966 to 1973, Retired Air Force Col. Edward L. Hubbard's story is compelling and inspirational.
Hubbard joined the Air Force Reserve at age 17 and, in 1962, entered active duty. That was the beginning of a 28-year career in the military highlighted by numerous honors and decorations. Since his release from captivity, Hubbard went on to achieve much success in his military career and as an author and motivational speaker.
He considers his greatest accomplishment to be sharing his lessons of survival with others. As a motivational speaker, and president of Positive Vectors, Inc., Hubbard encourages others to overcome adversity and reach beyond their goals by developing a positive, focused state of mind.
Some of Hubbard's military accomplishments include serving as head of the largest safety organization in the Air Force. After his first year as director of safety, Hubbard received the Chief of Staff Individual Safety Award given by the Chief of Staff of the Air Force. The organization also was named "Best in the Air Force" for each of the 10 years that Hubbard was director. During that time, he was responsible for an annual reduction in mishap rates that ranged from 30 to 70 percent, far surpassing the Air Force's objective of 3 percent.
Hubbard's uniform bears more than 60 commendations and service medals, including the Silver Star for combat service, the Legion of Merit for sustained exemplary service, the Distinguished Flying Cross for exemplary aerial combat, the Bronze Star with a "V" for valor, the Air Medal, and the Purple Heart for being wounded by an enemy force in combat.
While pursuing his military career, Hubbard also completed the necessary requirements to earn five college degrees in seven years, including a master's degree in personnel management from Troy State University in 1980.
In 1985, Hubbard began motivational speaking and, following his retirement from the Air Force in 1990, he formed Positive Vectors, Inc. Since then, he has recounted his powerful story and the lessons he learned for thousands of members of corporate America, government agencies and non-profit groups. Hubbard also speaks to civic groups and at public events nationwide under the sponsorship of the financial-services firm Edward Jones.
In addition to his professional speaking, Hubbard is an acknowledged artist and author. His book, "Escape from the Box: The Wonder of Human Potential," has received much praise since it was published in 1994.
Hubbard will be speaking from 7-8:15 p.m. on July 27 in the Rogers State University campus auditorium. The event is free and open to the public.
© 2004 The Claremore Daily Progress