Nice article in the current issue (1/26/98) of Sports Illustrated about
former Maine star Paul Kariya and his families Japanese heritage.
During WWII his family was forced into a Japanese internment camp yet
they hold no bad feelings toward the government of Canada.  In fact Paul
feels that playing for his country (Canada) is more important than
playing in the NHL.
 
He also places alot of stock in his families teachings.  More athletes
should adopt this way of thinking:  "My father taught me to be humble.
From the beginning we learned to respect other people.  To walk softly.
Not to talk about ourselves.  Today, arrogance is everything, in all
walks of life.  Maybe this is going against the norm, but humility is
what we learned."
 
What a refreshing change from most of today's athletes!
 
John Duffill
"An original Friend of Maine Hockey"