A long-time Army friend of mine (from back in my Army Office Basic Course days at Aberdeen Proving Ground) asked that I make a few of these wall plaques for him as he had a number of friends that would really appreciate these as gifts.
Theodore Roosevelt gave this Man in the Arena speech at the University of France (often referred to as Sorbonne) in Paris on April 23rd, 1910 and this passage from that speech is often quoted to inspire those who are in the trenches grinding it out, daring for greatness yet all the while risking it all.
This laser-engraved wood plaque makes an excellent gift for any serving or retired Armed Forces, Law Enforcement or First Responder. These are the individuals who put their lives in harms way and serve the public. This would also make a great award for any avid sports player (or announcer!) as a reminder of the struggle and fight in the sporting arena.
These plaques are made to order and are one of a kind in size, wood grain and color. Pictured is a stunning Curly Maple slab which is currently available.
The Man in the Arena Speech is as follows:
It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs, who comes short again and again, because there is no effort without error and shortcoming; but who does actually strive to do the deeds; who knows great enthusiasms, the great devotions; who spends himself in a worthy cause; who at the best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement, and who at the worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who neither know victory nor defeat.
Dimensions: 8.375" x 15.5" x 3/4” thick
Picture Hanger on the back