"You are killin' the very spirit this institution proclaims it instills. What a sham. ...You don't know what out of order is. I'd show you but I'm too old, I'm too tired, and I'm too blind. If I was the man I was five years ago, I'd take a flame thrower to this place. ...I've been around, you know. There was a time when I could see. I've seen boys like these, their arms torn out, their legs ripped off. But there's nothing like the sight of an amputated spirit.
You think you're just sending this splendid foot soldier back home to Oregon with his tail between his legs. But I say, you are executin' his soul... Now I have come to the crossroads in my life. I always knew what the right path was. Without exception I knew, but I never took it. You know why? It was too damn hard.
Now here's Charlie. He's come to the crossroads. He has chosen a path. It's the right path. It's a path made of principle, that leads to character. Let him continue on his journey. You hold this boy's future in your hands, committee. It's a valuable future. Don't destroy it. Protect it. Embrace it. It's gonna make you proud one day. I promise you."
