There has been a tinge of sadness during this year's 35th Iditarod. March 3 was declared "Susan Butcher Day" in Alaska. Susan was the first woman to win the Iditarod four times (starting in 1986), and is known and loved for her dedication to caring for her dogs. In 1979, Butcher helped drive the first sled-dog team to the 20,320-foot summit of Mount McKinley. She died this past August (2006) in her early fifties after fighting a battle with leukemia.
During the ceremonial start, the first team to leave the starting line is always dedicated as an honorary position. This year the sled was Susan's and was driven by David Monson, Susan Butcher's husband. Riding in the sled were their two young daughters, Tekla and Chisana.
Susan's photo is everywhere, even at the airports. The flight attendants passed out bookmarks dedicated to her memory. I asked them where I might get some extra bookmarks to give to my students, and to my surprise, they gave me a whole pack of them. A quotation appears on the front of the bookmark that reads, "I do not know the word "quit." Either I never did, or I have abolished it."
1 comment:
People are responsible for their deeds while they are alive. You should know that several of Susan Butcher's dogs died in the Iditarod in her effort to gain fame and fortune. One of the dogs used by Butcher in the 1994 Iditarod died from exertional myopathy, otherwise known as "sudden death syndrome." Another dog used by her dropped dead in 1987 from internal hemorrhaging. Several were injured and killed by moose. People who love their dogs don't make them run in the Iditarod.
For Iditarod facts: http://www.helpsleddogs.org
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