know he ain't got a chance!
But you don't give a shit enough
to help him!
You're no different than anyone else!
You really believe that nonsense
you're saying?
Look at me when I talk to you!
Let me clue you in on something
right now.
I've given this country 22 damn fucking
years of my life!
22 years!
I've seen young boys blown out of
the air over the Pacific!
I've seen their guts spread all over.
So every time somebody dies for this
country, I give a shit!
Nobody talks to me like this!
I'm not going to start now!
You want to help your father?
Be strong for your family.
Stay right here!
I'm pleased to present...
...this year's valedictorian,
Edward Thatcher.
Students, faculty and parents:
Each year, we as students
have the luxury of our dreams...
...without the responsibilities
of our sustenance.
Therefore, our gratitude must be to
those who give us that freedom...
...so that we can grow. To our parents,
I dedicate this ceremony.
What were those loops and rolls,
Colonel?
I thought we were supposed to keep
strict formation during training.
I had a malfunction
in my throttle sensor, Major.
I was trying to sort out the problem.
I thought you were going
to do some skywriting.
I may have a problem with my receiver.
I heard music up there.
I must have picked up
a radio station or something.
I'll have it checked out.
These are training maneuvers,
not auditions for the Thunderbirds!
It's not a rock concert.
Get over there!
What the hell were you thinking?
Do you know what could happen if
you got caught in that plane?
I'm sorry. It won't happen again.
You bet it won't. That's the last
time you go up with me.
- Come on, Dad.
- I don't want to hear it!
You're graduating. When will you show
some responsibility?
When I'm gone, I'd like to
have a little confidence...
...that I know you can handle things.
At some point you've got to grow up.
Is that an order, sir?
Yeah, that's an order.
Understood, sir.
May I ask the colonel a question?
Go ahead.
Did he like the reverse spirals I
executed at 22,000 feet?
They've been rehearsed all week
in the simulator.
I did.
Get out of here. The colonel's
wife thinks you're at school.
Yes, sir.
Today Is an lmportant day
for all of us.
A turning point.
A time to realize it's time
to stop being children.
A time to take charge
of our lives and destinies.
This is the time
to believe in ourselves...
...or leave our dreams behind.
Thank you.
What's the matter?
I didn't want to tell you before.
They heard from Washington.
Your dad's been sentenced.
Three days.
Three days?
What do you mean, three days?
They're going to hang him.
In three days,
they're going to hang him.
- I need to talk to you.
- About what?
About Dad.
I think we can help him.
How?
I think I know a way...
...to go in and get him out.
God. When are we going?
Come on, I need you to do
something for me.
What do you want me to do?
Call all the Eagles.
Tell them to meet me at the
clubhouse tomorrow at 7:00 a.m.
I got a bunch of things to work out.
Come on, go on.
You going to call?
Are they really going to kill him?
I'm not waiting around to find out.
Now go on.
Welcome, Minister.
We will take you to the prison at once.
I've been informed you will not
sign the confession we require.
I came to ask you to reconsider.
You see?
I am a compassionate man.
I understand your courage
and your sense of duty.
But there are those
in power above me...
...who do not share my sentiments.
If you mean your beloved leader,
have him come here...
...and see me personally.
I'll give him a confession.
I'll shove it up his ass!
First, I want to thank you
for coming so early.
You know what's happened
to my father.
I know you'd do anything for him.
We've been together
for a long time.
And together, we've gotten
everything we needed...
...for our classes and airshows.
Now I need you to come up with
some stuff to help my