Current CommentaryVETERANS: REFLECTIONS
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| I defer to your Publisher as to the propriety of such an undertaking; however, I suggest that contact with veterans organizations (e. g.: VFW, DAV, American Legion, Gold Star Wives/Mothers, etc) could provide an adequate barometer to judge initial interest. In my opinion, the World War II Veteran would rather be thought of as being part of the ?Passed-the-Test Generation?; rather, than the ?Greatest Generation? term used by others. Consider: the Great Depression of their youth; the Threat to our National Survival which was World War II; the Challenges and Opportunities of the post-1945 GI Bill era; and, their leadership during the Korean and the Cold Wars. Reminder: the massive deactivation of our military after World War II, combined with the scant budgets for defense from 1945 through 1950, combined to make us precariously unprepared by the time North Korean invaded South Korea on June 25, 1950. “Call up the Reserves” became the reality for many World War II veterans; thereby, providing and participating in the force necessary to meet our national commitment during the three-plus years of the Korean War and many of the forty-five years of the Cold War. Remember also, the operative questions for the World War II generation were: What is your draft status; or, Are you going to volunteer? “Are you going to serve?” was not an option. I graduated from high school in 1946; then entered West Point as a member of the Class of 1950. My cousin, who is more like a second brother, did not graduate with his class in 1945; rather, he entered the U. S. Navy on his 18th birthday in April. This latter was the norm for the teen-age experience of the World War II veteran. I had referred to two main points: We are not good students of history; and, We do not take advantage of the “primary source” represented by our veterans. I would offer some random thoughts beyond the essence of these two points; again, from the perspective of one veteran. First, my contemporaries and I had the opportunity and privilege to serve during a period when there was no ambiguity about our mission. It would not be accurate; however, to say that there was no controversy about the general use of the military, or the specific use of air power. Vietnam, more than Korea, clearly demonstrated both. It was gratifying to observe during Desert Shield and Desert Storm that the lessons learned were not to be repeated. Personal opinion number three: The Nation should long remember President George H. W. Bush and his entire civilian defense/security team for the fact that they clearly stated the mission in terms of what and why; thereby, relying on, trusting, and permitting the Professional Military to do its job . Second, the Nation must not permit recreating the “hollow force” imprinted throughout the Services when I retired in 1979. This is a function of inadequate funding; not incompetent people in uniform. I rejected then, and I reject now, the sometimes expressed opinion of so-called experts that the Services are losing their best people. Quite the contrary, the best are those who stay on active duty. Yes, they forego the easier (and often better paying) opportunities on the “outside.” More importantly, they commit themselves to personally and professionally assuring that the Nation: has the best possible military force now; and, is planning and preparing for the force structure and the strategy essential for the nation’s security in the future. The Alpha and Omega of that commitment are the core values of the Air Force: Integrity First; Excellence In All That We Do; and, Service Before Self. Third, permit me to share excerpts from the Memorial Service at the Cadet Chapel during the 50th Reunion of my West Point Classmates: “We are here to eulogize these fallen warriors, not war, which represents the failure of reason. If the first world war ended monarchism and saw the rise of colonialism, the second world war ended colonialism and saw the rise of communism. Forty-five years of cold war ended communism and we now stand poised at the most opportune moment in history for peace in the world, if only we are wise enough to seize this moment . . . . “As we remember our friends and celebrate the lives of these good men and all who have gone before us, we pray that we may be at peace and be guided by their dedication to offer the gift of our lives in love and support of one another.” I would add only: “Amen.” Finally, at risk of showing the “Sunshine State” bias of one who saw his first snow in a reveille formation at West Point, New York in 1946 (and, who has not been particularly impressed with it since then), you should know that 1,015 military retirees lived in the 587 ZIP Code Area as of the date of the latest available data: September 30, 2000. Of interest: just under 20% could be assumed to be veterans of World War II; and, this total number is approximately 27% of all military retirees in North Dakota. To me, there is no better evidence of the quality of the base-community relations which exists between the City of Minot and Minot Air Force Base; relations built upon purposeful and productive interaction between and among people who share common values and mutual respect. No one else comes close! I close with a theme fully developed during a recent July 4th presentation by my favorite Wing Commander: Freedom Is Not Free. To all who are on active duty today: Thank you for “assuming the watch” from those who have preceded you. To all Veterans: Thank you for your service to our Nation. To Jim Eykyn: Thank you for the opportunity to share these thoughts with your Readers. End of Page 4 Home - Contact Us - Cold War Hist. - 91st SRS Hist. - Stardust 40 Mission Story |
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