As I am writing this, Barack Obama has not yet made his acceptance speech. I know that his speech will be the highlight of the Convention. I know he will hit it out of the (Invesco) park.
However, I just saw dozens of retired generals and admirals appear on stage at Invesco Field in Denver in support of Senator Barack Obama.
Now, to be fair, I could not hear what these honorable officers had to say–the pundits talked all over them. But, as a retired officer myself—a very low-ranking officer—such appearance, even without accompanying sound, was one of the biggest highlights for me.
Why did it make a profound impression on me? Not just because I support Barack Obama; not just because they are retired military–like myself.
It made an impression on me, because every one of the generals and admirals is a hero, a patriot, a true American, who has selflessly dedicated his of her life to his or her country–just like John McCain.
Every one of these men and women loves America and wants nothing but the best for his or her family, for Americans and for America.
According to Megan Scully, NationalJournal.com , the Obama campaign lists more than 70 retired generals and admirals from all four services who are supporting and advising Barack Obama on national security, aerospace programs, energy and other issues.
These flag-rank officers include retired Army Gen. Wesley Clark, retired Air Force Maj. Gen. Scott Gration, retired Army Lt. Gen. Donald Kerrick, retired Army Maj. Gen. Paul Eaton, retired Adm. William Owens, Retired Adm. John Nathman, “at least one former service chief; several service vice chiefs, a former head of the National Guard Bureau, a former commander of U.S. Fleet Forces Command and a former operations director for the Defense Intelligence Agency.”
Several of these retired heroes are black and several are women.
According to Megan Scully:
Several of the recently retired officers said they felt compelled to get involved and lend their expertise because of concerns they felt first-hand during their last years in the military.
“While on active duty, I was very disappointed in a number of decisions rendered by the Bush administration and their failure to support initiatives I considered very important, including my own to develop the Iraqi armed forces,” said Eaton, who oversaw training and equipping of the Iraqi security forces in 2003 and 2004. Eaton, an outspoken critic of the Bush administration since retiring in 2006, added that he felt “duty bound to fill what I consider to be a role to stand up for a man who really does have the potential to get things turned around for the United States.”
Can such a galaxy of “stars” with a total of around 2,100 years of honorable, distinguished service to their country be wrong?
My gut feel tells me, loud and clear: NO! But, I am sure that some will attempt to question the judgment and even the patriotism of these patriots–just as they question the patriotism of those who oppose the Iraq war.
