Yes, I was at the Convention!

            The proposals suggested did not follow the pronounced illusion of corporate mumbo jumbo of down sizing without structured design or development as a “cost saving” device. Most corporations do that to entice market stability and to satisfy their stock holders that company losses were market driven rather than as a result of accounting creativity, incompetence and inefficient methodology.

            We were presented with a universal esprit de corps for a more integrated and coordinated defense agency within the office and in the field.  We saw a tactical example of that in Iraq, where instead of going inch by inch, we acted with swiftness in accomplishing the fall of Baghdad bypassing fortified areas and saving the lives of our troops.

            I think we would be foolish not to recognize that we have become willingly or unwillingly – the world’s policemen.  The stretch of our troop and asset placement has imposed morale and monetary burdens on our society requiring a re-evaluation and a restructure of our defense capability and how we implement it.

            France was going down the tubes in Vietnam – we replaced them and ended with Cultural infighting in our nation which – to this day – has not been honestly faced or resolved.  Gulf War I was fought to protect European and Japanese economic interests from Iraqi domination - after the war it was business as usual.

            In Europe, there was concern as to the Serbian takeover of the Balkans, so after many months with knowledge of the danger, European troops entered into Bosnia and Kosovo, but only after they had pressured the United States (without UN consent), to commit missiles, assets and troops to contain the conflict’s advance. Terror festered in Afghanistan; our troops went in to stem the world’s fears as to the spread of terror.

            Then came Gulf War II, where France and Russia had economic relations at the highest level. While most of our allies were willing to talk away the danger, the United States and England unilaterally successfully undertook the job.

            Hopefully, we have smartened up from our experience and realized that, in the first instance, we must rely on ourselves, which is what transformation, in part, is all about.

            General Jones in Europe is talking about lily pond bases instead of the large bases in Germany and elsewhere thus releasing the large number of troops in Europe not easily available for other actions. Telling those nations affected by North Korea that unless they participate, we would not go it alone as North Korea had demanded. And, as of this date, we have not committed away forces in Liberia until the African nations sent in their troops.

            The bombing of the United Nations headquarters in Baghdad has demonstrated that terror and hate have no boundaries. Those who were to benefit from the UN had no compassion while seeking to destroy those who mouth high moral ideals. The UN felt that they needed no security, and they got their wish and with it death at the hands of their protected terrorist friends. Now, to compound their cupidity, they refuse to allow for a call for troops from other countries, unless we turn over control of Iraq to them. The question to be asked is what is our obligation to protect those with arms who refuse to protect themselves? Sort of a catch 22.

            You can be an effective policeman only if the police station is clean and efficient in its philosophy and its operations – that’s what we learned at the Convention from the speakers – that’s what transformation is all about. Our defense agencies and approaches will put us in good stead to face future conflicts.

            And, while we are at it – the neighborhood – the United States- must be calm, healthy and secure. Its citizens not denied in their requisite needs and requirements because we have stretched out our resources thin solely for the benefit of others who conserve theirs for a later day to the detriment of the USA. To put it another way we should not destroy our way of life to enhance someone else. At some point, it may be better to receive than to give.

            I would be very remiss if I did not express my most sincere and humble thanks to the NEC, which proposed, and the National Convention, which approved, the grant of the JWV Gold Medal of Merit to me.  Work on behalf of an organization can be very rewarding. I feel honored to be chosen to be alongside the prior recipients - President Harry S. Truman, General Omar Bradley, Gen. Jimmy Doolittle, Gov. Herbert Lehman, Secretary of State Dean Acheson, J. Edgar Hoover, Bob Hope, PNC Harry Madison, PNC Gen. Julius Klein and Harry Henshel – Thanks, you’ve made my day – year - or whatever.