Here in Morgan County we are being hit with news of both the City of Decatur and the State of Alabama taking money, which both claim to need, from Education funds previously earmarked for Education. There is the usual outrage by those involve in Education and a few others who sincerely fear the threat of further lowering our ability to educate our children. On the other hand I have not seen a huge ground swell of reaction to the moves from most.
There are many reasons for this and I think I know a few. First most people wonder what the State Education System is doing with $150,000,000 laying around and not currently being used. We've bought everything from wrapping paper to Klenex from all our kids and grand kids for years. If we have a child or grandchild who would like to play a sport or participate in and extracurricular activity we know we're going to shell out a small fortune for uniforms, equipment, program ads and pom poms until our pockets are empty. We have enough outside that $150,000,000 to build two $40,000,000 schools in a one school town and pay good salaries to more Administrators that Nucor and 3M need combined. We do all this and their is still $150,000,000 in their Christmas Club account.
Secondly we also are learning about an Administrator at our local Community College who has been dismissed for malfeasance in her job. I believe over 20 grounds for her dismissal were filed and as far as I can tell were never defended before any trier of fact. The powers that be first place her on paid leave for several months, then settled her termination issues by continuing to pay her full salary ($108,000 per year for another 6 months) until she can draw her retirement of probably more that $75,000 per year for the rest of her life. O yes, the Education system is also going to repay the Federal Government something in the neighborhood of $500,000 because of the way she operated. All this in addition to paying much more in retirement to a retired President whose policies and practice oversaw and promoted this behavior by the person terminated. These two alone have and will cost the State Education system millions before its all over. (Just a personal thought, I hate paid leave for any government employee suspected or convicted of anything. As long as these institutions have toilets and locker rooms that need cleaning or leaves that need raking I think the accused should report to work and do whatever needs to be done, if not guilty get their job back. Let anyone in the private sector cost their employer anything and see how much retirement they retain.)
Whether you say or the law says tax money goes for only one purpose and one only it is all coming from the pockets of taxpayers. We have been party to building Kingdoms and separate divisions of government which we are told are sacred. It's all coming from the same place, taxpayers and it's running out. I'm not sure the State or the City will use the money any better but they can't do and worse and apparently it will not be rat holed under some high sounding name.
Wednesday, September 16, 2015
Monday, May 18, 2015
EQUALITY=OPPORTUNITY + EFFORT (it don't just happen)
Equality is not what it's cracked up to be. As I have become an old person I have formed some very different ideas about some things which I have heard and mostly believed. One is that we are all equal and therefor should all be treated the same. Wrong. We are not equal and even the Bible recognizes as humans there will always be different.
This newly recognized truth was made abundantly clear as I watched the Sunday news broadcast yesterday. In the morning the national news reported on a young man graduating High School somewhere in the northern part of the country. This young, articulate and handsome African American man had been accepted to eight (8) Ivy League Colleges and University's and the University of Alabama. During his interview he explained why he had chosen to take the opportunity to attend UA instead of the more highly ranked academic institutions. With a polish that rivaled the most experienced broadcast expert, the young man explained when he had considered all the scholarship and aid ramifications involved and total academic opportunities he had chosen UA.. He reasoned that since he intended to later attend Med School and would need additional money for those years he had decided the University of Alabama was the best for him long term. What a great feeling I had after this interview. Smart young man, head firmly on and loaded with ambition and drive to succeed.
On the afternoon news my outlook was somewhat dampened to say the least. My friend Ed Taylor, Decatur Police Chief was announcing the arrest of four young men who had in two days caused the worse, the widest and most violent crime spree Decatur has probably ever seen. Two of the young men were not even out of High School and the others under 20 years of age. Armed robberies, malicious destruction of property, stealing and even murder was associated with this group. The bunch had held an entire section of town in fear for nearly 72 hours.
Now my point about equality. There is not a snow balls chance in Hell the young man going to the University of Alabama is equal to the four arrested. We may all be born equal in the sight of God but want we do with that life determines whether we gain any equality status with others in our community and world.
Education as a whole and so many other sources has perpetuated this fraud on this nation and it is ruining us today. We are not all equal. An individual earns equality by his actions and no other way. Race is not a factor, the size of your house or make of you car is not a factor, the school you attended nor the size of you bank account has any bearing on whether or not you are equal to anyone.
In reality we humans have a natural instinct telling us those around us deserving of equality. I know so many personally and many many more by reputation who by banking standards probably would not be considered well off, but who in reality are certainly equal to any man or woman who ever lived. I know them by every color, religion, political party and alumni association. The ones who enjoy equality, in a civilized world, are the ones who have followed what I am going to call the Roby Formula to Equality. I'm sure this has been figured out before but I am not very widely read and I think I will just claim the product of my genius until someone tells me to stop.
The formula is simple, "EQUALITY=OPPORTUNITY + EFFORT. That's it, simple really but I have thought a lot about it over the last day and I believe it's truth to be universal.
I know some will argue the OPPORTUNITY component is unfair, but for my purpose it makes not a bit of difference. I'm not saying one has to achieve riches or acclaim, I'm simply saying that to acquire equality with all the good part of the human race you must take the opportunity you have and apply your effort to it and by so doing, take your place a an equal to anyone else. We will all be different in accomplishments and what we achieve but more important we will all have achieved equality.
Without successfully following this equation it really makes no difference what you achieve, you are not an equal to those who have followed the formula regardless of their place in life.
This newly recognized truth was made abundantly clear as I watched the Sunday news broadcast yesterday. In the morning the national news reported on a young man graduating High School somewhere in the northern part of the country. This young, articulate and handsome African American man had been accepted to eight (8) Ivy League Colleges and University's and the University of Alabama. During his interview he explained why he had chosen to take the opportunity to attend UA instead of the more highly ranked academic institutions. With a polish that rivaled the most experienced broadcast expert, the young man explained when he had considered all the scholarship and aid ramifications involved and total academic opportunities he had chosen UA.. He reasoned that since he intended to later attend Med School and would need additional money for those years he had decided the University of Alabama was the best for him long term. What a great feeling I had after this interview. Smart young man, head firmly on and loaded with ambition and drive to succeed.
On the afternoon news my outlook was somewhat dampened to say the least. My friend Ed Taylor, Decatur Police Chief was announcing the arrest of four young men who had in two days caused the worse, the widest and most violent crime spree Decatur has probably ever seen. Two of the young men were not even out of High School and the others under 20 years of age. Armed robberies, malicious destruction of property, stealing and even murder was associated with this group. The bunch had held an entire section of town in fear for nearly 72 hours.
Now my point about equality. There is not a snow balls chance in Hell the young man going to the University of Alabama is equal to the four arrested. We may all be born equal in the sight of God but want we do with that life determines whether we gain any equality status with others in our community and world.
Education as a whole and so many other sources has perpetuated this fraud on this nation and it is ruining us today. We are not all equal. An individual earns equality by his actions and no other way. Race is not a factor, the size of your house or make of you car is not a factor, the school you attended nor the size of you bank account has any bearing on whether or not you are equal to anyone.
In reality we humans have a natural instinct telling us those around us deserving of equality. I know so many personally and many many more by reputation who by banking standards probably would not be considered well off, but who in reality are certainly equal to any man or woman who ever lived. I know them by every color, religion, political party and alumni association. The ones who enjoy equality, in a civilized world, are the ones who have followed what I am going to call the Roby Formula to Equality. I'm sure this has been figured out before but I am not very widely read and I think I will just claim the product of my genius until someone tells me to stop.
The formula is simple, "EQUALITY=OPPORTUNITY + EFFORT. That's it, simple really but I have thought a lot about it over the last day and I believe it's truth to be universal.
I know some will argue the OPPORTUNITY component is unfair, but for my purpose it makes not a bit of difference. I'm not saying one has to achieve riches or acclaim, I'm simply saying that to acquire equality with all the good part of the human race you must take the opportunity you have and apply your effort to it and by so doing, take your place a an equal to anyone else. We will all be different in accomplishments and what we achieve but more important we will all have achieved equality.
Without successfully following this equation it really makes no difference what you achieve, you are not an equal to those who have followed the formula regardless of their place in life.
Tuesday, February 24, 2015
YOU AND I WILL DECIDE WHAT KIND OF NATION THIS IS
Much has been written and
discussed recently about whether or not we are a Christian nation. A
large number of Christians are offended and shocked because the
President supposedly said we are not. I agree with Dr. Ben Carson, it
is not for the President to say but for the people of this country to
make that determination themselves. If we really are, it is up to
each individual to claim their grace given right themselves and to
act in the way the Bible instructs us. The thing that disturbs me
about this is the fact we seemed to expect someone else to define us
and not take that responsibility upon ourselves.
Why do we feel the need to
have someone post the Ten Commandments on a courtroom wall or have
someone pray in our public schools. I can't help but think about the
old saying that says, 'going to church no more makes you a Christian that
standing in a garage makes you a car'. Christianity is personal.
Christ told us to 'take up our cross and follow him', nothing was
said about getting in line with others and following the crowd.
It's great to be a part of
a fellowship of Christians and God does work where two or three are
gathered together in his name but the bottom line is the personal
relationship each person has with their creator. If that
relationship is what it should be, it is fed by the Word, nurtured in
fellowship with others and spread one by one to everyone we come in
contact with.
Whether or not we are a
Christian nation is not determined by what someone tells us or what
we write on our public buildings. We are a Christian nation because
of our people know and follow Christ. No one can tell us what we
are, it us up to us to live our lives as we know Christ wanted, to
spread the benefits we receive from our relationship with him to
others and to own the responsibility of building his kingdom one
person at a time, until each knows himself or herself we are a
Christian nation once more.
Tuesday, January 20, 2015
SOMETHING WE NEED TO THINK ABOUT.
Got this from my old friend Jim Leverett. Says a lot.
Steve Reeves, US Army , Philippines .
Dennis Weaver, US Navy. Pilot.
Robert Taylor, US Navy. Instructor Pilot.
Randolph Scott. Tried to enlist in the Marines but was rejected due to injuries sustained in US Army, World War 1.
Ronald Reagan. US Army. Was a 2nd Lt. in the Cavalry Reserves before the war. His poor eyesight kept him from being sent overseas with his unit when war came so he transferred to the Army Air Corps Public Relations Unit where he served for the duration.
John Wayne. Declared "4F medically unfit" due to pre-existing injuries, he nonetheless attempted to volunteer three times (Army, Navy and Film Corps.) so he gets honorable mention.
And of course we have Audie Murphy , America 's most-decorated soldier, who became a Hollywood star as a result of his US Army service that included his being awarded the Medal of Honor.
Ladies and Gentlemen, I submit to you that this is not the America today that it was seventy years ago. And I, for one, am saddened.
DO YOU REMEMBER THESE MEN?
George Gobel comedian, Army Air Corps, taught fighter pilots
Johnny Carson made a big deal about it once on the Tonight Show, to which George said "the Japs didn't get past us.
Sterling Hayden, US Marines and OSS . Smuggled guns into Yugoslavia and parachuted into Croatia . Silver Star.
James Stewart, US Army Air Corps. Bomber pilot who rose to the rank of General.
Ernest Borgnine, US Navy. Gunners Mate 1c, destroyer USS Lamberton. 10 years active duty. Discharged 1941, re-enlisted after Pearl Harbor .
Ed McMahon, US Marines. Fighter Pilot. (Flew OE-1 Bird Dogs over Korea as well.)
Telly Savalas, US Army.
Walter Matthau , US Army Air Corps., B-24 Radioman/Gunner and cryptographer.
Steve Forrest, US Army. Wounded, Battle of the Bulge.
Jonathan Winters, USMC. Battleship USS Wisconsin and Carrier USS Bon Homme Richard. Anti-aircraft gunner, Battle of Okinawa.
Paul Newman, US Navy Rear seat gunner/radsioman, torpedo bombers of USS Bunker Hill.
Kirk Douglas, US Navy. Sub-chaser in the Pacific. Wounded in action and medically discharged.
Robert Mitchum, US Army.
Dale Robertson, US Army. Tank Commander in North Africa under Patton. Wounded twice. Battlefield Commission.
Henry Fonda, US Navy. Destroyer USS Satterlee.
John Carroll, US Army Air Corps. Pilot in North Africa . Broke his back in a crash.
Lee Marvin US Marines. Sniper. Wounded in action on Saipan . Buried in Arlington National Cemetery , Sec. 7A next to Greg Boyington and Joe Louis.
Art Carney, US Army. Wounded on Normandy beach, D-Day. Limped for the rest of his life.
Wayne Morris, US Navy fighter pilot, USS Essex. Downed seven Japanese fighters.
Rod Steiger, US Navy. Was aboard one of the ships that launched the Doolittle Raid.
Tony Curtis, US Navy. Sub tender USS Proteus. In Tokyo Bay for the surrender of Japan .
Larry Storch. US Navy. Sub tender USS Proteus with Tony Curtis.
Forrest Tucker, US Army. Enlisted as a private, rose to Lieutenant.
Robert Montgomery, US Navy.
George Kennedy, US Army. Enlisted after Pearl Harbor , stayed in sixteen years.
Mickey Rooney, US Army under Patton. Bronze Star.
Denver Pyle, US Navy. Wounded in the Battle of Guadalcanal . Medically discharged.
Burgess Meredith, US Army Air Corps.
DeForest Kelley, US Army Air Corps.
Robert Stack, US Navy. Gunnery Officer.
Neville Brand , US Army, Europe . Was awarded the Silver Star and Purple Heart.
Tyrone Power, US Marines. Transport pilot in the Pacific Theater.
Charlton Heston, US Army Air Corps. Radio operator and aerial gunner on a B-25, Al eutians .
James Stewart, US Army Air Corps. Bomber pilot who rose to the rank of General.
Ernest Borgnine, US Navy. Gunners Mate 1c, destroyer USS Lamberton. 10 years active duty. Discharged 1941, re-enlisted after Pearl Harbor .
Ed McMahon, US Marines. Fighter Pilot. (Flew OE-1 Bird Dogs over Korea as well.)
Telly Savalas, US Army.
Walter Matthau , US Army Air Corps., B-24 Radioman/Gunner and cryptographer.
Steve Forrest, US Army. Wounded, Battle of the Bulge.
Jonathan Winters, USMC. Battleship USS Wisconsin and Carrier USS Bon Homme Richard. Anti-aircraft gunner, Battle of Okinawa.
Paul Newman, US Navy Rear seat gunner/radsioman, torpedo bombers of USS Bunker Hill.
Kirk Douglas, US Navy. Sub-chaser in the Pacific. Wounded in action and medically discharged.
Robert Mitchum, US Army.
Dale Robertson, US Army. Tank Commander in North Africa under Patton. Wounded twice. Battlefield Commission.
Henry Fonda, US Navy. Destroyer USS Satterlee.
John Carroll, US Army Air Corps. Pilot in North Africa . Broke his back in a crash.
Lee Marvin US Marines. Sniper. Wounded in action on Saipan . Buried in Arlington National Cemetery , Sec. 7A next to Greg Boyington and Joe Louis.
Art Carney, US Army. Wounded on Normandy beach, D-Day. Limped for the rest of his life.
Wayne Morris, US Navy fighter pilot, USS Essex. Downed seven Japanese fighters.
Rod Steiger, US Navy. Was aboard one of the ships that launched the Doolittle Raid.
Tony Curtis, US Navy. Sub tender USS Proteus. In Tokyo Bay for the surrender of Japan .
Larry Storch. US Navy. Sub tender USS Proteus with Tony Curtis.
Forrest Tucker, US Army. Enlisted as a private, rose to Lieutenant.
Robert Montgomery, US Navy.
George Kennedy, US Army. Enlisted after Pearl Harbor , stayed in sixteen years.
Mickey Rooney, US Army under Patton. Bronze Star.
Denver Pyle, US Navy. Wounded in the Battle of Guadalcanal . Medically discharged.
Burgess Meredith, US Army Air Corps.
DeForest Kelley, US Army Air Corps.
Robert Stack, US Navy. Gunnery Officer.
Neville Brand , US Army, Europe . Was awarded the Silver Star and Purple Heart.
Tyrone Power, US Marines. Transport pilot in the Pacific Theater.
Charlton Heston, US Army Air Corps. Radio operator and aerial gunner on a B-25, Al eutians .
Danny Aiello, US Army. Lied about his age to enlist at 16. Served three years.
James Arness, US Army. As an infantryman, he was severely wounded at Anzio , Italy .
Efram Zimbalist, Jr., US Army. Purple Heart for a severe wound received at Huertgen Forest .
Mickey Spillane, US Army Air Corps, Fighter Pilot and later Instructor Pilot.
Rod Serling. US Army. 11th Airborne Division in the Pacific. He jumped at Tagaytay in the Philippines and was later wounded in Manila .
Gene Autry, US Army Air Corps. Crewman on transports that ferried supplies over "The Hump" in the China-
James Arness, US Army. As an infantryman, he was severely wounded at Anzio , Italy .
Efram Zimbalist, Jr., US Army. Purple Heart for a severe wound received at Huertgen Forest .
Mickey Spillane, US Army Air Corps, Fighter Pilot and later Instructor Pilot.
Rod Serling. US Army. 11th Airborne Division in the Pacific. He jumped at Tagaytay in the Philippines and was later wounded in Manila .
Gene Autry, US Army Air Corps. Crewman on transports that ferried supplies over "The Hump" in the China-
Burma-India Theater.
Wiliam Holden , US Army Air Corps.
Alan Hale Jr, US Coast Guard.
Harry Dean Stanton, US Navy. Battle of Okinawa .
Russell Johnson, US Army Air Corps. B-24 crewman who was awarded Purple Heart when his aircraft was shot down by the Japanese in the Philippines .
William Conrad, US Army Air Corps. Fighter Pilot.
Jack Klugman, US Army.
Frank Sutton, US Army. Took part in 14 assault landings, including Leyte, Luzon, Bataan and Corregidor .
Jackie Coogan, US Army Air Corps. Volunteered for gliders and flew troops and materials into Burma behind enemy lines.
Tom Bosley, US Navy.
Claude Akins, US Army. Signal Corps. , Burma and the Philippines .
Chuck Connors, US Army. Tank-warfare instructor.
Harry Carey Jr., US Navy.
Mel Brooks, US Army. Combat Engineer. Saw action in the Battle of the Bulge.
Robert Al tman, US Army Air Corps. B-24 Co-Pilot.
Pat Hingle, US Navy. Destroyer USS Marshall
Fred Gwynne, US Navy. Radioman.
Karl Malden, US Army Air Corps. 8th Air Force, NCO.
Earl Holliman. US Navy. Lied about his age to enlist. Discharged after a year when the Navy found out.
Rock Hudson, US Navy. Aircraft mechanic, the Philippines .
Harvey Korman, US Navy.
Al do Ray. US Navy. UDT frogman, Okinawa .
Don Knotts, US Army, Pacific Theater.
Wiliam Holden , US Army Air Corps.
Alan Hale Jr, US Coast Guard.
Harry Dean Stanton, US Navy. Battle of Okinawa .
Russell Johnson, US Army Air Corps. B-24 crewman who was awarded Purple Heart when his aircraft was shot down by the Japanese in the Philippines .
William Conrad, US Army Air Corps. Fighter Pilot.
Jack Klugman, US Army.
Frank Sutton, US Army. Took part in 14 assault landings, including Leyte, Luzon, Bataan and Corregidor .
Jackie Coogan, US Army Air Corps. Volunteered for gliders and flew troops and materials into Burma behind enemy lines.
Tom Bosley, US Navy.
Claude Akins, US Army. Signal Corps. , Burma and the Philippines .
Chuck Connors, US Army. Tank-warfare instructor.
Harry Carey Jr., US Navy.
Mel Brooks, US Army. Combat Engineer. Saw action in the Battle of the Bulge.
Robert Al tman, US Army Air Corps. B-24 Co-Pilot.
Pat Hingle, US Navy. Destroyer USS Marshall
Fred Gwynne, US Navy. Radioman.
Karl Malden, US Army Air Corps. 8th Air Force, NCO.
Earl Holliman. US Navy. Lied about his age to enlist. Discharged after a year when the Navy found out.
Rock Hudson, US Navy. Aircraft mechanic, the Philippines .
Harvey Korman, US Navy.
Al do Ray. US Navy. UDT frogman, Okinawa .
Don Knotts, US Army, Pacific Theater.
Don Rickles, US Navy aboard USS Cyrene.
Harry Dean Stanton, US Navy. Served aboard an LST in the Battle of Okinawa .
Robert Stack, US Navy. Gunnery Instructor.
Soupy Sales, US Navy. Served on USS Randall in the South Pacific.
Lee Van Cleef, US Navy. Served aboard a sub chaser then a mine sweeper.
Clifton James, US Army, South Pacific. Was awarded the Silver Star, Bronze Star, and Purple Heart.
Ted Knight, US Army, Combat Engineers.
Jack Warden, US Navy, 1938-1942, then US Army, 1942-1945. 101st Airborne Division.
Don Adams. US Marines. Wounded on Guadalcanal , then served as a Drill Instructor.
James Gregory, US Navy and US Marines.
Brian Keith, US Marines. Radioman/Gunner in Dauntless dive-bombers.
Fess Parker, US Navy and US Marines. Booted from pilot training for being too tall, joined Marines as a radio operator.
Charles Durning. US Army. Landed at Normandy on D-Day. Shot multiple times. Awarded the Silver Star and Bronze Star and three Purple Hearts. Survived Malmedy Massacre.
Raymond Burr, US Navy. Shot in the stomach on Okinawa and medically discharged.
Hugh O'Brian, US Marines.
Robert Ryan, US Marines.
Eddie Albert , US Coast Guard. Bronze Star with Combat V for saving several Marines under heavy fire as pilot of a landing craft during the invasion of Tarawa .
Cark Gable, US Army Air Corps. B-17 gunner over Europe .
Charles Bronson, US Army Air Corps. B-29 gunner, wounded in action.
Peter Graves, US Army Air Corps.
Buddy Hackett, US Army anti-aircraft gunner.
Victor Mature, US Coast Guard.
Jack Palance, US Army Air Corps. Severely injured bailing out of a burning B-24 bomber.
Robert Preston, US Army Air Corps. Intelligence Officer
Cesar Romero, US Coast Guard. Coast Guard. Participated in the invasions of Tinian and Saipan on the assault transport USS Cavalier.
Norman Fell, US Army Air Corps., Tail Gunner, Pacific Theater.
Jason Robards, US Navy. was aboard heavy cruiser USS Northampton when it was sunk off Guadalcanal . Al so served on the USS Nashville during the invasion of the Philippines , surviving a kamikaze hit that caused 223 casualties.
Harry Dean Stanton, US Navy. Served aboard an LST in the Battle of Okinawa .
Robert Stack, US Navy. Gunnery Instructor.
Soupy Sales, US Navy. Served on USS Randall in the South Pacific.
Lee Van Cleef, US Navy. Served aboard a sub chaser then a mine sweeper.
Clifton James, US Army, South Pacific. Was awarded the Silver Star, Bronze Star, and Purple Heart.
Ted Knight, US Army, Combat Engineers.
Jack Warden, US Navy, 1938-1942, then US Army, 1942-1945. 101st Airborne Division.
Don Adams. US Marines. Wounded on Guadalcanal , then served as a Drill Instructor.
James Gregory, US Navy and US Marines.
Brian Keith, US Marines. Radioman/Gunner in Dauntless dive-bombers.
Fess Parker, US Navy and US Marines. Booted from pilot training for being too tall, joined Marines as a radio operator.
Charles Durning. US Army. Landed at Normandy on D-Day. Shot multiple times. Awarded the Silver Star and Bronze Star and three Purple Hearts. Survived Malmedy Massacre.
Raymond Burr, US Navy. Shot in the stomach on Okinawa and medically discharged.
Hugh O'Brian, US Marines.
Robert Ryan, US Marines.
Eddie Albert , US Coast Guard. Bronze Star with Combat V for saving several Marines under heavy fire as pilot of a landing craft during the invasion of Tarawa .
Cark Gable, US Army Air Corps. B-17 gunner over Europe .
Charles Bronson, US Army Air Corps. B-29 gunner, wounded in action.
Peter Graves, US Army Air Corps.
Buddy Hackett, US Army anti-aircraft gunner.
Victor Mature, US Coast Guard.
Jack Palance, US Army Air Corps. Severely injured bailing out of a burning B-24 bomber.
Robert Preston, US Army Air Corps. Intelligence Officer
Cesar Romero, US Coast Guard. Coast Guard. Participated in the invasions of Tinian and Saipan on the assault transport USS Cavalier.
Norman Fell, US Army Air Corps., Tail Gunner, Pacific Theater.
Jason Robards, US Navy. was aboard heavy cruiser USS Northampton when it was sunk off Guadalcanal . Al so served on the USS Nashville during the invasion of the Philippines , surviving a kamikaze hit that caused 223 casualties.
Steve Reeves, US Army , Philippines .
Dennis Weaver, US Navy. Pilot.
Robert Taylor, US Navy. Instructor Pilot.
Randolph Scott. Tried to enlist in the Marines but was rejected due to injuries sustained in US Army, World War 1.
Ronald Reagan. US Army. Was a 2nd Lt. in the Cavalry Reserves before the war. His poor eyesight kept him from being sent overseas with his unit when war came so he transferred to the Army Air Corps Public Relations Unit where he served for the duration.
John Wayne. Declared "4F medically unfit" due to pre-existing injuries, he nonetheless attempted to volunteer three times (Army, Navy and Film Corps.) so he gets honorable mention.
And of course we have Audie Murphy , America 's most-decorated soldier, who became a Hollywood star as a result of his US Army service that included his being awarded the Medal of Honor.
Ladies and Gentlemen, I submit to you that this is not the America today that it was seventy years ago. And I, for one, am saddened.
My generation grew up watching, being entertained by and laughing with so many of these fine people, never really knowing what they contributed to the war effort. Like millions of Americans during the WWII, there was a job that needed doing they didn't question, they went and did it, those that came home returned to their now new normal life and carried on, very few ever saying what they did or saw. They took it as their "responsibility", their "duty" to Country, to protect and preserve our freedoms and way of life, not just for themselves but for all future generations to come. As a member of that "First" generation, I'm forever humbly in their debt.
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