Top Marine general speaks of new 'greatest generation'

FREDERICKSBURG, Texas - Surrounded by a group of veterans who have come to be known as the "greatest generation," the Marines' top officer praised America's soldiers in Iraq on Sunday as being made of the same right stuff.

"They don't want to die, but they are willing to," continued Hagee, who grew up in this small Hill Country city. "That is true honor. You cannot buy that, and we must never ever lose that."

Later Hagee told reporters that he was confident that troop levels in Iraq were adequate, assuming that the bombings and sniper attacks that have killed dozens of U.S. soldiers since May are not sustained.

"If what we are experiencing now is a spike (in anti-American attacks), we're in good shape," he said. "But if it's a new plateau of activity ... we will have to re-evaluate."

Asked how military leaders will know if the spate of attacks is only temporary, the general said he wasn't sure, but he added, "I'm optimistic in their ability to accomplish this mission."

More than 60,000 Marines were among the first U.S. troops to be sent to fight in Iraq, but currently there are no Marine units serving there. Hagee said about 20,000 Marines will be deployed to that war zone in the spring.

As usual, dozens of World War II veterans - some of them survivors of Japan's surprise attack on Pearl Harbor on Dec. 7, 1941 - were sprinkled among the several hundred people who turned out for the Fredericksburg ceremony.

Pearl Harbor must be remembered so the United States forever keeps its military ready for action, Hagee said.

"This is a dangerous world, and it will continue to be a dangerous world," he said.

Boosting Sunday's attendance were many family members of soldiers now on the ground in Iraq, and they took heart in Hagee's comparison to the World War II veterans in terms of their voluntary sacrifices.

"That really touched me - I never thought about that before," said Janet Valencia, who wore a button holding a picture of her husband, Army Sgt. 1st Class Hector Valencia. "They are willing to give up everything."

Melinda Joiner, who drove down from Fort Hood with Valencia, echoed that what a soldier goes through is often not seen outside their unit and their family.

"It's nice to hear somebody say it," said Joiner, whose husband, Sgt. Robert Joiner, is also serving as part of the 4th Infantry Division, which is due home in the spring.

The ceremony included placing a wreath at a war memorial at the museum, which has grown up around the boyhood home of Adm. Chester Nimitz, who commanded U.S. naval forces in the Pacific during World War II.

Four World War II-era fighter planes also flew over the ceremony in the "missing man" formation to honor Americans killed in war.

2 posted on 12/08/2003 2:10:29 PM PST by VRWC_minion (Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and most are right)

"Once again another 'greatest generation' has stepped forward," Gen. Michael Hagee, the commandant of the Marines, said in a ceremony at the National Museum of the Pacific War on the 62nd anniversary of the Pearl Harbor attack.

"They don't want to die, but they are willing to," continued Hagee, who grew up in this small Hill Country city. "That is true honor. You cannot buy that, and we must never ever lose that."

Thank GAWD Brokow wasn't there to dispute the General. This is a nice thing for the General to say, and I think we will hear more like him in the coming months and years. Perhaps Brokow will notice and write another book? (doubt it)

4 posted on 12/08/2003 3:08:27 PM PST by BushCountry (To the last, I will grapple with Democrats. For hate's sake, I spit my last breath at Liberals.)

During the Iraq war, I was amazed at our young troops--the professionalism and patriotism they displayed.

I'm almost fifty, and I felt these youngsters were accomplishing far more than I could ever hope to. More power to them.

Once again we have been shown mercy by a loving God to have such a fine group of men to protect our freedom.

6 posted on 12/08/2003 7:25:37 PM PST by exit82 (Sound off to your elected reps in DC: Capitol switchboard toll free number 1-800-648-3516.)

7 posted on 12/08/2003 7:36:42 PM PST by Ragtime Cowgirl ( "Our military is full of the finest people on the face of the earth." ~ Pres. Bush, Baghdad)

...I felt these youngsters were accomplishing far more than I could ever hope to.
More power to them.

I think that news footage of the US infantry group defusing that tense situation when
a large crowd of Iraqi Shiite civilians thought one of their sacred sites was about to
be over-run by our troops was a classic moment of the campaign.

Telling your troops to basically stand down, take a knee, smile and make friendly
in the midst of a huge, tense crowd...and all this with sleep exhaustion.

That not one of the soldiers didn't freak out and start shooting...what training and
"grace under pressure".
I hate to think how I'd have reacted to that situation.

Thanks for a reminder of that moment. A classic example of what makes the american fighting man the finest this world has ever seen.

And this generation has done their predecessors proud.

9 posted on 12/08/2003 9:09:28 PM PST by exit82 (Sound off to your elected reps in DC: Capitol switchboard toll free number 1-800-648-3516.)

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