Posted on 02/20/2010 6:17:25 AM PST by tsmith130
WASHINGTON — Former Secretary of State Alexander Haig, who served Republican presidents and ran for the office himself, has died.
(Excerpt) Read more at chron.com ...
I just shuttered at the thought.
For god sake, there was an assassination attempt. At that time it was not known if foreign governments were behind it. It was an appropriate message to our enemies. Unless of course you are the enemy.
Thank you for that explanation.
Makes it even clearer.
What’s with all these deleted comments? Seems awkward on a thread about a deceased man on this forum; regardless of who he was. And I’m a fan of Alexander Haig.
RIP.
May God bless General Haig and comfort his grieving family. I hope the general is having a great reunion with Ronaldus Magnus in heaven.
I worked for the general as an advance man when he ran for president in 1987-88 (Iowa Caucuses) and really respected him. RIP.
May This American Hero Rest In Peace.
I predict that in the next couple of days there will be an editorial cartoon (probably by a left-winger) showing Haig at the pearly gates telling St Peter “I’m in charge now”.
“The Corps” became a part of the West Point tradition at the Baccalaureate Service of the Class of 1911.
http://www.west-point.org/greimanj/west_point/songs/thecorps.m3u
The Corps
The Corps bareheaded, salute it
With eyes up thanking our God
That we of the Corps are treading
Where they of the Corps have trod
They are here in ghostly assemblage
The men of the Corps long dead
And our hearts are standing attention
While we wait for their passing tread
We sons of today, we salute you
You sons of an earlier day
We follow close order behind you
Where you have pointed the way
The Long Grey Line of us stretches
Through the years of a century told
And the last man feels to his marrow
The grip of your far off hold
Grip hands with us now, though we see not
Grip hands with us strengthen our hearts
As the long line stiffens and straightens
With the thrill that your presence imparts
Grip hands, though it be from the shadows
While we swear as you did of yore
Or living or dying to honor
The Corps, and The Corps, and The Corps
West Point - 1996 Distinguished Graduate Award
CITATION
ALEXANDER MEIGS HAIG, JR., Class of 1947
As a soldier, statesman and respected advisor to six Presidents of the United States, Alexander Meigs Haig, Jr. has rendered a lifetime of extraordinary service to his country and to the international community of freedom loving nations. In successive positions of increasing military and civil responsibility in the national interest, General Haig has exemplified outstanding devotion to the principles expressed in the motto of the United States Military Academy — Duty, Honor, Country.
General Haig’s remarkable career of distinguished service began upon his graduation from West Point in 1947. As a soldier, his military experience and accomplishments included both command and staff responsibility in the field, training combat units and soldiers to deter war, and when war came, commanding these same soldiers with conspicuous gallantry and distinction. In Korea, he was decorated twice with the Silver Star. In Vietnam, he led his infantry battalion in close combat and was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross for heroism at the Battle of Ap Gu.
General Haig’s military career has been replete with achievement. As he advanced in rank, his assignments increasingly involved service at the highest decision making levels of government. In 1969, he was assigned as the Senior Military Advisor to Dr. Kissinger, then Assistant to the President for National Security Affairs. As Senior Military Advisor, General Haig played a leadership role in the military political process which led to the cease-fire agreements in Vietnam. In 1972, he led the advance team that coordinated President Nixon’s historic trip to the People’s Republic of China.
In 1973, the President named General Haig Vice Chief of Staff of the Army, a post he held until summoned to rebuild the White House Staff. He then retired from the Army to accept appointment as President Nixon’s Chief of Staff. In that position, he served both Presidents Nixon and Ford during the grave constitutional crisis that precipitated the President’s resignation and the unprecedented transition of the nation’s highest office which followed.
In 1974, President Ford recalled General Haig to active duty, naming him Commander in Chief, United States European Command. Soon thereafter, General Haig was appointed Supreme Allied Commander, Europe. During his five years as military leader of the Atlantic Alliance, NATO military capabilities materially improved and member nation contributions to NATO increased dramatically, notwithstanding the international climate of economic stress, growing terrorism and the relentless threat of the Soviet led Warsaw Pact. General Haig’s dynamic leadership, political acumen and skillful statesmanship were central to NATO’s unmitigated success as a peaceful alliance of strength largely responsible for the ultimate victory of the West in the Cold War.
In 1979, General Haig completed his tour as Supreme Allied Commander, Europe, and after 32 years in uniform, retired from active military service. Retirement from the Army did not signal retirement from public service. Upon his election in 1980, President Reagan nominated General Haig to be the nation’s 59th Secretary of State. Responding again to his nation’s call, General Haig assumed office in January 1981 and during the ensuing eighteen months, applied his years of experience and leadership at the highest levels of government, guiding the formulation and execution of the nation’s foreign policy, during the turbulent years leading to the collapse of World Communism.
The full measure of General Haig’s contribution to the nation is apparent in his continuing service to his fellow citizens. He has served on three Presidential Commissions. He has unstintingly participated in the education of our nation’s future leaders, lecturing extensively at our nation’s colleges and universities. He is a published author of foreign affairs and diplomatic history of the Cold War era. He is a board member and advisor to both non-profit and commercial corporate enterprises. He founded and chairs his own corporation, Worldwide Associates, Inc.
General Haig is the holder of more than twenty United States military and foreign government decorations and has received honorary degrees and awards from twelve colleges and universities.
A distinguished soldier and renowned statesman, General Haig has left an indelible mark upon our nation’s history. His life of selfless dedication exemplifies the principles and ideals reflected in the motto of West Point. Accordingly, the Association of Graduates takes great pride in presenting the 1996 Distinguished Graduate Award to Alexander M. Haig, Jr., Class of 1947.
When we had a real Government. RIP General Haig.
I have to admit, when my husband and I saw this picture we could pick out a few people in it; President Reagan, Vice-President Bush and Gen. Haig, we are having a hard time with others. We where in High School during Reagan's terms in office and simply do not remember who most in this picture are.
Would Freepers, as a tribute to Gen. Haig's passing, like to credit those who took part in of the the greatest administrations our country has every had?
I never saw what was wrong with that comment. It was a demonstration of national stability in a crisis.
RIP General Haig. You will be missed. BTW, the DUmmies are having a field day, they are being so mean to him. Shows their true character.
Alexander Meigs Haig, Jr. (December 2, 1924 – February 20, 2010) was a retired United States Army general who served as the United States Secretary of State under President Ronald Reagan and White House Chief of Staff under Presidents Richard Nixon and Gerald Ford.[1] In 1973 Haig served as Vice Chief of Staff of the Army, the number-two ranking officer in the Army.[2] Haig served as the Supreme Allied Commander Europe, commanding all U.S. and NATO forces in Europe.
Haig, a veteran of the Korean War and Vietnam War, was a recipient of the Distinguished Service Cross, the Silver Star with oak leaf cluster, and the Purple Heart.[3]
Waki summary
The West Point Alma Mater
http://www.west-point.org/greimanj/west_point/songs/almamater.m3u
Hail, Alma Mater dear,
To us be ever near,
Help us thy motto bear
Through all the years.
Let duty be well performed,
Honor be e’er untarned,
Country be ever armed,
West Point, by thee.
Guide us, thy sons, aright,
Teach us by day, by night,
To keep thine honor bright,
For thee to fight.
When we depart from thee,
Serving on land or sea,
May we still loyal be,
West Point, to thee.
And when our work is done,
Our course on earth is run,
May it be said, ‘Well Done;
Be Thou At Peace.’
E’er may that line of gray
Increase from day to day,
Live, serve, and die, we pray,
West Point, for thee.
Rest In Peace General
Prayers for his eternal rest, and for the comfort and consolation of his loved ones.
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