Letter from the President
November 11, 2008 -
On this Veterans Day I think about family and friends who have inspired me in my life.
My grandfather, MG George C. Stewart, had a distinguished career in the Army in World War II and Korea. During his temporary command of the 2nd Division in Korea in 1951 and facing an overwhelming assault from Chinese forces, my grandfather issued orders to hold the town of Wonju at all costs and to rain down artillery fire on the enemy in what became known as the Wonju Shoot. To some military historians, it was a very significant turning point of the war. To me, my grandfather was a rock of courage, service, and honor, and I have not been surprised that his accomplishments are coming to light at last.
My dad, George C. Stewart, Jr., was an Army captain and company commander in Korea. He was shot in the chest while holding a position under assault by Chinese regulars and barely survived. He seldom spoke of his wartime experiences and refused to watch M*A*S*H, because he thought they mocked the group that saved his life. So many veterans like my dad stored their combat memories away in a secret place and moved on with their lives to the betterment of their families and our country.
My long-time mentor and neighbor, Allen C. Phillips, was severely wounded by friendly fire-misdirected air bombardment at St. Lo, France in World War II-and spent a year in Army hospitals in England and the US before he recovered enough to resume his college career. He taught English at Episcopal High School in Alexandria, Virginia for over 40 years. He was a man of the highest integrity; just ask John McCain.
In the past few years, I have met heroes such as Captain Red McDaniel and Jack Streed, who have compelling stories of sacrifice and courage. Red was a Naval pilot who was shot down over North Vietnam and spent nearly six years as a POW in the most brutal of conditions. He never lost his faith, his hope for survival, or his love for family and country. Jack served as an Army tank commander in France and Germany in World War II. In one harrowing experience near the end of the war, he was captured by the enemy, interrogated by SS officers who seemed certain to kill him and his fellow prisoners, and ultimately negotiated the “capture” and surrender of over 100 German soldiers to American forces. Jack received a Silver Star for that show of courage. Of course, he says, “I was no hero; I was just doing my job.”
Just this past weekend, I met a courageous couple, Chuck and Carren Ziegenfuss, who epitomize all that I hold dear about military service on the battlefront and the home front. Chuck, an Army tank commander, received severe hand wounds in Iraq in 2005 from an IED. To continue posting on his blog, he received a voice-activated laptop and never looked back. Chuck and Carren are now devoted supporters of Project Valour-IT, a project started by the non-profit group Soldier’s Angels, that helps provide voice-controlled and adaptive laptop computers to wounded Soldiers at major military medical centers. Don’t tell me home front volunteerism only happened during World War II!
To all present and past who answered the call-citizens serving the cause of freedom-we honor you on this Veterans Day.
I’m a Canadian, I read about your grandfather in David Halberstam’s book and reflected on how lucky America (and her allies in the Korean War) were that General Stewart was the man on the spot at that moment — the turning point of the war. To me he embodied what I have always thought are the distinguishing qualities of the American soldier — courage, modesty, and the ability to distinguish between the truly important issues and the other kind — like his immediate decision to use all his artillery on the advancing Chinese forces as soon as they were discoved. I always think of his response to the suggestion that the bombardment ease up because the guns were heating. Keep firing until they melt, he said. By the way ..Is there a photograph of him anywhere on the web?
I’m a Canadian, I read about your grandfather in David Halberstam’s book and reflected on how lucky America (and her allies in the Korean War) were that General Stewart was the man on the spot at that moment — the turning point of the war. To me he embodied what I have always thought are the distinguishing qualities of the American soldier — courage, modesty, and the ability to distinguish between the truly important issues and the other kind — like his immediate decision to use all his artillery on the advancing Chinese forces as soon as they were discoved. I always think of his response to the suggestion that the bombardment ease up because the guns were heating. Keep firing until they melt, he said. By the way ..Is there a photograph of him anywhere on the web?