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Reader: Gen. Clark Understands the Soldier-Citizen

letter to the editor

[Re: "Taking Command," 12/21/2008, Washington Post]

My father retired as a USAF Lieutenant General who fought in the Pacific during WWII. My brother and I both served in the USAF. He said to me once, "Any military man who has ever smelled burned flesh is a pacifist." I think Gen. Clark has come as close to this thought as anyone I have read in years.

My father also said, "I have no politics. I work for the Commander in Chief, no matter what his party." But he did vote. Again, General Clark expresses this clearly.

This is a classic piece, and could be expanded into a book.

Mike Maddux
Hawi, Hawaii

Published: Monday, January 05, 2009