Veterans Day

What we have to learn about service. Also, an interview with Gen. Jack Apperson

Veterans’ Day

Photo by Chad Madden on Unsplash

by Martin Davis
EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

Today is not only Veterans Day, it’s also the 248th birthday of the United States Marine Corps.

These two days have become important ones in our household.

The first because my father is a veteran, and he instilled in both my brother and I the importance of putting country over self. It was a message that didn’t catch on easily. I was born in 1962 and came of age during Vietnam and Watergate and protests.

Neither my brother nor I served in the military. As such, we were in many ways removed from those ideals that shape my father’s patriotism - a desire to serve more than self. And my grandfathers’ patriotism. Both tried to enlist during World War II; both were rebuffed for medical reasons. So long as I knew both these men, they were bothered by the fact that they could not come to the aid of their nation as soldiers when their country most needed them.

My awakening came as a reporter, when I began to understand more the importance of honoring veterans and the ideals that moved them to embrace a commitment to something more than themselves.

From interviews conducted with Gold Star families, to attending funerals at Arlington National Cemetary, the ideals of America began to shine a bit brighter in me.

It was during an interview with Ted Sorensen, however, some 20-plus years ago, that I really understood the sacrifice military service requires, and how that service weighs on those who make decisions about sending people to war.

Sorensen had served as President John F. Kennedy’s special assistant and speechwriter. He gave an hour of his time one evening to me, and as the interview wound down, and the conversation grew more casual, I mentioned that my father was in the Army during the Kennedy years as a reservist. He had been called up when I was still an infant because of the Cuban Missile Crisis.

Sorensen stopped the interview and told me to personally thank my father from the former president of the United States for his service. “People really don’t comprehend how close we came to nuclear war,” Sorensen told me. “It was men like your father who left babies at home that prevented it from happening.”

Loyal to the Corps

Twenty years later, the military came even closer to home. My youngest son passed up a college football scholarship to join the U.S. Marine Corps.

There have been a number of moments where what he has committed to have hit me hard. But one in particular stands out.

On a Friday night after my son had graduated Infantry School and was home for a few days R and R, he came to game at Riverbend where he had played and where I was then coaching.

As the players lined up for the National Anthem, my son, who was on the sidelines with me, turned, faced the flag, and snapped to attention. His pride in his service palpable, his commitment to defend unquestionable, and his belief in the ideals of America unshakeable.

I think of my son today on his “birthday,” and the other Marines I know also celebrating their birthdays.

Recapturing that pride

Below is an interview I conducted with General Jack Apperson, US Army, Retired, in July. I held it for today. His concerns and his commitment to America deserve an airing. And we are pleased to provide that platform.

To all Americans Vets, to all those now serving at home and abroad, and my son on the Marine Corps’ 248th birthday, Thank you from a grateful nation.

Let us all discover the pride these service people know, and live.

A Veterans Day Interview with
Gen. Jack Apperson

FXBG Advance: Tell us about your early life in the city.

Jack Apperson: I was born in the old hospital building, and I went on to graduate from James Monroe High School in 1953. From there I went to West Point. After that, I was gone from the Fredericksburg region for a very long time, but I always maintained contact with friends back home.

FXBG Advance: What is the draw to this city?

Apperson: Fredericksburg means a great deal to me. My daughters understood that and encouraged me to return, which I did nine years ago.

Since coming home, I’ve become very involved in the historic aspects of the city, especially through the Washington Heritage Museums. (Listen to the New Dominion Podcast interview with Chuck Fennell and Anne Darron of WHM.)

We are a unique city, and that uniqueness has been lost somewhere along the way. I want to help Fredericksburg to regain its place as the most historic city in the United States.

When one considers that this city played critical roles in Revolutionary Period, the Civil War period, that our first President and Commander-in-Chief grew up right across the river, and that his brothers lived here, I believe our claim to the title of most historic city is sound.

We have a mission to maintain this city.

FXBG Advance: What are your concerns about the city’s historic character?

Apperson: Suburbia is swallowing up this region, which is why we need to work so hard to maintain Fredericksburg’s identity.

I am working to help re-establish Mary Washington’s reputation. She was a single mother who raised sons who were all very successful. Hers is a story that can resonate with so many people on a number of levels. It’s important we not let that slip away.

We are making progress on this front.

FXBG Advance: America has been through some difficult years of late. How do you feel about where we are as a nation?

Apperson: I’m concerned about our country right now.

I see a real threat to the basic tenets of our democracy. We’ve had in our history great moments of turmoil, and here’s the key to how we have survived it. The military must stay out of politics.

America is a great, great beacon of hope. I hope that doesn’t slip away.

FXBG Advance: You served during the Vietnam years. Talk about what that was like.

Apperson: I recall what it was like for those returning.

A good friend of mine was a warrant officer flying helicopters. When he returned home to Fredericksburg, he was spat on.

When I came home from Vietnam, I was told not to wear my uniform, because I would be harassed.

The turmoil that those who served in Vietnam endured upon their return is even today not fully understood. Many of these young men did rotations of six months over, six months back. It was incredibly stressful, and the turmoil that rotation created in those families is not appreciated. Part of the reason is that Americans today have little connection to the military.

FXBG Advance: What does the military have to teach those who are not familiar with the rules it lives by?

Apperson: We lived by a motto at West Point. We do not tolerate lying, cheating, or stealing. We need to regain that integrity.

I don’t want to be overly negative, however, because we’ve survived difficult periods before.

I have great faith in the American people, but they sometimes need to be led to water. We need a leader to emerge who understands those core values that I learned at West Point.

America is a land of freedom. We are a welcoming county, and we set high goals and standards. Let’s do that again.

FXBG Advance: Should everyone serve in the military?

Apperson: The military is not for everybody. I would like every American to have some sort of service to our country. They don’t have to wear a uniform, but do something for your country.

What we all can do is mentor. I believe strongly in that.

My mentoring started back in high school. State Senator Benjamin Pitts was very important in my life.

For some reason he took an interest in me. He encouraged me to take the test to get into West Point. I graduated high school the 4th of June. Went to West Point and took the physical and exam. Ten days later, I’m told to report.

Mentoring continued throughout my career. In the Army, there was a colonel I met, and helped me navigate the path to general.

We have to look out for young people and help them.

FXBG Advance: We hear a lot about being a “patriot” today. What does that word mean to you?

Apperson: To be a patriot is to put others above self.

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-Martin Davis, Editor