Jefferson Post
by Linda Burchette Assistant Editor
American values under attack by terrorists were proudly and colorfully displayed last week during Ashe County Military Appreciation Day at the National Guard armory. Freedom of speech and religion, individual accomplishment, patriotism, and the right to come and go freely in a democratic society are just some of the things we take for granted that others are trying to take away, said LTG Thomas Metz to a room full of people who understood just what he was saying.
When LTG Metz agreed to speak to the Jeffersons Rotary Club, vice president Vicky Moody decided to make it extra special and set to work creating something that will no doubt become an annual event. Investing much of her own time and money, Moody contacted veterans’ organizations around the county to invite any and all who were interested in appearing. Hundreds did.
Especially honored were veterans of World War II and the Cold War era whose ranks continue to decline as the men and women who served with the “greatest generation” reach their 70s and 80s. Moody continues working to compile a list of these veterans living in Ashe County so they will receive invitations to future events.
These veterans were personally greeted by Metz as he walked by the tables and shook each person’s hand, handing them a commemorative Rotary coin. The veterans were as humbled by the attention as Metz said he was by their service to their country.
Several of the veterans said they had never met a general before, and were pleased to speak with Metz and show him their medals. The veterans had been invited to wear their uniforms and bring their medals and memorabilia for display and discussion during a coffee and camaraderie session after the program. One of those was James Franklin of West Jefferson who won a Purple Heart after being hit as he was coming in for a landing. “There was blood everywhere. I couldn’t see and I didn’t know if I was going to make it,” he said. Franklin was an Air Force pilot who flew 43 combat missions in WWII. (Read more about Franklin’s service and others in a salute to veterans for Veteran’s Day in November.)
Metz said it was a humbling experience for him to be at the armory among all the veterans. He assisted in recognizing veterans who served in every conflict and the Cold War between the start of World War II in 1941 and the present wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.
What today’s soldiers are fighting, said Metz, is a war of values. It will be a long war against a formidable enemy who will use any means to destroy America and all freedomloving people.
“We are at a very dangerous place in history,” Metz told the gathering of veterans, Rotary members and local dignitaries. “The enemy hates freedom and weapons of mass destruction have changed everything.” From the possibility of a crop duster flying over a Saturday afternoon football game at Appalachian State University and killing 30,000 to a small nuclear weapon detonated on Wall Street and killing 300,000, to the chemical and biological weapons that would kill millions before we could even figure out what it was, war and weapons have changed and the threat will remain, he said.
“America is at war. Do you believe it? You better believe I do,” he said, noting that today’s soldiers will do what must be done to preserve the American way of life from the terrorist thugs who would take it away.
Metz said today’s Army may be stressed, but it is not broken. The Army has met its recruitment goal for 14 straight months with re-enlistment rates “out the roof.” Almost 400,000 young people have joined the military since Sept. 11, 2001. “These young people will challenge the greatest generation,” he said, because they are tough, dedicated, loyal and a value-based group. Metz said there is just .5% of today’s 300 million Americans in uniform carrying the load for all, compared to 9% of the population during World War II.
Values are what will win this long war, said Metz, who served 39 months as commander of ground forces in Iraq, 13 of them in Iraq. “Killing people is not the solution,” he said. There are one billion Islamic people but only about 10 percent of them radical. That is still 10 million people. “We can’t kill ten million people,” he said. What will win the war is changing the attitudes of these people, helping them with clean water and electricity, cleaning up the streets and showing them how they could live.
“When you can convince people to commit suicide to destroy their enemy, then you’ve got a very tough fight,” Metz said. “This will be a long war against a formidable enemy who is evil. The enemy is not burdened by the truth. We are proud of the Army teaching values to soldiers because we are fighting a valueless enemy.”
And freedom is not free, the general didn’t need to remind those present. They know more than most the cost of the freedom we all enjoy. Those gathered were reminded – and thanked – through a special video presentation that brought tears to many of the eyes watching it. “If that presentation didn’t light your fire, your wood’s wet,” said Metz.
During his 39 months commanding troops in Iraq, Metz said he lost 751 soldiers. Of those, 295 were from incidents other than battle, such as accidents, suicide and illness, but he wonders how many may have been indirectly caused by the effect of a soldier losing a buddy in combat. The veterans present at this program knew what he was talking about.“We are proud of who we are and what we’re doing,” he said.
Metz joined the Army at 17, right out of high school in Elkin. He said he was inspired by an uncle who had served as a career soldier. He joined and matured for a year as a start to his 40-year career. He now serves as deputy commanding general and chief of staff for the U.S. Army Training and Doctrine Command at Fort Monroe in Virginia.
“It was a labor of love,” said Metz of his military career. “The military is a tremendous opportunity for young people. They can get a sense of selfless service and the value of that service pays dividends for a lifetime.”
The group was also addressed by Congresswoman Virginia Foxx who said in a voice choked with emotion that she realized the great sacrifice of this county in sending so many of its citizens to war over the years, and she thanked the Rotary Club for creating such a wonderful event in their honor.
The day included a lunch catered by Smoky Mountain Barbecue and presentation of colors by the Ashe County High School JROTC. Invocation was offered by William C. “Bill” Ballou, a WWII veteran and former prisoner of war, and WWII veteran and former military chaplain Dallas Williams offered the benediction. The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Sgt. Joseph Osborne with the 1450th Transportation Unit of the NC Army National Guard, and the Steel Magnolias sang the National Anthem. Appreciation is offered to all the supporters of this event. Look for more photos in today’s edition and a special “thank you” in Friday’s edition.
