What did the Presidents Say?

 

As many of you know, I enjoy reflecting on brief quotes.  Often, they make me reflect more deeply than a long speech.  This week quotes have led me to some deeper thoughts. 

    "Older men declare War.  But it is youth that must fight and die."  Herbert Hoover.  Hoover never served in the military.

Depending on young men and women today may be difficult, not just because fewer young people choose to volunteer but rather because there is a declining number of young Americans physically and mentally fit to serve.  

    "I want us to be what the founding fathers of our nation meant us to become - the land of freedom, the land of peace, and the land of hope."  The 39th President, Jimmy Carter was a Naval Officer, 1946-1953, specializing in Submarines and nuclear technology, but generally known as a peanut farmer, admired for his service after leaving the Presidency, in Habitat for Humanity, philanthropy, and public service.                  

    "We must be strong enough to win any war, and we must be wise enough to prevent one."   Lyndon B. Johnson served in the Naval Reserve during W.W. II.  He was also President during a major escalation of the Vietnam War.  No man has the right to command another man's services unless he has given more of his own."  Calvin Coolidge did not serve in the military, although he was a staunch supporter of the armed forces and held the title of "Colonel." 

    "Freedom is never more than one generation away from extinction."  Ronald Reagan served in the U.S. Army, and although his poor eyesight did not allow him to serve in combat, he produced films and reached the rank of Captain.  

Of the 45 individuals who have served as President, 31 served in the military.  George W. Bush, the 43rd President, was the last to serve, serving in the Texas National Guard. His father, George H. W. Bush, served in the U.S. Navy during W.W. II, and was a decorated combat pilot, awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross.  He is only one example of great courage in service of the nation.

The challenge of volunteer soldiers today is not just a matter of patriotism, but also the physical and mental condition of volunteers.  The most prevalent disqualifications are overweight, (11 percent). drug and alcohol abuse, (8 percent), medical and physical health, (7 percent).  The result of these facts is a concern that eligible and interested volunteers will not be sufficient to fill the need in the future.

    "I have never advocated war except as means of peace, so seek peace, but prepare for war."  Ulysses S. Grant, from his book "Personal Memories."'            

  

     

    

Looking Backward to Understand the Present

Most of you know that I often consult the wisdom of the Founding Fathers, and once again I seek their prospective.  In the process of gaining our freedom from England, the Founding Fathers determined that they did not want one man to control our nation.  As they formed the documents that would guide our nation, they debated and argued, but it was clear to them that Americans did not want power in a single person like a king. 

They had also learned in the years of gaining their freedom from England that they did not want constant warfare, nor large standing armies.  To assure that, the Constitution gave Congress, not the President, the power to declare war.  Thomas Jefferson saw war as an ineffective, costly solution, sometimes worsening the problem, rather than resolving it.  While the Founding Fathers did not refuse war entirely, they saw it as a sort of last option.  Between 1798 and 1942, Congress formally declared war only 11 times.  

Formal Declarations of War ceased, and Congress began authorizing military force against specific targets or in specific regions. Modern Presidents have reached for more independent authority; however, after Vietnam, efforts were made to tighten presidential action, with the War Powers Resolution, requiring that the President must notify Congress within 48 hours of deploying troops into hostilities, plus the requirement that troops be withdrawn within 60 to 90 days, unless Congress declares war, authorizes the force, or extends the deadline. 

Obviously, the world has changed over decades, and the ability to move more quickly is far beyond capabilities the Founding Fathers could have imagined.  Even so, it remains that Congress has the sole power to declare war.  Thomas Jeffersons's idea that every citizen should be a soldier, capable of protecting when needed, but as a citizen, not a professional soldier, is an idea of the past.  As for Washington's perspective, today's soldiers would probably agree that "When we assumed the Soldier, we did not lay aside the Citizen."  However, our citizen soldiers of today serve as career soldiers.  Today's U.S, Military is about 2.1 million, with approximately 760,000 to 800,000 reserve and National Guard. (These numbers are subject to change.)  Even with those numbers, we are not the largest military in the world today.   Both China and India are larger, and North Korea and Russia are not far behind.    

Our soldiers serve bravely for our country, but we as citizens owe them the responsibility to pay attention to the manner in which they are being used.,  

The Larry and Lyn Oz Collection

Scare Crow

Our home is going to feel a little empty soon, for just like always, kids will want to go away on their own to see the world.  But we are pleased that they are headed off to the same university that we attended.  Some of you may remember, they first visited to FHSU several years ago, and they stayed for quite a visit before returning home to grow up to be old enough to enroll.  The time has arrived!

For those of you who do not know what I am talking about, Larry and I began our Wizard of Oz Collection many years ago.  It took leaving Kansas to realize that when you get away from Kansas, and you introduce yourself someone is likely to say, "Do you know Dorothy? or Have you been in a tornado?"  Dorothy and the Wizard of Oz seem to be what people know best about Kansas. 

Realizing that we had been neglectful of the very thing people from around the world seem to know best about, we began our journey with The Wizard of Oz.  We decided that we must have been missing out on something important, and that is when we began collecting The Wizard of Oz.

Dorothy, Toto & Lion

It has been a lot of fun, and when we were invited to share our collection several years ago with the library at FHSU, our collection took it's first trip to Hays.  It was there that we began talking about just when Scare Crow, Tin Man, Lion, and Dorothy would be old enough to go away from home alone.  

We did not think that it would take that long, but finally they are old enough to go off on their own to the university, and their home will be in the newly named Tebo Library at FHSU.  

Their surroundings will make them feel quite at home, for all of the Oz collection is going with them.  Their new home will be in the Larry and Lyn Fenwick Reading Room.  The grand opening is still not entirely settled--which I am sure pleases them, since it always takes a little time to get everything in place for guests.  

Tin Man

The Reading Room hours are generally Monday through Friday, 9 am to noon, and 1 pm to 4 pm on days when the University is open.  Walk-ins are welcome, but you know how people are, especially ladies like Dorothy, who would appreciate that you make an appointment.  

Our children aren't selfish, and they will be hosting other people there doing research.  

The new Library is impressive, and the precise date of the complete opening is still not definite, but as you can imagine, Dorothy and the Boys are excited.   

Larry and I are busy now getting all of the other things in our collection ready to load and on their way to Hays.  Of course, everyone is excited about the trip, and we are grateful to a friend to help get the complete collection on its way.  

All of the dolls were designed and made by Lyn Fenwick.