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Army general issues appeal to keep military ranks filled

By Ron Martz
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Published on: 11/04/06

Americans need to get serious about the war against international terrorism and start encouraging more young men and women to join the military, a top Army general said Friday.

Lt. Gen. Russel Honore, commander of the First Army based at Fort Gillem in Forest Park, said in a speech at the Atlanta Veterans Affairs Medical Center in Decatur that many people in the United States tend to let the events of their everyday lives overshadow the fighting in Iraq and Afghanistan.

"We need to remind people we are at war," Honore said.

Honore urged the audience of about 150, many of them veterans, to try to instill in youngsters a sense of service to the nation, no matter their level of education or economic background.

Honore did not mention Sen. John Kerry (D-Mass.) by name or his remarks earlier this week that many perceived as a criticism of the education level of the American military.

But in an obvious reference to Kerry, Honore said, "It's OK to join [the military] if they are from a rich family. It's OK to join the Army if they have a college degree, and many of them do."

Honore spoke at the dedication of a Blue Star Memorial marker on Clairmont Road in front of the medical center. It is the 105th marker in Georgia. The markers honor veterans and those serving in the military.

He praised those now serving and made special mention of the Georgia National Guard's 48th Infantry Brigade, which in May returned from a year in Iraq, during which it lost 26 soldiers.

"This is a war," he said. "Wars are serious and people die."

But because of the nature of the enemy, he added, it is important for Americans to understand what is at stake for the nation and to make concerted efforts to keep the ranks filled.

"We can't have a part of America say, 'Yes, but not my son or daughter.'"