Retired Maj. Gen. James Livingston will be the featured speaker Monday at Smyrna’s Memorial Day ceremony at the 20th Century Veterans Memorial, 2800 King St. The native of towns in South Georgia is one of 81 living recipients of the Medal of Honor. As a Marine captain serving in the Vietnam War, Livingston led charges under heavy fire May 2, 1968, at Dai Do to rescue other stranded Marines. He is the author of “Noble Warrior,” which recounts his career and offers observations about America’s war on terrorism.
Q: You do a lot of speaking engagements around the world. What do you most enjoy speaking about?
A: I enjoy recounting the great commitment on the part of young Marines and sailors I’ve served with, and in some cases Army, Air Force and Coast Guard guys. It’s amazing to me that these kids are so motivated and so willing to step up to the plate and do what the country asks, then a bunch of old guys up in Washington screw it up.
Q: How does the reception you received returning to the United States compare with the reception soldiers today are receiving?
A: We had a very divided country back during the Vietnam War, and there were those who served and loved their country and were sacrificing, and those who probably loved their country and were not willing to make that same sacrifice. ... I call the Vietnam generation the “Newest Greatest Generation.” They were willing to step up to the plate, take the mantle of leadership and make sure the current generation of veterans are well received, well taken care of and know the country has concern and love for them.
Q: Do you travel back to Vietnam?
A: Yeah, I’ve been back three or four times since the war’s been over.
The thing is they still love Americans. It’s amazing to me when you walk through the villages and walk through the towns and interact with people, how cordial they are, how supportive, how glad they are to see you. ... They really want to know what’s going on in our country.
Q: You’ve also spoken out on post-traumatic stress disorder. What would you like to say on that subject?
A: It’s a real issue. It’s based on experiences and stresses. You’ve got to remember [these are] young people, 18 and 19 years old, fresh out of school, not having any worldly experiences. The other thing is the way we deploy. The average grunt in Vietnam that would be there for a year probably spent 200 days in combat. A World War II guy would only spend 30 or 40 days maybe during the whole time. The whole environment was different, how you deploy, how you redeploy, and the amount of time you were actually out among the bad guys.
Q: How would you assess the state of today’s military?
A: The individual trooper is fine. The gear is worn out. We’re trying now to restructure our national military strategy coming out of the Obama administration and make it accommodate what they want to buy. You can’t buy defense based on what you’re willing to put in the budget. You’ve got to buy defense based on the threats.
Q: What would you recommend we do?
A: A good military strategy is one to support a minimum of two major theaters of operation and a secondary theater and making sure we are equipped to organize our forces to deal with that. Without security, you don’t have any economics. If you don’t keep the straits open, you don’t keep the people under control, you don’t have trading partners overseas.
Q: When you’re not otherwise engaged on Memorial Day, what would you do?
A: I’ve had Memorial Day booked for the last 15 years. If I had the day off, I think I’d spend it reflecting. If there was a veterans cemetery nearby, I’d certainly visit it, or any cemetery, just to view what service and sacrifice is all about. If I’m in D.C., I like to go out to Arlington.
Q: Since your retirement, you’ve lent your name to a couple of political campaigns. Can you share any thoughts on the current race for president?
A: I think this race is about how we manage to regain the purpose and direction of our country. It’s the most critical election in my lifetime. We’ve lost a sense of direction. I think people are confused now about what all is being said and all the characterizations of various candidates by advertisements and the media. But I think the American people are smart people and better put on their thinking hats. This is not about me. This is about the kids and grandkids.
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