By Tom Fort
SNELLVILLE, Ga. | On Fort Benning’s renaming to Fort Moore: Being from Columbus, I know how important the army post is to that section of Georgia. And I cannot imagine a more deserving two individuals for the honor than Lt. Gen. Harold Moore and his wife, Julia.
Fort
But as a fiscal conservative, I’m somewhat dismayed at the amount of money the government is to spend to erase every aspect of Henry Benning by December 31 from 182,000 acres. The post is in three counties, two in Georgia, and one in Alabama. Are those counties and cities on the hook for replacing all the street signs and subdivisions with Benning in the names or directions? Then businesses and churches – while they are not forced to change their names (“Benning Auto Parts”, etc.) –if they don’t, will be “canceled” by the “woke”?
Lt. Gen. Hal Moore wrote this in 2001:
“I am living the last years of my life—having the privilege of believing in and fighting alongside America’s youth many years ago. The preciousness and value of each life is the highest and best investment we can make in humanity, and there is no better place than America to love and honor future leaders who believe and hope in themselves.
Gen. Moore
“In a previous generation, I trained and fought next to 18- to 21-year-old troopers who laid down their lives so that others may live. Do not tell me that you do not understand or do not have enough experience to make sacrifices. How much experience is necessary to say ‘yes’ when called upon to serve and love one’s nation? Great courage and bravery is often packaged in the youngest of bodies.
“As I look into your youthful eyes, I am reminded of the eyes of my young troopers I led in 1965 in the first major battle of the Vietnam War. Before we departed U.S. soil for enemy territory, I spoke these words from my heart to my men. It was a different time and a different Army, but I believe this message still applies today. So, dear America, I repeat these words today to the young heart of a new generation:
Julia Moore
“Look around you. In the 7th Cavalry we have a captain from the Ukraine, another from Puerto Rico and we have Japanese, Chinese, Blacks, Hispanics, Cherokee Indians, Jews and Gentiles—all Americans. Now, here in the States some men in this unit may experience discrimination because of race or creed. But for you and me now, all that is gone.
“We’re moving into the valley of the shadow of death, where you will watch the back of the man next to you, as he will watch yours, and you won’t care what color he is or by what name he calls God. Let us understand the situation. We’re going into battle against a tough and determined enemy. I can’t promise you that I will bring you all home alive, but this I swear: When we go into battle, I will be the first one to set foot on the field, and I will be the last to step off. And I will leave no one behind. Dead or alive, we will come home together. So help me God.”
For brevity, this comment ends here. The rest is so inspiring that I ask you go here to read his thoughtful and inspiring message.
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