vietnam generation approaches leadership

8/8/2019 Vietnam Generation Approaches Leadership

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Vietnam Generation Approaches Leadership.

Schenectady Gazette

April 23, 1988

Twenty years ago I was in Vietnam learning some hard lessons about this country

and about myself. In many ways Vietnam helped clarify my values. The war also

taught me what Leadership is and what it is not. I reflect on that a lot these days.

It is 1988 and this country is choosing new leaders. My generation is moving

closer to the time will guide this country. At the same time, America is in a period

of realignment. Traditional political labels no longer apply. We have shifted ourpatterns of education, economics, communications, and the role of government is

different. Political parties are of less significance.

There are a variety of reasons for this. Dr. William F. Crandall has written about

the realignment of the Republican Party after World War II. He tells us that each

generation needs to reorganize government to suit its own priorities. As the

Vietnam generation comes to power, we will do just that. We are doing some of

this today.

All across the country, the mantle of leadership is falling on our shoulders.

Fortunately, the Vietnam generation consists of more than those of us who went

to war. We need a broader perspective. Yes, we stepped forward and took the

risk, based on conscience. We accepted the challenge of President Kennedy to

Ask not what your country can do for you, but what you can do for your

country.

Others heard the same call and stepped forward to serve in the Peace Corps. Theybuilt irrigation ditches, taught in foreign lands, planted trees, provided health-

care and served in whatever ways they were asked.


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Others joined the anti-war movement, trying to end the useless killing. Many

organized for the Earth, for women, the poor and for civil rights. A number of

them are dead too.

We have responsibilities to them, to ourselves and to our children to rememberwhere we come from. I take pride in those values that guided me through the

years since Jack Kennedy was sworn into office. I still feel the pain of his murder

and those of the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr., Malcolm X., Bobby Kennedy and

Allard Lowenstein. I do not intend to vote for someone who does not.

I look forward to the 1988 elections with greater realism, I think, than earlier

ones. I know that it will not solve the problems of this nation. I do not even expect

it will keep us out of war in Central America. What I hope it will do is move some

of the people from my generation closer to the point of leadership. I look forward

to the day when our leaders are more interested in protecting our real national

security and less worried about communism taking a foothold in the Americas. I

believe our security comes from our integrity, from the opportunities available to

Americans and to his sense of justice. The hypocrisy of the Reagan administration

attempting to destabilize Panamas Gen. Manuel Noriega is transparent. The

author James Mills documented Noriegas drug connections years ago in the

Underground Empire. He outlined US government involvement in the drug tradein Latin America, the Far East and in the United States.

I want to be led by men and women who share my sense of patriotism; who

believe there is much that is great in this country but that we have lost our way.

We did not listen to Gen. Omar Bradley when he told us to navigate this nation by

the stars, not by the lights of passing ships. The fundamental values embodied in

the U.S. Constitution and the Bill of Rights should be our guide. I want leaders

who see politics as a vocation not as a stepping stool to a consultants paycheck. I

want leaders who value entrepreneurs in the private sector and are willing to

bring some of that spirit into government without selling off our national

heritage.


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Most of all, they must have a history of leadership. They must have taken

uncomfortable positions, not just jumped in front of the passing crowd. I want

leaders who have been hurt because of the risks they have taken. I have and it

made me stronger. Vietnam tested me and gave me the courage to speak out. I

want leaders who will not fold the first time they get their feelings hurt. If they

are going to stand up for me and my family, they better be able to stand up for

themselves. They do not have to agree with me, but they should be able to argue.

This country was built on competing values and interests. I want leaders who

know when it is time to stop fighting over issues and build a consensus around

pragmatic solutions. The work of government is difficult and does not make for

simplistic approaches.

Many from my generation are preparing to assume leadership roles. The media

were wrong when they wrote that the movement is dead. We are building our

families and strengthening our skills. Our hair may be shorter but we have not

gone away. We know we can be more effective if we make the decisions rather

than protest those who made them for us.

Edward Murphy of Saratoga Springs is a Vietnam veteran and political activist. He

is a regular contributing to the Saturday Op-Ed page.

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