 | » Tips for Teachers |  |
Saturday, October 30, 2004
Retired general revs group
By ANNE GEGGIS | News-Journal Staff Writer
DAYTONA BEACH — Retired Army Gen. Tommy Franks rallied the Republican faithful Friday and urged them to work tirelessly to get the vote out for President Bush — even if the voters are independents.
About 100 people came to the Plaza Resort & Spa in Daytona Beach on Friday afternoon to get a glimpse of the major military brains behind the invasions of Afghanistan and Iraq. The author of "American Soldier" drew applause and hearty laughter from the crowd.
"Since 9-11-01, we've been trying to make America safer," he said, then issued a challenge to media that have criticized Bush's strategy. "If the New York Times is in here, or CBS, then have at me."
In a 30-minute speech, Franks said the armed forces, which are so sorely needed at this point in history, need to feel as though the nation is led by a man who loves them. And U.S. Sen. John Kerry, D-Mass., is not that man, Franks said, warning the crowd that the nation would "get themselves into a trick'' by electing a man who is on record criticizing the military.
"I'm not here to deprecate John Kerry — I simply look at what he said about the troopers that he left behind" in Vietnam, said Franks, who is also a Vietnam veteran.
Even if the president has not owned up to any mistakes in executing the current conflict in Iraq, Franks freely admitted Friday that some mistakes have been made. War is never easy, he told the group.
"We've not been perfect. George W. Bush has not been perfect," he said. "The last perfect man that was here on Earth came about 2,000 years ago."
He referred to current reports that some munitions have gone missing since the U.S. military invaded Iraq.
"Anyone who wants to go in there and just get it done and not lose 370 RDX is crazy, crazy," Franks said, generating a spontaneous round of applause.
"You look at that ballot and there's only two names on it," he said. "And only one is a commander-in-chief."
After the speech, the throng pressed forward to meet and greet the retired, four-star general. Liz Towsley, 45, of Holly Hill had him sign a photograph of her son, Lance Cpl. Charles Garrett, 20, who is shipping out to Iraq on Nov. 8.
"I wouldn't have missed it," she said of the event.
Bennie Jean Esposito, 72, of Jacksonville was at the plaza for dance lessons with her husband, but the pair drifted into the far conference room when they learned of the event. She told Franks her son-in-law, Lt. Col. Ron Neff, is a Marine pilot.
"Tell him I love him," Franks said.
"I wanted to tell him that I shook your hand," Esposito said.
"Tell him I hugged you," Franks said, reaching forward to embrace her.
Her eyes filled with tears.