[Part 1 here]
To say that the appearance of General Petraeus was not the highlight of the day is to give you some sense of how extraordinary were the day's other events, but I'll start with Petraeus. His time took the form of a brief statement, and then questions and answers moderated by Michael O'Hanlon of the Brookings Institute. This isn't my best writing, but I wanted to get it out there ASAP...
The little theatre where we gathered was packed wall-to-wall, with people lining the back and sitting on the stairs along each side (I was lucky enough to get a seat near the center, only a few rows back). The general sat down next to a table set with a pitcher of ice water and two glasses, but carefully placed an "Airborne!" coffee cup on the table and later drew attention to it. In person he is as quietly confident but unassasuming as people say, his demeanor certainly not typical of many general officers out there who carry themselves with a great deal more weight and importance.
Petraeus was introduced by the student commander of the Naval Academy Brigade of Midshipmen, a former enlisted Marine. The young man was obviously nervous, but cheeky enough to comment on what it shame it was going to be that Petraeus (a West Point graduate) was scheduled to be in Bahrain on December 12 and would thus be unable to personally witness Navy football once again pounding the Army. That certainly got the general's attention! He looked surprised for a brief moment and then laughed along with the audience who was had ooohed and cheered at the Midshipman's audacity, while the West Point Cadets in attendance hissed.
Read the complete post at http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2009/11/american_vetera.html
Posted
Nov 13 2009, 10:00 PM
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Argghhh! The Home Of Two Of Jonah's Military Guys..