The Cold War Veterans Institute (CWVI) and the Cold War Veterans Association (CWVA) applaud President-Elect Obama’s selections of Retired Army General Eric Shinseki as Secretary of Veterans Affairs and Retired Marine Corps General James L. Jones, Jr., as U.S. National Security Advisor.

The selection of Shinseki, an American of Japanese ancestry, helps heal a wound going back to the Korematsu decision (1944). (In that case, the Supreme Court ruled that Americans of Japanese descent could be interned and deprived of their constitutional rights.) General Shinseki served America with honor in Vietnam having become permanently-partially disabled as a result of combat therein. As Army Chief-of-Staff, General Shinseki had the foresight to refute the ill-fated and inadequate troop levels that would become the Rumsfeld-Wolfowitz legacy. Because of his first-hand experience, the new VA Secretary will appreciate the frustrations of veterans attempting to navigate the bureaucratic jungle of the Department of Veterans Affairs.

General Jones hails from Kansas City, the metro area home of both the CWVI and CWVA. Jones’ experience spans from being a platoon and company commander on the ground in Vietnam to the highest echelons of commands in the Marine Corps including his tenure as the nation’s highest ranking Marine, the Marine Corps Commandant.

Obama’s choice of our nation’s highest ranking (retired) generals demonstrate a sincere respect for the military and for those who have served in it. We thank President-Elect Obama for making these selections and look forward to working with him to ensure that all veterans receive the respect and consideration they deserve.

Sincerely,

Brian Lawrence, Vince Milum, Lynn Norris,
Connie Curts, Lynne Milum, and Rusty Norris