Former Army Secretary
By Preston Knight -- Daily Staff Writer
QUICKSBURG — If you're going for a trip down memory lane, John O. Marsh Jr. is as good a walking partner as there is. Marsh, who served as secretary of the Army from 1981 to 1989, spoke to a small gathering of veterans and others Thursday afternoon for Shenandoah Caverns' celebration of Armed Forces Day. He focused his comments at American Celebration on Parade on historical events that helped shape the world and markers that serve as reminders. "Those we honor today, their war has ended," said Marsh, 82. "Ours has not." After his speech and a few songs by Pam Uhl, whose husband, David, received the Soldier of the Year award from Marsh 24 years ago for his service to his unit in Waco, Texas, Marsh gave his thoughts on a couple of current events.
When asked how he would compare the ongoing wars with those of his younger adulthood — Marsh entered the Army in 1944 and served in the Army Reserve until 1951, and also served in Vietnam — he said they required a different kind of weaponry, training and tactics. "The extensive use of Reserve components for extensive periods of time is very unusual," he said. Marsh, who lives in Winchester and teaches at George Mason University, served two terms in the House of Representatives and retired from the Army National Guard as a lieutenant colonel in 1976. He was a counselor to President Ford from 1974 to 1977. The record voter turnout on Election Day last week made Marsh feel good. He said it represented national commitment among Americans. "At this time of the economic crisis and terrorism, we need national commitment," Marsh said.
During his speech, he briefly addressed national security. "Terrorism stalks much of the world," Marsh said. "It has struck, and it seeks to strike again and again. It is ruthless and it is indiscriminate. It is a plague that we have now." During his comments afterward, he said he was unsure whether he would have lived the same life had he grown up in today's world. Marsh started as a lawyer with his own practice in Strasburg. "You never know where a career path is going to take you," he said. "It depends on geography, circumstances and luck. ... You can't predict your career."
* Contact Preston Knight at pknight@nvdaily.com
