North leaves his mark on latest veterans’ homecoming

Retired Marine Lt. Col. Oliver North speaks during the Tony Orlando Yellow Ribbon Salute to Veterans on Veterans Day at the Welk Theatre.

By Phil Surratt
Staff Writer
Originally published Nov. 14, 2009

Retired Marine Lt. Col. Oliver North made his second straight appearance in Branson for A Veterans Homecoming by not only interacting with fans, but broadcasting live on Fox News from Silver Dollar City.

North started the week Tuesday with a book signing at Bass Pro Shops at Branson Landing.

The Vietnam veteran made time for everyone who stopped in for a visit, exchanging stories and posing for photos.

“This ought to be veterans' city,” North said. “There are so many veterans who come here to celebrate Veterans Day, I think it reflects the patriotism of the people here.”

During his book signing, North talked with veterans from all walks of military service, including parents of soldiers who are stationed at Fort. Hood, Texas, where 12 soldiers and one civilian died and another 30 were injured following a shooting by U.S. Army Maj. Nidal M. Hasan last week.

He also met a 16 year-old who is considering entering the military.

“I think Col. North is a great American,” said Jacob Lawrence, of Nixa. “I’ve always been interested in how we are handling things in the Middle East. I really don’t like the way President Obama is doing things right now. But I hope someday I can be a part of the effort to help make a difference.”

Lawrence is a high school sophomore thinking about joining the Army when he graduates.

He said it was an honor to have some books signed by North for his grandfather, who is a World War II veteran.

“Those brave people are part of the greatest generation ever,” North said. “There were 16-and-a-half million men and women in uniform then and we were losing them daily. Today, our military is not as big. We have a million-and-a-half in uniform on active duty, another million in the reserves.”

North pointed out that today’s soldier comes from a broader section of America and has a different perspective on the military.

“They are the brightest, bravest and best of this generation,” North said. “No nation has ever had a better educated, brighter, tougher, better led service than what we have today. It doesn’t mean they are any braver than those of the greatest generation.”

Assigned to the National Security Council Staff in the Reagan administration, North was the United States government’s counter-terrorism coordinator from 1983-1986.

Since 2001, North has been the host of “War Stories,” a military documentary series on Fox News Channel. He has also authored 11 books. His latest, “American Heroes,” is based on North’s coverage of U.S. military units engaged in Afghanistan, Iraq and the Philippines.

“War is terrible,” North said. “It’s about the worst thing mankind does to himself and we do it every generation. I hate war, but I love warriors. I’m blessed to go out and cover them and let them tell their stories, that’s what ‘American Heroes’ is all about.”

North said more and more Americans want to volunteer for their country in uniform. That was evident on his flight coming into Springfield Monday night.

“They announced that the captain of our flight was going back on active duty in the Air Force,” North said, “He’s giving up his seat to serve for six months. The entire plane applauded. Everyone who is on active duty today either volunteered because of 9/11 or they stayed in because of it.”