BIRMINGHAM Alabama It was Veterans Day three years ago that first brought Gen. Charles C. Krulak to Alabama where he received the National Veterans Award at the annual celebration in Birmingham.
He says he's never leaving.
You might not think a U.S. Marine Corps commandant with 36 years of service and command from Vietnam through the Gulf War could be caught off guard by his surroundings.
When I got down here I was absolutely blown away Krulak said after learning that the national holiday saluting all military service traces its beginnings to Birmingham.
What I found was this remarkably patriotic city that had started what we call Veterans Day and has this wonderful parade he said. Most of the people in the country don't realize it.
The 67 year old parade for decades the nation's largest is again set to march through downtown Birmingham at 1 30 p.m. Monday and there's been a renewed community effort to make the procession a must see event.
We started it. That parade used to be huge Krulak said looking at a Birmingham News photo from 1970 of tanks rolling through crowded streets under a shower of confetti. You ought to be proud of it.
1970 Confetti fills the air as a tank rumbles through downtown Birmingham. Hundreds of thousands were said to have observed the city's Veterans Day parade.Krulak 71 now uses we when referring to Birmingham. After his introduction to the city in 2010 he's made it his home. He's entering his third year as president of Birmingham Southern College where his mission is to bolster the reputation and finances of a 1 230 student private liberal arts institution that was on the brink of disappearing.
I know what victory looks like he said. I'm not ready to put the flag on top of Mount Suribachi but we're climbing Mount Suribachi and it's looking pretty good.
In that time Krulak has become one of Birmingham's biggest cheerleaders. He rattles off the city's strategic assets like well a general
This city has it all rail airports intersection of major interstates. I mean it is the perfect city he said. All we need to do is unleash ourselves and say 'Hey we can do this.'
Krulak said the national and civic celebrations of veterans are still important but in today's budget conscious modern military the days of tanks running through the streets are likely over.
What's more rewarding he said is the individual recognition shaking hands with and saying thank you to someone who served or clapping for a soldier at an airport.
You hope and pray that America never forgets its veterans and on one day gets out and shows its appreciation he said.
Krulak the son of a Marine Corps officer and brother of two more speaks softly when asked about his own service.
What sticks with me is the number of Marines that I knew personally that were in my command during two tours in Vietnam that gave their life for their country at a time when their country respected and acknowledged their service but did not respect and acknowledge the war itself he said.
He thinks about parents and loved ones who lost someone in an unpopular war.
Gen. Charles Krulak 31st Commandant of the U.S. Marine Corps 1995 1999You want that sacrifice to have meant something but in your own mind you're wrestling with 'What did it mean he said. That really hangs over you.
For the former infantryman and rifle company commander the memories run deep.
I lost a lot of people people that today would have probably survived because of the medicine the speed of evacuation the use of the helicopter the hospitals so close to the front lines Krulak said. In Vietnam ... you were in the middle of the jungle.
A recipient of the Silver Star three Bronze Stars and two Purple Hearts Krulak said when he was wounded the second time it took almost 30 hours to be evacuated from the field. There were others wounded at the same time who didn't make it.
If you're a commander or in some position of authority you know that maybe they wouldn't be there if you had done something differently he said. You're always saying 'Could I have done better '
At the end of the day you're stuck with the realization that you did the best you can and there but for the grace of God it could have been you anyhow.
Beyond the pomp and parades that's what stands out for this Marine each Veterans Day.
It's not the glory at all it's not the glory Krulak said his voice trailing off. It's the sacrifice that you remember.
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