CULTURE GONE

CULTURE GONE

By Andy Weddington

Wednesday, 12 July 2023

You don't have to burn books to destroy a culture. Just get people to stop reading them.  - Ray Bradbury

The last commentary included a few thoughts about the book - 'Brave Men'- I'd just started. 

This afternoon I finished the 35 chapters making 492 pages.

Ernie Pyle, embedded with sundry front line units, wrote candidly about air and ground combat in Africa and Europe. 

He closed with making it to Paris. 

Ironically, this morning I learned today is Simplicity Day. 

Ernie Pyle detailed the horror of combat using simple, descriptive though not gruesome, plain language.

Simplicity is powerful. 

More so, 'Brave Men' is a leadership manual - all ranks and services. 

Reflecting, I cannot understand why this book was not required reading at The Basic School. 

Not just required reading but required mastery (as much as can be expected of a second lieutenant).

Thus, the goals (two) of leadership, primer on Marines Corps leadership principles and traits, and Ernie Pyle's book - I can't imagine a more comprehensive course of practical application leadership.

Now 43 years post The Basic School (mind boggling to grasp) and rather peeved not aware of Ernie Pyle's brilliant work. 

Nor throughout my years in uniform did I know of his books. 

My fault! 

If only.

I'd have been a better person and Marine. 

Now ...

The America that produced the Americans - private to general - of Pyle's words does not exist today.

Culture gone.

Gone too the military culture. 

Though long removed from the particulars of defense matters, I do not see how America today could equal what yesterday America faced and conquered and Pyle preserved for us.

Perhaps a national call to arms. 

But still the men (and women) summoned 80+ years ago were of a different cut than their offspring's offspring etc. 

They'd not recognize the core and heart of America today.  

So honestly don't know. 

And that is not a good feeling. At all.

Read 'Brave Men' - before it's burned.

Young teens is not too young. 

Encourage a friend.