Major General Kropp
POW/MIA table
Military Appreciation Month for 2019 started on January 4. I was never aware of any such month and, had I been aware, probably would have ignored it as I am not myself a veteran. However, the RV park where we now reside did not ignore it and, being home to quite a few veterans, scheduled an event in their honor. It was a ceremony in which each individual’s service was recognized and a few words of appreciation were offered by he ranking veteran in the park, Major General (retired) Kropp of the Army Corps of Engineers. As a Civil Engineering graduate myself, my ears pricked up when I heard the title. The Corps of Engineers are, in my view, heroes and men who complete incredible feats of engineering under very difficult conditions. They have always had my respect. It was an honor hearing a man who commanded an entire division of these brave men.
He was an entertaining speaker and surprised me with a few observations about the current state of the armed forces. For example, according to Major General Kropp, just 24% of American men currently eligible for service are sufficiently fit to serve. Shocking, but probably not surprising when I think about all the overweight young people that I see on the street.
Jett and I were both moved by the “POW/MIA table”. I can’t recall the import of every item on the table, but it was a sobering reminder of the sacrifice of many.
After the ceremony I made it a point to shake Major General Kropp’s hand and to express my admiration for the Corps of Engineers.
Then we ate hamburgers.
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