thedrifter
01-09-09, 07:42 AM
Historical Presence
The commanding general of Marine Corps Logistics Command will be part of a centuries-old American tradition on Jan. 20.
Carlton Fletcher carlton.fletcher@albanyherald.com
MARINE CORPS LOGISTICS BASE-ALBANY — When Major General Willie J. Williams marches from Capitol Hill to the White House Jan. 20 as part of the Military Ceremonial Support squad assigned to take part in the inauguration of Barack Obama, he will be part of an American tradition that dates back to the inauguration of the country’s first president, George Washington.
But Williams, commanding general of Marine Corps Logistics Command at MCLB-Albany, said Thursday he expects a number of significant events in America’s past to fill his thoughts as he plays a part in a chapter of history many thought they’d never see.
“I’m sure floods of thoughts and emotions will run through me at that time,” Williams said. “I expect there will be a reflection on the history of our nation, what we’ve gone through to get to this day.
“From the Revolutionary War to the Civil War to the Civil Rights movement ... our nation has gone through a tremendous history to get to Jan. 20, 2009.”
On that day, Obama will become the first United States president of African-American descent to be sworn into the office. That fact has particular significance to Williams, who grew up a “welfare kid” in the segregated South.
“I recall hearing our teachers tell us even back then that an African-American could be president, but I probably didn’t believe it at that time,” Williams, who grew up in Moundville, Ala., said. “But to see that come full-circle is just a tremendous feeling.”
As part of the Military Ceremonial Support squad, which includes members of each service branch, Williams will serve as the Marine Corps’ representative for the second time. He was part of the inaugural ceremony for President George Bush in 2005.
“Having participated in the ceremony before, I knew the requirements,” he said. “I think that gave me a head start, and as soon as the opportunity arose (to be a part of the ‘09 Ceremonial Support squad), I quickly threw my hat in the ring.”
Much as local militia escorted Washington from his home in Mount Vernon, Va., to his inauguration in New York City, current Military Ceremonial Support personnel accompany each new president from the inauguration on Capitol Hill to the White House, where he will assume his duties as president and commander-in-chief.
According to a statement supplied by the Department of Defense, “military involvement in the presidential inauguration is a centuries-old tradition in which we honor our commander-in-chief, recognize civilian control of the military and celebrate democracy.”
Williams said the pomp and circumstance surrounding the inauguration is a meaningful way to honor the new president.
“The march from Capitol Hill to the White House in escort of the president allows us to render appropriate honors to our commander-in-chief,” he said. “It is indeed an honor to be able to participate in such a significant event of the history of our nation, a nation that presents such tremendous opportunities for all.
“That’s what will be on display to the entire world, that the United States of America is a leader not only in democracy but in diversity as well.”
Williams’ 35-year career in the Corps includes tours of duty in Iwakuni and Okinawa, Japan; San Diego and Bridgeport, Cal.; Quantico, Va.; and in the Persian Gulf. He has been awarded the Legion of Merit, the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation and Achievement medals, the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, the Humanitarian Service Medal, the National Defense Service Medal and the Department of Defense Service Badge.
He said his service in the Marine Corps was predestined.
“After graduating high school, I worked my way through college (Stillman College in Tuscaloosa, Ala.) at a 48-hour-a-week night job while taking classes in the day,” Williams said. “I started work at the company I worked for as a janitor, and when I was getting ready to graduate (with a degree in Business Administration and a minor in Accounting), I thought surely they’d have a position for me after the four years I’d worked there.
“But the opportunity was not there. I had positioned myself to go to the Marine Corps by going through OCS School during the summer between my junior and senior years of college. I had a conversation with the selection officer, and he told me he thought they’d do better for me than what others could. They made me an offer, and I accepted the position.”
Like many who choose military service, Williams didn’t really think he was signing up for the long haul.
“I expected to stay three years ... now, 35 years later, I’m still waiting for those three years,” he laughed.
Williams said that after realizing the leadership possibilities in the Corps, he left behind reserve officer status and accepted his officer’s commission on Nov. 10, 1976.
Though his accomplishments were many as he moved up the ranks, Williams said a couple of incidents emphasize why he’s proud to be an American Marine.
“In my first combat tour, we were conducting exercises in the Persian Gulf that predated Desert Storm,” he said. “We’d re-flag tankers in the Gulf; after they left port we’d put the tankers under the U.S. flag. If they were attacked, which was happening at that time, we could respond militarily.
“While we were headed to an operation, we came upon some boat people from Vietnam who were in pursuit of freedom. This entire family was put on a boat, willing to pursue their freedom at all costs. That, to me, is what (the Corps) is all about, protecting the freedom of those who can’t protect themselves. I realized that what we do in our nation and in the world is truly important; it means something to be a part of that.”
Williams also led a command that provided humanitarian assistance and disaster relief in regions of Africa. The Marines went into “inaccessible areas” and built dispensaries and school buildings, as well as providing dental and medical services.
“People would walk for days, then queu up in long lines to get the services we provided,” he said. “That drove home to me what a great nation we live in.
“You take missions like that, throw them in a bucket with what I’ve seen and encountered in my life, and those are the things that helped shape my thinking.”
Williams said his assignment at Logistics Command in Albany has been a rewarding one.
“I’ve enjoyed every minute here, not just the work but the community as well,” he said. “There are gracious people in Albany who reach out to Marines, and they’ve accepted us into the community as one of their own.
“I’m also impressed with the workers here that I call our ‘civilian Marines.’ They’re not afraid to work, and they would rival some of the best organizations in the world. They understand that the work they do is important to the Marines on the front lines; they know our Marines’ lives depend on what they do.”
Being part of an organization that protects the lives of those willing to give their lives for freedom, Williams says, makes participation in the inauguration of President-elect Obama even more of an honor.
“As I prepare to take part in the inauguration, I think of all the people who have given their lives so that others could be free,” Williams said. “If they had not been willing to give their lives, we wouldn’t be having President-elect Obama assuming office.”
Ellie
The commanding general of Marine Corps Logistics Command will be part of a centuries-old American tradition on Jan. 20.
Carlton Fletcher carlton.fletcher@albanyherald.com
MARINE CORPS LOGISTICS BASE-ALBANY — When Major General Willie J. Williams marches from Capitol Hill to the White House Jan. 20 as part of the Military Ceremonial Support squad assigned to take part in the inauguration of Barack Obama, he will be part of an American tradition that dates back to the inauguration of the country’s first president, George Washington.
But Williams, commanding general of Marine Corps Logistics Command at MCLB-Albany, said Thursday he expects a number of significant events in America’s past to fill his thoughts as he plays a part in a chapter of history many thought they’d never see.
“I’m sure floods of thoughts and emotions will run through me at that time,” Williams said. “I expect there will be a reflection on the history of our nation, what we’ve gone through to get to this day.
“From the Revolutionary War to the Civil War to the Civil Rights movement ... our nation has gone through a tremendous history to get to Jan. 20, 2009.”
On that day, Obama will become the first United States president of African-American descent to be sworn into the office. That fact has particular significance to Williams, who grew up a “welfare kid” in the segregated South.
“I recall hearing our teachers tell us even back then that an African-American could be president, but I probably didn’t believe it at that time,” Williams, who grew up in Moundville, Ala., said. “But to see that come full-circle is just a tremendous feeling.”
As part of the Military Ceremonial Support squad, which includes members of each service branch, Williams will serve as the Marine Corps’ representative for the second time. He was part of the inaugural ceremony for President George Bush in 2005.
“Having participated in the ceremony before, I knew the requirements,” he said. “I think that gave me a head start, and as soon as the opportunity arose (to be a part of the ‘09 Ceremonial Support squad), I quickly threw my hat in the ring.”
Much as local militia escorted Washington from his home in Mount Vernon, Va., to his inauguration in New York City, current Military Ceremonial Support personnel accompany each new president from the inauguration on Capitol Hill to the White House, where he will assume his duties as president and commander-in-chief.
According to a statement supplied by the Department of Defense, “military involvement in the presidential inauguration is a centuries-old tradition in which we honor our commander-in-chief, recognize civilian control of the military and celebrate democracy.”
Williams said the pomp and circumstance surrounding the inauguration is a meaningful way to honor the new president.
“The march from Capitol Hill to the White House in escort of the president allows us to render appropriate honors to our commander-in-chief,” he said. “It is indeed an honor to be able to participate in such a significant event of the history of our nation, a nation that presents such tremendous opportunities for all.
“That’s what will be on display to the entire world, that the United States of America is a leader not only in democracy but in diversity as well.”
Williams’ 35-year career in the Corps includes tours of duty in Iwakuni and Okinawa, Japan; San Diego and Bridgeport, Cal.; Quantico, Va.; and in the Persian Gulf. He has been awarded the Legion of Merit, the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation and Achievement medals, the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, the Humanitarian Service Medal, the National Defense Service Medal and the Department of Defense Service Badge.
He said his service in the Marine Corps was predestined.
“After graduating high school, I worked my way through college (Stillman College in Tuscaloosa, Ala.) at a 48-hour-a-week night job while taking classes in the day,” Williams said. “I started work at the company I worked for as a janitor, and when I was getting ready to graduate (with a degree in Business Administration and a minor in Accounting), I thought surely they’d have a position for me after the four years I’d worked there.
“But the opportunity was not there. I had positioned myself to go to the Marine Corps by going through OCS School during the summer between my junior and senior years of college. I had a conversation with the selection officer, and he told me he thought they’d do better for me than what others could. They made me an offer, and I accepted the position.”
Like many who choose military service, Williams didn’t really think he was signing up for the long haul.
“I expected to stay three years ... now, 35 years later, I’m still waiting for those three years,” he laughed.
Williams said that after realizing the leadership possibilities in the Corps, he left behind reserve officer status and accepted his officer’s commission on Nov. 10, 1976.
Though his accomplishments were many as he moved up the ranks, Williams said a couple of incidents emphasize why he’s proud to be an American Marine.
“In my first combat tour, we were conducting exercises in the Persian Gulf that predated Desert Storm,” he said. “We’d re-flag tankers in the Gulf; after they left port we’d put the tankers under the U.S. flag. If they were attacked, which was happening at that time, we could respond militarily.
“While we were headed to an operation, we came upon some boat people from Vietnam who were in pursuit of freedom. This entire family was put on a boat, willing to pursue their freedom at all costs. That, to me, is what (the Corps) is all about, protecting the freedom of those who can’t protect themselves. I realized that what we do in our nation and in the world is truly important; it means something to be a part of that.”
Williams also led a command that provided humanitarian assistance and disaster relief in regions of Africa. The Marines went into “inaccessible areas” and built dispensaries and school buildings, as well as providing dental and medical services.
“People would walk for days, then queu up in long lines to get the services we provided,” he said. “That drove home to me what a great nation we live in.
“You take missions like that, throw them in a bucket with what I’ve seen and encountered in my life, and those are the things that helped shape my thinking.”
Williams said his assignment at Logistics Command in Albany has been a rewarding one.
“I’ve enjoyed every minute here, not just the work but the community as well,” he said. “There are gracious people in Albany who reach out to Marines, and they’ve accepted us into the community as one of their own.
“I’m also impressed with the workers here that I call our ‘civilian Marines.’ They’re not afraid to work, and they would rival some of the best organizations in the world. They understand that the work they do is important to the Marines on the front lines; they know our Marines’ lives depend on what they do.”
Being part of an organization that protects the lives of those willing to give their lives for freedom, Williams says, makes participation in the inauguration of President-elect Obama even more of an honor.
“As I prepare to take part in the inauguration, I think of all the people who have given their lives so that others could be free,” Williams said. “If they had not been willing to give their lives, we wouldn’t be having President-elect Obama assuming office.”
Ellie