American Legion Post 20 hears from historian Carl Reddel about Eisenhower's legacy

National Press Club American Legion Post 20 held its first guest-speaker virtual meeting Wednesday, Nov. 18, to discuss the legacy of President Dwight D. Eisenhower with historian and Eisenhower Memorial Commission Executive Director Air Force Brig. Gen. (ret.) Carl Reddel.

Although Eisenhower had disagreements with the media as president, he "held the press in high regard" and saw it as essential to a successful democracy, Reddel told some 30 Club members from around the country who joined online to hear the talk. Eisenhower appeared at a National Press Club luncheon to deliver a speech and answer questions from the press on Jan. 14, 1959.

Reddel noted that a forum at the Club was part of the process for selecting the quotes now etched in granite at the newly commissioned Eisenhower Memorial.  The memorial, authorized by Congress 21 years ago, was dedicated on Sept. 17. Reddel outlined the challenges of creating from scratch the memorial to the popular 34th President and Supreme Commander of Allied Forces in Europe during World War II. The commission considered 26 sites around Washington before selecting 4.5 acres south of the National Mall near the Air & Space Museum.

Eisenhower remains relevant today, Reddel said, because of his organizational genius, commitment to national security, dedication to the rule of law and "supporting and promoting American values throughout a threatening world."  Although often seen as a grandfatherly figure today, Reddel said, "Ike was a great visionary." His accomplishment included the Interstate highway system and the creation of space agency that would become the National Aeronautics and Space Administration.

He told the Club's Legionnaires that Eisenhower considered veterans "special citizens."  Asked about current controversies over statues in the U.S., Reddel, who served as chief historian at the U.S. Air Force Academy,  said "we don't become wiser citizens by destroying our past."  He also cited Eisenhower's belief in an educated citizenry, noting that he started his military career by getting an education at West Point and followed it by becoming president of Columbia University.

Following Reddel's discussion, Post Sergeant-at-Arms Evelyn Moy urged Post members to join a Dec. 9 virtual Capitol Hill ceremony dedicating a Congressional Gold Medal to the 22,000 Chinese American veterans who served during World War II.  Moy, whose father was a Chinese American veteran, was active in helping establish the medal.