A Silver Lining to Storms of Sorrow

By Mark Alexander · Thursday, November 12, 2009

"I have lived, Sir, a long time; and the longer I live, the more convincing proofs I see of this Truth, that God governs in the Affairs of Men." --Benjamin Franklin

Veterans Day 2009

There are many reasons why I look forward to Veterans Day, one being that it affords me the opportunity to write about Patriots who have sacrificially served our nation, honoring their sacred oaths to support and defend our Constitution.

So, each year at this time, I have the privilege of profiling friends whose conduct and lives are personal inspirations to me.

Adequately portraying the extraordinary service of these individuals within the confines of a single essay -- men like Roger Helle and Roger Ingvalson, the subjects of previous essays -- is difficult.

In honor of all Veterans, however, I will attempt once again to do so and, moreover, to provide a sketch of not one, but two Patriot friends who are an inspiration to all who know them, and to anyone who has ever served beside them.

At the end of this composition, you'll discover the connection between these two Americans -- wait for it.

About 15 years ago, I hitched a ride to a national security briefing in Thomasville, Georgia, with a fellow I had only recently met. He had just retired as an Army officer after Desert Storm, and we were serving in a reserve capacity with a civilian agency. It was a five-hour drive, which gave us time to become well acquainted, and I am grateful for every minute of that trip.

His name is Don Rodgers, and he is one of those people who has never met a stranger.

Don is a fellow Tennessean, a Vet with 34 years of service including combat tours in Vietnam and support tours in Korea and Germany. He served as CO of Fort Gordon and Fort Huachuca, and concluded his military career as a lieutenant general, Director of the Defense Communications Agency and Manager of the National Communications System -- which is to say that at one time Don knew more about C4 (Command, Control, Communications and Computers) than anyone else on the planet.

"Having the opportunity to serve as an officer in the U.S. Army was the greatest honor of my life," Don says. "I could never have imagined how committed and capable the young men and women of our country really are. In the Army you find that out very quickly. Our country is so fortunate that so many of our young citizens choose to enter military service. During my 34 years of active duty, my most vivid memories are not the isolated tours, the wonderful experiences nor the great jobs, but the great men and women who make our Army second to none."

Of his success, Don affirms, "Every one of those young people is a hero to me and any success I enjoyed in the military, I owe to them."

Don married his teenage sweetheart, Faye, during their senior year at Tennessee Tech, and they both lived lives that exemplified their faith, "preaching the Gospel without using words."

"My grandmother insisted that I be in the church if the front doors were open," Don recalls. "Of course, this does not assure that you are a person of Faith but does put you in the correct environment. Since those early days when I accepted Jesus Christ as my Savior, I have always tried to live by that commitment, not always successful, but it has been the anchor in my life. Military service is among the most honorable and moral callings of all occupations, so a person of Faith has a lot of company in the service. Faith is my life's compass."

Don is a most humble servant, a man who has been in positions of great responsibility and power, but unlike many of his peers in corporate positions with 50,000 employees, he is plainspoken and a loyal friend to any Patriot from any walk of life. He is one of those people who always wears a smile, and means it.

Let me leave Don for a moment and tell you about June, another great Patriot and friend. She is not, technically, a Veteran, but she was the wife of a career Air Force officer. To be sure, the spouses and families of those in our Armed Services bear a heavy burden in the absence of their loved ones, but there are no medals for that. They may not be Vets, but they most certainly are Patriots.

June was born in Alabama and raised in abject poverty, the daughter of an itinerant carpenter and a frail mother who was hospitalized for years at a time. Consequently, June spent much of her childhood living with grandparents, other relatives and even in foster care, moving dozens of times around the Southeast.

Through all that transition, her children's Bible was her most prized possession.

During June's traumatic early years, she devised a code by which to live, conceived out of necessity. She refers to it as her ABCs -- A: Attitude, approach problems as challenges; B: Believe in God and myself; C: Commitment to make a positive out of a negative. "I was sometimes labeled Pollyanna, goody two-shoes, a dreamer, wishful thinker," she says. "And I met lots of naysayers."

Despite the odds stacked heavily against her, June's strong and abiding faith and her ABCs created a pathway to triumph over many trials.

June married her high school sweetheart, a young Airman who was an aircraft mechanic, and she went on to complete her bachelor's degree followed by her master's and then a Ph.D. from Texas A&M. She became a mother to Rich and Kathie, and a professional educator, her life's aspiration, teaching every grade level from K through college. She says on the day she was awarded that last degree, "My husband took a little paint brush to our rural mailbox and wrote 'Mr. and Dr. Scobee.'"

But the greatest trial of her life would come on 28 January 1986. On that day, she would need every ounce of courage and faith she could muster, all of her ABCs, to endure the tragedy that she, and our nation, witnessed.

June recalls: "On the rooftop viewing area of Launch Control at Kennedy Space Center, my children and I stood, waiting for Challenger to lift off with Dick Scobee, my husband and their father, in command. I could only imagine what Dick was feeling now. I recalled his joy in telling me what it was like to fly in space. Next to me stood Steve McAuliffe, husband of Christa, the beloved New Hampshire schoolteacher who had been chosen to be the first teacher in space, and their two young children. Nearby were the families of the other five crew members."

Finally, liftoff: "We cheered as the solid rocket boosters ignited and the shuttle carrying its precious cargo lifted off the pad. I imagined Dick in his ever-so-calm, matter-of-fact, take-charge mode. I imagined Christa in her excitement, nervously waiting for the solid-rocket boosters to separate, the engines to cut off, and the buoyant lift of weightlessness to signal their safe arrival into earth orbit.

"My teenage son, Rich, lovingly and protectively put his arms around me and his sister," says June. "As I reached to help my daughter Kathie with her baby, the unspeakable happened. Standing there together, watching with the entire world, we saw Challenger rip apart. It shattered into a million pieces, along with our hearts. My memory fails after that."

Utterly devastated, June somehow managed, by way of the faith and perseverance that had sustained her so many times before, to turn tragedy into triumph. A year after the death of her husband and his Challenger crew, she and the surviving families launched the Challenger Center for Space Science Education to continue the crew's educational mission. There are now more than 50 Challenger Learning Centers nationwide.

In 1988, June was attending an Easter Sunrise Service at Arlington National Cemetery. "I stood in the chilly pre-dawn and watched the dark give way to light. As I listened to the sermon, I asked God to let the True Light shine within me until the darkness of fear and loneliness had subsided. I wanted to let go of the vulnerable self within and reach out to the people weeping softly beside me."

At the end of the service, a fellow she had just met, Lt. Gen. Don Rodgers, announced plans for the group to meet and walk a trail along the Potomac River that afternoon. It was on that walk that June learned from Don of the recent and unexpected death of the love of his life, his wife, Faye.

"Don's loss was not public like mine," says June, "but just as tragic for those who loved Faye. Each of us understood the other's pain and concerns for the future. Our conversation was a comfort to both of us."

The next week, Don informed his assistant at the Pentagon that he had met "a wonderful woman who would make some lucky guy a great wife." He was still reeling from the loss of his own wife. A few months later, his aide convinced him to call June, and soon thereafter he convinced June to become his bride. They were married in the little Chapel at Arlington, near where they had met.

Don and June Rodgers

June says of that day, "Our families and friends were joined with us and I discovered joy as great as my sorrow had been deep. God blessed me with another chance to love and be loved, but more important was my rekindled spirit. I had learned that, with God's help and by walking the path with our Savior Jesus Christ, we can rise above our personal needs and become dream-makers. We can create opportunities for others and help them discover their silver linings within their clouds."

No narrative of the lives of Don and June would be complete without mention of their children and grandchildren, whom they adore. Don's son Eric and his wife Anne are the parents of three children. Eric is a successful northeast regional manager for an auto manufacturer (one that managed to survive). June's daughter Kathie and her husband Scott have three children, and she is the senior project manager for our Chattanooga mayor's office. June's son Rich and his wife Alene also have three children. He is an Air Force colonel who just left command of Kirkuk Air Base in Iraq for command of the 301st Fighter Wing in Texas. Rich has more than 3,200 hours in the F-16.

These days, when I have the good fortune to visit with Don and June, it is with a deep sense of gratitude for the example of their lives, which is a reflection of their faith. They are Patriots, individually and united, of the first order.

Comments

Brian

Thanks for this profile, Mark. Just knowing that Don and June, and the millions more Americans like them, are alive and well give me hope that, somehow, we will survive the next 3+ years! God sends us adversity to test us and to make us strong. May we as a country exit this current crucible 'as pure gold.'

Posted November 12, 2009 at 11:28:33 AM

Danny Stone, PE

Concerning your recent article about Mr. Don Rogers and his wife, I could hardly finsh reading it without bursting into tears. All I could think about was that great old hymn, "What A Mighty God We Serve"! Thanks for sharing this story about one of our great patriots who walk among each and every day.

Posted November 12, 2009 at 11:31:20 AM

Dr. Bob

Mark,

Thank you for the Silver Lining. This is one of those times that I sit speechless and amazed at how God works in peoples' lives.

Thank you for your ministry through the Patriot Post!

Posted November 12, 2009 at 11:39:11 AM

Victor Bitar

11/12/09

Thanks Mark!

So very precious.

Real life, real people, real faith.

May God continue to bless, guide and use you as you touch other people's lives in a wonderful way. Vic

Posted November 12, 2009 at 11:45:54 AM

David S. Hale

On a "Silver Lining to Storms of Sorrow"...Amen, Bravo Zulu.

Posted November 12, 2009 at 11:47:39 AM

Debbie Leathers

Thank you for sharing beautiful, awe inspiring story that touched my heart and brought tears to my eyes. Ou heavenly Father has truly given these two families trials in their lives - but he has also blessed them for their faithfullness! Our great nation, founded on Christian beliefs, continues to be blessed by God by the wonderful people who serve in the military! I pray that we all find ways to reach out and thank them personally!

Posted November 12, 2009 at 11:48:11 AM

Lori M

Thank you so much Mark for sharing Don and June's stories! What a great message in troubling times.

Posted November 12, 2009 at 11:50:16 AM

Janie Upchurch

This story is tender and sweet from the first marriages of June and of Don to their marriage to each other. Thanks for sharing this beautiful story of God's amazing grace in their lives.

Posted November 12, 2009 at 11:52:20 AM

James Caldwell

Thank you Mark for that inspiring story of June and Don. Faith has no boundaries!

Posted November 12, 2009 at 11:59:46 AM

Barbara Seaborn

I can't tell you what a joy it was for me to read this story. You see, I was the organist at Fort Gordon, GA, where Gen. Rodgers and Faye worshipped. I was there when Faye had a sudden heart attack while driving her car, but managed to pull off the road so there would be no other casualties. Also, I'll always cherish my "farewell" from the chapel on Christmas Eve, 1985, when Gen. Rodgers himself led the ceremony. The next I knew of Gen. Rodgers was that he had married "a widow of one of the casualties of the Challenger disaster." I was pleased then, but so happy to learn how God turned tragedy into joy for this well-deserving couple. Thanks for this tribute which has touched me deeply.

Posted November 12, 2009 at 12:08:18 PM

Gordon Fields

A wonderful story that reaffirms the fact that true patriote are all around us! Thank you!

Posted November 12, 2009 at 12:08:35 PM

Louise Fogg

A beautiful story indeed!

Thanks so much for sharing it with us.

Posted November 12, 2009 at 12:10:04 PM

Gladys Cereghin

I think this is one of your best articles. Those of us who love America realize the role our service men and women play in keeping us free. As the wife of an Air Force veteran (he was also in Vietnam) with over 22 years in the service (now retired), I know the military life is difficult, but I don't believe you ask for a better one. May God continue to bless our country, even though most of the time we don't deserve it.

Posted November 12, 2009 at 12:22:07 PM

George H. Schryer Ret AF E-8

What a powerful and illuminating story of Gods love personified in two wonder examples. If only each of us would strive to set examples such as these our country, our nation, our world would be a much better place. And as a Veteran I wish to thank you for your service to America. God Bless.

Posted November 12, 2009 at 12:24:22 PM

Robert G.S. Plant, USN, Ret

Your Veteran Day tribute (12 Nov)--"Well Done!" Thank You.

Posted November 12, 2009 at 12:49:26 PM

Rachel Pelone

Beautiful story. Thank you, it is wonderful to know there is at least one great story and new love that came out of such a horrible tragedy. Marvelous lady, happy she and Don have loving good lives. It is good to be reminded of God's love and grace. We need it more now than ever. Again thank you

Posted November 12, 2009 at 12:58:29 PM

Greg Elder

Thank your for the reminder of our heroes. Saturday please honor in prayer Staff Sgt. Grady L. Holt, age 39 who passed away from "cancer" discovered less than 2 months ago while serving in Afghanistan. He leaves a wife and 3 children behind with loving relatives. He was on his second tour protecting our freedom.

Posted November 12, 2009 at 1:02:02 PM

Rev Timothy Wolf

Thanks for the great story and illustration of what our Lord has wrought in the lives of those who trust Him. Extend to them and all our Vets, a deep sense of a debt of gratitude for their service and sacrifice for our country. Having graduated from Tennessee Temple U. in Chattanooga, class of '72, I know exactly where part of their family is.We honor our Vets here at Blaise Baptist Church, and consider it a distinct privilege that some of young men have gone into battle. Keep up the good work, and may we join you in "pressing the battle" our Commander-in-chief", our blessed Savior, cannot be long in returning. Kind regards, Rev Timothy Wolf

Posted November 12, 2009 at 1:22:15 PM

LtCol Gary Carlson

Mark: You mentioned Ingvalson. My wife's sister was an MIA wife and one of the few ladies who started the National League of Families......POWs-MIAs. We were two of the 8 people who started the bracelets. The MIA brother-in-law never came back but Joan's sister married a returned POW (James Hickerson). The point of this email is that the POW-MIA efforts showed America that we could organize and be effective. Now, we have to re-organize again and help take our country back. This email is not a reader's comment but a note to Mark.

Gary and Joan Carlson

Posted November 12, 2009 at 1:22:19 PM

Charles E. Lay

"My ...prayer for Israel is that they ...be saved. For I bear them record that they have a zeal for God, but not according to knowledge. For they being ignorant of God's righteousness and going about to establish their own... have not submitted themselves to the righeousness of God." Romans ch.3 vs 1-3.

Mark, you are an apt and prolific expositor of core American virtue, and very often truly inspirational. It is for this very reason I feel compelled to point out to you the glaring want of Truth implied in your simple phrase, "technically not a veteran", referring to then Mrs. Scobee. She is biblically, one flesh w/ her late husband.

Marriage is a HOLY sacrament, ordained by the Judeo-Christian God for the benefit of mankind. This is the reason the armies of Darkness have such rabidly enthusiastic adherents in the sodomite ("gay-lesbian") insistence on rejecting civil unions for "gay" marriage. The term is an oxymoron, and an utter abomination to the Protector of our national life. Without His help, these forces would destroy the name of Israel from the face of the earth(Hebrew origin--God will rule),and every healthy marriage and family in creation.

The Lord God of Israel is our Strong Fortess, and the sooner and more frequently we appeal to Him in and by the knowledge revealed through his Living Word, Jesus Christ, the sooner will our national ills begin to heal.

As far as I can see, this element of knowledge and discernment is lacking in most arguments, however well-intended, attempting to defend the eternal values cherished by all men of good will. May God continue to bless yours.

Respectfully,

Posted November 12, 2009 at 1:29:45 PM

Wendy Christensen

your columns generally don't make me say "Awwwww..." but this one did. What a sweet story! Thanks!

Posted November 12, 2009 at 1:37:51 PM

Frank Quinn

Words alone can not describe my feelings for sharing this with us.

Thank you.

Posted November 12, 2009 at 2:01:16 PM

Barry Wills

I taught at Dick Scobee Elementary in Auburn and met June several times in the early years. She was always gracious and shared many memories of Commander Scobee that helped us instill his qualities in our students. Thank you,

Bear

Posted November 12, 2009 at 2:02:15 PM

Nancy Webster

Mark: As the wife of a retired military officer,I was profoundly touched by Don and June's story, and their sustaining faith in our savior. I'm so happy they found eachother.

God's Blessings to you and your family. Thank you for your great efforts with Patriot Post.

Nancy Webster

Posted November 12, 2009 at 2:06:40 PM

Ken Brooks

Patriots of the first order, indeed! My thanks to Don and June for their service and sacrifice to America. Thanks also to Mark Alexander and Patriot Post for introducing them to us.

Semper Vigilo, Fortis, Paratus, et Fidelis!

Posted November 12, 2009 at 3:05:31 PM

Semper Fi

I can still vividly recall 28 Jan 1986. I was a 2ndLt at Camp Lejeune and the Officer of the Day for the 2d Assault Amphibian Battalion. As I sat at my duty desk, doing the usual boring OOD stuff, answering the phones, watching the TV in the duty shack, I sat in shock as I watched the Challenger explode before my eyes. The only other day that is as indelibly etched into my memory was watching two airliners crash into the World Trade Center building on 11 Sep 2001 while I was preparing my mission brief at Tindal AB in Australia's Northern Territory for a flight with the MAG-12 CO the next morning. Needless to say, we did not fly that mission.

Thank you for your great coverage of Veterans' Day.

Posted November 12, 2009 at 3:12:48 PM

Anna Faulkner

Thank you for that wonderfully inspirational true life story. God's Hand is in evidence.

Posted November 12, 2009 at 3:49:13 PM

Phil Martinez

Thanks for a great tribute to all veterans and patriots through a wonderful story. I'm still tearing. --Blessings.

Posted November 12, 2009 at 3:51:04 PM

Darrel McRoberts

Mr. Alexander, thank you so much for the beautiful story of Don and June Rogers. I forwarded it to my veteran friends and told them that if they are not members of The Patriot Post, they should be. You and your staff's daily work is so commendable. We must all continue to forward these masterpiece articles of faith and conservatism to all Americans.

Posted November 12, 2009 at 3:52:49 PM

Jim Bryan

Wow....just, wow.

Posted November 12, 2009 at 4:08:34 PM

Lois Ward

The story of Don and June Rodgers moved me beyond words....truly an inspiration and I have shared it with friends and family and vets I know....I had the good fortune to work in the space program during the Apollo years and I will always remember the Challenger as I still follow the space program although I have been away from it for many years. These folks serve as an example of what this country is made of even if it is not very apparent at this time....Thank you writing such an inspiring article for us all.

Posted November 12, 2009 at 4:09:11 PM

George Middlestetter

Dear Mr. Alexander,

I complimnt you on today's article about Don Rodgers and June Scobee. I wish you would print more up-lifting articles similar to this one.

Normally after reading your daily articles I become depressed because our Government is so corrupt, and short sighted that I see no hope short of a revelotion within our wonderful Country.

So may I suggest that you conclude your daily news letter with something up-lifting like today's article.

Thanks you for reading this.

George Middlestetter

Prescott, Az.

Posted November 12, 2009 at 4:44:12 PM

Pam S

Thank you so much for sharing the wonderful story of Don and June! It was a great blessing to me to hear their testimony to their Savior, Jesus Christ, and the victory they have in Him in traveling through great sorrow and adversity.

Posted November 12, 2009 at 4:47:04 PM

Joe McCaffrey

Excellent piece of prose Mark. Truly inspiring, and I'm sure Christa & June would both grade it A++.

Enjoy reading your essays. Keep up the good work.

Posted November 12, 2009 at 5:19:15 PM

Jim O'Neill

God bless you Mark for sharing such an awesome story. We are so lucky to have people like Retired Lt. General Rogers and his wife June around to inspire us with their faith and family. They truly represent what can be acheived by leading God centered lives. They are what is right about America and should be referred to always as Patriots.

Posted November 12, 2009 at 5:19:18 PM

Charles Gilliland

Good work Mark

Posted November 12, 2009 at 5:38:31 PM

Donna F.

What a beautiful, inspiring story. Thank you.

Posted November 12, 2009 at 7:05:51 PM

Anton D Rehling

The battles to retain our freedom have been fought since the founding of our Republic, Men and women have died so we can sleep at night secure in our liberty. Now we find ourselves facing an enemy intent on the destruction of our Republic in as a complete way as an army would do on the field of battle. Do we sit idly by and watch the destruction of our free republic or do we defend her once again. Will words restore our freedom or will it once again require our blood and fortunes? Will our future veterans consist of those who fought on our home soil first labeled as criminals and traitors by the group intent on tyrannical rule and then later recognized as brave souls that realized some must take the dangerous road of a pathfinder, a point man. I pray that the ballot box will retain our liberty and the cartage box will not be needed, but I am beginning to have my doubts.

Posted November 12, 2009 at 7:18:08 PM

Kathy Rapp

Thank you, Mark for sharing this story. My husband Randy and I had the priviledge of meeting June and Commander Scobee on two different occasions while being stationed, first at Ft. Campbell, KY and then at Ft. Belvoir, VA with June's daughter, Kathie and her first husband. They were both very pleasant people, a joy to be around. Watching the Challenger break apart was heart wrenching knowing that Commander Scobee was on board. I will never forget that day and the disbelief on the faces of the family members who were there watching. But God had a perfect plan in the making even in the midst of that terrible tragedy. Who but God knew of the coming union of two such God fearing people and their dear children. I would love to be able to thank June personally for the support she has given to the "Challenger Learning Centers". We have one here in Indiana and I was fortunate enough to visit it last week with my 10 year old Autistic son and his class from Hershey Elementary School, Lafayette, IN. It is an amazing place and the kids had such a great and fun experience. I enjoyed just sitting back and watching the excitement on my son's face and the faces of the other kids as they "launched and landed on the moon". May God bless you June & Don.

Posted November 12, 2009 at 7:26:45 PM

Kimberly Cahill

Thanks for this moving story, and thanks to the readers for their uplifting comments. May God continue to bless and guide us!

Posted November 12, 2009 at 7:43:16 PM

Steve K

Mark,

You've truly outdone yourself. I've never read anything so moving and compelling.

Thank you and God bless you

Steve K

Colonia, NJ

Posted November 12, 2009 at 8:02:32 PM

A R "Mac" McCahan, Colonel, USA-Ret

I was privileged and honored to work with Don Rodgers (Thurman D from Tennessee) on one occasion while he was at the OJCS and I at DCA, helped him out on another occasion by releasing my Command Sergeant Major when he was commanding the 7th Signal Brigade and needed one badly, and worked for him on still another occasion while we were both stationed at Ft Gordon, GA. My wife and I knew Don and Faye very well - they were dear friends to us and neighbors at Ft Gordon as well. I was struck by Barbara Seaborn's remembrance, because we all worshipped together at the Main Post Chapel at Ft Gordon, where Don and Faye were very active. We mourned with Don when Faye died and rejoiced for he and June when we learned they had married. Thanx for the profile on these two outstanding patriots, and for catching us up on their current status...

Posted November 12, 2009 at 10:15:04 PM

Ruth Ann Wilson

From reading posts from the readers, it is evident that this testimony - " God still rules and reigns in the affairs of men" was a reminder, comfort and blessing to those who read it.

I am reminded of the testimony of Benjamin Franklin at the Constitutional Convention of this Beloved Country. "I have lived, Sir, a long time, and the longer I live, the more convincing proofs I see of this truth: that God governs in the affairs of man. And if a sparrow cannot fall to the ground without his notice, is it probable that an empire can rise without His aid? We have been assured, Sir, in the Sacred Writings that "except the Lord build the house, they labor in vain that build it." Psalm 127:1

Take heart, Patriots, who is on the Lord's side? We are on the Lord's side, Saviour, we are Thine.

For God & Country

Ruth Ann Wilson

Posted November 13, 2009 at 7:00:19 AM

Charles Busbey

I was surprised and pleased to see the story about your friend, LTG Don Rodgers.

My first aviation tour out of flight school was in the 7th Signal Brigade in Mannheim, Germany in 1980. The commander, then COL Rodgers was a fantastic leader for whom I had the greatest respect and I enjoyed the times I flew for him. Thanks very much for the story.

Posted November 13, 2009 at 11:53:54 AM

Winona

Thank you so very much for the awe-inspiring story of Don Rogers and June Scobee Rogers. How great is our God to comfort us in our lowest hours and to bring us again to a mountaintop of joy.

Posted November 13, 2009 at 1:03:21 PM

Cheri Meulendyk

Dear Mark,

"A Silver Lining..." was so very warming, life and faith affirming and a great gift on this Veteran's Day. Thank you. I take it as a note of courage to the nation and to all patriots.

Cheri Meulendyk

Posted November 13, 2009 at 8:10:52 PM

Paul Curtis

What a wonderful testimony to the love of Jesus Christ for His people!

Thank you for having the good taste to hitch a ride with Don Rodgers. This is a story that might not have been told but for that choice you made.

It is also a testimony to the honor and integrity of people who are not willing to allow the barriers of life to put an end to their efforts to achieve their goals.

These are two great stories told incredibly well. They are further evidence that God has a plan for all of us even if we don't know what that plan is.

God Bless you, our veterans, our men and women on active duty, the men and women of our allied armed forces, the families of those who wait with uncertainty each day for their loved ones to return from harms way, and most of all for the families of those who lost loved ones in the service of their country.

Paul Curtis

Past Commander

American Legion Post 291

Newport Beach, California

Posted November 14, 2009 at 6:40:36 PM

Gene Reed

I had the honor of serving on the USA Signal Center staff under General Rodgers. The one thing that I remember most about him was the way that he treated young officers and soldiers. I frequently saw him chatting with young privates and specialists in parking lots and at the PX as if they were his own nephews and nieces. In meetings with officers, he would routinely address questions to the lieutenants and young captains, bypassing 2 to 3 levels of command. In short, everyone left his presence feeling important and respected.

MG Rodgers was also an avid motorcyclist. At one Saturday all-officers meeting, I remember he pulled up and parked his bike next to a first lieutenant. The two walked in together and Gen Rodgers sat next to the LT for the entire meeting. I don't think either heard much of the meeting, but sitting behind them, I learned a lot about motorcycles. The two often rode together after that meeting.

Not many 2-stars were as laid-back and approachable as he was. I learned much from his example. I have only once in the 26 years since had a boss that came close to MG Rodgers, and I am glad to have known him.

Posted November 16, 2009 at 10:27:42 PM

Betty Stanley Geesey

What a wonderful story. I worked with General Rodgers many years ago at the Defense communications Agency when he was a young captain.

He deserves the best.

Posted October 7, 2011 at 9:56:43 PM

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