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Murphy Martin Commentary
April 13, 2006

 "Keeping America Free"

The crisp spring- winds tested the flag-bearers staying power in North Austin at Camp Mabry last Saturday as the troops were being reviewed. But, just as the historic 36th Division has stood the test of time, the flag-bearers passed their one-hour test with steady flying colors before the Change Of Command Ceremony concluded.

We have attended Change of Command Ceremonies before, but this one was different. This one was much more personal. We have watched the outgoing commander of this storied military group grow up. We watched him dig fox-holes with other neighborhood lads, including our own, in the wooded area behind our homes in Lufkin, Texas. Who knows how much military hardware, that which was utilized by five-and-six-year olds, who knows how much is still buried in that wooded area these many years after the fact. How many battles were planned as they smoked grapevine.

Several of those who discussed their futures together those decades ago were on hand as Major-General Michael H. Taylor handed the Command of the 36th Division over to Brig. General John Furlow. As the cannon shook the countryside of North Austin Saturday, as we watched General Taylor review representatives of his proud troops one last time, we knew his wonderful 36-years of military service to these United States were not an accident. General Taylor's father, John, was there with his wife Saturday and it was John who heard his son ask so many times, "Dad, can I go to guard duty with you tonight?" You see, John, the father had been an integral part of the Normandy Invasion in World War II and his son never forgot the stories his Dad told of those days of service in The Big War!

General Taylor graduated from Texas A and M in 1970. After Army Officer Armor Course, he became a platoon leader and served as a young officer in Vietnam. Received the Purple Heart and other Distinguished Service Medals. In 1972 after his Vietnam duty was completed, Gen. Taylor joined the Texas Army National Guard and continued his rise in command posts.

General Taylor raised the bar of excellence that began when the 36th came into being in 1917. Resounding success stories fill the pages of T-Patchers History, particularly in World War ii when the 36th Division became the first American combat Division to land on the continent of Europe. The 36th was deactivated in 1968 and reactivated in 2004 when General Taylor, who had assumed command of the 49th Armored Division in 2002 after he completed nearly a year as Deputy Division Commander, Multi-National Division (North) in Bosnia. The 49th was re-flagged to the 36th Infantry Division in May of 2004.

At a formal dinner Saturday night, nearly 400 gathered to roast and toast General and Mrs. Taylor. Generals--many Generals--and other various ranked military people who had served with General Taylor , told stories that ranged from the day the General learned to ride a camel, to heroic no-nonsense leadership and a personal concern for his troops that nudged the bar of excellence a bit higher in the proud military history of America.

One only had to glance around to room to indelibly realize why America is still free and proud and strong. There may be those who question the War-- but there are very, very few who question our warriors!

General Taylor, and all the other men and women in the United States military
with unyielding dedication prove this every day throughout the world!

They KNOW---and we should know---freedom is not free!
 

Murphy Martin

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