As much as we enjoy traveling, we're always happy to come home to the United States, says Cynthia Neu McCluskey. "In tribute to our soldiers we want to share with you the words of General Douglas MacArthur," she says.

Ron McCluskey, Cynthia's late husband, was Commander of the American Legion in Texas in 1992-93. Having served in the 101st Airborne in Vietnam, he gave Cynthia a plaque with MacArthur's words when she was a cub reporter at the El Paso Times in El Paso, TX., in the early 70s. She was writing a report about MacArthur's one time top military aide in Manila, Dwight Eisenhower. Thirty eight years later Ron's plaque is still displayed in Cynthia's office.

The Soldier

"When the Country is in need,
it has always been the Soldier;

It’s the Soldier, not the reporter,
who has given us Freedom of the Press;

It’s the Soldier, not the poet,
who has given us Freedom of Speech;

It’s the Soldier, not the campus organizer,
who gave us Freedom to Demonstrate;

It’s the Soldier who salutes the Flag,
who serves under The Flag;

It’s the Soldier who is called upon
to defend our American way of Life."

Douglas MacArthur
General of the Army

(1880-1964)