Commander visits troops in Belgium, pays homage to fallen heroes

More with less might be a thrifty strategy, but it’s also a contradiction of Gen. Colin Powell’s doctrine of fielding overwhelming strike capabilities.

As American Legion National Commander Dale Barnett continued his tour of military commands in Europe, it seems as if thrift is rapidly becoming the norm at the expense of military preparedness.

“If you’re going to increase op-tempo, you really should increase manpower,” Col. Marty G. Vannatter told The American Legion delegation. “Europe is not like it used to be.”

Vannatter is the commander of USAG Benelux, a SHAPE garrison in Belgium. His assessment echoed earlier briefings that Barnett, American Legion Auxiliary National President Sharon Conatser and leaders from The American Legion Department of France received from U.S. military officials in Germany.

“The American people should always remember that we not only have servicemembers in Europe but their families are here as well,” added Col. Lee Fleming, commander of SHAPE’s Base Support Group.

The families, Fleming said, are of particular concern since they did not raise their hands to take the same oath that their servicemembers did. As such, the security of the region’s Department of Defense Schools are a top priority for Fleming’s command.

Barnett and Conatser visited the highly successful SHAPE American High School, where they met with students and some graduates of American Legion family programs such as Boys State, Girls State and the Oratorical Constitutional Speech contest.

“I know the impact that Boys State had on my life as a young man in Indiana, so it’s very important that young people continue to have access to these great programs,” Barnett told the students.

The Belgium leg of the tour wrapped up Saturday with Barnett and Conatser laying wreaths at Flanders Field Cemetery. Barnett will be participating in D-Day observances at Normandy, France, on June 6 before heading back to the United States.