John
Morris
That's the Historical Foundation's story. I do take credit for starting it and for assisting its
being merged into the new organization, the Army Engineer Association, which was approved
by the Secretary of the Army, and the Chief of Staff. So far, everybody's behind it.
The Corps is too valuable historically, and it's too important,presently and for the future, not
to have a coalescence of people who are interested in it.
The Army Engineer Association will give you that kind of a grassroots network if needed.
We'll have a museum, and someday we'll have a monument. Initially we must identify and
credit the civilian personnel who have been so important in the Corps. The point is not to
overlook the military, however. Communicating with the military is rather easy using the
units, troop units, and the registers and rosters of retired military people. The civilian records
are not that good, and actually, the Corps owes so much to its civilian people, it's got to take
on the problem. We need some people in the civilian community to help us with that.
I didn't mean to say our civilians are more important than the military. It's just that the
military is so much easier to deal with and attract to an organization like the AEA.
Q..
Let's begin by talking about your retirement. You were extended three months because of the
Israeli air base project until the end of September 1980. What was your retirement ceremony
like?
A
As retirement approached, Ted Gay, executive, asked my wishes about a banquet,
dance, gifts, et cetera, for the occasion. I had the idea that formal affairs were not only
expensive but somewhat inconvenient, and consequently many would not. be able to attend.
I really wanted to say
to all the folks at the headquarters, and this led to my asking to
have a picnic for the employees and their families. That would be a fine farewell event for me.
As for gifts, I told Ted I only wanted one- whatever that was to be didn't matter but should
not be very pricey.
With help from Bob Blakeley and many others, I'm sure, Ted delivered. I do not know how
many came, but I was pleased so many did, especially the clerks and younger employees and
so many children. The food, the weather, the games, and the program were just right. My gift
was a battery-operated clock with my picture in a war bonnet on the dial. I still have the clock
in my office and it runs fine-just like the picnic.
Previously, the change of Chiefs was a relatively simple event which occurred in the Chief's
office or in a conference room. When I became Chief, the signal event, as mentioned, was
passing the MacArthur Castles from General Gribble to me. We shookhands and that was it.
He wen t home and I went to his desk.
During my term, the Corps of Engineers became a major command. Consequently, my
retirement introduced a formal military change-of-command ceremony for the first time.
Colonel Ted Gay, the chief of staff, arranged for the Pension Building, which was in the
process of being modernized. This magnificent building was within walking distance of the
office. General Vessey, the Deputy Chief of Staff, was the senior Army person present and
represented the Chief of Staff.
The principals were on a dais and their families were in the front row. Behind the dais were
flags representing all the Corps divisions and, of course, the national colors and the Corps of
Engineers command flag. Several hundred attendees came from all over the Corps.
Previous Page
