Photo By Lt.j.g. Nancy diBenedetto | Rear Admiral Robert Nowakowski, Reserve Deputy Commander, of Navy Recruiting Command,...... read more read more
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YORBA LINDA, Calif. (NNS) -- Rear Adm. Robert C. Nowakowski, Reserve Deputy Commander of Navy Recruiting Command gave the keynote speech in front of more than 200 visitors at The Richard Nixon Presidential Library and Museum, remembering the former president on his 107th birthday Jan. 9.
Nixon served as president of the United States from Jan. 20, 1969 - Aug. 9, 1974.
Rear Adm. Nowakowski also participated in a wreath-laying at Nixon's final resting place, on behalf of President Donald Trump. Army Chaplain, Lieutenant James Key, from Fort Irwin, delivered the invocation during the ceremony and U.S. Navy Band Southwest performed a selection of patriotic songs. Troy High School’s Junior Reserve Officers’ Training Corps presented the colors.
During the event dedicated to the 37th president, participants reflected on Nixon's achievements, such as ending the draft and beginning an all-volunteer force.
"It is truly an honor to be here commemorating the birth of our 37th President, Richard M. Nixon," Nowakowski said. "It’s a role [Reserve Deputy Commander of Navy Recruiting] that I would not have, if not for President Nixon.”
Nowakowski noted that during a radio address on October 17, 1968, presidential candidate Nixon stated, “Today, all across our country we face a crisis of confidence. Nowhere is it more acute than among our young people. They recognize the draft as an infringement on their liberty, which it is. To them, it represents a government insensitive to their rights, a government callous to their status as free men. They ask for justice, and they deserve it.”
Nixon was one of six U.S. Presidents to serve in the Navy. Nixon, along with John F. Kennedy, Lyndon B. Johnson, Gerald R. Ford, and George H.W. Bush were Navy Reservists. President Jimmy Carter was an active duty Sailor, having attended the Naval Academy.
In an interview prior to his death, Ed Nixon, President Nixon's youngest brother, said that he hopes the world will remember his brother most prominently as a peacemaker. As a peacemaker, and having been a volunteer himself for 26 years, his Navy career, factored into his decision to do away with the draft and begin an all-volunteer service.
Nixon Foundation CEO, Hugh Hewitt, discussed the former president’s decision to join the United States Naval Reserve on June 15, 1942, “He didn’t have to. He was a successful attorney and could’ve deferred as a Quaker, but he wanted to serve his country.”
“Recently congress has taken a renewed interest in the draft, exploring whether the government should require all Americans to serve in some capacity as part of their civic duty,” Nowakowski explained, “I believe this shows that the vision President Nixon had was 2020, and holds true in 2020. American’s are independently – and across the nation –volunteering to serve in the military. Thank you for the invitation to speak to you all this morning and Happy Birthday, Mr. President. “
The Nixon Library opened its doors to the public in 1990. The birthplace of the 37th president features a 52,000 square-foot museum, more than 20 galleries, and the memorial site of President and Mrs. Nixon. It is one of the 14 presidential libraries operated by the National Archives and Records Administration.
| Date Taken: | 01.09.2020 |
| Date Posted: | 01.10.2020 17:33 |
| Story ID: | 358770 |
| Location: | YORBA LINDA , CA, US |
| Web Views: | 123 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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