It was a clear, cool Kansas afternoon. A crisp breeze streamed the big flag; snapping and ruffling sending the bright colors wind dancing against a deep blue sky. The Dole Institute’s fountain sprayed drifting white water downwind around the lagoon as people gathered to celebrate the Marine Corps birthday.

Inside the center, walls were stacked to the ceiling with black and white pictures of forgotten faces proudly wearing military uniforms and badges of honor earned on cruel battlefields. Some were smiling; most were not.

It is the 232nd Marine Corps Birthday, a time to recall the not-so-good old days. This day, former Marines from Lawrence gathered to remember the once-upon-a-time era when they were young and strong and called to fight for their country and went to war.

It was a cross-section of America that came together that late fall, afternoon. The Chorale from Lawrence High School with young faces and smiles came to sing in perfect voice. The serious-faced midshipmen from KU attended in dark blue uniforms, void of ribbons and badges. A smattering of active duty Marines in dress blues and shiny shoes mingled among the crowd of isolated groups. Old white-haired men from World War II shuffled slowly in and wearily sat down. Each year, there are fewer, and in 10 years there will be none.

A few Vietnam Vets were there, now rapidly graying also. As a Marine Vietnam veteran (Tet of ’68) this was the one day this year to wear the 40-year-old flight jacket. It had been worn through 201 combat missions in Vietnam and for 6 months in the field with Korean Marines. We had both seen better days.

Usually, the commandant of the Marine Corps gives a stirring speech via TV extolling the virtues of the Corps, the rich history, battle traditions, things like honor, virtue, loyalty, valor, bravery and courage that sets Marines apart from other services. Marines like to hear this, makes them feel special and appreciated, if only for a day. As the TV system was not working, a staff sergeant read the commandant’s message.

Pat Roberts, our stalwart Kansas Republican senator and former Marine, was the featured speaker.

Our government goes to great lengths to remind Americans we are at war. That day at the Dole Institute, it would be important to discuss that war, to render opinions and attitudes about the war against terror; a faceless, foreign enemy with no country, no army, no homeland, whose crime is an anti-American attitude and a faith-based initiative to destroy us. Who has better right to speak of war than those who experienced war, have known war, and will forever suffer its consequences?

It would be most interesting for Sen. Roberts to talk about important intelligence issues; the manipulation of Iraq intelligence, warrantless domestic spying and torture, all directly under his committee’s responsibility in the Iraq war. Now would be a good time to hear Mr. Roberts set the record straight, to know he was not covering up for the administration but would level with his fellow Kansas veterans and speak the plain and honest truth.

Ever the politician, Sen. Roberts, former chairman of the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence, gave a courteous, ultra-safe, sometimes humorous talk about personal experiences in the Corps and government. Roberts never bothered to even mention Iraq in his 16 minutes at the podium.

Almost 4,000 American military personnel killed in Iraq will never celebrate another birthday. In the next seven days, 15 more died. The death rate for deployed Marines in Iraq is 8.59 per 1,000 per year, more than twice that of the Army, nine times that of the Navy and 20 times that of the Air Force. Yet these harsh facts do not warrant a mention by a United States senator and former Marine who has to know better!

Outside, the winds had died and clouds slowly filled the sky. The flags hung motionless as if sleeping, as quiet people slowly made their way up the grassy hill and to the handicapped parking lot.

It was as if there really was no war; everything was just great . . . Semper-Fi!