General John P. Jumper, Chief of Staff of the U.S. Air Force, issued a tribute to Sept. 11 and the American armed forces for a crowded audience during last Friday's Jefferson Society meeting.
Jumper opened his speech in Jefferson Hall by reminding audiences that their meeting fell on POW/MIA Day, an occasion recognizing the lives that have been lost in combat since World War II.
"It is important that we remind ourselves of the sacrifices that we've made," he said.
Jumper spoke on a number of different topics. On the subject of Sept. 11, he expressed his commitment to achieving retribution for those who died.
"There is no middle ground, no compromise.There is only one solution -- all those who want to kill us by the thousands have to be taken out," he said.
However, Jumper made allowances for the fact that there are difficulties in pursuing reprisal.
"The debate on how we deal with this has to continue," he said.
He then went on to a subject less fraught with complications, and spoke of his admiration for America's armed forces. He interspersed his oratory with anecdotes in which he recollected his years in the military.
He recounted various incidents, both from his life and from the current conflict in Afghanistan, praising the courage, ingenuity and pride of America's young fighters.
Jumper spoke for half an hour and then entertained questions for another 30 minutes. Several audience members had the opportunity to hear the Chief of Staff's opinion on many topics, including gays in the military and the political situation with Pakistan and India, as well as America's preparedness for Sept. 11, 2001.
"To anticipate something as atrocious as [Sept. 11] would've required clairvoyance," he said. "And to take measures to prevent that, 24 hours before it happened, would have been considered un-American."
The Jefferson Society members said they were pleased by Jumper's speech.
"What we had tonight was an example of what our society aims to offer every week -- the opportunity to discuss relevant issues, and see different viewpoints presented," Jefferson Society President Nathaniel Adams said.
Vice President Jeff Lynn concurred.
"General Jumper is an outstanding speaker, and exactly what we like to see here. The audience was great, also -- it was gratifying to see people ask respectful, insightful questions," Lynn said.
Many of those in the audience were affiliated with the U.S. military.
"I found hearing General Jumper's thoughts on the current issues facing the nation and military to be rewarding and insightful," said David Wannamaker, a second-year Navy Marine option in ROTC.
Others were simply pleased to have the chance to hear Jumper speak.
"It's rare, to have the opportunity to see a Chief of Staff," said Chris Colby, a Law student and officer candidate, NAVY JAG Corps. "His devotion to public service is truly admirable, and worthy of emulation."
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