YOUNGSTOWN Speaker: Honor our forces

The speaker once taught Junior ROTC at The Rayen School.
By WILLIAM K. ALCORN
VINDICATOR STAFF WRITER
YOUNGSTOWN -- The men and women of the U.S. armed forces are "America's finest, the guardians of our freedom," said a military speaker at Youngstown State University
Lt. Col. Roderick A. Hosler called the armed forces "America's insurance policy in a world of change and challenge." He spoke Monday at the Armed Forces Week opening ceremony at YSU's Beeghly Center.
At the start of the 21st century, Hosler said, some were lulled into believing that war was a thing of the past, that not quite as much federal money needed to be spent on defense.
"And then came Sept. 11, 2001. In two hours, America and its allies found themselves confronting an entirely new set of adversaries. These enemies didn't give formal declarations of their intentions; they struck without warning, killing 3,000 innocent men, women and children," Hosler said.
"In an instant, it became very apparent that it was time to call on 'American's insurance policy' once again -- our sons and daughters, brothers and sisters, husband and wives who are willing to risk all they have, including their lives, to defend freedom and our way of life.
High stakes
"The stakes couldn't be higher," he added. "This country's very survival could well depend on how our troops perform in this global war on terrorism. For that reason, we owe them the finest weapons and equipment, the best possible training, most competent leadership and the support of those they defend."
The reserve and National Guard troops are serving alongside their active duty counterparts. Many reserve and guard personnel have been called away from their families, homes and civilian employers to serve on active duty.
Hosler, a native of Missoula, Mont., was commissioned a second lieutenant in the infantry through the University of Montana's Reserve Officers' Training Corps program in 1972. He retired from the Army in 1997 with 25 years of service, taught Junior ROTC at The Rayen School, Youngstown, and has been at YSU since July 2000, where he is an assistant professor of military science.
J.P. Brown III, of Youngstown, president of the Ohio AMVETS, was master of ceremonies. YSU Dana School of Music students played the "Star-Spangled Banner" and a joint service color guard posted the colors. The invocation and benediction were provided by Air Force Lt. Col. Paul R. Milliken, senior chaplain for the 910th Airlift Wing at Vienna Air Reserve Station in Vienna.