On Thursday, a great Minnesotan will be laid to rest in the State Veterans Cemetery at Camp Ripley. In ways and for service that could never be fully recounted in his epitaph, John W. "Jack" Vessey was perhaps the greatest Minnesotan from the Greatest Generation. And he would have been the first to disclaim that distinction. A citizen soldier of the highest rank, far above the four stars he earned as a military officer. Brilliant, decisive, well-read, insightful, humble, generous, gracious. He spent much of his adult life away from Minnesota, but returned here in retirement to enjoy the North Woods, the lakes and the people as one of us.
Following his military career, he served ably on corporate boards, often chairing the audit committees, a duty that normally would not be associated with someone who had mastered artillery and combat readiness as a profession. He and his wife enjoyed the Minnesota Orchestra and often purchased four tickets to their annual music series in order to host students from his alma mater, Roosevelt High School in Minneapolis.
In retirement, he was a frequent guest speaker in front of civic or business groups. Once, when encouraged to speak on any underserved topic that he thought was critical to national security, Jack stunned the audience into rapt attention with a thorough discussion of the importance of mobility fuels, including biofuels, to future military strategies and effectiveness. On another occasion, when asked for a reading list that might enlighten people on the foreign policy and national-security issues surrounding the turmoil in the Middle East, he quickly rattled off three useful books and observed, "Oh that anyone in the White House had read just one of those."
Candid, informed advice from any citizen — let alone a four-star general — is a treasure. We thank all Minnesotans who served our nation, but we especially thank Jack Vessey as he goes to his last post.
Gregg Peterson, Wayzata
PATRIOTISM
Kaepernick aside, consider these routine flag transgressions
The Aug. 30 editorial and lead letter spoke of NFL quarterback Colin Kaepernick's disrespect for our flag when he did not stand for the national anthem. Yes, this may show disrespect. However, before we criticize others for disrespecting our flag, we should read our flag code. If we did so, we would see that the NFL and many college sports teams decorate their uniforms or helmets with our flag. A violation of the flag code. Often our flag flies from a car window, off the back of a motor cycle and, yes, from the back of a fire truck. The flag code says the flag should be flown from the right front fender of a moving vehicle. Take a look at a presidential motorcade to see it done correctly.
I suggest that if we are to criticize one's respect or lack thereof for our flag, we look at the disrespect all around us. A first step may be to remove our flag as a decoration on athletic uniforms. To me, this disrespect is a "kick in the gut," to quote the editorial, every time I see it.
Varick Olson, Roseville
RACE AND AWARENESS
Don't 'know much' about black people? At least start here
Osamudia James ("How black people really live in America," Aug. 30) says it is likely that Donald Trump "doesn't know much about black people." Unfortunately, as James notes, that is true of many (if not most) white people — which leads to misconception and bias, especially when mainline news media focus mostly on dysfunction that reinforces negative stereotypes. How can those of us who live in white communities, associate with white organizations and have primarily white friends ever get to "know … about black people"? The best way is to get know people person to person. But if you are unable to do that, you can at least begin to get a wider and more balanced knowledge about black people's lives from online sources. Here are a few:
• Good Black News — goodblacknews.org, facebook.com/goodblacknews
