Quincy Generals speak

– News about Quincy from Quincy Quarry News with commentary added.

Watching things from high ground
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Quincy Generals speak.

At least publicly on the record, that is.

Quincy Quarry attended the public dedication ceremony last Saturday for the yet-to-be-completed Generals Bridge and at least adequately completed Generals Park in Quincy Center and the following is its summary of what all was said during the roughly two-hour-long event.

The statements made from the stage were of many types.

They included family and friends introducing those honored at the dedications.

Former Army Chief of Staff General Gordon Sullivan
A US Department of Defense image

The introductions also included introductions of those honored by their comrades at arms, including from the United States Navy even if no admiral(s) with Quincy roots were among those honored with a statue, bust, or some other sort of permanent feature within the Generals Park.

Certain of these introductions were especially insightful as to why the person so introduced should be honored.

And as for the speeches of the generals, all of them conveyed duty, honor, country. 

Granted, some of these speeches were better than others, all were well done if for no other reason than that flag officers have a great of experience at public speaking.

Of particular note. two generals’ presentations were especially compelling.

The most senior among the generals, former Army Chief of Staff General Gordon Sullivan compellingly took on the ravages of age. 

While less than tightly presented, General Sullivan’s comments and demeanor surely left all in attendance wishing that he had been their commanding officer or could be drafted as their favorite “adopted” uncle.

Former Chairman of the Joint Chief of Staff and Marine Commandant General Joseph Dunford
A US Department of Defense image

And the concluding speech by a general, former Chairman of the Joint Chief of Staff as well as former Marine Commandant General Joseph Dunford was crisp, gracious, modest, tight, up-tempo, and thankfully brief.

Quincy Mayor Thomas P. Koch, on the other hand, put in a variable act.

When working from scripted comments, he showed his usual proficiency as someone with a potential future as a news reader.

Conversely, if not profoundly so, his performance as a master of ceremonies often left much to be desired and as is consistent with his shortcomings whenever he has to ad-lib.

For example, Mayor Koch often ribbed those he introduced who were not among the generals in ways offputting – specifically, his penchant for so belittling checks into the boards is consistent with someone with a latent pathological inferiority complex.

Unclear, however, is if he realized that the Generals ended up stuck covering his considerable six.

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