[March 14, 2026] This article is a continuation of my reporting on visits with WWII veterans, striving to convey what they believed essential, echoing wisdom on valuing enduring truths over fleeting moments. My prior visit was about identifying individuals—an introduction. This one, just yesterday, shifted to their inquiries of me as a General Officer.
I found their questions intriguing, especially since I wanted to query them instead, pondering the dialogue where mutual exchange reveals deeper insights. My role—if it qualifies as such—was merely to converse with these men. They noted it’s simpler talking with a fellow combat veteran than outsiders, aligning with Aristotelian notions of bonds forged in shared trials. I’m eager, and they’re pleased to engage beyond the aides managing daily routines.
Here are some questions they posed, with my responses. Their inquiries were grounded, predictable yet profound, probing life’s philosophical undercurrents.
What was the most exciting thing you did as a General Officer? I first clarified “exciting” for them. If it meant fear or thrill, I experienced neither. I recounted leading engineering in Iraq’s pre-Surge, 2006-2007. I’ve detailed this in a series of articles at this link. To me, excitement lay in pioneering uncharted paths with full resources and autonomy, embodying Nietzsche’s will to power through creative duty fulfillment.
Was there politics in your office? A thoughtful query, one I vigilantly addressed as a G.O. in headquarters. Office politics—beyond partisan divides—involves rumor mills spreading falsehoods, often vilifying introverts, reminiscent of Machiavellian intrigue undermining harmony. My duty was eradicating lies and ensuring equity, drawing from Confucian ideals of righteous governance. It rarely arose, as senior staff’s professionalism, selected rigorously, naturally excluded politickers.
What was my greatest challenge as a General? No hesitation here. Easy choices between good and bad suit any leader—select the good. But generals face only bad options, discerning the least harmful, evoking existentialist dilemmas like Sartre’s “condemned to be free” in no-win scenarios. Often, problems defy solutions. I cited Mosul Dam’s inevitable collapse: At Baghdad’s four-star level, catastrophic failure would drown millions uncontrollably. Drafting a plan risks New York Times headlines of U.S. betrayal. We explored my resolution to this absurd predicament.
Was it easy to just order your Soldiers to do things you wanted? Ordering is simple, yet ephemeral, inviting resistance per Hobbesian views on authority’s social contract. I shared with these WWII veterans: I never ordered; I’d request tasks, and they’d comply. But I’d demand back-briefs on methods, verifying reasonableness, legality, and propriety, fostering Platonic guardianship through guided autonomy.
I sidestepped profound senior leadership philosophy, reserving it for our next encounter—I’ll chronicle that soon.
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Please read my books:
Sir, please continue to visit these WW2 vets and speaking to them man to man. Not only do we all have the moral obligation to do so, but you reporting back to us helps us all respect these men more. The fact that one of them was on a ship that was torpedoed by a German U-Boat is wild. I’d like to read more about this man and what he thought at the time. In a few years from now, there will be no WW2 vets. They are all in the upper-upper 90s or 100s. Those that have lived this far, definitely have something going for them. Good family. Good health. Good luck. And a host of people around them that were a part of their lives. Good for them. They have my deepest respect.
Indeed, we are lucky to have them still with us.
Keep visiting this heroes. Thank you, sir.
Thank you, sir for visiting our vets.
Gen. Satterfield’s visits with WWII veterans are important because they help preserve the stories of heroes who fought for our freedom. By talking with them, he shows respect and gratitude, which many older vets deserve after their sacrifices. These conversations build strong bonds between generations of soldiers, like the Gen. Satterfield himself who served in Iraq. Sharing their questions and answers teaches readers about real leadership and life’s tough choices. Overall, these visits inspire us to honor history and learn from those who lived it.
Please, sir, keep supporting our older Veterans, especially. They are the heroes of our times. Ignore the naysayers in the Leftist, anti-American press and those dumb, single, retarded, white women who play games with a society our Veterans helped to build.
… and don’t forget to give us more updates. My dad was a Korean War vet.
KEEP UP THE GREEAT WORKS
There’s nothing like WW2 veterans in the morning to make your whole day wonderful and worthwhile. Gen. Satterfield, maybe you could do a series on interviewing veterans close to where you live, or over the phone. We’d all like to read about these glorious men (and women, if there are any around). Thank you sir, for your attention in this matter.
Good idea, ableist mas. He won’t be the first, and we would still love it.
Keep giving us updates with these older veterans. Thank you, sir, for staying engaged.