Rendezvous with history

Whilst a notable event, the recent visit of Hilary Clinton to Melbourne is not what I have in mind when I used the title "Rendezvous with history" for this particular post.

It was in fact Douglas MacArthur (1880 -1964), the war time US Army general whose name sprang to mind, and specifically his biography by Courtney Whitney bearing the same title. Whitney did a sterling job with the book, which I recommend wholeheartedly to anyone serious in knowing about the historical events leading up to the surrender of Japan to the Allied forces during WWII, and the subsequent Korean war, brought on by the threat of communism. More importantly, you get a truthful account of MacArthur, as a person, from Whitney who was a firsthand witness during those momentous years.

As John Ruskin points out in his Stones of Venice, "The only history worth reading, is that written at the time of which it treats the history of what was done and seen, heard out of the mouths of the men who did and saw."

During the joint conference with Clinton in Melbourne, Kevin Rudd, the Australian Foreign Minister (and former Prime Minister) began his speech with the reminder of the nation's strong war time connection with the United States forged during MacArthur's stint in the country in the early 1940s when he not only defended Australia against potential hostile Japanese invasion, but also launched a series of offensive attacks in New Guinea which eventually led to the liberation of Philippines.

In his 1962 address to the US Military Academy at West Point, MacArthur, aged 82, delivered what would become one of the greatest speeches by a military leader. He spoke without notes for over 30 minutes based on the enduring theme of 'duty, honour, country', which remains the motto of West Point.

"To build courage when courage seems to fail; to regain faith when there seems to be little cause for faith; to create hope when hope becomes forlorn...

The code which those words perpetuate embraces the highest moral laws and will stand the test of any ethics or philosophies ever promulgated for the uplift of mankind. Its requirements are for the things that are right, and its restraints are from the things that are wrong." - MacArthur

Listen to his calm, measured yet powerfully spoken words first before reading the transcripts.

Unbeknownst to many, he played a prominent role in sowing the seeds of positive change in East Asia, South East Asia and Australia those many years ago, and remains a towering figure of hope, integrity and honour for many.