Proper tribute
Though he passed away a half century ago, the presence of George C. Marshall, Uniontown’s most famous son, is still palpable.
The latest tribute to Marshall in Uniontown was dedicated on Monday, as officials gathered to rename the city’s main post office in his honor. This latest instance joins numerous other local honors for the late general.
It is entirely fitting to rename the post office for Marshall, who served as Chief of Staff of the Army for six years before serving the nation both as Secretary of State and Secretary of Defense.
Of course, the five-star general is known first and foremost, though, as the architect of the Marshall Plan for rebuilding Europe and Japan after World War II. The latter effort earned him the Nobel Peace Prize in 1953.
While some still question whether we should have helped our former enemies after the war, the reality is that such actions led to a much more peaceful world since then. Keep in mind that Hitler only came to power in Germany after the country was humiliated and embarrassed by its foes following World War I.
Japan, on the other hand, had been an aggressive, militant country meddling in the affair of China and other countries in the Far East for many years.
With Marshall’s vision leading the way, both countries have laid down their weapons for the past 70 years and the world is a much better place because of it.
Marshall should serve as an example even today of what can be accomplished when people work together for the common good instead of bickering for partisan advantages.
Unfortunately in today’s climate, Marshall would probably be seen as some sort of out-of-touch idealist. Heck, we can’t even summon the resources to rebuild our own country, never mind start other countries from scratch.
But as impressive as his post-war efforts were, Marshall’s work before World War II were incredibly vital. As chief of staff, the Uniontown native led the largest military expansion in our nation’s history, taking an ill-equipped 180,000-man army and crafting a modernized fighting force of 12 million.
Winston Churchill, himself a giant of the time, called Marshall the “organizer of victory” for his efforts as the chief military adviser to President Franklin D. Roosevelt. He was Time Magazine’s Man of the Year in 1943. Roosevelt reportedly kept Marshall in Washington during the war because he relied on his advice so much.
Simply put, he was and remains the prototypical soldier statesman and a true American hero that this area is rightfully very proud of. As such, this honor at the post office — and other similar honors in the area — are an important remembrance of Marshall, especially for the younger generations.
“It is only fitting that we memorialize this man who gave so much to his country,” Mayor Ed Fike said during a ceremony on the lawn in front of the post office on Fayette Street.
“This needed done,” said state Rep. Tim Mahoney, D-South Union. “General Marshall was probably the most famous person to come out of Uniontown.”
“It’s people like George C. Marshall who are true American heroes,” said state Sen. Rich Kasunic, D-Dunbar, “He’s one of ours.”
U.S. Rep. Mark Critz, D-Johnstown deserves our thanks for sponsoring the legislation that renamed the post office branch.
To call Marshall the greatest Uniontown native of all time may be a bit presumptuous, but it might just also be accurate. So this latest honor and future honors for Marshall are altogether fitting reminders of his achievements.