Those serving in uniform ‘have made a difference’
Service in the military wasn’t on the mind of Vice Adm. Yancy Lindsey as a college student, but it’s been 35 years since he joined the U.S. Navy and “I’m not looking back,” said the commander of the Navy Installations Command to attendees of The American Legion’s 102nd national convention in Phoenix Aug. 31. “What an adventure it’s been – the places I’ve gone, the things I’ve seen, the good I’ve done, the people I’ve helped literally around the world. But more importantly, what I’ve been able to represent, what I’ve been able to stand for as an American wearing this uniform.”
It’s those wearing the uniform today and their mission that the Phoenix native asked for judgement not to be passed upon, especially with what has occurred in Afghanistan in recent weeks.
“Don’t judge Afghanistan by what you’ve seen in the news and on television over the last couple of weeks,” Lindsey said. “Judge it by the work that’s been done the last 20 years. One day, one week, one month does not change the amazing difference we’ve made in that country, in the hearts of literally millions of people that otherwise would not have known what America is, or what America stands for. Judge it by the lives we’ve changed, the freedoms we’ve protected, the liberties that the Afghanistan people have enjoyed for those 20 years.
“Judge it by parents who would hand their infant child over a barbed wire wall to complete strangers. What parents do that? It’s parents that know, trust and believe in what those people wearing the uniform stand for. And why they’re there.”
The American Legion Family applauded as Lindsey continued. “Those of you that have served in uniform have made a difference. And the people that were there in uniform on the ground in Kabul over the last two weeks, made a difference. We made a difference.
“Those 13 fallen servicemembers, who last Sunday came back to your soil at Dover Air Force Base, made a difference. That’s how we will honor their service. You honor them, The American Legion, when you support them and their families, when you lift them up, when you come alongside them to help them, to support them.”
Lindsey shared with American Legion Family members that during the COVID-19 pandemic, “Your armed forces have continued to operate, they have continued to deploy, they have continued to take our nation’s business and do its bidding around the world in the face of a very challenging pandemic.” He shared that 86 of the Navy’s 296 ships are currently deployed. “I’m really proud of our Navy and what we’ve been able to do.”
Prior to his presentation, Lindsey had the honor to present The American Legion’s Spirt of Service Awards alongside Medal of Honor recipient Bruce Crandall. “What an honor to share the stage with such an amazing group of young people … to share the stage with one of our nation’s true heroes,” he said.
“And what a pleasure to be surrounded by amazing patriotic Americans” as he looked out into the audience of Legionnaires. “The American Legion’s support and advocacy gives meaning to our service. We stand on your shoulders. Those that went before us created a military that we now get to enjoy. We have a country that supports us, that honors us, that respects what we do, those of us in uniform. That’s because of what you did and the service you contributed. It’s what you do now, after your service, in communities across our nation and all the way around the world.
“Let’s never forget that we have the privilege to wear this uniform to represent our country. Let’s never forget the privilege of serving this amazing nation we get to call home.”