Honored WWII, Korean War and Vietnam War veteran and keynote speaker Julian Campbell with his wife of 69 years, Marie Campbell / W.C. Mann
CULLMAN – It’s not common these days to hear first-person accounts, in person, of what it was like to serve in World War II. That chance came for students, faculty, staff and their families at Cullman High School on Wednesday morning, when the school hosted its annual Veterans Day celebration and welcomed Lt. Col. Julian Campbell, a veteran of the U.S. Army Air Corps who flew 40 B-26 bomber missions over Europe and cargo planes over the Pacific during WWII, then went on to serve in the U.S. Air Force during the Korean and Vietnam Wars.
The event was attended by Cullman Mayor Woody Jacobs, Cullman City Schools Superintendent Dr. Susan Patterson and former Cullman Mayor Max Townson (himself a member of the panel of honored veterans).
The 97-year old Campbell opened with joyful humor, “It’s good to be here today. In fact, at my age it’s good to be anywhere . . . There’s advantages to being 97. I’ll be 98 in three months. I was always taught to respect my elders, and now I never see anybody that I have to respect!”
Campbell talked about growing up in the 1920s and 30s, and about being drafted on Dec. 1, 1941, six days before the bombing of Pearl Harbor. He recounted memories of his service, and of a friend and fellow pilot lost in service to his crew members and country. He also shared from and displayed a page from the Bible containing the 91st Psalm, which his mother sent him in 1943, and which he still carries in his wallet today.
“Do you think I was afraid flying on those missions?” asked Campbell. “Let me explain it this way: Eddie Rickenbacker, World War I American pilot, once said this–he said you only show courage when you do something when you’re afraid. He said if you’re not afraid, it doesn’t take courage. I showed courage on 40 bombing missions.”
He concluded by expressing concern about conditions around the world, and about civil unrest and what he sees as disrespect for the flag in this country, saying, “I wonder about our future. Then, using words from our national anthem, I pray that our beautiful star-spangled banner never ceases to wave over the land of the free and the home of the brave.”
After Campbell spoke, the school took time to recognize by name U.S. veterans among its faculty and staff, along with veteran family members of staff and students, followed by recognition of CHS graduates and family members who are currently serving in the armed forces.
CHS Principal Kim Hall said to the veterans on the platform, “You remind us why we start every day with the Pledge of Allegiance. And we do that at CHS; we begin every morning, we stand together, and we salute our flag, and we offer our pledge of allegiance to our country, and you are a stark reminder of why we do that. We appreciate you, and we thank you for joining us today.”
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