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Col. Buzz Patterson Luncheon

Best Selling Author "Buzz" Patterson Speaks at Chapter March 2005 Luncheon

Colonel Robert "Buzz" Patterson, author of the best selling books "Dereliction of Duty: The Eyewitness Account of How Bill Clinton Endangered America's Long-Term National Security", and his recently released second book “Reckless Disregard”, spoke to the Chapter at the March Luncheon.

Lieutenant Colonel Patterson USAF (Ret.) was military aide to President Clinton from mid-1996 to mid-1998. He was one of a handful of aides that carried the "nuclear football", the briefcase that contained the nuclear weapons launch codes. This responsibility put him in close contact with the President and gave him a unique perspective on the Clinton administration. He said that though he arrived at his new assignment "filled with professional devotion and commitment to serve," he left believing that Clinton had "sown a whirlwind of destruction upon the integrity of our government, endangered our national security, and done enormous harm to the American military in which I served."

Buzz presented a picture of a White House and its occupants that had a complete lack of understanding of the U.S. Armed Forces and their mission, plus a general disrespect for the men and women who filled its ranks. Not the atmosphere that you would expect in the building that housed the Commander-in-Chief of the armed forces, nor from that man himself. Hilary, in fact, set a policy that allowed no military personnel on staff to be in uniform in the White House. Civilian clothes were the uniform of the day.

While then President Clinton may well have had the legal authority to act as the Commander-In-Chief, Buzz said that he never had the moral authority to do so. Per Buzz, you cannot command moral authority, you have to earn it, and Clinton never did.

Buzz listed many specific examples of circumstances that required both leadership and command decisions on the part of Bill Clinton. Unfortunately for this country, he either failed miserably or in many cases did nothing. For example, on at least two occasions Bill Clinton had the opportunity to capture or eliminate Osama Bin Laden. One of the two occasions was an offer by the country expelling Bin Laden to hand him over to the United States! A second opportunity was a chance to launch a cruise missile attack on the known location of Bin Laden. (An extremely rare opportunity.) Clinton delayed too long pondering the political implications of such action on his political career. Bin Laden left the location before he made a decision to act! U. S. forces were “locked and loaded” and ready to fire. To no avail! Clinton squandered both opportunities! If he had acted in either case, the 9-11-2001 attack on America would probably have never happened.

Buzz’s recently released second book "Reckless Disregard" discusses the negative impact of the Clinton administration and, in particular the “liberal left”, on the defense establishment. (Buzz makes a specific distinction between the Democratic party and members of the liberal left.) We won't steal anymore of the either book's thunder here. They are a must read!

Book sales were brisk after Buzz’s presentation. Also at the luncheon were Bruce Holroyd and Ronnie Rondem of the Atlanta Vietnam Veterans Business Association (AVVBA). Buzz had spoken to their group previously and they helped with book sales. Chapter member Clint Johnson ‘60, was also at the luncheon and is a member of the AVVBA as well. Plus, in the “small world, isn’t it” category Clint actually hired Buzz to fly for Delta Airlines when he left the Air Force in 2001!

Luncheon attendees were: AVVBA members Bruce Holroyd and Ronnie Rondem, Carol Sue and Jim Ravenel '45, Walt Sheffield '51, Perry Stephens '51, Sibyl and Charley Plumly '55, Bill Rentz '55, Frank Roescher '59, Don Thompson '59, Clint Johnson '60, Lorie Moore '64, Bill Williams '65, Jon Barton '66, Bob Wittenberg '66, Jim Slemenda '67, Pete Tzomes '67, Paul Borer '70, Dick Click '70, Mitch Rowland '71, Bob Schultz '71, Mike Lores '74, Alex Cobble '76, Jack McCourt '78, Guest Lynche Lippert and Ed Brownlee '81, Mario Maddox '85, Rob Burger '86, Tim Phillips '89, Kary Brownlee '93, Mike King '95, Jennifer Ruegg '96, Ravi Vemulapalli '96,and Josh Height '98.

Many thanks to Colonel Patterson for making time to share this very eye-opening personal account of the Clinton White House with our Chapter, and for staying "late" to sign everyone's books.

For more information on Buzz, click on:

Buzz Patterson Bio.pdf

Click on a thumbnail image to view a full sized picture.

Buffet line! The chow line is open!

Colonel "Buzz" Patterson starts his presentation.

Book sales table.

Buzz signs books and swaps stories with Chapter members.

Buzz assists Chapter President Bill Rentz '55, with the Naval Academy Signature wine raffle drawing!