I knew Max Cleland as a casual friend for several years when he was serving as Georgia’s Secretary of State. On his trips to meet with his counterpart in Tallahassee he would often stop by Pebble Hill Plantation where I was working at the time, bringing a picnic lunch to enjoy while we talked. His life revolved around politics of course, but he was also a serious student of Georgia history. Because this is Veterans Day (also known as Armistice Day, commemorating the end of World War I), it seemed a good time to reprint my review of his autobiography. Vietnam War veteran, U.S. Senator, head of the Veterans Administration and U.S. Commissioner of American Cemeteries Abroad, Max was a remarkable man. He contacted me when he came to the new Georgia National Cemetery near Canton, Georgia to record his memories of how the cemetery came to be. It was our last conversation.
Senator Max Cleland Died This Week
5 Replies to “Senator Max Cleland Died This Week”
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Thank you so much for your Max Cleland article. What a patriot he was! And his amazing struggles with depression and PTSD and learning to live with just ONE appendage – one left arm! Not enough can be written about Max and I am grateful that you are sharing you personal experiences with Max.
Marnette,
Our relationship was casual but based on oour love for Georgia and its history.
Joe
Thank you for this Joe. Max Cleland was a true patriot. My father so supported these people like Carter, Nunn, etc though he died June 1973. I remember his support of the governor’s race and supporting Nunn in the dramatic race with Gambrel and Thompson well. Or as well as a 9 year old could understand these things.
Mark,
Thanks. It is well to remember that Georgia has enjoyed some great leadership in the past.
Joe
Thanks for reposting this fine review, Joe. I stand by my comment on the original post–people who somehow magically avoided service during the Vietnam Era and then attack veterans who served are the lowest of the low–even if, in at least one case, they defeated a decorated Vietnam vet who had lost several limbs while in country. The outcome of that particular election tells me a lot about the voters in Georgia at the time and of the character of the, um, “victorious” candidate. . . .