Communication
Here is a selection of speeches composed by Bob Appleton.American Legion Leadership Conference Keynote, 2003
As I gathered my thoughts for this talk tonight, I relfected on the events of the twentieth century and how they have brought us to this day. The century just past was one of almost continuous strife for our nation. Wars, great and small, conflicts, police actions, tense crises and terrorist threats. It was a difficult hundred years. Read more...
A Discussion of NCO Leadership Over a Drink at the Club
Kudos to Colonel Curcio and Gunnery Sergeant Skubinna whose essays in the April 2006 Gazette both speak to the heart of leadership in the Marine Corps today. The Colonel's piece is a brilliant insight into the character of our young leaders as well as wise recognition of those things we could do better to mold the superb clay we are given. Gunny Skubinna boldly speaks in exactly the manner he advocates, "blunt and to the point," against the evils of "political correctness" and the risk aversion demonstrated by superfluous documentation intended to prove that our leaders have done their jobs. Read more...
Comfort for the Losers
I just reviewed the election results for the 14 presidential elections in which I have taken an interest, going back over half a century to 1952. I lived in a politically aware household and started very early. In any case, my score card reads 6 wins, 6 losses, and 2 elections in which I really didn't like either candidate. After some of those losses, I was sure we were all doomed by the terrible judgment of the undeserving winner. Read more...
Eulogy for a Fellow Marine
One thing that has always separated Marines from others is respect for their history and traditions. Many years ago, during the Philippine Insurrection, a particularly bloody campaign was fought on the island of Samar. For years afterwards, it was customary in the Marine Corps, when a veteran of that battle entered the room, to say "Stand, gentlemen. He served on Samar." Read more...
Memorial Day Keynote 2002
I am especially grateful for the chance to speak out during these difficult times. Last Memorial Day, our nation enjoyed relative peace. Since then, we have been thrust into a war testing whether a nation such as ours can long endure. Read more...
Memorial Day Keynote 2000
Today's observance has great meaning for all who have gone in harm's way to defend our country. Today we remember those we left behind... the heroes who made the ultimate sacrifice. They were our closest friends and our most beloved brothers. Those who have faced danger together share a powerful bond. We are a band of brothers. We grieve for the loss of our brothers' companionship. We wonder what might have been if they had lived. They were strong and skilled. They were young and fit. They were our nation's best. They were young people with their lives before them. They sacrificed their own promising futurues so that the rest of us could enjoy the even greater promise of the nation they loved. Their sacrifice was a great one. But their sacrifice was not a wasted one. Read more...
Memorial Day Keynote 1999
This is the day we honor those who cannot be here with us to enjoy the benefits of the freedom they won for us. By their selfless actions, they defended and preserved our way of life... a way of life that is the envy of the world. Read more...
Retirement Speech 2004
I joined this merry band 40 years ago. I grew to adulthood in the Marine Corps and I have been privileged to grow grey in service to my country and Corps. I have served under great leaders and I have led great Marines. In war and peace; in good times and bad, it has been my incredible honor to serve side by side with selfless men and women who cared more about Corps and Country than they did about themselves. Together, with these magnificent Marines, I have been to places many have never heard of, and accomplished things I would not have thought possible. I have lived my dream. Read more...
