Media Training

Have spent three days at Fort Leavenworth in a media exercise and my vocal chords are exhausted. My colleagues and I were the journalists in mock press conferences so that officers can hone their skills in presenting facts to the media. It's tiring, but honestly, I can't imagine where you could have more fun (except maybe a Civil War or Indian Wars Battlefield). Retired ABC correspondent John McWethy cast a large shadow over the event. On Tuesday before dying in a skiing accident Wednesday, John had talked with Stephen Kerrick at the CGSC and provided handouts for use in the training exercise. They included his observations on media/military relations, such as Like rain on the battlefield, the press will be there. Deal with it.

We carried on in his good name and, I hope, made him proud.

D. K. Clark wrote a tribute to John that appeared this week in the Leavenworth Lamp and echoes the sentiments of many of us: http://www.ftleavenworthlamp.com/articles/2008/02/14/perspective/perspective2.txt

McWethy

I opened the door to the MacArthur Room at Fort Leavenworth's Command and General Staff College. John McWethy sat at the desk answering emails on his laptop. A larger than life portrait of the famous general stared from the wall. I laughed out loud.

John half looked up from his task. "I know, I know. I'm well aware that he is looking over my shoulder."

I curled into a leather chair and waited for John to finish so we could discuss the day's media training. We talked, exchanged ideas, laughed our guts out.

My friend John McWethy has died. He was killed in a skiing accident in Colorado yesterday. I am floored by the news. We were looking forward to getting together next week to talk some more, exchange more ideas, laugh our guts out.

John lived life to the n'th degree. I feel so privileged to have shared moments of mirth and inspiration with him.

Til we meet again.