Weather | Sports | Forums | Comics | Classifieds | Calendar | Movies
Gen. Tommy Franks says Rudolph Giuliani embodies the spirit of New York and compares him to Churchill.
By BILL VARIAN, Times Staff Writer
© St. Petersburg Times, published April 17, 2002
TAMPA -- Rudolph Giuliani, the man who comforted a nation after Sept. 11, paid a visit Tuesday to the men and women leading America's response in the war on terrorism.
In an appearance at MacDill Air Force Base that was part pep rally and part remembrance, Giuliani told about 2,000 troops and their family members that democracy is too important not to defend.
"I remember where this war started," Giuliani told the crowd in a hangar decorated with photographs of military men and firefighters and with a framed flag recovered from the World Trade Center.
"Thank you very, very much for vindicating the people whose lives were lost."
The former New York City mayor received a standing ovation, bested only by the welcome for U.S. Army Gen. Tommy Franks, who heads Central Command at MacDill.
Franks, who in many ways has replaced Giuliani as the spokesman for America's reaction to Sept. 11, approached the microphone with a pump of the fist.
"What a great day to be an American," he said.
Franks had invited Giuliani to MacDill, a visit that concluded with the address to the troops. He introduced Giuliani as a mayor who "led from the trenches," likening his performance to that of British Prime Minister Winston Churchill during the bombing of London 60 years ago.
"He showed the world strength, dedication, resolve and bravery," Franks said. "He embodied the spirit of New York itself. He also embodied the spirit of the American people and the will of the world."
It was the first meeting between the two men.
Giuliani told the crowd he often starts public speaking engagements with a Mafia imitation, but said he thought it might be inappropriate Tuesday. But encouraged by shouts from the troops, he delivered a dead-on Marlon Brando from The Godfather.
He then told of a firefighter who was supposed to have the day off for a doctor's visit Sept. 11. But when he heard the news reports, he headed to the nearest fire station to borrow some gear. He wrote a brief note to the firefighter whose equipment he was taking, followed by instructions to give his family his love.
The firefighter was last seen helping someone out of the second tower, and rushing back inside before it collapsed.
"I know you carry exactly that same spirit," Giuliani said.
Franks used the occasion to recognize two paramedics from Tampa Fire-Rescue who, with their dogs, aided the recovery effort in New York City. Roger Picard and Mark Bogush spent a week at ground zero with their Labradors Jessie and Marley, who were given their own "dog tags."
The former mayor was mobbed afterward by soldiers, Marines and officers wanting him to sign their small flags or pose for a photograph.
Air Force Lt. Col. Ed "Edo" O'Connell, chief of the targeting division at Central Command, presented Giuliani with a signed photograph of the people in his division. Giuliani signed another copy of the photograph for O'Connell and wrote "Good Aim."
Hillsborough County Commissioner Chris Hart got Giuliani to sign a New York Yankees ball cap he said team owner George Steinbrenner gave him.
Marine Maj. Pete Mitchell, a Sarasota native, explained the reaction to Giuliani with a word: leadership.
"He exercised tremendous leadership," Mitchell said. "People in the uniform admire leadership."
During a brief news conference afterward, Giuliani said he was impressed by the technology at the base, which allows commanders to track and coordinate the latest events from Afghanistan and elsewhere.
But he said speaking engagements are still difficult.
"Just when you think it's becoming easier, then you're reminded of it," he said.
Giuliani will be back in Tampa on Sunday for a ceremony honoring local heroes as part of a benefit for Without Walls International Church.