Dole says U.S. must continue in international roles

“If we do nothing, what happens?” he asked. Dole was the keynote speaker for the Tennessee Valley Homecoming, an event marking the region’s role in the development of nuclear technology at Oak Ridge.

Dole, who was the Republican nominee for president in 1996, said support seems to be waning in some quarters for U.S. military action in Iraq and Afghanistan.

“I think history is going to look back and say we did exactly the right thing,” he said.

The said the U.S. military personnel serving in those countries are worthy of the “Greatest Generation,” tag applied to those who fought in World War II.

“I think it’s time to pass that baton,” said Dole, who served in the Army and was seriously wounded during World War II.

Dole said the U.S. has been improved by its experiences on World War II battlefields.

“Our democracy is more perfect,” he said. “We’re working at it, we’re making progress. We’re never going to be finished.”

Workers at Oak Ridge played a key part in the Manhattan Project, which developed the atomic bombs used against Japan that brought an end to World War II.

The Tennessee Valley Homecoming concludes Sunday.

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Information from: The Knoxville News Sentinel, www.knoxnews.com