Roger and Beth Ailes show Veterans Day should be every day

By Jason Stverak | Watchdog.org

Retired U.S. Army Gen. John M. “Jack” Keane presented Fox News Chairman and CEO Roger Ailes and his wife Beth with the lifetime achievement award from the Green Beret Foundation.

The awards recognized Roger and Beth Ailes for their “staunch support of our military and for continuously upholding Green Beret traditions and values.”

“Beth and Roger Ailes are quite the team, not just in their enduring love for each other, and for their 14-year-old son Zachary, but sharing a career in broadcast journalism and, equally important, sharing their love for our country, giving generously to help America be a better place and working so hard to keep America strong while always supporting our beloved troops,” Keane said.

The selection speaks volumes about Ailes’ character and commitment to America. As President Kennedy once said, the Army’s Green Berets are a “symbol of excellence,” a “badge of courage,” and a “mark of distinction in the fight for freedom.” They take on some of our military’s most dangerous and challenging missions.

Ailes received the award in characteristic good humor, acknowledging his wife: “Somebody once told me that behind every successful man is a surprised wife. . . The Green Berets are known for valor, courage, truth, patriotism, intelligence and a commanding presence. I married a Green Beret!”

Yet he did not neglect the gravity of the ceremony, either.

“America is in peril, the economy is disrupted, the borders are corrupted, the military is being gutted and there is a sadness growing in the citizenry,” he said. “Americans know when the chips are down, however, great American individuals will step forward to lead us back to our position as the greatest nation in history. . . They will lead the world to freedom.”

The Ailes were joined at the event by fellow Fox News personalities Bill Hemmer, who served as the emcee, Shepard Smith, Kimberly Guilfoyle, Bret Baier and Megyn Kelly. Business people and local leaders like Georgette Mosbacher, John and Margo Catsimatidis, Ed Cox and Ray Kelly also attended in support of the Berets. Also honored were Gannett Government Media CEO Elaine G. Howard, and Lt. Gen. John Mulholland, former deputy commander of the Special Operations Command. The event raised more than $1 million for wounded veterans.

In an age of over-politicization and sensationalism, it’s refreshing to see Roger and Beth join with top military, business leaders and media personalities to stand behind an organization that ultimately honors all our troops and our country itself.

It’s critical for us to take an occasional break from the manic world of the news business and appreciate the values we share as Americans. As president of a journalistic enterprise myself, I know. I love to stir the pot as much as anyone, but it’s always out of a desire to preserve and protect the freedoms we all enjoy. Supporting our country, as the Green Beret Foundation shows, doesn’t need to be controversial.

Indeed, events like these show that regardless of all the disagreements Ailes may inspire among mainstream media types, he sincerely loves his country. And not only does he have the best interests of our nation at heart, but he actually has the courage to do something about it. Like a good soldier, he embodies the decisiveness of great men that the fabled Army General George Patton once spoke of:

“A man must know his destiny. If he does not recognize it, then he is lost. By this I mean. . . fate will reach out and tap a man on the shoulder. If he has the imagination, he will turn around and fate will point out to him what fork in the road he should take. If he has the guts, he will take it.”

In his storied career, Ailes has had the guts to take that road every time. Our media and our nation are the better for it.