Office of the Historian

80. Memorandum From the President’s Chief Speechwriter (Fallows) to President Carter1

Washington, May 10, 1978

SUBJECT

  • Naval Academy Speech

I understand from Fran2 that you have agreed to speak at the Naval Academy on June 7. So that we can begin our consultations and research as soon as possible, it would help me to know whether you have any subject in mind.

Jody has mentioned one theme that sounds promising to me—a discussion of the role of the military now, after the time when they took so much abuse, and were so wounded in spirit, during Vietnam. Not only would that theme be appropriate for the audience, but also it could enable you to sound firm as at Wake Forest,3 when discussing the relevance of the military ideal in this generation. It would also allow you to deal with such basic policy issues as military preparedness, vet [Page 390] erans policy, pensions, the volunteer army, military challenges of the next decade, and even SALT.

What is your advice?4

  1. Source: Carter Library, National Security Affairs, Brzezinski Material, Subject File, Box 63, Speeches: Annapolis, 5–6/78. No classification marking. The President wrote “Jim” in the top right-hand corner of the memorandum. Hutcheson returned the memorandum to Fallows, Wise, and Voorde under a May 11 cover memorandum; a notation on the memorandum in Inderfurth’s hand reads: “DA, this is in the works. Rick.” In addition, an unknown hand added “done” and a checkmark on the cover memorandum. (Ibid.)↩
  2. Voorde.↩
  3. See Document 72.↩
  4. In the right-hand margin next to this sentence, the President wrote: “No—See Zbig re my opening statement to JCS yesterday at lunch. Strength of U.S.-Regional alliances—Mil/Pol/Econ interrelated. Also above theme can be included. List many individual ideas & items & then see me—J.” In a May 23 memorandum, Fallows provided the President with detailed suggestions from a variety of “authorities” who were contacted in order to obtain their advice on the Annapolis address. (Carter Library, Hertzberg Donated Historical Material, Speech Files, Box 5, Annapolis, June 7, 1978)↩