WICHITA, Kansas – Thursday was his last day on the job. Wichita native Robert Gates received the highest honor any civilian can get in the country. During his farewell ceremony as secretary of defense, President Obama surprised Gates with a special recognition: the Presidential Medal of Freedom. The only man ever to be secretary of defense for both a Republican and Democratic president, many have suggested he is the finest defense secretary ever.
Thursday was the end of a public career that very few in history can match. Last year, on the day he was named ‘Kansan of the Year,’ KSN spoke to Gates about his career and Kansas.
"Growing up in Kansas in the 1940’s and 50’s was kind of an idyllic time,” Gates told KSN. “There was no air bags, no bike helmets, no hand sanitizers, but we had a good time, good friends and a lot of good role models."
He graduated form East High School in 1961. He was an Eagle Scout and honor student. He was marked for success long ago.
He became the deputy director of the CIA and earned a Ph.D. in Russian history. He was the deputy national security advisor, director of the CIA, president of Texas A&M and eventually the secretary of defense. He served eight presidents.
Gates left the job he loved as president of Texas A&M for one of the toughest jobs in government.
"It was very simple,” he said. “With the country in two wars and our young men and woman out their putting their lives on the line, I didn't see how I could possibly say no.”
Dover, Delaware, where coffins return from war, was the worst part of the job without a doubt.
"Every evening, I write notes to the families of young Americans,” he said.
Hand written notes to every family who lost a loved one.
"I ask that there be a picture of that soldier or marine or sailor and a copy of the hometown newspaper so that I can see what that person looked like and I can read what their family and their friends, coaches and high school teacher said about them. I want to feel that I know every single one of them."
He has known presidents and kinds and has honors beyond counting. He hasn’t lived in Kansas for 50 years. But if you think he’s forgotten his roots, you were not there in Topeka a year ago.
"I left Kansas to go to college in Virginia when I was just 17,” he said. “The boy left Kansas, but Kansas never left the boy.”
Leon Panetta officially becomes the new secretary of defense when he’s sworn in Friday at a small ceremony.
