NGCSU drill field named for retired general
From Dahlonega Nugget
Published on: April 22, 2009
By Matt Aiken
Gen. William J. Livsey has delivered hundreds of speeches during his 35-year military career, but he's never actually written one ahead of time.
Last Saturday was no exception as the North Georgia College alum found himself the guest of honor for a ceremony held specifically to dedicate the school's storied drill field as the General William J. Livsey Drill Field.
Before an assemblage of friends and officials, the four star general rose to the podium and said with a grin, "I can hardly wait to hear what I'm gonna say."
What he did say, in so many words, was "thank you."
He thanked his wife, and fellow North Georgia grad, Bena Sue, along with his four sons. He thanked his colleagues, the NGCSU staff and his classmates by name.
"This drill field's real legacy comes from the names that have already been mentioned," he said. "People grow up there."
And he also reminisced about the times spent on the wide expanse of green in the late 40s and early 50s.
There were rowdy tackle football games and marches in 100 degree weather. There were also somber moments, as Livsey recalled standing at attention, tears in his eyes, as Taps echoed across the campus in honor of four fallen comrades.
"This drill-field is the glue that holds this college together," he said.
Prior to his speech, Livsey was introduced by his classmate and friend Col. Retired Bobby Harris, who offered a brief synopsis of the man's epic career.
"He has served his country well," surmised Harris. "And in so doing has brought honor and respect to our college and our university."
Livsey retired from military life in 1987 with a uniform that was sufficiently weighed down by an assortment of medals which included the Distinguished Service Medal, the Silver Star and the Distinguished Flying Cross.
The Fayetteville resident held every level of command in the Army and, to name a few positions, served as Commander-in-Chief of the United Nations Command, Commander of the United States Forces in Korea and Commander-in-Chief of Combined Forces Command.
It was through these accomplishments that he was promoted to the rank of four star general in 1984. Livsey is the only North Georgia alum to reach this lofty rank.
What does it take to be a four star general?
"A lot of luck," said Livsey on the day before the ceremony. "And never running from the hard jobs. Most people consider command a hard job. I consider it like throwing a rabbit in a briar patch. I love to command."
Livsey also gives a fair share of credit to his alma mater for giving him his start.
"Let me tell you the best thing about that happened at North Georgia," he said. "They ran that place sort of like the Army but they had great interest in the individual. It has to do with positive motivation. Saying things like, 'I saw you out there today guy. You were good.' You don't even have to give them a medal sometimes just a pat on the back."
"And the other thing that I tell everybody," he added.. "Is maybe the most important thing in the whole mess is a sense of humor. If you've got a sense of humor in combat and out you'll get through. If you start feeling sorry for yourself, you're not gonna do anything."
Needless to say, Livsey is not the stereotypical angry general. Perhaps this is why he is hoping that the future cadets of NGCSU will be on a friendly first name basis with Gen. William J. Livsey Drill Field.
His full title, he said, sounds too stiff and formal.
"They're supposed to name it my nickname," said the 1952 grad. "It's 'Lipp,' with two 'Ps' they were supposed to name it 'Lipps Drill Field.'"
Livsey had been informed that this was against school policy, but he promised not to give up that easily as he pondered working this into his speech.
"It might step on some toes but I might casually mention it," he said.
It turned out he wouldn't have to. Immediately after the official field-side plaque was unveiled a nearby smaller sign was uncovered as well.
On it were the words "'Lipp' Livsey Drill Field."
"Hey!" he exclaimed loudly. "That's what it's supposed to be."
After Livsey's speech, he received a standing ovation from the crowd, which he humbly waved off, the Patriot Choir sang "The Army Song" and the assemblage was dismissed.
However, the general had other plans.
"This ceremony is not over," he said with a grin as he stepped to the podium once more.
He then summoned all of his fellow alumni to join him and the current cadets of A Company, as they marched in formation for old times' sake.
Then General Livsey led them onward, his friends and classmates following in step, as they marched across Lipp's Drill Field.
From www.thedahloneganugget.com/articles/2009/04/22/news/06%20drillfield.txt
