Engaged in the world, Army general honored at home

Army Gen. David M. Rodriguez, head of the U.S. Africa Command, the nation's former deputy commander in Afghanistan, and the leader of many other campaigns in combat and in peace around the world, was honored at home Saturday.

Rodriguez, now based in Stuttgart, Germany, came to Center City to accept an award befitting his august, 40-year career: He was this year's recipient of the Alexander Haig Guardian of Liberty Award, bestowed by the West Point Society of Philadelphia.

Past honorees include retired Gen. Dennis J. Reimer, a former Army chief of staff; former Secretary of the Army Thomas E. White; and Tom Ridge, former Pennsylvania governor and first secretary of Homeland Security.

In an interview before delivering a speech at the Founder's Day Dinner, Rodriguez said people needed to have faith and confidence in their security forces, and to maintain hope.

"When they lose hope for the future, that's when these problems come, whether it be a terrorist network or a criminal network," he said.

The 6-foot-5 Rodriguez, 61, was born in Overbrook and grew up in West Chester. His voice is both authoritative and gentle.

Rodriguez played defensive end for Henderson High School, and went on to play in college.

"I got accepted to West Point, and off I went," he said.

A military career that allowed him to leave his mark in places around the world followed his graduation from the academy.

But Rodriguez never forgot where he came from. His younger brother, a lawyer, came from New York City to bring their father, a retired supervisor with Lukens Steel, to the award ceremony. Their father's father moved to Colombia from Spain. A ship had brought him to Philadelphia, and there he stayed.

A few years ago, Rodriguez was honored to be inducted into Henderson's Hall of Fame. Old friends have been his guests for some of his recognitions and events.

Those ties, he said, are "still important." He hosted a former teammate in Germany. He was glad to make the acquaintance of a young officer from West Chester in Iraq. There have been others.

And Rodriguez, looking at retirement some time this year after a career that has spanned four decades, talks about people, regular people, as more similar than not in basic ways - in their decency and the desire to take care of their children.

In his commands, he said, he has learned to listen to the people in the lands he worked with. He has learned to be a "big reader, a big listener."

Colleagues have talked about Rodriguez as a thoughtful man, skilled at dealing with people, but not an attention-seeker.

Gen. Stanley McChrystal, in an interview, said Rodriguez "has almost no ego." He meant it as a compliment.

What Rodriguez does appear to have is gratitude. The military, he said, "is an incredible opportunity." It has been for both him and his family, he said.

His four children, he said, have friends from all over, not just one high school.

He said he is not sure what he will do in retirement; probably relax a few months.

"Then I'll figure something out," he said, with a grin.

Anyone who has known combat and war has seen some of mankind's worst.

But Rodriguez, an admitted joker, seems to still be able to see the good.

"I'm a practical joker because you have to be able to laugh at yourself and have fun no matter what," the general said, shortly before leaving for the award ceremony. "Just enjoy life."

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