The story begins on a hot June day in 1970.
The commercial airline finally rolled to a stop on the tarmac
of Travis AFB, California. It had been a 17-hour flight.
The roaring engines gradually whined to a stop. In silence
the soldiers tried to control their emotions as they listened
to a military band on the tarmac welcome them with “God
Bless America” and “The Star-spangled Banner.”
Staff-Sergeant Glenn J. Kimber was one of those un-sung
heroes of the Vietnam War who disembarked, knelt down, and
kissed the ground of the land of the free.
Waiting at the entrance of the airport stood anxious relatives
and friends, among them Sgt. Kimber’s parents and
his wife Julianne who held their 2-year-old daughter Candace.
“Daddy’s home, Candie!” she exclaimed.
The nightmare of Vietnam was over. These soldiers, at least,
had come back.
After the joyful reunion and during the travels back home,
experiences were shared, tears were shed, and future plans
were made. It was decided that Glenn would return to college
and get his degree in Accounting and Business Management
at Brigham Young University.
However, after Glenn’s return, he was deeply disturbed
by newspaper headlines of negativism against America. It
seemed to be a hate campaign that made America look like
a simpering bully who didn’t know how to beat an opponent.
Why did so many die? For what cause? If America was such
a terrible nation, he asked himself, why do I love this
nation so much? Glenn reported to his father-in-law, W.
Cleon Skousen, and asked him those questions. “What
is happening to America?” he asked.
Dr. Skousen replied, “Now that you are asking those
questions, son, you are ready to listen to some answers.”
Having never been involved in politics or concerned about
the civics of the national government in the past, Glenn
was now ready to find out what could be done to help America.
Over 100 cities were being burned, civil rights issues were
explosive, gangs flourished and “anti-establishment”
marches were crowding streets and tabloids. There had to
be answers as to why everyone was crying “peace, peace!”
and yet there was no peace.
Glenn began to study under Dr. Skousen. After some time,
he learned about Constitutional principles and our American
Heritage, which he discovered to be deeply rooted in religious
freedom. His studies under Dr. Skousen took him on a journey
that would last for the rest of Glenn’s life.
