Brent Scowcroft, a Pressure on Overseas Coverage for 40 Years, Dies at 95

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Brent Scowcroft, a Pressure on Overseas Coverage for 40 Years, Dies at 95

Lengthy after his retirement, Mr. Scowcroft remained a pillar of the Republican nationwide safety institution. Within the run-up to the 2016 presid


Lengthy after his retirement, Mr. Scowcroft remained a pillar of the Republican nationwide safety institution. Within the run-up to the 2016 presidential election, he joined greater than 120 different Republican overseas coverage veterans who crossed occasion strains and endorsed Hillary Clinton. Mr. Scowcroft mentioned she possessed “actually distinctive expertise and perspective” to “lead our nation at this vital time.” He didn’t point out Donald J. Trump in his endorsement.

However days after Mr. Trump’s election, the frail and ailing Mr. Scowcroft made an emotional attraction at an off-the-record Washington luncheon in his honor, calling on fellow Republicans, and Democrats, to place nation above political occasion and settle for posts within the incoming Trump administration, if requested to take action.

“He wants you, your nation wants you,” one attendee mentioned, characterizing Mr. Scowcroft’s message. Different accounts mentioned that he remained involved that Mr. Trump was ill-prepared and unsuited for the presidency, however mentioned that his attraction for public service was a traditional reminder of a much less partisan age, when presidents typically reached out to skilled expertise, no matter occasion loyalties.

Brent Scowcroft was born on March 19, 1925, in Ogden, Utah, the son of James and Lucile (Ballantyne) Scowcroft. He graduated from america Navy Academy at West Level in 1947, joined the Air Pressure and envisioned life as a fighter pilot.

However on Jan. 6, 1949, his P-51 Mustang developed engine hassle after taking off from Grenier Military Air Discipline in New Hampshire (now Manchester-Boston Regional Airport), and crash-landed. His accidents weren’t vital, however he assumed he would by no means fly once more and thought of different navy profession choices.

In 1951, he married the previous Marian Horner. She died in 1995. He’s survived by their daughter, Karen Scowcroft, and a granddaughter.



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