A newspaper by the troops, for the troops, isn’t going anywhere.
In early August, the Pentagon ordered that Stars and Stripes, an American military newspaper that dates back to the Civil War, cease operations by Sept. 30.
Thanks to a swift response by President Donald Trump, one of the most storied publications in American history will continue to serve those in uniform across the globe.
The memo by the Defense Department was rightly overridden by the president on Sept. 10.
Stars and Stripes is owned by the U.S. military, but has complete editorial independence. The newspaper first printed on Nov. 9, 1861 after Union troops, under General Ulysses S. Grant, defeated Confederate forces in Bloomfield, Missouri. After the battle, soldiers from the 18th and 19th Illinois Volunteers used the presses owned by the Bloomfield Daily Herald to create the inaugural paper, according to The Library of Congress.
While changes have been made over the years, Stars and Stripes still holds the same values and responsibilities as it did years ago. The newspaper offers news unlike any other publication for those in service, reporting objectively on specific issues that concern military members.
The newspaper has a massive reach, as it also has European, Middle Eastern, Japanese, and South Korean editions.
Through the years, many famous journalists and authors have worked for the publication. Harold William Ross founded The New Yorker magazine after serving as the paper’s editor in World War I, and other famous writers include Andy Rooney, Steve Kroft, and Shel Silverstein.
During World War II, Bill Mauldin became a household name through his popular "Willie and Joe" cartoons in Stars and Stripes. At one time, General George Patton was so offended by the cartoons he requested they cease publication. In response, Supreme Allied Commander Dwight Eisenhower told Patton he was not allowed to censure the cartoons. The legendary cartoonist, one of the few to ever overrule Patton, later won two Pulitzer Prizes for his work.
While some will criticize the president for his decision, claiming he only did it for political gain, he should be lauded for reversing the order. The president has voiced his displeasure with the media on multiple occasions, but put aside any opinions by guaranteeing future funding.
Those in uniform — whether they serve at the Muscatatuck Urban Training Center or in Iraq — should always have an independent news source that works for them.
