Crear in hot seat for being ‘great American’|[02/02/08]

Published 12:00 am Saturday, February 2, 2008

“Don’t let anybody tell you what you can’t do.”

That’s the message Brig. Gen. Robert Crear, commander of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Mississippi Valley Division and president of the Mississippi River Commission, told 9-year-old Jacques Jones of Vicksburg Friday.

It’s also the anthem by which Crear, 54 and a Vicksburg native, has lived, climbing through his ranks and making history as the first Vicksburg resident and first African American in his role.

Email newsletter signup

Sign up for The Vicksburg Post's free newsletters

Check which newsletters you would like to receive
  • Vicksburg News: Sent daily at 5 am
  • Vicksburg Sports: Sent daily at 10 am
  • Vicksburg Living: Sent on 15th of each month

With his retirement, an end to his 32-year Army career, nearing, Crear was honored with a surprise mock trial at the MVD headquarters. More than 50 friends, family and coworkers gathered in the Walnut Street building’s conference room to put the commander on “trial” for being “a great American.” Crear, who thought the event was to recognize Black History Month and he would be the speaker, said he was surprised by the outpouring of people to honor him.

“I’m almost never caught by surprise. I didn’t see it coming at all,” he said. “It was just a normal day.”

Followed by a photo slide show — with pictures documenting some of the work Crear has done throughout his career amidst photos of him as a child — his executive assistant Stephen Gambrell acted as judge in the trial that featured testimony on the general’s service. Clarence Jones, fleet manager for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Vicksburg District, was the prosecuting attorney and presented witnesses who included Robert L. Miller, the pastor who married Crear and his wife, Reatha, nearly 36 years ago. Sgt. Maj. James Bowman and one of Crear’s high school friends also testified, sharing their memories of him. Rosie Bingham-Trunell, an MVD employee, was the attorney for the defense.

“Being a great American is a lifelong commitment. It’s going to be hard once you retire,” Jones said to Crear, who took the witness stand. “We’ve been watching you. What’s your secret? How do you do it? How can you be productive while serving your country, family and friends?”

Jones also put together a video that featured Jacques, playing the part of a young Crear, and his 10-year-old brother, Quadarious Jones, who played the role of the commander’s cousin, Sammie. The video used the MRC building as a backdrop, playing on the fact that Crear, as a child, was intimidated by its size and large presence. The general has said, from the top of that building, that he sees his life as coming full circle, an idea brought out in the short film.

Crear, inadvertently keeping to his original black history theme, credited the people at his church, Pleasant Green Baptist, among others for his success. Pleasant Green was visited by Civil Rights leader Martin Luther King Jr. in the 1960s when racial tensions were brewing. The visit was matched with threats from whites, some of whom threatened to fire black employees for attending the event, Crear said.

“People put aside their fears. That’s what I call personal courage,” he said, remembering the event from his childhood. “It was standing-room only, and people made a stand. That inspired me throughout my entire career. It’s the essence of what they did to ensure their kids had a better life.”

Crear will hand over command to Brig. Gen. Michael Walsh in a ceremony Feb. 20 at the Vicksburg Convention Center. His official retirement will be in April.