Vassallo: An Interview With Vietnam War Veteran Marvin Bolinger

Bolinger during the Vietnam War in 1970.

Marvin Bolinger is a great American whom I’ve had the pleasure to know for four decades.

Marvin served his country in Vietnam and again in Desert Storm as a member of the Army Reserve and later retired as a Colonel; raised his two children respecting American values; has enjoyed a great career spanning both the public and private sectors; and first and foremost is a Christian currently residing in south Florida.

Following is a brief interview as to how this veteran looks at the America of 2016 along with other issues.

HottyToddy.com: Marvin thanks for agreeing to do this interview. When you speak, people typically listen. In your opinion, what is our nation’s greatest challenge?

Marvin Bolinger: Our greatest challenge lies in eliminating the divide we have in this country that is preventing us from progressing as Americans. If we work together as one, there is nothing this country cannot accomplish and few problems that cannot be solved. However our leaders of both parties continue to split us for political gain. Ideas should be adopted and implemented based solely on what is best for America-not party affiliation.

HottyToddy.com: You served in combat in one of our country’s deadliest wars. Do you feel veterans are receiving the respect they deserve in today’s world?

Marvin Bolinger: No. Vietnam veterans are suffering tremendously from the effects of Agent Orange and PTSD among other maladies. The lack of respect for Vietnam vets is a disgrace that only recently seems to be reversing but unfortunately many Vietnam vets are now deceased and will never know the appreciation from a grateful nation for their sacrifices. Returning Middle East vets are suffering from mental and physical diseases associated with their service there. The VA is generally regarded as a joke. There was a time when our national leaders were veterans (indeed many were war heroes) and often had children serving so taking care of vets was a priority. Today a very small percentage of our leaders have served and that number is growing less each year. Our overarching principle should be: If you are going to send American men and women to war, then they must be cared for upon their return or do not send them. That is not being done today.

HottyToddy.com: If you could change just one thing about our society, what would that be?

Bolinger and his wife, Cathy.

Marvin Bolinger: Apathy and complacency. We have become a nation of apathy and complacency with few taking personal accountability for their own actions. It seems more and more are always blaming someone else for their failure or mistakes.

HottyToddy.com: Shifting gears to SEC football, do you feel the league is balanced or has Alabama created a monopoly that is harmful to the rest of the league?

Marvin Bolinger: Recently the SEC West has been dominant. Alabama has a great program and one must give credit to the success of Coach Saban but teams that are up do not always remain up. One player like a Bo Jackson or Hershel Walker or Eli Manning or Peyton Manning can quickly change the fortunes of other teams recognizing however there are few players of the caliber of these athletes. Look what Cam Newton did for Auburn. There are some great players out there today including Chad Kelly on your Ole Miss team. The SEC is the best conference in the country and other SEC teams will find ways to recruit, build and win going forward.

HottyToddy.com: Being a strong Tennessee fan, are we now witnessing the revival of Volunteer football?

Marvin Bolinger: Yes. Go VOLS. Since the championship team of 1998, we have struggled to remain an elite program. Coach Jones has brought a renewed vigor to the Tennessee program. As a result, we have come a long way since we last met Ole Miss in 2014 and suffered a 34-3 defeat in Oxford. Overall, the VOLS have improved thanks in large part to Coach Butch Jones.

HottyToddy.com: What is life like living in south Florida?

Marvin Bolinger: My wife Cathy and I are enjoying living in South Florida but sometimes the Gator fans can be annoying–LOL. We love the weather, the lifestyle and Cathy loves the beach. Since I am still working, it is convenient to be close to well served airports when travel is required. Cathy stays busy volunteering and is very active in raising money for scholarships for young women who otherwise might not be able to pursue their dreams.

HottyToddy.com: With most of us focused on the November 8th election, how do you see the sunshine state weighing in on this extremely close race?

Marvin Bolinger: In each of the last Presidential elections, Florida has played a major role but this year may prove even more important in selecting the next President. There are 21 million people living in Florida. Approximately 6 million people live in 3 southern counties of south Florida—Palm Beach, Broward, and Miami Dade. Florida is so diverse–almost like 3 states in one–south Florida is so different than the Interstate 4 corridor (Orlando) and the northern part of the state including the Panhandle. South Florida is about people who have relocated here for retirement so you have a ton of seniors voting as well as those who have settled here especially from Latin America. The demographics are so different in each of the regions within the state so predicting Florida can be so tricky.

HottyToddy.com: What is the greatest lesson you learned as child growing up in Tennessee that remains valid today?

Marvin Bolinger: Love of country and respect and care for our fellow man.

HottyToddy.com: Your view of foreign affairs should concern Americans most about what country or region?

Marvin Bolinger: So many hotspots–North Korea with the nut in charge there; Putin’s desire for Russia to be relevant again; China’s expansion and military growth; the entire Middle East; and Europe–the face of Europe has changed to the point where it is almost impossible to recognize some of the countries–France, England, Belgium, and Germany. We must maintain a strong military and use it wisely if our children and grandchildren continue to enjoy the freedoms we have enjoyed in our lifetime.

HottyToddy.com: You have lived through and witnessed a number of administrations in DC. Which President enjoyed the greatest success and why?

Marvin Bolinger: There are so many ways to answer this question–where would we be today without the Interstate systems that connects our country (Eisenhower); the space program (Kennedy); restoring confidence of the citizens in this country again and winning the Cold War (Reagan). Overall, I am a big fan of President Reagan. He was principled as was Speaker of the House Tip O’Neil. They were polar opposites, screamed and yelled at each other politically but they sat down in the back room and found ways to move this country forward. This seems to me to be a good model for our leaders to follow today.

HottyToddy.com: What advice would you give a high school senior today?

Marvin Bolinger: Read, read, read and travel, travel, travel as much as physically possible. As a kid growing up in East Tennessee, one seldom interacted with people of different cultures unless they happened to work at nearby Oak Ridge or were associated with the University of Tennessee or you travelled to New York. Today, interaction with other cultures is commonplace–as an example where we work may be owned by Asians and the people working beside you may be a Latino or European. Products made in Mississippi today may be sold in some foreign country tomorrow so the economy dictates our need for understanding people of other cultures. The world has grown smaller and will do so even more in the years to come.

HottyToddy.com: The United States will soon be 20 trillion dollars in debt. Can we continue to be a world leader with this albatross around our neck?

Marvin Bolinger: No. I am a balanced budget man. If the debt is not addressed and continues to grow, a larger and larger percentage of our annual budget will go to debt repayment instead of meeting our needs and taking care of our citizens. Our infrastructure in this country needs major attention. Look at our highways, bridges, tunnels, water/wastewater systems, our airport and train terminals, and a myriad of other needs. We are quickly reaching a point of no return. Our Congress must address the budget issues. I favor a line item veto as well as a requirement at the federal government for a balanced budget unless a crisis such as war is declared. Our government needs revenue but before more revenue is provided, citizens should demand the government prove the existing revenue is not being wasted and squandered as is so often true today. Billions of dollars go missing and no one is accountable.

HottyToddy.com: Here’s a personal opinion question, how do individuals view the State of Mississippi from afar?

Marvin Bolinger: All southern states have been the brunt of jokes from time to time including my Tennessee. Mississippi like many of its sister southern states’ has made great strides forward in recent years. Our company has enjoyed several business ventures with partners from Mississippi particularly in hotel development. Mississippi is a beautiful state with great people and lots to offer.

HottyToddy.com: What single experience has brought you the greatest level of satisfaction in your life?

Marvin Bolinger: Grandchildren–LOL. I think most grandparents would say that. Cathy and I feel blessed to have four beautiful, healthy grandchildren.

Steve Vassallo is a HottyToddy.com contributor. Steve writes on Ole Miss athletics, Oxford business, politics and other subjects. He is an Ole Miss grad and former radio announcer for the basketball team. Currently, Steve is a highly successful leader in the real estate business who lives in Oxford with his wife Rosie. You can contact Steve at sovassallo@gmail.com or call him at 985-852-7745.

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