General Tommy Franks Leadership Institute and Museum presents valuable military information, leadership courses

“Our nation’s changed,” General Tommy Franks said while speaking at the United States Central Command Change of Command Ceremony on July 7, 2003. “We’ve been blessed with leadership that evidences character and moral courage; depth of resolve seldom seen. We see in our country today the evidence of a core value that, in my view, was dormant for a time, patriotism. Constant, deep patriotism by those who salute the flag, and by those who wave the flag… I said recently that America stands at a crease in history—225 plus years behind us, we ask ourselves, ‘what will the next 225 years bring?’”

Born in Wynnewood, Oklahoma, and raised in Midland, Texas, Franks volunteered to serve in the U.S. Army in 1967. After graduating Artillery Officer Candidate School, he was commissioned a second lieutenant and sent to Vietnam. He served his country with distinction in Vietnam earning six awards for Valor and three Purple Hearts. He also gained valuable lessons about leadership that would serve him for the rest of his life.

After Vietnam, Franks rose through the ranks and had assignments around the world. In June 2000, he was promoted to four-star general and assigned as Commander-in-Chief, United States Central Command. All the leadership lessons he had learned would be tested the following year when terrorists attacked the World Trade Center in New York leading President George W. Bush to launch the War on Terror.

Franks’ job was to plan and execute the invasion of Afghanistan and later Iraq. In both instances he was able to oust the existing government and replace them with democratic ones. After the initial success of both wars, he retired from Central Command and the Army in 2003 and in 2006 moved back to Oklahoma.

Having had four decades of command and leadership skills, the general wanted to share what he learned. As part of his command, he made extensive relationships across the globe, but especially in the Middle East, Asia and Africa. Franks opened up the General Tommy Franks Museum in Hobart, Oklahoma, in 2007.

It is very much a one-of-a-kind museum that chronicles Franks’ military career. Whereas many museums have generic displays, what sets the Franks museum apart are the unique artifacts—weapons he owned and uniforms he wore. These are Franks’ personal items used or gifts given to the general and can only be seen in Hobart.

The museum also houses outfits worn by President Bush and several top advisors in the days following 9/11, a twisted and marred 3,000-pound I-beam from the World Trade Center, a Medal of Honor display and one of the world’s largest collections of military challenge coins. Museum visitors will learn more about Franks and America’s military role around the world over a 50-year span. The museum is free of charge and there are exhibits to keep younger museumgoers entertained while older children and parents can learn.

Strong future
leaders needed

In 2008 Franks created a leadership program which over time became Four Star Leadership. There have been times when leadership in America and around the world was lacking. When that is true, the world suffers.

Franks created a program to give youths skills necessary to become leaders. “The students sitting in classrooms around the world today will be civilization’s next governors, prime ministers, representatives, delegates and presidents,” Franks said. “Ethical leadership crafted on a strong foundation of character, common vision, communication and caring is paramount for the future success of our social, political and economic systems.”

Working with the University of Central Oklahoma, each year Four Star Leadership brings 70 high school juniors from around the world for a weeklong leadership program at no cost to the students. Since its inception, more than 1,200 students have attended the program. Speakers include civic, business and military leaders from around the nation. More details are available at http://www.fourstarleader.com.

Located at 507 S. Main St. in Hobart, General Tommy Franks Leadership Institute and Museum is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. For more details and to donate, visit http://www.tommyfranksmuseum.org.

James Finck, a professor of history at the University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma, is also a board member of the General Tommy Franks Leadership Institute and Museum in Hobart, Oklahoma. He can be reached at HistoricallySpeaking1776@gmail.com.