VALDOSTA — “We sleep safe in our beds because rough men stand ready in the night to visit violence on those who would do us harm,” stated The National Commander of the Daedalians, Lieutenant General Brett M. Dula, quoting 1984 author George Orwell.

Dula, speaking before the Gator Flight of Daedalians in Valdosta Thursday, added, “And those of you sitting before me tonight are those rough men, and in some cases women. We sleep safe because of your dedication and service to our country, and the dedication of those in active service who put themselves in harm’s way around the country and overseas to protect our freedoms.”

Dula said it’s the first time he has ever visited Valdosta and Moody Air Force Base, but said he hopes it will not be the last.

Dula also quoted President Abraham Lincoln as Thursday was Lincoln’s birthday. “We can complain that rosebushes have thorns,” Dula repeated, “or we can rejoice that thorn bushes have roses.”

Dula’s main message to the assembled Daedalians Thursday night was the importance of encouraging a new generation of pilots to carry on the proud tradition begun by the

American pilots who flew in World War I and carried on by all those who have flown combat and other wartime missions since that time.

Thursday was the group’s annual Valentines Day gathering to which spouses are also invited. It was a combination business meeting, social gathering, and a chance to hear the national commander address the local chapter.

Dula is a decorated pilot, as are many of those who assembled to hear him speak. He was awarded the Legion of Merit, the Distinguished Service Medal and the Vietnam Service Medal with four service stars, to name just a few. He is vice commander, Air Combat Command, with headquarters at Langley Air Force Base, Va., where he assists the commander to prepare and sustain combat ready forces and secure national security objectives, according to his biography.

The order of Daedalians takes its name from Daedalus, the ingenious inventor of Greek myth who was the first to achieve heavier than air flight by building wings made of feathers held together with wax. The group’s founder was Brigadier General William “Billy” Mitchell,

Assistant Chief of the Army Air Service, who urged the creation of an organization that would perpetuate forever the deeds and memories of the first American pilots who, in WWI, were the first to fly our country’s airplanes in time of war, according to their Web site.

The Daedalian Foundation is an IRS tax-exempt 501(C) (3) organization. The Awards and Scholarship Programs of the Order and Foundation work to “encourage patriotism, integrity, and good character in our nation’s youth, military careers as commissioned pilots, safety of flight and excellence in performance of military duties.”