Sunday, November 26, 2006

An American Soldier

Last week, the Wife and I were honored to be invited to a graduation. My daughter, the Little Princess, was dating a cadet at the United States Military Academy. Lots simply call it West Point.

He's no longer at West Point. He graduated. And, no, that's not the graduation we went to.

Her Soldier Boy went to Ft. Benning for training. And he's just completed the Infantry Basic Officer Leaders Course. And that's the graduation to which we were invited.

We got to meet his family. Nice folks. And we all went out to eat afterwards. And it was a wonderful experience.

But the graduation was wonderful, too. We go to witness the Little Princess' little lieutenant receive his blue cord, the symbol of the Infantry.

Then, afterwards, something happened that I didn't expect. They invited all soldiers ... and former soldiers ... to participate in reciting the Soldier's Creed. And, being a former soldier, I once again had the honor to stand and recite...
The Soldier's Creed

I am an American Soldier.

I am a Warrior and a member of a team. I serve the people of the United States and live the Army Values.

I will always place the mission first.
I will never accept defeat.
I will never quit.
I will never leave a fallen comrade.

I am disciplined, physically and mentally tough, trained and proficient in my warrior tasks and drills. I always maintain my arms, my equipment and myself.

I am an expert and I am a professional.

I stand ready to deploy, engage, and destroy the enemies of the United States of America in close combat.

I am a guardian of freedom and the American way of life.

I am an American Soldier.

While I'm no longer wearing my country's uniform, there are some fine young men ... and women ... wearing it today.

The Little Princess' soldier boy is no longer a Cadet. He's no longer in training. He's an officer in the United States Army. I'm proud to know The Lieutenant ... and to have met many of the new lieutenants that are serving and leading in today's Army.

The country's in good hands.

4 comments:

  1. What an honor and tribute to all our men and women. Glad that you were invited and able to attend.

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  2. The United States Military Academy at West Point: Where boys grow up and become MEN.
    I was honored to watch my brother graduate from West Point some 24 years ago. He too went to Infantry Officer Basic at Ft. Benning. He served in Alaska for a time after that where he met his lovely wife, then went back to school. He's now on permanent faculty at West Point.
    All of the young men I met at my brothers graduation, and when I visited him at Ft. Benning are REAL men, and I'm proud to have met them.
    The men and women who choose to server our country in the military are the finest men and women on Earth. I'm thankful the tradition still continues, and I'm thankful for their service.
    Thank you Basil, for your service as well.

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  3. I trust Daddy Bear remembered all the words! Sounds like a great day. Whenever I write to a soldier I always tell them how proid I am of them. Anyone who takes on that job deserves to be told that. I bet the princess was proud of both of you.

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  4. I kept my big trap shut yesterday. But Linda, even when I was in the Army, I couldn't remember it!

    LOL

    ReplyDelete

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