Arrival of our soldiers:
It has been a long, tough seventy-one days since these thousands of mothers, grandmothers, sisters, wives, daughters and girlfriends have seen their men. The women are going absolutely nuts, and who can blame them. We are told to make as much noise as possible. They say this will be the signal for the Battalion to take the field. Well, that's all we need to hear, no further encouragement required. We make noise. We really, really make noise! Four thousand pairs of stomping feet create a sound like rolling thunder, and the shrieks of the women cut through it like sheets of lightning. I’m in the eye of a howling storm of unabashed human emotion, expressed in its most primal and joyous form – perfect euphoria. I couldn’t be happier. This parade ground is huge, and it’s a long way to the tree line, but surely they must hear this! They do, and they answer us with smoke . . . they are coming.
Somewhere out there on that field, still shrouded in smoke, but marching toward us with his mates in Dagger Company (2nd group from right), is my youngest son. I can't see him yet. No matter, I know he's there. I'm proud of him. I'm proud of all of them.
As for me, I'm an old ex-zoomie sitting here on these hard bleacher seats, having to admit to myself that the Army really knows how to make an entrance: admirably executed, and as awesome (maybe even more so) as any flyover we've ever done. Go Army!
To the Drill Sergeants:
To you, to all the Drill Sergeants in all the branches of our military, I say with deepest gratitude, thank you! We know full well what we gave you: that sloppy bunch piling out of those buses on Day One. Now we see what you have given back to us and our country. We know what you did to them. Between the Hammer and Anvil you pounded and pummeled them. In the white-hot flames of the Forge, you tried, tested and transformed them into something far greater than they ever imagined they could be. And now, out there on that field, our sons and daughters stand before us like the finest tempered American steel -- they are soldiers. We know their journey is just beginning. In the months and years ahead they will continue to be tested, perhaps severely, but you have taught them to trust in their training, their equipment, and their courage. We know, they will hold the line. Drill Sergeant, you also stand before us, fierce and alone, aloof, the solitary figure of the perfect soldier. Know that we are forever grateful that the lives of our young soldiers were in your guiding hands. And know too, Drill Sergeant, you are never truly alone. Behind you stands that long, distinguished line of Drill Sergeants, stretching all the way back to Valley Forge. You stand in fine company.
To the soldiers of a different sort:
Courage comes in many forms. Occasionally someone will thank me for serving. The privilege was mine. On special occasions they may ask me to rise. I comply, but do they know I stand for those who are not there? Perhaps. Sometimes, I get the impression they may think I am much braver than them. I assure you, my courage is no greater than yours. Mine is the kind of courage needed to protect our country. Yours is a courage of a different sort: the kind that makes our country strong. I salute you!
This is for you. Google "otherwise soldiers official video" -- enjoy.
About my Family Day video:
My eldest son (of whom I am very proud) serves in the Air Force as a broadcast journalist. He makes professional videos for a living. If you've watched (or should I say, endured) my jittery video, you can well imagine he did not inherit his expertise from me. So, I apologize for the poor quality of this, my first and probably last, attempt at video making. Still, I wanted to post it for those families out there whose sons and daughters had the courage to go stand in that very short line that leads to military service. I hope they will get an idea of what awaits them on Family Day, and perhaps give them a sense of the wonderful pride and joy we all felt, not just for our own soldier, but for each and every one of them. It is truly a rite of passage, and they passed the test. They are now and forever brothers in arms. They are soldiers. They will always be soldiers, and no one can ever take that away from them. No one.
To my American brothers who may have forgotten who they are:
Look closely at the faces of those young soldiers. Do you know what you see? Do you know who they are? Allow me to describe them for you: You are looking at some of the finest young souls God ever created. When He got done with that bunch, I'm pretty sure He knew He'd done real good, and probably figured they were gonna need some extra tough cover for what He had in mind for them. So, He went on over to His supply sergeant and requisitioned them the finest and toughest skins ever made -- American. It is my sincere hope that the next time you look in the mirror, you remember how lucky you are to be wearing the same.
