Combat soldier
Pick up your
weapon and follow me
We are the
leaders of the infantry
BEFORE THE DAWN'S EARLY LIGHT and the birds began to sing, Drill
Sergeant O’Neill was calling cadence—the story of one for whom Memorial Day was made—as
we headed to the rifle range.
“Jones,” my spotter called out to me, the one carrying
the unit’s colors, “I’ve got tears in my eyes.”
“So do I.”
Some memories are indelible.
At the twilight's last gleaming, Drill Sergeant
Hart, who like O’Neill had been in battle, was calling cadence
about their unit.
I want to be an Airborne Ranger
I want to
live a life of danger
Long ago, it all began—over and over and over—with drill
and ceremony. Then finally, for the first time, when we were marching
away from--but not out of sight of—the fort, there was huffing and puffing as if the Army—land force,
march, hike, run, repeat—came as a surprise. What a change—running on the track in black standard issue
combat boots—in step, clapping, echoing his words.
Got to go
All the way
Ev’ry day
Airborne
Ranger
Rah!
The mess sergeant came over.
“You have to get these guys fed. I am about to close up.”
From huffing and puffing to this… After a long day, the guys did not want to stop and eat. Such is the impact of leadership by example.
An early draft of the Constitution said the President was
Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces “and of
the Militia of the several States, when called into the actual service of the
United States” but
shall not assume command in person. Yet the offending phrase was removed. Thus, the American Presidency was to be a position for
those who are profiles in courage. Cowards need not apply. In other words, the office was to be, as noted by Jacob
Needleman, “a mirror reflection of the character of Washington.”
Oh, say, does that star spangled banner yet wave
O’er the land
of the free and the home of the brave?
(c)2019 Marvin D. Jones. All rights reserved.
