Today as part of Memorial
Day weekend activities the V-Corps Headquarters gathered at 6:300 A.M. and
ran in formation for several miles through the housing area. Later the Corps leadership inspected our
class A or, dress uniforms. It is early afternoon here and my dress jacket
hangs on the doorknob. I am looking at the bits of ribbon and shinny metal and
plastic that adorn an otherwise drab jacket. I remember a drill sergeant who
told us that our uniforms were a great deal. If we served long enough we could
wear them as civilian clothes upon our discharge. We all laughed inside
thinking, "Who would wear that jacket as a civilian? You would look like a
geek." Some twenty-three years later I cannot imagine wearing that uniform
as a civilian; however; different reasons compel me.
I am proud of the uniform. It tells
my story as a soldier. Ribbons tell of times when someone thought enough of
what I did to write it down and memorialize it. They also speak of deployments
into harms way in the service of and as a representative of my country. A
bright bit of metal tells those who know of a period of intense labor
encouraging others to serve their country. Combat stripes and patches occupy a
position of honor on the right sleeve. These are not emblems of a highly successful
or particularly valorous career. But they do represent honorable if imperfect
service.
As I put the finishing touches on my
uniform this morning my children, Timothy
and Candace, asked me about the meaning behind the ribbons and accouterments.
They enjoyed hearing about what I had done. Their respect and admiration
provide me great satisfaction. When my wife Christy says that I look good in uniform I
feel a tremendous sense of accomplishment and inner peace.
Recent revelations regarding
prisoner abuse grieve all soldiers. We
all take an oath to “protect and defend the constitution of the United States
against all enemies foreign and domestic”.
Somber leaders in dress uniforms with more rank and greater awards than
I will ever wear testify before congress regarding this misconduct. Their somber looks reveal a deep concern
about those who betrayed their trust, failing the nation and their
comrades. A few soldiers and leaders
will never look at the uniform again without a sense of failure, loss, or
diminished opportunities. A very few
will never wear the uniform again. A few
minutes of weakness or a period of inattention deposit a stain that no cleaner
can remove.
I think of all the men and
women who wore the uniform before me. Their sacrifice and service illuminate
the path today's soldiers tread. At times soldiers make mistakes providing the
ready critic ample opportunity to tear down. Yet, the vast majority walk their
path with honor, commitment, and courage. I choose to remember this throng of
women and men; some sacrificed all, but most shouldered their burden and moved
out smartly. We should remember and salute this silent phalanx of patriots on
Memorial Day.
My name will probably never scroll
in flickering letters across the TV screens of our nation or the world. My rank
may not change and I may have earned my highest award from the Army. But, I can
still with pride tell my children what the ribbons and medals represent. And my
lovely bride can still let the pride shine in her eyes when she gently adjusts
my collar and smooths out a crease on my shoulder. Some rewards and honors are
priceless.
I
wrote this shortly after returning from my first tour of duty in Iraq. I served
another six years, was promoted, returned to Iraq, and completed a variety of
other operational missions. Yet, in some ways, this still captures the essence
of my feelings about 26 years of service in the Army.
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