Posted on 08/06/2007 4:31:05 PM PDT by SandRat
LONG POND, Pa., Aug. 6, 2007 Marine Gen. Peter Pace enlisted about 150 recruits at the Pocono International Raceway yesterday during a swearing-in ceremony before NASCARs Pennsylvania 500.
Its my great privilege and honor to equip the armed forces of the United States with these great young recruits here, Pace told group members as they stood at attention. I want to thank you for being willing to serve your country at a time when we deeply need your service, he said. From the Army, Navy, Air Force, Coast Guard and Marines today, we thank you. God bless you. Following Paces lead, the young enlistees raised their right hands and recited the oath of enlistment. I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic, they said in unison. I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same. Then, the general walked down a ramp and into the pit area where recruits were gathered. Hello, Marine, Pace said, gripping the hand of a new devil dog. If youre joining the United States Army today, then I want you to have my coin, the chairman told a fresh-faced recruit. Walking alongside the rows, the chairman shook each recruits hand, slipping each a special coin that he had deftly palmed. Air Force recruit Levar Hage said he enlisted because it was time for him to make a change in his life and that joining the Air Force was his most promising option. Meeting the chairman and hearing his words of encouragement, he said, was exciting for him and his fellow recruits. It shows me that this is a good group of guys whose hands Im putting my future in, he said. Hage is eager to jump into military life in October when basic training begins at Lackland Air Force Base, in San Antonio, and later at technical school at Sheppard Air Force Base, in Wichita Falls, Texas. But Hage is anxious about the drastic differences military life will bring, he said. Im a little nervous just about the change of the lifestyle. Its something different than what Im used to, but Ill get accustomed to it, he said. Easing Hages transition is the fact that his brother, Jamel, who stood before him in line, also recited the oath of enlistment yesterday. It was both of our decision at the same time, Jamel said about enlisting. We just talked about it one day, went in and spoke to our recruiter, and here we are now. School just wasnt for me right now, he said, and Id heard a lot of good things about the Air Force. Im very excited. The recruits in yesterdays ceremony went into the militarys Delayed Entry Program. Delayed entry enrollees are reserved a slot at basic training camps. Air Force Col. Brian Madtes, chief of Air Force recruiting services marketing branch, gazed hopefully at the row of budding airmen who agreed to shoulder a new responsibility. We get these young kids out here who see whats in our countrys future, and theyre willing to come out and help and support that cause, keeping us safe for generations to come, he said. We tell all of our young troops that this is important, but I think over time, once they get into their service and start serving their country, then I think it will sink in exactly who swore them in today. One of the days distinguished military guests, Air Force Lt. Gen. John Regni, superintendant of the Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, Colo., said he admires the patriotism of the young recruits, many of whom grew up near here and recited the oath before friends and family members in the bleachers. There are so many young, patriotic men and women that want to join up, and its special for their parents and their uncles and grandparents and friends to see them make that commitment to our country, he said. To be recognized in front of their high school buddies, in front of their hometown fans, he said, Im sure means a lot to them. |
Biographies: Gen. Peter Pace, USMC |
||||||
|
I knew nothing of politics or life or anything .. I was 17 and I wanted to "do something for my country", and in short order discovered that was one way of scoring girls.
Spent the rest of my enlistment trying to figure that one out.
ping
Best move I could have made as a teenager was to join the USAF. I have training and a career in medical electronics thanks to Uncle Sam.
Is this not a great country?!!
Yup! The best!
—
also posted by SandRat,
Thanks SandRat!!!
America Supports You: NASCAR Drives Home Commitment to Military
America Supports You ^ | John J. Kruzel
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1877292/posts
Posted on 08/06/2007 4:33:23 PM PDT by SandRat
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.