And thanks very much for tonight's Remembering Out Troops thread!
As elegant as Jefferson's prose was, the Declaration of Independence did not enforce itself. Men, women and boys brought it into effect through service under arms in the Revolutionary War. A gaggle of untrained militia transformed into a strong fighting force that became the United States Army and stood off and ultimately defeated one of the world's Great Powers.
The punishing nadir that Washington endured with his troops at Valley Forge was like the honing of a fine sword in the smithy. What emerged from Valley Forge that Winter, with the help of names like LaFayette, Pulaski, and von Steuben, was a force to be reckoned with.
The men and women of today's U.S. Armed Forces serve in a proud tradition, and they have performed admirably in Iraq and Afghanistan. This old FMF Corpsman couldn't be prouder of the job done by his old outfit in the present conflict under the most draconian ROE's that our guys have ever had to operate under.
Enjoy Freedom? Thank your serving military. Without them, we'd be joining in Mayday celebrations with the Commies instead of celebrating the Glorious Fourth!
Genuflectimus non ad principem sed ad Principem Pacis!
Listen, O isles, unto me; and hearken, ye people, from far; The LORD hath called me from the womb; from the bowels of my mother hath he made mention of my name. (Isaiah 49:1 KJV)
16 posted on 07/04/2012 6:40:52 PM PDT by ConorMacNessa
(HM/2 USN, 3/5 Marines RVN 1969 - St. Michael the Archangel defend us in Battle!)
