Gen. Peter J. Schoomaker, Army chief of staff, has a message for America during this holiday season.
As our nation continues to pledge and show support to our Soldiers, our Soldiers in turn continue to pledge support to our nation. They will continue to sacrifice and endure the hardships as they take the fight to the enemy in places that many Americans will never visit or even read or hear about in news reports. They will grit their teeth, tighten their belts and dig their boots into the dirt as they've done in the past. These battle-tested warriors, who demonstrate courage, intensity and a dogged determination to succeed, will continue to fight with the backing, support and appreciation of a grateful nation. They know no other course -- they are American Soldiers.And like all American Soldiers, past and present, they will endure. The evidence lies in the remote mountains of eastern Afghanistan and in the towns and cities of Iraq where Soldiers, today, are carrying out combat operations against the enemy at altitudes of 10,000 feet. They are fighting and they are winning. The evidence is also vividly apparent in the Walter Reed Medical Center, where critically injured Soldiers are learning to cope with lifelong injuries and painful rehabilitation. They too are fighting and winning. While thousands of miles separate these great Americans, they share no complaints -- no regrets.
What they do share is a common love for their comrades and their country. They know no other course but selfless service -- they are your American Soldiers. Salute them this Christmas.
via The Wall Street Journal (subscribers only)
I think his remarks are equally meaningful for the men and women of each of the armed services, not just the Army. We salute them all.
Posted by Alan at December 22, 2003 05:01 PM