As a U.S. Army Infantryman, I have always held a special pride in my service, and in that of my children after me. As any soldier, sailor, airman or Marine can tell you, rather stationed far "in-the-rear," deployed abroad or serving in combat, every day the warriors know who they are and what they may be called to do in service to their countrymen. Below, a humble submission for you all, a consideration for you to peruse, and an ever present prayer from a simple soldier.
"May the almighty bless and keep me one breath to the next. Forgive the lives I take, and heal the wounds inflicted upon me and those I inflict upon my brother. Make my service pure. Make me humble and in want for no praise, but honor me with pride in my service. May my aim be true and my hands steady in common cause with my countrymen. Give unto my family patience and gentle disposition to my calling. Send blessings to my brothers and sisters in air and on the sea, and those before me and those behind me. Give to them and to me the soundness of conscience and steadfast confidence that only our fellowship can foster, and bestow upon these, the warriors, the clarity to see beyond the battlefield to the peace and hope for which the noble blood of our company has paid."
"May the almighty bless and keep me one breath to the next. Forgive the lives I take, and heal the wounds inflicted upon me and those I inflict upon my brother. Make my service pure. Make me humble and in want for no praise, but honor me with pride in my service. May my aim be true and my hands steady in common cause with my countrymen. Give unto my family patience and gentle disposition to my calling. Send blessings to my brothers and sisters in air and on the sea, and those before me and those behind me. Give to them and to me the soundness of conscience and steadfast confidence that only our fellowship can foster, and bestow upon these, the warriors, the clarity to see beyond the battlefield to the peace and hope for which the noble blood of our company has paid."
