Those we remember deserve a proper 21-gun salute

On June 14, 1775, the Continental Congress passed a bill authorizing the establishment of 10 companies of Infantry, which was the foundation of the United States Army. That Army has been the senior service and has been the primary force in defending this wonderful nation for the past 225 years.

Today, June 14, 2000, is the birthday of the Untied States Army and I feel that it is appropriate for this community, which has, since its earliest days, provided patriots to fight and defend our freedoms and our way of life, to remember this seminal anniversary.

In this era of the Combined Arms approach to defense operations, each individual service still has its own history and uniqueness. The contribution of the Marine Corps, Navy, Air Force and Coast Guard are very important and their valiant service is well chronicled in the nation’s history. The Army also has a unique part in our nation’s defense and has met the many harrowing challenges for 225 years.

No service quite so dramatically and enthusiastically celebrates and remembers its birthday as the Marine Corps does. They have an enviable history of service and sacrifice to the country and deserve their reputation as a fighting force, but the Army has an equally valiant history and today is our day to remember our establishment and the 225 years of honorable service that this service and its millions of members and veterans, living and dead, have provided.

I attended the recent Memorial Day services sponsored by the American Legion and Veterans of Foreign Wars. It was a small but distinguished group of local citizens who put off their family get-together to come to a hallowed place where many veterans have been laid to rest.

The ceremony was very touching and I was very moved by the tribute. What I was also touched by was the dwindling numbers of living veterans still able to attend and honor their departed brothers and sisters in arms. The local service organizations did a very good job given their limited numbers and resources.

What kept going through my mind during this service was that the firing party consisted of only six members. Of the six riflemen more than one had trouble with the antique firearms and were not able to fire their weapons during each volley. It was probably not noticed by any because the report was very impressive during each of the three volleys of fire.

I was able to talk with several members of the firing party at the conclusion of the services and they were sad that they could not provide the proper 21-gun salute that befits such an event. I have volunteered to be the seventh rifleman and will work through channels I have to see about replacing the weapons for this firing team so that this will be the last service where we are forced to ‘just get by’ when honoring our precious war dead. These individuals have nothing to gain and provide this service out of a sense of service that they have developed over their entire lives.

This sense of service was rounded and formed and made more acute at a very young age when they joined one of our military services. It is an important part of all the service’s basic training and ongoing training that the service members understand why they serve. They are forgoing starting their careers and families, in many cases, to provide years of their lives to stand watch on the ramparts of freedom and protect their families and all Americans.

I think they deserve the few occasions during the year that we can take time out to remember their service and sacrifice.

Happy birthday to you, United States Army….May you have many more and always prevail in your mission of defending America’s freedom.