Recently, I was taking a walk on the bike path. As I looked up, I saw about 20 young people jogging in a straight, single file line. The sergeant had an army fatigue chest pack strapped on. No one was in uniform. Perhaps these wereArmy National Guard recruits. As they came toward me, the Sergeant commanded them to “stay right.” That is so they would not interfere with my walk. I kind of got choked up. They looked so young. They were carrying a huge jug of water. When one could no longer carry it, the person set it down and another soldier would pick it up. They didn’t stop or miss a step.
That’s what American soldiers do… They take care of each other so they can protect us. I wanted to high five them or give them a thumbs up, or tell the trailing last recruit, “Hey, you got this!” Yet, I did not want to make it look like I even for a second doubted their ability to keep in step or fulfill whatever practice mission they were on.
Three of the seven core values of the army are selfless service, personal courage and loyalty. While much discontent in our country is making the headlines, there are men and women of personal courage who are going about the business of serving you and I above themselves. This is the highest form of common sense civics and citizenship at work.
