A tribute to veterans

A veteran – whether active duty, retired, or national guard or reserve – is someone who, at one point in their life, wrote a blank check made payable to “The United States of America,” for an amount of “up to and including THEIR LIFE.”

In order to defend the new Nation Congress created, at George Washington’s repeated urging, the United States military on September 29, 1789.  Over the course our nation’s history the various branches of our military have celebrated both boisterous pride in their service and a recognition of the fragility of their lives in the grim service they are sometimes called upon to render.  This Army song has been around for just over 100 years.

The Army did not have a hymn specific to itself until Nick Glennie-Smith composed “In the Mansions of the Lord” for the movie “We Were Soldiers Once, and Young” in 2002.  The Army loved it and instantly adopted it.

The Navy’s song is instantly recognizable to all and dates from about the same time as the Army song and started life as a football fight song.

The Navy hymn was originally written and composed by English clergymen.  In 1879 the hymn became part of Sunday divine worship at Annapolis and the rest is history.

Not to be outdone the Coast Guard has their special song as well.

The Coast Guard also uses Eternal Father Strong to Save as their hymn.

And then there’s the Marines who have their famous hymn.

The Air Force anthem was composed while it was still known as the Army Air Corps.

The United States Space Force doesn’t seem as yet to have an anthem, but there seems to be a contest afoot to select one.

Our living veterans today are mortal embodiment of those who have gone before and passed the torch.  That torch, service to the United States of America is being held high by America’s sons and daughters serving today.  Still they come to the colors, to stand and serve under Old Glory, the flag of the greatest nation on earth.

To all our veterans, living and dead, we give thanks and render honor.