Truth, Lies and In Between

The infantryman. Often ignored. Often disregarded by the other services. Often disparaged as the stupid ones. Generally, they are some of the more intelligent people that I have seen. They usually possess a large amount of common sense, coupled with the need for adventure, and the desire to have a purpose that cannot be fulfilled sitting behind a desk somewhere.

Always preparing for war. That is his job, to locate, close with and kill the enemy. Shoot, move, communicate. Do what it takes to destroy the enemy and take the objective.

Whether he’s a Soldier, or a Marine, the grunt is the one who takes the brunt of the enemy’s punches. The grunt is the one who punches back with such tenacity that the enemy often is clueless as to what truck just ran his ass over.

Grunts like to argue. Arguing with a Grunt is like wrestling a pig in mud…Everyone gets dirty, but the pig loves it!

This grunt has a motto: “I’ll be polite. I’ll be professional. But I have a plan to kill everyone I meet.”

Show some love for my brother grunts. They deserve it.

Foot soldier’s honors always due, not just in times of war

By Jerry A. White

I resolve to honor the American infantry soldier in 2009, and I hope you will join me.

It’s a promise we hardly had to make 12 months ago when such admirable young people were all over the news. Indeed, every year is comprised of what journalists call “story arcs.” Some topic becomes all the rage for a few months, dominating opinion pages, blogs, magazine covers and TV news programs. In 2008, such arcs included home prices, the Tampa Bay Rays, economic stimulus checks, the iPhone, gasoline prices, Barack Obama and the financial crisis.

January 2008 was the first anniversary of President Bush’s “surge,” in which five additional combat brigades were sent to Iraq. That development helped make the American Soldier the first story arc of the New Year. There was reporting on combat missions, video of firefights, blog posts from the front and dozens of stories about tearful reunions with family and friends back in the States as tours of duty concluded. For a while, the nation was clearly attentive to the dedication and courage of the military men and women devoted to protecting and projecting American ideals.

Then the arc faded. It always does. The presidential primaries experienced their own surge, and the spotlight of national focus moved on to other things. But the soldiers kept fighting and sacrificing in a manner that befits a long and proud tradition.

George Orwell wrote: “People sleep peaceably in their beds at night only because rough men stand ready to do violence on their behalf.”

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I am the Infantry.

I am my country’s strength in war.

her deterrent in peace.

I am the heart of the fight-

wherever, whenever.

I carry America’s faith and honor

against her enemies.

I am the Queen of Battle.

I am what my country expects me to be-

the best trained solider in the world.

In the race for victory

I am swift, determined, and courageous,

armed with a fierce will to win.

Never will I fail my country’s trust.

always I fight on-

through the foe,

to the objective,

to triumph over all,

If necessary, I will fight to my death.

By my steadfast courage,

I have won 200 years of freedom.

I yield not to weakness,

to hunger,

to cowardice,

to fatigue,

to superior odds,

for I am mentally tough, physically strong,

and morally straight.

I forsake not-

my country,

my mission

my comrades,

my sacred duty.

I am relentless.

I am always there,

now and forever.

I AM THE INFANTRY!

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