It WAS October 12, 1961 when a visit by then President John F. Kennedy to Fort Bragg, North Carolina that would turn the tide and raise the awareness of these elite Soldiers of the US Army and award them officially their badge of honor – “The Green Beret”
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Eternal Flame at President Kennedy's Grave
25 NOV 1963 - The world was focused on Washington DC and Arlington National Cemetery, for the United States of America was paying final honors to it’s fallen President.
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Horse Soldiers: The Extraordinary Story of a Band of US Soldiers Who Rode to Victory in Afghanistan by Doug Stanton
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
I couldn’t put this book down, the author presents a great understanding of “Why we fight now…” and how the US Army Special Forces is so great at what they do.
Thank you to all who gave the ultimate sacrifice and those who continue to give all they do.
This book is a MUST READ!
‘Tis a shame that Amb Bremmer, didn’t let them do their job in Iraq. We’d be out of there long ago.
BUY THE BOOK ON AMAZON - Horse Soldiers: The Extraordinary Story of a Band of US Soldiers Who Rode to Victory in Afghanistan
Or for those who cannot read Russian Cyrillic -
MERRY CHRISTMAS!
GHTime Code(s): 9e526 93777 8a13212 December 2009 – It was “Wreaths Across America day on Saturday and 15,000 wreaths were placed on several sections of Arlington National Cemetery. I spent a few hours at Arlington National Cemetery after all the crowds were gone from the morning’s event.
And as I reflected walking among those tribute bedecked stones of the contribution of these who have served, I thought of something that was recently sent to me by one of my Special Forces friends… I thought I’d share it with you.
GHTime Code(s): 78126 9d73fFort Bragg, NC - An historic meeting occurred that changed the US military – specifically the US Army forever. For it was on this day, 12 OCT 1961 a visit was arranged that forged a lasting effect that continues until this day - Presidential validation of the Special Forces – “The Green Berets”
To understand the history though, one must look back nearly 200 years before, one state south and consider “The Swamp Fox”…
GHTime Code(s): 15e04 941ed e303a 7b690 nc ncThe news that the remains of the downed US Navy pilot from the first Iraq war was comforting for all and shows the determination to find those who have pledged to defend the United States of America.
or a Medal of Honor recipient …
Many of the colonial troops wore a rosette in their tricorn hats.
Instead of the rosette, a small piece of colored material to provide “A flash of color…” was the General’s answer…
Shown below are the 1st, 5th and 7th Group flashes worn on their green berets…
A few weeks ago, I was whisked down to Fort Bragg for a ceremony that is rare and another that occurs several times a year. It always invigorates me when I see these events to know that there are soldiers who are ready, willing and able to defend the freedoms that many in the United States take for granted.
Most of us are too busy trying to figure out what movie we’re going to see, where we’re going to have dinner or planning that vacation. Too few are aware of the sacrifice and dedication of those who have volunteered to abide by a simple creed of “DUTY, HONOR, COUNTRY” that in 1962 General Douglas MacArthur included in his speech delivered at West Point, NY at the US Military Academy.
There are also misconceptions and misperceptions that abound out there and frankly, until I was informed and educated by my core advisory / mentor group (which continues to grow mind you.) I truly had some similar ideas about how the military does things and protects our freedoms. Those ideas have been put aside as I became more knowledgeable and spent many hours with the soldiers understanding just what they go through on a day-to-day basis, while probing and tapping into my network.
Recently, I was asked to join a group ’cause it’s “less intense than Special Forces” which prompted this focus. I sensed that the person suggesting that I join didn’t really understand what the US Army Special Forces is all about. Yes, they are soldiers who will take up arms and eliminate threats. BUT and there’s a DIFFERENCE – A BIG DIFFERENCE!
They are not the “commandos” that many people think they are. Yes they have special skills that are imparted and honed, which is why they are “SPECIAL FORCES” – these may include additional language skills, medical training, psychological skills, etc. for their mission is “To Free the Oppressed” = De Oppresso Liber. NOT through force, but by working with the people and winning their acceptance to help them help themselves. The SF are “force multipliers” teams of 5 or up to 10 may be inserted in to initiate and successfully complete this “unconventional warfare” = Teaching the people how to defend themselves from oppression. Transferring the skills that the SF soldier spends weeks and weeks aquiring and learning to utilize -honing them over the years.
The SF motto, from what I have researched is drawn from a quote by St. Augustine’s Confessions which includes:
“The turbulent have to be corrected,
The faint-hearted cheered up,
The weak supported;
The Gospel’s opponents need to be refuted,
Its insidious enemies guarded against;
The unlearned need to be taught,
The indolent stirred up,
The argumentative checked;
The proud must be put in their place,
The desperate set on their feet,
Those engaged in quarrels reconciled;
The needy have to be helped,
The oppressed to be liberated,
The good to be encouraged,
The bad to be tolerated;
All must be loved,”
And this is what they do … Not Commandos, but Special Forces. Just like President John F. Kennedy’s reaction to the display of their skills on 12 OCT 1961 “They truly are Special…”
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