Next there was a full presentation in the gymnasium with the young Cub Scouts presenting and honoring our Flag.  The children’s patriotic songs caused more than a few tears; I can’t overstate how touching the whole experience was. I told a few stories about my time in the Corps but I didn’t hold a candle to their presentation.

I think the kids liked the story about when I was 19 years old. I told them it was then that a Marine Corps Recruiter came to my house one cold dark morning before the sun was up. To this day my mother and sister still reflect on that day, when I would begin my journey and head off for Marine Corps boot camp, and both cried and cried. Our little dog Shakespeare was so upset that he went and pooped on my bed. Mothers in the audience identified with the story.

I tied my presentation to my Marine background and the fact that my wife, three sons, and family were an integral part of my service and how important their prayers and support really were. After a brief synopsis of some of my duty stations and deployments I had some fun with the kids repeating some of the tamed down cadences I enjoyed as a Marine with them repeating as if we were on one of our 20 mile humps.

Veterans Day 1

Mama Mama can’t you see?
What the Marine Corps done to me.
Sat me in a barber chair,
Spun me around I had no hair….

I shared with them the story of Marine Major Douglas Zembiec and words he once wrote in his combat journal.

“Be a man of principle. Fight for what you believe in. Keep your word. Live with integrity. Be brave. Believe in something bigger than yourself. Serve your country. Teach. Mentor. Give something back to society. Lead from the front. Conquer your fears. Be a good friend. Be humble and be self-confident. Appreciate your friends and family. Be a leader and not a follower. Be valorous on the field of battle. Take responsibility for your actions.”

Major Zembiec was killed in action, March 11, 2007, during his fourth tour of duty in Iraq. I explained that Major Zembiec, the Lion of Fallujah and an Unapologetic Warrior, had a wife and daughter and was a hero serving his country. I explained that he had written these words under the title “Principles My Father Taught Me”.

Each Service has their heroes.

Veterans Day 2

I shared this familiar description of a Veteran:

A veteran is someone who, at one point in his/her life, wrote a blank check made payable to “The United States of America,” for an amount of “up to and including my life.”

I know it’s tough explaining to children why we need to protect this country, why we need America’s Armed Forces, and why sometimes War is necessary. But like my children, I know children can understand much more than they’re given credit for. If you expect much you’ll receive much.  In a package I received from the school as a gift for my presentation I read many great letters that demonstrated just how perceptive these elementary children are.

I quoted John Stuart Mill.

War is an ugly thing, but not the ugliest of things. The decayed and degraded state of moral and patriotic feeling which thinks that nothing is worth war is much worse. The person who has nothing for which he is willing to fight, nothing which is more important than his own personal safety, is a miserable creature and has no chance of being free unless made and kept so by the exertions of better men than himself.

Our men and women fight to protect our freedom. Veterans all swore an oath and I shared my enlisted oath with the children.

I, Henry R. Salmans III do solemnly swear that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic; that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same; and that I will obey the orders of the President of the United States and the orders of the officers appointed over me, according to regulations and the Uniform Code of Military Justice. So help me God.

For my brothers and sisters who swore this oath I will forever hold you in my heart.

If you’re a Veteran please take the opportunity to share your experiences with our children.  I know these kids will remember to honor and pray for our Veterans and I am thankful that their teachers and principal got it right.

Proverbs 22:6
Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it.

With Utmost Respect ~ Semper Fi, Hank

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