Expressing thankfulness for our military service persons began after America’s first war-the American Revolutionary War. The war lasted over 8 years and ended with an American victory over Great Britian-one of the most feared Empires of that time. However, victory for the American Colonies came with a terrible cost. Other than the loss of lives and property the young nation was also deep in debt. Some reports indicate even colonial citizens who loaned the Government money were never repaid.
Considering the dire financial situation of the Colonial Government it could only offer its veterans thanks for their service and promise to do more for them when (or if) it could. Promises ranged from promissory notes, paper currency, pensions, land grants, and bounties. One most notable promise to pay veterans their back pay. It appeared congress’ primary concern was to somehow try to support the total disabled and its upper-level officers. Some Veterans protested but most realized the government simply could not afford to pay them. The fate of America’s first veterans should cause all to pause and reconsider the true meaning of the word “patriot”.
Even though some of America’s first veterans could trace their ancestry to American great-grand parents, some came to America just prior to or during the war. One such person to arrive in America was a Prussian Army officer named Baron Von Stuben. I first learned of Von Stuben while attending drill sergeant school as he is considered to be the founding father of the American Military drill movements and ceremonies. Some of drill movements Von Stuben taught the Colonial Army are still being used today. General George Washington was impressed by Von Stuben and appointed him Inspector General of the Colonial Army. He was credited for transforming a rag tag Army into one with high discipline, high morale, and a high state of es-part de corps. The above factors were credited for defeating the British Army. General Von Steuben was rewarded for his tireless training of the Colonial Army by being granted a pension of $2,500 and 16,000 acres. Most Enlisted veterans waited until the passage of the Pension Act of 1832 to see their promises fulfilled by Congress. That was over 30 years after the war ended.
Veterans of different generations have different experiences except for the oath. It’s called the oath of enlistment. This oath Differs from the oath officers take but generally every service person is required to be administered the oath. Below is the oath of enlistment;
I,__________________, Do solemnly swear (or affirm) 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 the regulations and Uniform Code of Military Justice. So help me God.”
Respectfully,
Willie M. Calhoun, MSG, USAR, ret
