Semper Paratus

Today I was called at 11:54 to sub for a class that began at 12:08. As I hurriedly changed out of T-shirt and sweats into more professional attire, I remembered the Coast Guard’s motto Semper Paratus, Latin for “Always Ready”. Maybe I should adopt that motto as my own?

As I consider this notion, I find it a great stretch. Yes, I do get called to work on a moment’s notice, and sometimes I do feel that I have entered a combat zone.

But days in the classroom hardly compare to pulling drowning people out of a sinking boat in a hurricane. My rather sedate life hardly compares with those who interdict drug traffic on the high seas.

As citizens, we are protected from horrors that we don’t see by brave men and women in both the military and law enforcement who go out into grave danger on our behalf.

Thank you.

God Bless the USA!

Recently, we were privileged to enjoy the United States Army Field Band & Soldiers’ Chorus in concert. Anyone who watches those soldiers perform without feeling a surge of patriotism and gratitude toward those who serve us in the armed forces has a heart of rock and should be ashamed.

Concert opened with The Star-Spangled Banner. Chorus and band led audience in the national anthem. I love to sing our national song, but could hardly get the initial words out of my tightened throat. I thought of my friends and family who are currently serving or have family members currently serving. The Land of the Free would not be free without the service of the brave. Thank you so much!

As is customary with military bands, they closed the program with Armed Forces Salute, a medley of the military branches’ songs. Often, the conductor invites veterans of that service to stand during their branch music. This time, Conductor Col. Thomas Palmatier invited veterans and their families to stand during their branch music. Hubby had to leave for work before this selection, so I was very proud to stand for both Navy, my father-in-law’s branch, and and Air Force, my father’s branch. Being able to honor their service means a great deal to me.

The band’s encore was God Bless the USA. The crowd cheered and sang along. “… I’ll gladly stand up next to you and defend her still today, ‘cause there ain’t no doubt I love this land. God bless the USA!”

The cost of freedom

Tintype is likely of Daniel Q. or his eventual brother-in-law Daniel D.

Daniel Q. served in the 36th Illinois Volunteer Infantry Regiment, which saw a great deal of action, including the Battles of Perryville, Stones River, Chickamauga, the Siege of Chattanooga, the Battles of Resaca and Atlanta. Daniel Q. was captured somewhere in Georgia or Alabama.

He died Jan. 31, 1864, while a prisoner of war. Family originally believed that he had died in Andersonville Prison, the most notorious of the Confederacy’s prisoner-of-war camps, but War Department files showed that he had died in Danville [Va.] Prison, another terrible place.

Daniel D. enlisted near the end of the war and served for about three months.

Excerpt of poem below was written by Union soldier Andrew A. Wright at Murfreesboro, Tenn., May 17, 1863. Daniel Q., who was in Wright's company, sent home a copy to his sister Annie, my great-great-aunt. She had it published in her local newspaper.

Who Wouldn’t Be a Soldier?

“ … Wherever the Cumberland Army shall go
They are brave soldiers of freedom, the world shall e’er know
The Butternuts [Confederates] find us too much for their mettle;
When brave Rosy [Gen. Rosecrans] moves on, they are sure to skedaddle.
And we’ll closely pursue them with [illegible]
Till the last Reb is vanquished and peace is restored
And the Stars and Stripes fly triumphant again
O’er a land that is purged of disloyal men,

Then ’tis homeward we’ll turn and we’ll sing as we go:
Ho! Friends, we are coming, we have conquered the foe,
The rebellion has ended; secession’s played out!

But oh! There are those who will shed bitter tears,
For the loss in this struggle of brave volunteers;
How many there are who in anguish will mourn
For the bold soldier boys who will never return,

Should it be in my lot in this struggle to fall,
Dear friends in the North, I would say to you all;
Mourn not at the fate which may take me from you;
The patriot’s grave with no terrors, I view.
He who tempers the wind to the lamb that is shorn
Will guide, guard and protect you when I’m dead and gone.

But we hope for the best and sad thoughts dispel,
And trust to the end that all will be well,
That the day will soon come when our friends we will greet,
And that circle of loved ones again we shall meet,

Then keep up your courage ’till rebellion is crushed;
[Illegible, illegible] for our cause it is just.
The above are my thoughts and I send them to thee,
From your ever-true brother now in old Tennessee.

Freedom has a price

On this Independence Day, I want to honor our fathers who served our country.

My dad was an aircraft mechanic in the Air Force. Dad served between the Korean and Vietnam Wars. Hubby's dad was a radioman in the Navy during the Korean War and afterward.

We are deeply proud and honored to say that our fathers served and protected our country.

My cousins Nicholas and Joshua currently serve in the Navy and Marines. I have a friend stationed in Saudi Arabia and another in Afghanistan.

I cannot express my gratitude enough. Thank you. May God watch over each of you and keep you from harm.

Freedom is not free. Celebrate Independence Day by honoring a veteran and/or service person.