On my way out of Stones River National Cemetery, I saw this headstone and smiled for the obvious reasons:
But my brain quickly reminded me of a scene from the movie The Big Red One.”
“- Pvt. Johnson – 1st Squad: Would you look at how fast they put the names of all our guys who got killed?
– The Sergeant: That’s a World War One memorial.
– Pvt. Johnson – 1st Squad: But the name’s are the same.
– The Sergeant: They always are.”
They are the same because those of us who serve pass our love of country, or sense of honor, and our assumption of duty from generation to generation.
That’s why it was such a big deal when I discouraged my own kids from serving. I didn’t think this country was the same one any longer.
I have done the same with all my kids, as well as the youth that we work with.
Did you notice that he was a black man? For the few who don’t know, USCT means United States Colored Troops, which was the designation for Federal black infantry units.
I did not know the acronym, thanks for the lesson Sam.