Happy Birthday, U.S. Army [Opinion]

We owe U.S. Army debt of gratitude [Opinion]

On Wednesday, June 14, we mark the 248th birthday of our U.S. Army.

Today’s Army remains the best-trained and best-equipped that America and the world has ever known. We must continue to invest in our national defense and keep our Army, National Guard, and Reserve ready to answer the call here and around the world.

The enlisted personnel, noncommissioned officers, senior noncommissioned officers, warrant officers, and commissioned officers are the best educated, and trained in our nation’s history.

Some 41 million Americans have served in the U.S. Army, the National Guard, Army Reserves, and the armies or militia of the states. To those who served, thank you. To those who died too soon, we will never forget the sacrifices you made.

Congress has declared war 11 times and each time the soldiers and the airmen of the Army answered the call. The Army has been dispatched to conflicts too numerous to list here. No matter what the task, they rose to the occasion.

From the war for independence right up to the Global War on Terror, the American soldier helped keep our nation strong and free. No Army has been more decorated or victorious in the world around us.

Those Army soldiers have defeated despots of despotism, tyrants, communists, nazis, socialists, dictatorships of all types and sizes, and stood for and restored freedom.

Our Army is comprised of men and women from all walks of life and religions. Every soldier takes the same sacred oath of service.  The common goal is to keep America and Americans safe and breathing free.

Our Army takes its orders from its civilian government. Our soldiers don’t start wars, our elected leaders and global politicians do. Our soldiers serve to win!

Americans owe our Army a great debt of gratitude. Our soldiers were volunteers or called to service through the draft system.

Today the Army is 100% a volunteer force, and despite 20-plus years of combat, young men and women still take the oath to “support and defend the Constitution of the United States.”

Each of us has the opportunity to say thank you to the soldiers who have worn the uniform of the U.S. Army, National Guard, and Army Reserve, and the Army Air Corp.

“As the Army goes rolling along,” we are grateful for all who have served, their sacrifices, and their patriotism. Join patriotic Americans and grateful allies as we honor the U.S. Army on the occasion of its 248th birthday.