Dakota Beacon

August 18, was a hot and humid day.  The temperature was more than 100 degrees and the humidity must have been nearly 100%.  It was also family day at Fort Jackson, South Carolina.  Anxious Moms, Dads, siblings, boy friends, girl friends, grandparents, and friends waited in the grandstand for the ceremony to begin.  The grandstand faced a large grassy area with a dense forest beyond.  Suddenly there were loud sounds and smoke began rolling from the forest.  Dense green, red, and yellow smoke blotted out the view of the forest.  Mortar rounds were going off.  As the spectators watched, the recruits began to appear in the smoke.  Cheers and applause filled the air as the recruits ran through the smoke and fell into formation in front of the grandstand.  There they were... the young men and women who for weeks had been in basic training for the US Army.  Upon dismissal there was chaos as recruits searched for their loved ones.  Emotions were soaring and tears were falling as families were reunited.  This was only the beginning.

August 19, was graduation day.  Another hot and humid day.  Private Kyle A. Markwardt and about 1500 other recruits were graduating from Army Basic Training.  Families again filled the grandstands.  Tension was high.  In the distance were many white buses.  The recruits were standing at attention.  What a sight to see.  Six companies of America’s greatest and brightest young men and women who have committed themselves to service to their country.  Soldiers one and all.  Standing tall and proud in their camouflage and black berets, ready to serve when called.   Willing to make the extreme sacrifice for their country.  They are American Soldiers.

Never have I been more proud to be an American.  Never have I experienced the emotion I felt as I watched my grandson, Private Kyle A. Markwardt, shout out the Soldier’s Creed.  “I am an American Soldier.  I am a warrior and a member of a team.  I serve the people of the United States of America and live the Army values.  I will always place the mission first. I will never accept defeat.  I will never quit.  I will never leave a fallen comrade.  ............”  There’s more but I can’t remember the words.  The creed ends, “I am a guardian of freedom and the American way of life.  I am and American Soldier.”

Stand up Americans and be proud of who you are.  Be proud of our Military men and women who leave home and family to serve the people of the United States.