The American Soldier: A Modern Day Knight?

"A knight is sworn to valor,
His mouth speaks only truth,
His heart knows only virtue,
His sword defends the helpless,
His might upholds the weak,
His wrath undoes the wicked!" - Code of King Arthur and the Round Table

Is the American Soldier the modern-day embodiment of this ancient ideal? Never having served, I am perhaps not the most qualified person to answer that question. The servicemen I know and have known personally all served with honor. Their valor and their virtue are clear from their character both in peacetime and under fire. These men have no need of falsehood. I have witnessed acts of tenderness and steadfastness in support of their friends and loved ones. While I have never actually experienced their anger in opposition to evil, I would have no second thoughts about putting my life in their hands. Their lives have been an example to many, me included, and I, for one, am grateful. Are these men Knights? You bet your boots they are!

So here's to you, you Band of Brothers, you Knights of Freedom's Table: Geri and Hank Weber, George Domas, Lyman Roberts,  Wilbur Rogers, Paul Gray, Norman Parker, Ryan Simpson, Lee Harris, Bill Dufrene, Matt Kennedy, Charles and Marty Munley, R. Gordon Kean, Buzz, and Albert Hampton Obier.

May the ground rise to meet you, may the wind always be at your back, may the ocean's current carry you forward, and may the air be smooth and calm.

Thank you for your service to our country, my very good friends.

Standing beside a rocker at the old place, I am,

Col. Jim

Training: The New "Common Sense"

The concept of “Common Sense” has always been an excuse for failure to train. The American Heritage Dictionary defines “Common Sense” as, "Sound, native judgment not based on specialized knowledge.” Left with this definition the connotative meaning of “Native judgment,” becomes ‘Genetic Predisposition,’ in other words, something that it is natural for us to be or know. Something we are born knowing. Many assume there is a level of knowledge anyone must surely have who reaches a certain age or educational level. Otherwise how could they possibly have gotten that far?

We don’t know that we don’t know

There is no credible evidence to suggest that humans are born knowing anything. Yes, even in a feral environment humans eventually walk upright but everything else has to be learned, most of it by example and imitation. Different cultures and races provide very different examples to imitate. I once had a woman become incensed with me for holding a door open for her. She went on to actually shout at me for saying “mam!” Sad really. . .

Maybe it is we who need to learn

Is it not presumptuous for us to deplore the ignorance of others, without first considering the depth of our own ignorance? Ever drink Snapple TM? The tiny company became a nationwide drink by sponsoring Rush Limbaugh. Did you ever notice the small "K" inside a circle on the label? CNNs hate of Rush Limbaugh resulted in their rushing to lambast Snapple TM for using this symbol. For a week, they brought in, "experts" to swear the symbol represented the Ku Klux Klan and the picture on the label depicted, "Slave ships." Of course the circle and K symbol means, "Kosher" while the picture on the label, is only the most famous painting of American History, the, "Boston Tea Party."

Good old-fashioned training, with a twist

Mark Twain once observed that, "Training is everything, the peach was once a bitter almond, a cabbage is nothing but a cauliflower with a college education." I have a friend, call him Bob, a brilliant PhD. college history professor with four books to his credit. He called me the other day, “Jim, would you please come over and show me how to change the washers in my garden hose?”

“Sure buddy,” I said. “Be right over.” The hose was a cinch, of course, but before I could leave. . .

“Excuse me,” he said sheepishly, pointing to a garden sprayer, “I apologize for asking you this, but Tish brought home this container of whatever it is to remove mildew from the outside of the house.” That explained the smell and Bob’s red eyes.

“Say no more, Bob,” I said sympathetically. “First, let’s wash your eyes for a few minutes. Then I’ll go home and grab some goggles and a poncho.”

My friend Bob has more degrees than a thermometer, but he was never exposed to the practical aspects of home ownership. It is not a lack of ‘Common Sense,' it is just that no one ever taught him. When we take the time to observe, mentor, and correct, in short, to train, we not only impart knowledge, we protect life, and ‘Common Sense’ is not a factor.

In a rocker at the Old Place, I am,

Col. Jim

Welcome

This is my first effort as a "blogger."   Time and the muse will determine the length of this blog and your interest its durability.   I have been published many times in print despite my average grammar and spelling and for a time even earned my living as a journalist.   To those of you who choose to pop in once in a while I make this promise, I will not insult your intelligence.   I tell stories around the Old Place some fun, some sad.  Occasionally a friend or two will come by and pour themselves into a chair while I pour them a drink and try to coax out a favorite tome. Please stop by if you have the time.   I am an equal opportunity befriender. 

Be Safe,

Col. Jim