Proud to Serve

Proud to be an American

America is a good country. America is a great country. The United States of America is the greatest country in the world. These three statements represent varying levels of American patriotism. Personally, I side with the last of these three statements, and feel America is the greatest country in the world. Some may say this is an overly bold, even arrogant statement. Others are often too steeped in political correctness to render an honest response. Some may even say that this is outrageous and insults the rest of the world. However the fact remains that America has been, and continues to be, the beacon of hope for those less fortunate. We are a country founded by immigrants, who openly embrace the hungry, sick, and neglected of the world. So, rather than “apologize” for American greatness and downplay our standing in the world, I feel compelled to openly express my love for country. I feel that the best way to express this love is through service to one’s country. Thus, my love for country, desire to help others, and inherent sense of duty compel me to proudly serve the greatest country in the world.

In his 1962 Thayer Award acceptance speech, Gen Douglas McArthur delivered his famous “Duty, Honor, Country” speech to the United States Corps of Cadets at West Point, NY. Macarthur captured the essence of what it truly means to serve, and inspired future generations to a lifetime of selfless service. Some may argue that this moniker of “duty, honor, country” is just another cliché; however, to me, these three “hallowed” words epitomize the meaning of selfless service and have inspired me throughout my military career. My love for country springs from these values and, in turn, inspires me to give back through service.

As a young Cub Scout, I learned the meaning of the Scout motto, “Do a good turn daily” and made it a part of my everyday life. This good turn did not need to be anything elaborate or grand; rather, the intent of the slogan is to raise awareness to the needs of others and, if able, to lend a helping hand. But how can helping others be seen as service to one’s country? To understand this, it is necessary to contemplate the various ways in which a person can serve. Are some types of service more important and/or significant than others? Just like people, service to one’s country can be expressed in a variety of ways. The term “serve your country” carries with it a connotation of military service or perhaps public service as in law enforcement. While this type of service is certainly noble, there are many other ways in which people can serve their country. For example, not everyone is willing and/or able to serve in the military, yet they can serve their country through charity work in the local community among other things. The unifying goal of service can be seen as helping other people. Therefore, by doing a good turn each day, we all contribute to the service of our country.

Duty can be defined as an obligation or responsibility placed upon oneself either personally or through the social constructs of society at large. We all are faced with various duties in our day to day lives, such as the duties of a mother, father, husband or wife. Many of these duties are self-evident and ones we willingly take on and embrace. Other types of duty originate from our shared values as Americans, our sense of patriotism and love of country. These feelings inherently inspire us to give back in some manner. I have always felt tremendous pride in The United States of America, and realize that this great country has provided me with many wonderful opportunities. So in reflecting upon what this country has provided me, I inherently feel a sense of obligation to give back in some manner. In serving my country in the Armed Forces, I feel that I am fulfilling this debt to America, and at the same time, fighting to preserve this way of life for future generations.

I feel fortunate and blessed to have grown up in the bedrock of democracy and feel deeply indebted to America for all that she has given me. I feel compelled to fulfill this obligation through service in the profession of arms. Likewise, this service is aimed at preserving our American way of life for future generations. I want my own children to know and love the America I grew up with, and to experience all the opportunities this country offers. Freedom is not free, and it takes a deliberate and continuous effort to preserve the America many of us have grown to love. My love for country is not some abstract idea; rather, it is a concrete feeling from which flows a strong sense of patriotism and desire to serve. I am proud to be an American, and will continue to serve my country throughout my military career and beyond.

Stephen Resch
MAJ, US Army

The views expressed in this blog are those of the author and do not reflect the official policy or position of the Department of the Army, Department of Defense, or the U.S. Government.