"...we few, we happy few...." (Henry V)

.....Veterans' Day comes tomorrow, Nov. 11; at one time it was called "Armistice Day" to celebrate the end of WWI where my father, before me, won a Purple Heart. But now, I'm reminded of another war, and this blog is paying homage to the courageous veterans of the Battle of Agincourt in Northern France in 1415 on St. Crispins Day. St. Crispin and Crispinian were leather workers and shoemakers who were tortured and beheaded by Romans for the twins' celebration of Catholicism. (The bikers' culture of today, wearing leather all the time would do well to accept these martyrs as their patron saints.) St. Crispin was made famous by Henry V's speech to his army, and immortalised by Shakespeare. England celebrates St. Crispin's day, on October 25th, the day Henry battled the French who vastly outnumbered the English forces.

.....I have always been fascinated by the similarities between St. Crispin's Day and D-Day. Our forces were also outnumbered on that fateful day, but not less fearless; and also led by-- though not a king,--a great General. Henry's speech to his army inspired his troops with references to the times that they, themselves, would become veterans and remembered if they fought the good battle with courage, determination, and brotherhood.....and is this different from our own veterans' battles of D-Day, or Vietnam, or Iraq and Afghanistan? Shakespeare carried the spirit of victory in his historical play, Henry V. Is it just coincidence that there is a "V" following his name?

by William Shakespeare (Henry V)

"This day is call'd the feast of Crispian.
He that outlives this day, and comes safe home,
Will stand a tip-toe when this day is nam'd,
And rouse him at the name of Crispian.
He that shall live this day, and see old age,
Will yearly on this vigil, feast his neighbours,
And say 'To-morrow is Saint Crispian.'
Then will he strip his sleeve and show his scars,
And say 'These wounds I had on Crispian's day.'
Old men forget; yet all shall be forgot,
But he'll remember, with advantages,
What feats he did that day. Then shall our names,
Familiar in his mouth as household words-.....
Be in their flowing cups freshly rememb'red.
This story shall the good man teach his son;
And Crispin Crispian shall ne'er go by,
From this day to the ending of the world,
But we in it shall be remembered-
We few, we happy few, we band of brothers;
For he to-day that sheds his blood with me
Shall be my brother; be he ne'er so vile,
This day shall gentle his condition;
And gentlemen in England now-a-bed
Shall think themselves accurs'd they were not here,
And hold their manhoods cheap whiles any speaks
That fought with us upon Saint Crispin's day"

.....Now, what warrior would not rush into the lion's mouth after hearing these words? Veterans will always remember the battles they've been in, even though these battles will become dim in the memories of those who weren't there. The veteran's memory of his battles will seem, to him, as though they were fought yesterday. As I pointed out in yesterday's blog, my aim is to define what it means to be a veteran. What follows is merely part of the definition.

.....OUR CORE VALUES -- symbolize a personal code of ethics, responsibility, and professional behavior that govern the way military men & women interact with each other. These core values are:

INTEGRITY– Honest, trustworthy and accountable, taking personal responsibility
RESPECT– Honor the dignity of others by treating all with civility
EXCELLENCE– Exceed expectations and accept accountability for operational standards
COMPASSION– Sensitive to the physical and emotional needs of all
COMMITMENT – Exceptional service through dedication, loyalty and teamwork

.....Tomorrow, I for one, will remember.