OPINION:
Standing in a quiet room at Gettysburg last month, I read about President Lincoln’s address. Many headlines from 1863 called it “silly,” others “a perfected gem.” That’s the America I love: where we speak freely, protest boldly and debate fiercely. Yet, as I scanned coverage of the U.S. Army’s 250th birthday celebration on June 14, one truth was missing: 1.3 million soldiers gave their lives to protect those freedoms. The grand parade and festival on the National Mall weren’t just a showcase of strength; they were a rebirth of patriotism, a moment that hit me personally and resonated for our nation.
My family’s story is woven into the Army’s 250 years. Every generation has served. Three ancestors fell in the Civil War’s brutal fields. A great-uncle, along with many other brave soldiers, suffocated from nerve gas in the Argonne Forest during World War I, the “war to end all wars.” Two other great-uncles stormed Normandy’s beaches; later in the Second World War, my wife lost an uncle. My dad served, my brother served, I served and my son serves today. I’ve always believed every American should serve, not just for duty but also to feel the weight of sacrifice. At this great celebration, watching my grandsons’ eyes light up as tanks rumbled by on the Mall, I saw history spark their young hearts. This celebration wasn’t about just the past but also about inspiring the future.
I’ve lived through patriotism’s highs and lows. The Korean War, before my time, sparked questions about America’s global role. Vietnam, which I watched as a child, left us confused: Protests clashed with “America First” pride. The Persian Gulf War and the Iraq War came, and as 9/11’s memory faded, we debated how far was too far. Over the past four years, an open border signaled a nation adrift, with our military and law enforcement wondering whether their commander in chief had their backs. Patriotism seemed shattered. However, June 14 was a new day. The first-ever U.S. Army birthday celebration on the National Mall, with 6,600 soldiers marching, felt like a reset, a bold reclaiming of national pride.
My daughter and niece, who were there with their young children, also saw it. They said the parade taught their children military history, American pride and gratitude for freedoms won through sacrifice. Veterans at home, glued to their TVs, felt seen. Many watched every moment, marveling at “cool weapons,” tanks and drones. Nearby us was a woman whose son had reenlisted and was sworn in by President Trump. Tears streamed down her face as she waved her flag, her U.S. Army shirt emblazoned with her son’s regiment. “This is for all who served,” she said. I wish every veteran could have been flown to Washington to feel that joy.
The celebration’s significance ran deeper. It honored a legacy: the U.S. Army, born a year before the Declaration of Independence, secured our freedom in the Revolutionary War and defended us through the Civil War, both world wars and modern conflicts. It showcased unity, with events such as the wreath-laying at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier echoing the Army’s motto, “This We’ll Defend.” It highlighted innovation — radar, the internet, wireless technology — all rooted in U.S. Army ingenuity that shaped global progress. It inspired, with the “Be All You Can Be” campaign driving recruitment to 85% of 2025’s target, promising the strongest class in years. As a prelude to America’s 250th anniversary in 2026, it set the stage for national reflection.
Although too much of the media focused on other issues over the weekend, no one can doubt that this celebration restored pride, boosted military morale and sent a message to the world. As my grandson exclaimed, “America’s army is undefeated,” rolling through 250 years of victories. To those burning flags or kneeling during the national anthem, it’s a gut punch — a pain that breaks the hearts of those who served. I wish they had served, felt the cost of freedom, held a dying soldier in their arms as that soldier said their last words or joined a chaplain as he or she delivered the news of a lost loved one to a young wife and children. As riots flare, let’s remember: Millions died so we can stand, debate and rebuild.
Regardless, when the president calls, the U.S. Army is rolling along.
• Roger Marshall is a Republican senator from Kansas.
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