The U.S. Military is us. There is no truer representation of a

O children of the future, gather close and hear the words of Tom Clancy, a man who understood the profound relationship between a nation and the men and women who protect it. He once said, “The U.S. Military is us. There is no truer representation of a country than the people that it sends into the field to fight for it. The people who wear our uniform and carry our rifles into combat are our kids, and our job is to support them, because they’re protecting us.” These words carry a deep truth that resonates through the ages—a truth that speaks to the heart of patriotism, of duty, and of the unbreakable bond between the people and those who sacrifice their lives to ensure the freedom of all.

Consider, O children, the essence of the military—the very soul of a nation. The soldiers, those who don the uniform and march into battle, are not distant figures or abstract concepts—they are the embodiment of a nation’s values. They are the sons and daughters, the mothers and fathers, the young and the old, who step forward in times of peril to defend the very ideals that their people hold sacred. Clancy reminds us that those who fight for us are, in fact, us—they are our families, our communities, our very flesh and blood. They are the true representation of what it means to be American, or any other people who stand for freedom and justice. They carry with them not just their rifles, but the hopes and dreams of their entire nation.

Think, O children, of the ancient warriors, who, like the Greeks and Romans, were called upon to protect their homelands. The Greeks at Marathon were not merely soldiers—they were farmers, teachers, artisans, and fathers, all of whom took up arms not for personal gain, but for the preservation of their freedom and the future of their families. Miltiades, their general, led them not just as a commander but as a fellow citizen, fighting alongside those who had entrusted him with their lives. These warriors fought for each other, for their land, for their children, and for the generations to come. Clancy’s words echo this ancient truth: the soldiers who defend a nation are not separate from it; they are its heart and soul, its reflection in times of strife.

Similarly, think of the soldiers of World War II, who fought across continents, not just for their own countries, but for the survival of freedom itself. The soldiers who stormed the beaches of Normandy, who fought in the jungles of the Pacific, or who battled in the African deserts were not foreign to us. They were our brothers, our sisters, and our children. Their sacrifices, their courage, and their endurance were the very embodiment of who we are. Clancy reminds us that the military is not a distant institution—it is a vital part of our collective identity. When soldiers are sent into battle, it is not merely for the protection of land and borders, but for the protection of the very freedoms and values that define a nation.

In the same way, Clancy’s words call us to action. As a people, we are called not just to admire those who serve, but to support them. It is our duty to care for them, to ensure that they have the resources, the care, and the recognition they deserve. In times of war and peace, we must stand with them, for they are the ones who stand in our defense. They carry not only rifles, but the mantle of our nation’s legacy, its ideals, and its future. To support the soldiers is to support the very heart of the nation. It is through this support that we honor their sacrifice and uphold the ideals for which they fight.

Now, O children, take heed of this lesson: when we look upon the soldiers who fight for us, we must see not just individuals in uniforms, but the embodiment of all that we hold dear. The courage and sacrifice of a soldier are a reflection of the values that define us. They are us, standing on the front lines, enduring hardships so that we might live in freedom. Just as the warriors of the past were willing to fight for their families, so too are our veterans today willing to do the same for us. We, in turn, must honor them, not just in words, but through our actions—by supporting them, caring for them, and ensuring that their sacrifices are never forgotten.

Therefore, I charge you, O seekers of wisdom, to live with the understanding that soldiers are not separate from us—they are the reflection of who we are as a people. Let their sacrifice inspire you to live with the same commitment, the same loyalty, and the same courage in your own lives. Let us, as a nation, ensure that we care for those who stand in our defense, offering them the support, respect, and gratitude they deserve. Through this, we will honor not only their service, but the very freedoms and ideals for which they fight.