The commitment necessary to leave your family to patriotically serve your country and in some way earn the family's respect as you go into war, or the sense of pride that a family has for its son's, daughter's, fathers and mothers is not forgotten or left on the battlefield. It is validated through the actions of all Americans to honor the fallen and carry forward the responsibility of freedom that was given to us to care for and maintain.

This could not have been more evident to me throughout my career then to have experienced this sentiment and way of life. Whether I visited my grandfather's grave in Arlington, saluted the American flag that waved beside a display of boots, helmet, dog tags, and weapon of a fallen Soldier in combat, or stood at attention to accept and honor the remains of a Soldier coming home, no Soldier is ever forgotten or left behind.

I don't look at the flag the way some do in our country, and it's meaning has become so much more than when I knew it as a young man. I see names and events when I hear Taps played on a trumpet.

When a member of our armed forces passes, we honor the selfless service and loyalty to fellow Soldiers, to mission, and to country by adorning their coffin with the flag and announcing their passage with the playing of Taps.

As an instituion, our military past and traditions demand our compliance to ensure that the next generation of Soldiers fully understands their responsibility to our future.

BG Richard J. Torres, Brigadier General, USAR