My Admiration for our Armed Services ~ Part Three

September 28

Dear Readers,          

  Rangers have participated in every major conflict in which the United States has participated, even before they received their name.

            Their courage, perseverance, and tenacity has earned them national and international acclaim and respect, even from their enemies.

        The fifth stanza of the Ranger Creed states:

            “Energetically will I meet the enemies of my country.  I shall defeat them on the field of battle for I am better trained and will fight with all my might.  Surrender is not a Ranger word.  I will never leave a fallen comrade to fall into the hands of the enemy and under no circumstances will I ever embarrass my country.”

            Is it any wonder that this special breed of men inspired the heroes of my books and those of many others?

            “Surrender is not a Ranger word.”

Click here for Part 1

Click here for Part 2

May you know the Lord loves you,
~Jane

My Admiration for our Armed Services ~ Part One

September 14

Dear Readers, 

            In an earlier post, I wrote about my admiration for the men and women who serve our country in the armed services.  In particular, I am fascinated by those who come under the umbrella of Special Operations, more commonly referred to as Special Ops, from where I draw the heroes of my books.

  

            With that in mind, I did some research on the history of these elite warriors and thought I’d share some of what I learned with you.

            Did you know that the Army Rangers can trace their beginnings back to the French and Indian Wars?  In 1756, Major Robert Rogers recruited nine companies of American colonists to fight for the British during the French and Indian Wars.

            Rogers appreciated the unique traits and cunning of the American frontiersman.  He understood that these men had skills necessary to survive in the “wilds.”  He used these skills to enhance traditional military training, turning out such heroes as Francis Marion, the Swamp Fox, and Daniel Morgan, founder of Morgan’s Riflemen who fought against the British in the American Revolution.

            Another century saw a new generation of this special breed of warriors, such as Mosby who fought in the Civil War.  Mosby believed that by using highly trained men in extremely aggressive action, he could force the enemy to guard numerous fronts.  Once the enemy had divided its forces, Mosby and his raiders attacked the weakest point and overwhelmed the reduced numbers

            Though these men were never known as Rangers, much of the training and philosophies of present day Rangers evolved from these beginnings.

            Stay tune next week for more about the history of this courageous group of men.

May you know the Lord loves you,
~Jane