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A report is out that West Point is removing “Duty, Honor, Country” from its motto. Instead it will have the words “Army Values”. The Superintendent is trying to argue that since Army values include duty, honor and country that it is no big deal.
Gilland made a point to say that West Point's mission statement has changed nine times and that "Duty, Honor, Country was first added to the mission statement in 1998." The general added that "Army Values include Duty and Honor, and Country is reflected in Loyalty, bearing true faith and allegiance to the U.S. Constitution, the Army, your unit, and other Soldiers."
Interesting that the phrase “Duty, Honor, Country” was only added in 1998. Many of us probably assumed it was much earlier, given the words of General Douglas McArthur’s famous farewell address included the following —
In the evening of my memory, always I come back to West Point. Always there echoes and re-echoes: Duty, Honor, Country.
So maybe it isn’t really a big deal. But when you replace specific values with a more vague (if arguably comprehensive) phrase, you are focusing on the vessel, not the contents. And any vessel can be emptied and refilled with something very different indeed.
Discussion (50)
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I'm with you that it's surprising that the phrase was only added in 1998. When I saw this headline yesterday I thought of General McArthur's farewell address. Agree that moving from the specific to the vague is the wrong direction.
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As long as no virtues are referenced in the motto. Virtues are the new vices. All you white supremacists can consider yourselves on notice. And remember to check your daily pronoun updates, because patronizing sufferers from psychotic breaks is not just a good idea, it's the law.
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My daily pronoun updates can be sent to 3825968@idontcare.com.
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Sometimes I think that these organizations just need to "pee on the fire hydrant" without any explanations. Pardon my coarse language.
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No pardon required.
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