There are so many events taking place all around us, some great, some evil. If anything should remind you that you have to take ownership of the personal security of your family and loved ones, the current state of America’s challenges, the many wars going on and the deadly threats around the world should do it ! Although I will focus on some of those threats in upcoming articles, I want our discussion today to be more of a tribute to the United States Army as they recently celebrated their 250th birthday on June 14th. 

Although my Dad served in the Navy, I ultimately decided on the Army for my military service, and never regretted that decision. I felt some pride on this recent birthday, and was excited that President Trump took the opportunity to celebrate our military with a parade in Washington, D.C. Those that serve in the military and their families seldom get the recognition they deserve, and often take their last breath on foreign soil, far from home. This simple tribute means a lot to those that serve, which is currently less than 1% of our population. 

For many Americans, the only glimpse of Army life came from a comic strip called Beetle Bailey which started in 1950 and is still popular with millions of readers. Created by cartoonist and Army veteran Mort Walker, Beetle was a lazy private on a fictional base called Camp Swampy, and the carton continued following Mort’s death at age 94. 

The reality of the Army’s accomplishments since June 14, 1775 are quite staggering. The American Legion Magazine recently described just a few of the important contributions the Army has given our country, and it’s important to remember these.

Army Engineers created many of our countries first maps and surveys for roads, railroads and waterways, they built canals and lighthouses, improved harbors, developed systems for flood control, and the Army’s Corp of Engineers continues with those duties today.

Army Medical Directors, Doctors and Medics dating back to the Civil War developed the first ambulance evacuation system, confirmed that mosquitoes transmitted diseases  like malaria, yellow fever and many others. Helicopters were first used to transport critically wounded soldiers in World War 2, expanded their use in the Korean War and perfected it in Vietnam. The Emergency Response Team program was originally filled with combat medics in the 60’s and 70’s from Vietnam.

The Army’s Signal Corps established the very first weather service in 1861 and pioneered the use of radar systems for storm detection, meteorological applications, high-altitude weather conditions, etc.

Space exploration got a major jump start in 1958 by using modified Army Redstone rockets.

A few other inventions attributed to the Army that you may not know about are:

The light reconnaissance vehicle requested by the Army in 1940 became the Jeep, and has been in service for the Army in action on all 7 continents.

Bug Spray using DEET was first developed by the Army to help protect the soldiers during jungle warfare from mosquitoes.

The first EpiPens were developed by the Army to protect soldiers from chemical exposure on the battlefield, and are now common among those with serious allergies. 

Dehydrated potato flakes were developed for the troops in the field which eventually became Pringles!

The Continental Army was first created as a force to protect the original 13 colonies from the most powerful military in the world, Great Britain. The original militia groups including the “minutemen”, were consolidated and led by General George Washington, with a peak strength of 48,000 men.

South Carolina produced one of the finest Brigadier Generals in Francis Marion also known as the “Swamp Fox”, who terrorized the British with his guerilla tactics and unconventional warfare.

South Carolina was one of the original 13 colonies and hundreds of battles were fought here, including the deadliest battle, the Battle of Eutaw Springs. This battle helped the Patriots solidify their near-complete control of the southern section of the country. 

Another great victory for the Patriots right here in our backyard was the Battle of Cowpens, just North of Spartanburg. On the bitterly cold morning of January 17, 1781, on a 500 yard square cow pasture, just after dawn, roughly 1,000 members of the Continental Army led by General Morgan faced off against the same number of crack British Army troops. The battle styles were very different and the British suffered 8 times the casualties and finally retreated. This was a major turning point of the war and a serious  morale booster for the Continental Army in the Revolutionary War.

Army troops have answered the call to defend our nation from those early days as the Continental Army of General George Washington and through the many battles and wars ever since. Tactics and equipment have changed over the years, but the drive and determination of the troops have remained steady and unmatched. 

General George Patton famously stated that ‘Wars may be fought with weapons, but they are won by men. It is the spirit of the men who follow and of the man who leads that gains that victory.’ Patton was a very motivational General that used strong language to inspire his troops, and led from the front. 

The Army played a major role in defeating the Axis powers of Germany, Italy and Japan to secure the future of the rest of the world. 

Another major conflict the Army quickly succeeded in under the exceptional leadership of General ‘Stormin’ Norman Schwarzkopf, was Operation Desert Storm to liberate Kuwait from Saddam Hussein. His famous quote ‘The more you sweat in peace, the less you bleed in war’ emphasizes the training and preparation he instilled in his troops. 

I certainly cannot do the Army justice in this short column, but our lives would be very different if the U.S. Army didn’t have the dedication and intestinal fortitude required to face any enemy, anywhere. 

Salute and respect to all of the men and women that have served our country in the Army and all branches of our military. God Bless you and your families.

Rick ‘Pirate Hunter’ Grover strongly believes we are all in this together, and the more we learn and train, the better we will be prepared for any eventuality. This makes all of us part of an amazing neighborhood team of American Patriots. 

God Bless America! 

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