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Please read this newsletter, as it's one of the most important and timely messages that I will ever share! Earlier this month, I was honored to share with the leaders of the US Army's 192d Infantry Brigade at Fort Benning, Georgia. The four days that I spent with these soldiers was truly a life changing experience. I was treated with total respect from the day my host, Chaplain (Major) Steve Cantrell, picked me up at the Atlanta airport until the day that I departed on Sunday, the 5th of October. The two days that I shared with Colonel Mike Coss and the leaders of the 192d Infantry Brigade was the first time that I had personally experienced the quality and dedication of our military leadership. Yes, I've seen the movies and thanked the soldiers on flights and in airports, but nothing can compare to being a part of their daily lives and witnessing authentic leadership in action. You may be wondering, "Why did Byrd title this newsletter Presidential Values?" One of the most important elections in the history of our great country will be on the 4th of November and it's my hope that all American citizens will exercise their constitutional right to vote for the candidate of their choice. Prior to making that critical decision, I think it is extremely important that we evaluate the character of both candidates. In that regard, I wanted to share the seven Army Values that I saw demonstrated during my visit at Fort Benning. I strongly believe that these values are ones that all politicians, especially our future Commander in Chief, should embrace and be held accountable to.
You will notice that the first letters of the Army values spell "LDRSHIP". It is a constant reminder to soldiers of all ranks that in order to effectively lead their piece of the Army they must embrace and daily model for others the Army values. Loyalty Duty Respect Selfless Service Honor Integrity Personal Courage Some questions for your consideration: 1.Does your candidate's behavior meet the standards of the United States Army? 2.Do their deeds match their words? At this point you might be questioning how I could consider my visit to Fort Benning to be life changing. I don't think you will have that question after I share the rest of the story. As I mentioned earlier, my host was Chaplain Steven Cantrell. I was honored to accept Chaplain Cantrell's invitation to share a message at four chapel services on Sunday, the 5th of October at Sand Hill. Sand Hill is the location at Fort Benning where new Infantry recruits are trained and the chapel services were attended by these new soldiers. I attend church on a regular basis, but those four services were more spirit filled than any service that I have ever attended in any church, both large and small. Even though attendance was optional, every service was filled to capacity and the soldiers were truly listening to the message. Unlike some churches, I didn't notice one soldier sleeping! I was asked to close out each service and I chose to share an emotionally moving story about one of my track teammates at the University of Texas (see Carl's Story). I believe that the reason Carl's Story connected with so many soldiers that day is that they had so much in common with Carl. Many of these young men, most in their late teens and early twenty's, were like Carl, as they came from poor families and were away from home for the first time. As I shared Carl's powerful story, one that I still get emotional telling despite the hundreds of times that I've shared it, I realized while looking into the soldiers' eyes that they, like all human beings, need hope. Carl's purpose was to get a college degree and help his family get out of poverty. Sadly, Carl was killed in a traffic accident in 1972 two months after his graduation from the University of Texas. But, as I shared with those soldiers on the 5th of October, I was sure that Carl's spirit was in the chapel that day and he would want me to share these words: All of life is like a race, with ups and downs and all, and all you have to do to win the race is rise each time you fall. "Quit, give up, you're beaten" they still shout in your face. But a stronger voice inside you says, "Get up and win the race." I then shared one of my favorite passages from the Bible, Isaiah 40:31 (NIV): But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not go weary, they will walk and not grow faint. I ended my message with the following words: Run the race, your race, the only race you can run, the race you were born to run and don't quit before the blessing. It then dawned on me why Carl's story connected so powerfully with these soldiers. Many would pay the ultimate sacrifice of giving their lives for you and me. This was reinforced at one of the services when hundreds of soldiers recited in unison The Soldiers Creed: I am an American Soldier. I am a warrior and a member of a team. I serve the people of the United States and live the Army Values. I will always place the mission first. I will never accept defeat. I will never quit. I will never leave a fallen comrade. I am disciplined, physically and mentally tough, trained and proficient in my warrior tasks and drills. I always maintain my arms, my equipment and myself. I am an expert and I am a professional. I stand ready to deploy, engage, and destroy the enemies of the United States of America in close combat. I am a guardian of freedom and the American way of life. I am an American Soldier. There are two memories that I will never forget from that Sunday in October. The first was when hundreds of soldiers came up to me and thanked me for sharing Carl's story. There are two conversations that I will never forget. One soldier came up to me and said, "Mr. Baggett, I lost my six month old daughter two weeks ago and I wanted to quit the Army and go home to be with my wife and family. But, after hearing you speak, I think God wants me to stay in the Army to honor my daughter's legacy." The second soldier came up and gave me a big hug before telling me, "Mr. Baggett, I come from a really poor family and I want to tell you how nice it felt two weeks ago when I was able to send $300 home to my Mom so she could feed my brothers and sisters." The second memory and the one that will forever be etched in my heart and soul is when I witnessed one hundred soldiers accept Christ on that 5th of October, 2008 at Fort Benning, Georgia. There is nothing else I can say other than I now have an understanding of the true meaning of Army Strong™. It's more than a slogan. It's a way of life that we should all emulate. I hope you will join me in daily thanking God for these true American Heroes.  | |
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