Time: 3:45pm
Date: 2/25/10
Location: West Point, New York
The snow had just begun to fall, as the recruits flowed out of their dorms and filled the seats of the football field. They were bundled up in their warmest attire and were willing to brave the freezing temperatures to hear today's guest of honor speak. A man in a custome made red, white, and blue World War II style army jacket sat in the middle of a massive stage before them. The murmuring of the large crowd cused the area to rumble, but it was brought to an end, as a sargent took the microphone.
"Attention," the gunnery sargent commanded, drawing all eyes to him. "We are pleased to have this man speak to you all today. You may know him from his many USO tours and television commercials, but you may not know that he served in Iraq and Afganistan and was once a student just like all of you. Ladies and Gentleman, Major Gunnar Van Patton!"
In unison, the mass of humanity rose to their feet and saluted the blond-haired soldier, as stood up and stepped to the microphone. He returned the gesture to them all and couldn't help but smile, as he began to speak.
"At ease."
The recruits returned to their seats and GVP looked over the crowd.
"I would first like to thank y'all for letting me speak today. It's not very often that I get to speak to fresh young minds like yers and it sure is an honor to do so. Y'all are the future of not only the Army, but of this here country. Despite what ya see from the... let's call a spade, a spade... propaganda from the Army, I started just like y'all. I was once a green recruit that didn't know the first thing 'bout life let alone the Army. This life, the military life, is like nothing ya'll ever dealt with before. Y'all are here because y'all are smart and/or talented. Yer the picks of the litter. That's a given. Each and every one of ya brings something special to the table. Y'all wouldn't be here if the Army didn't see something in ya that could better this here country and help defend it from all those who look to harm it. And defend it you will, as y'all are the next generation in a long, storied group of patriots. A group that's very origins date back to the very first conflict of the Revolutionary War."
He points off into the distance in the direction of the well-known river that flows through New York state.
"Each and every one of ya has placed yer hand upon the chain that once stretched across the Hudson to stop British ships from entering. It is a reminder to us all that we have no weakest link. We are the United States Army. We are the foundation for the greatest military the world has ever seen. We wear the colors of this country, so all know who they're dealing wit. Red, white, and blue are three colors that make any nation stop and take notice, as the best have arrived. Keep that in mind when yer instructors crack down on ya. They're not doing it for themselves or for the fun of it. They are doing it to show ya what yer capable of and to give ya the means to achieve the greatness we all expect ya to obtain. A level of greatness that no other country can compete with. We don't lower our standards. People come here from all across the world to prove they're the best at what they do. We must prove we are the kings of this here mountain. Therefore, yer instructors will not settle for second best and neither should you."
He adjusts his coat, as a strong breeze blows through.
"They dedicated their lives to making this country the pinnacle of the world and your dedication to that greatness can be seen right now. Trust me, I'd rather be curled up with someone in front of a fire right now, much like y'all would. However, yer here in the frigid cold, listening to a veteran turned spokesman talk about things that many of ya have bought into. That shows dedication and that's something that can't be taught. Admittedly, I'm no preacher. Though, most of the good ones have an accent like mine. Y'all have bought into the army life or ya wouldn't be here. Ya don't need to be told how 'super cool' the army is."
He fakes a smile and gives a goofy pose with a thumbs up, which gets a few scattered chuckles from the crowd, breaking their silence..
"I'm not here for that. I'm here to inspire ya to be more than what ya believe ya can be. I stand before ya a boy that the Army way turned into a man. I am proof that with hard work and determination, this way of life can lead y'all to great things. With those uniforms on, we're equals. Despite what rank each of us has, we are still brothers-in-arms and due to that, I'll be honest with y'all. My life was not one of those wonderful ones y'all see in the movies or on TV. My mother was addicted to drugs and my father walked out on us when I was still just a pup. Soon after, he was put in the slammer for robbery. Not exactly the types ya look up to. With no real parents to speak of, I was a ship lost at sea. It took my uncle stepping in to save me from the tsunami that could've destroyed all hope for me."
GVP took a second to look over the crowd before continuing.
"My uncle was a colonel who served in Desert Storm and ornry as hell. On his ranch, that one-eyed soldier took that foul-mouthed, disrespectful boy and gave him structure along with a role model that he could look up to. Ya see, my uncle was well-known as a drill instructor. He was one of the best that the Army had and with him, ya succeeded or ya died trying. He used to make me do so many pushups that I swore I had pushed Texas a little closer to sea level. He drove me to strive for levels that I didn't know I could reach. Hell, when I decided to follow his lead and join the Army, book camp was a breeze. They couldn't do anything to me that I didn't get ten times worse at home."
He laughed aloud just thinking about it.
"Never in a million years, would I have thought I'd be standing here in front of y'all, today. Without him in my life, I would not have made it here. That's the honest to god truth. He was more than an uncle. He was a role model, the father I needed, and the hero I wanted to be. Honestly, I joined the Army to be like him. I knew how he became that man and for me to become the same man, I had to do my duty. I had to swear to give my life to protect the land and people that I love. My uncle would have dove infront of a speeding bullet for a stranger, as it was his duty to protect all those around him, stranger and family alike. Despite the assumptions y'all may have made, when I called him a one-eyed soldier, he didn't lose his eye in the war. He lost it saving a family from a structure fire. The pressure from a burning room caused a door to expode and a piece of the door caught him in the eye. I asked him why he did it. Ya know what he told me? 'A man worries about others first.' That's the type of man he was and the man I wanted to be."
He said that with pride, fondly remembering his uncle.
"I'm not telling ya to go out and be superheroes like Batman or Spider-Man, which I reckon is funny coming from a guy who made his career by looking like a real-life Captain America."
That got another giggle from the crowd.
"What I am talking about is being more than just a great soldier. Be a great person. Be someone's role model like my uncle was for me. Y'all do that and greatness is the only option. With that, I'll let y'all grunts get back to the nice warm dorms. Ya can bet yer ass I've got some hot chocolate calling my name. Thanks for listening and stars and stripes forever."
GVP snapped into a salute and the many in attendance did the same. They all stayed standing until GVP left the stage. Upon doing so, a man in a black coat met Gunnar Van Patton just as he reached the steps leading to the ground.
"For you, Mr. Van Patton," the man announced and handed him a large envelope.
"Thanks ya, partner," he replied with a dazzling white smile and began to read the contents. "Hmm... A chance to get out of this horse and pony show and take on some real competition. Sounds like a good time to me. Well, daggum! Would you look at that. Looks like I could get myself a rematch with Alias out of this. Now, I reckon that's worth the price of admission right there."
GVP looks to the messenger and nods his head.
"Saddle up, boy. I'm in."
