By Jim Bailey
Anchor / Managing Editor / WJHL
Published: November 11, 2009

    My inglorious military career began in 1975 after graduation from college.  I had a deferment, and low draft number, so I could have skipped military duty, but a family history of military service influenced my decision to volunteer. 
    I served in four commands during my four years, including the 4th Infantry Division, 4th Psychological Operations Unit, The Army Transportation Terminal Unit at Lajes, Azores, and the crest I pulled out today, US Forces Command or FORSCOM.
    My little ritual each year gives me a moment to reflect not so much on what I did, but about those whose paths I crossed in those years.  In my experience they were who Shakespeare described in Henry V as “we happy few, we band of brothers.”
    He was writing about an English King, who in the face of overwhelming odds devised a plan, to defeat the French at the Battle of Agincourt in 1415.  Whether Henry ever uttered the now famous expression, or it was simply a clever literary turn of phrase is lost in the mists of the French countryside.
    What endures is a military attitude that Henry introduced.  In the military we are all in this together. He devised a strategy whose aim was to protect the lives of all of his forces, from the Field Commander to the foot soldier.  He entered the fray with them, and fought alongside.  Unheard of in an age where those who planned the battles watched soldiers plucked from farms die executing it.
    The French lost more than 10,000 troops at Agincourt, the British just 200.
    FORSCOM was composed dedicated men and women who for the most part did not drive the tanks, fly the helicopters or carry the M-16’s into battle.  We trained those troops, pushed paper, took care of their billets and made certain they had the fuel, food and ammunition to engage the enemy.
    Of course plenty of those in the command structure still picked up weapons to fight their way through hostile situations make sure the mission was completed.  Some gave their lives in that effort.
    It’s proper to pay special deference to the combat troops today, they risk the most, they sacrifice the most.  But all veterans separate themselves from friends and family, toil for low pay and little thanks in often inhospitable if not hostile environments.
    So to everyone who ever put on a uniform to honorably do their part to serve our country I simply want to say a hearty “job well done” to my band of brothers (and sisters).  Happy Veterans Day.