During this time of great controversy over the Confederate States’ Battle Flag no one is even mentioning our Hard Charging Union Army, Navy and Marines who put an end to slavery and preserved the United States of America. They literally fought and died for Other’s freedom which in turn set the stage for America to field more great Militaries to do the same sixty and eighty years later during World Wars I and II. Today’s Military lives their Legacy by being the World’s Policemen who only seek to help those in need and stopping strongmen regimes from running amok all over our Planet.
To put a human face on this my Great Great Grandfather was a Union Infantryman. He was just another common every day Foot Soldier no one will ever know or really care what he and his Brothers actually did. It’s the same with all of our Union Servicemembers because few if any have any connection to them thus people don’t relate.
Grandma said he very rarely talked about the War because he lost so many Friends and he thought it would never end. He was actually pretty surprised he lived. He did tell her the food was really bad, Troops were always getting sick and their uniforms didn’t match the changing weather which got brutally hot and cold throughout the War. He told her he and his Boys kept each other going because freedom itself and all America was at stake so they knew they couldn’t lose which is why they didn’t.
So before we fly the Battle Colors and honor those who tried to tear our Country apart, let’s remember the real Heroes who gave of Themselves to keep America together and the very heavy price they paid dearly for the rest of their days.
Here’s United States Army and Marine Field Music from the Civil War which has Revolutionary War roots. Probably won’t mean much to many but I guarantee I’m not the only Troop whose feeling it. Yes Sir. This is our Living Military History.
Bugs Marlowe