A sermon to all from the Pastor

[Rock Island Ranger]

Ladies and gents.

I have no illusions as to societies gratitude for the soldiers on this board or in the miltary. We dont seek their gratitude nor their approval for what we did, what was sacrificed, and the scars some of us have on our bodies and souls. It may be nice but its not required.

This year at the Ranch on Memorial day, we were blessed to have a 90 year old veteran of WWII as well as representatives of every war and conflict to current day. Men who volunteered to do what others would not, could not, or even fathom doing it. We had men who who trained for the moment they would be called yet were not. But, they were there...waiting. They gave what they had to their country and asked for little in return.

At 54 years of age I look at you with pride, with absolute humble appreciation that I stand with you, know you, and call each of you brothers. Because we have above all else remained true to ourselves, to a code of honor, and held on to the values that warriors hold dear. We support each other and in fact ,hold each other far above the rest of the world....because we earned it. You earned it. The wives who stood with us and still do, the family that didnt quite understand why we did it but remained faithful, our kids who look at us and are proud...you are part of this.

This country may be on a slide to destruction but we are still here. We still hold the same views, the same pride, the same code of honor as we did and do in uniform. We did this for those who matter. We honor those who should be honored. We have contempt for those who deserve nothing because they have done nothing. We speak against idiocy because we earned that right. We gave more than the politicians, more than Corporations, more than those who trample on our freedoms. We stepped up and we still do.

To those who endeavor to serve, we salute you. To those who support those who serve, we salute you. And to those who have been our friends through thick and thin...we salute you as well. And to the rest of society that takes without giving, steals without paying, breathes without thanks....you have our contempt for you are lower than the hell you will visit and my fervant wish is that you die painfully and in bondage.

And to my brothers and sisters, be you Rangers, Army, Air Force, Marines, Coast Guard, or Navy. This Ranger appreciates you for what you did and what you did not do. You served well and you did not shirk your duties to your country, to your family, and to each other.

To my Ranger buds....We know what tough and ugly is. In each of you who served as a Ranger....we know. We did it, we did it for each other and God is my witness, you are the finest fuckers I have ever met, will meet or have aspiration to meet. Im proud of each of you because......we KNOW.

Happy 4th of July. Take a minute and tell a soldier that he/she is appreciated.

RLTW
The Pastor
Rock Island Ranger

[Bravo57]

Thank you for leading the way, so that others could follow Pastor.

[Earthpig]

We've had this conversation around your fire, Brother. You're one of the finest men I've crossed paths with, as are the others I've met here. Thanks for leading the way, as Bravo57 said.

RLTW
EP

[Looon]

Awesome post, Pastor!! It's always an honor hanging out with you.

Have a safe 4th everyone and don't fricken drink and drive.

[al_2ndWolfhounds]

Thank you for an awesome accolade to those who count. Before I arrived on this site I was very alone, I thank all of you for proving everyday I was wrong, I am proud and thankful to be a member and a brother of all who serve or who have served.

[Earthpig]

Thank you for an awesome accolade to those who count. Before I arrived on this site I was very alone, I thank all of you for proving everyday I was wrong, I am proud and thankful to be a member and a brother of all who serve or who have served.

Brother, many of us would not be on this site as Rangers if it wasn't for your generation of studs. You are the reason I enlisted!

RLTW
EP

[hobbit]

X2 on every post so far. Thanks Andy. I needed a little shot of inspiration today.

[Slowpoke]

X2 on every post so far. Thanks Andy. I needed a little shot of inspiration today.

Concur.......and few can be so eloquently inspirational as the Pastor, thanks Bud!!!!

[RANGER513]

Awesome post indeed, Pastor.

I hope everyone on ArmyRanger.com has a happy and safe 4th. " We know " what the 4th truely means, so enjoy it one and all.

[panthersix]

Thanks for getting all "gushy" on me and now "go get me a sammich flathead"....lol

[Ranger Ron]

It's not that warm yet this morning, but my eye balls are sweating. Unfortunately I drive to Denver today to speak at the funeral of one of my college roommates tomorrow morning. He lost his battle with cancer last Friday. Losing a lifelong friend is hard but it does serve to remind one that the VERY most important asset in this world is a good friend. I believe myself to be the luckiest MF on this planet to have had the opportunity to spend a few days with the likes of you all!!!!!!! The fact that you are all Rangers makes it even better.

Thanks for the words Andy!

[The Surgeon]

[Lefty]

So few can adequately express what is common to those on this site, and Andy is truly one of those few.

Many thanks for your words.

As for me, there are many times I feel I am privileged and humbled to be permitted to belong to this site where so many great men hold forth.