Soldiers

"The sun beat upon our heads and we lay there wondering what was going on in our particular sector, what was the significance of the intermittent firing, whether we were advancing or holding our own. For to the average soldier battle always remains a chaos and an impression of immense confusion; he has only a worms-eye view of the affair; he has no way of knowing what its all about. One minute he is advancing under fire; the next he is lying low; the next withdrawing. He receives definite orders and they are immediately countermanded; he rarely sees the enemy and the fire that is directed at him assumes astonishing impersonality, as though it were independent of any human agency."

"Approximately 300,000 children are believed to be combatants in some thirty conflicts worldwide. Nearly half a million additional children serve in armies not currently at war, such that 40 percent of the world’s armed organizations have children in their ranks."

"The muffled drums sad roll has beat The soldiers last tattoo; No more on Lifes parade shall meet The brave and fallen few. On Fames eternal camping-ground Their silent tents are spread, And Glory guards, with solemn round The bivouac of the dead."

"Who passes down this road so late? Compagnon de la Majaloine? Who passes down this road so late, Always gay! Of all the Kings Knights tis the flower, Compagnon de la Majaloine, Of all the Kings Knights tis the flower, Always gay!"

"The broken soldier, kindly bade to stay; Sat by his fire, and talked the night away, Wept oer his wounds, or tales of sorrow done, Shoulderd his crutch, and showd how fields were won."

"In a wood they call the Rouge Bouquet, There is a new-made grave today, Built by never a spade nor pick, Yet covered with earth ten meters thick. There lie many fighting men, Dead in their youthful prime."

"Honor to the Soldier, and Sailor everywhere, who bravely bears his countrys cause. Honor also to the citizen who cares for his brother in the field, and serves, as he best can, the same cause—honor to him, only less than to him, who braves, for the common good, the storms of heaven and the storms of battle."

"Not a drum was heard, not a funeral note, As his corse to the rampart we hurried."

"An atheist could not be as great a military leader as one who is not an atheist."

"Military service is likely to be a positive occupational experience for most individuals, instilling feelings of honor, accomplishment, contributing to society, and having a sense of mission. Many military personnel may feel like they are part of a greater cause for their country and that they are helping to protect their family. In fact, feelings of pride about serving in the military have been found to exhibit significant negative correlations with a variety of negative outcomes (e.g., depression) in individuals involved in peacekeeping missions (Orsillo et al., 1998). Veterans of World War II and the Korean War reported that combat experience taught them how to cope with adversity and be self-disciplined, and it also instilled feelings of greater independence and broader perspectives on life (Elder & Clipp, 1989). One review found that most veterans of war and peacekeeping reported more positive than negative effects of theater experience, and that those who viewed the combat as having an overall positive meaning (i.e., a good cause) also reported better psychological adjustment (Schok et al., 2008). There is also evidence that many Vietnam veterans reported high levels of life satisfaction and attainment (Vogt et al., 2004), including occupational attainment. Yet, this same study also found that these positive effects of military service were attenuated by exposure to combat, wartime atrocities, perceived threats, and malevolent environments."

"What are the bugles blowin for?" said Files-on-Parade. "To turn you out, to turn you out," the Colour Sergeant said."

"Soldiers, you brave guys, who are your fathers? Our fathers are Russian commanders, thats what our fathers are. Soldiers, you brave guys, who are your mothers? Our mothers are white tents, thats what our mothers are. Soldiers, you brave guys, who are your sisters? Our sisters are our sharp sabres and pikes, thats what our sisters are. Soldiers, you brave guys, who are your wives? Our wives are our loaded guns, thats what our wives are. Soldiers, you brave guys, who are your children? Our children are our well-aimed bullets, thats what our children are. Soldiers, you brave guys, who are your aunts? Our aunts are our ripped soles, thats what our aunts are. Soldiers, you brave guys, who are your grandfathers? Our grandfathers are glorious victories, thats what our grandfathers are. Soldiers, you brave guys, what is your glory? Our glory is Russian state, thats what our glory is."