--Thucydides
If we don't keep the warrior in the mix we become glorified social workers with guns. We will fail at our ultimate responsibility, saving innocent human lives.
--A Police Officer
Death must not be feared. Death, in time, comes to all of us. And every man is scared in his first action. If he says he's not he's a [#@&^] liar. Some men are cowards, yes, but they fight just the same or get the [&%$#] slammed out of them.
The real hero is the man who fights even though he's scared. Some get over their fright in a minute, under fire; others take an hour; for some it takes days; but a real man will never let the fear of death overpower his honor, his sense of duty, to his country and to his manhood.
--General George Patton
But when the blast of war blows in our ears, then imitate the action of the tiger: stiffen the sinews, summon up the blood.
--Shakespeare
King Henry V
Awareness is good, but without skills and ability tied to that awareness, all you have is anxiety.
--Tony Blauer
Extreme close-quarters combat trainer
The most beutiful thing we can experience is the mysterious. It is the source of all true art and science.
--Albert Einstein
You've never lived until you've almost died. For those who fight for it, life has a flavor the protected will never know.
--Author Unknown
Champions are not made in the gym. champions are made from something they have deep inside them-- a desire, a dream, a vision. They have to have last-minute stamina, they have to be a little faster, they have to have the skill and the will. But the will must be stronger than the skill.
--Muhammad Ali
It is in the darkest times that honor and courage and service shine most brightly. So let us make this our pledge together, you and I... that we shall always hold true to our ways, our laws and our traditions. Then centuries yet unborn will look back on us and see, not our darkest times, but our most glorious.
--Dave Duncun
This one sums up my late father to a T...
Nothing is so strong as gentleness; nothing so gentle as real strength.
Francis de Sales
The warrior stood and faced God,
Which will always come to pass,
He hoped his shoes were shining,
Just as brightly as his brass.
"Step forward now, old warrior,
How shall I deal with you?
Have you always turned the other cheek?
To My Church have you been true?"
The warrior squared his shoulders and
said, "No Lord, I guess I ain't,
'Cause those of us who carry guns
Can't always be a saint.
"I've had to work most Sundays,
And at times my talk was tough,
And sometimes I've been quite violent,
'Cause the world is awfully rough.
"But, I never took a penny
That wasn't mine to keep.
Though I worked a lot of overtime
When the bills got just too steep,
"And I never passed a cry for help,
Though at times I shook with fear,
And sometimes, God forgive me,
I've wept unmanly tears.
"I know I don't deserve a place
Among the people here,
They never wanted me around
Except to calm their fears.
"If You've a place for me here, Lord,
It needn't be so grand. In life
I didn't expect nor need too much,
So if you don't, I'll understand."
There was a silence all around the throne,
Where the saints had often trod,
As the warrior stood quietly
For the judgement of his God.
"Step forward now, my warrior,
You've born your burdens well,
Walk peacefully on Heaven's streets,
You've done your time in Hell."
--Author Unknown