Witnessing the Truth
by Dax Montana on Feb.09, 2006, under General
After I graduated from High School, I had several choices to make. I had to choose between going into the workforce, Tech school, or college. The one choice that I never even considered was military service. For a long time I never appreciated the commitment young men were making when it came to military service. I pretty much figured that I wasn’t cut out to be a trained killer. I was a lover not a fighter. That being said, I never discounted the value of military service either. I never ridiculed anyone for making that choice. I just knew that military service wasn’t for me.
As I grew older and realized that I didn’t know everything, I came to appreciate the sacrifices that young men and women make when they join the military. Now more than ever before I have come to respect the commitment and the sacrifice our soldiers make when they decide to enlist.
Sometimes commitment comes easy. The biggest and easiest commitment I ever decided to make was when the lovely and talented Priscilla became my bride. That commitment was a no-brainer for me. However, the decision to commit to military service isn’t easy to make, especially now that our country is at war. That’s why I was extremely honored and proud today.
With Fort Gordon right around the corner from my restaurant, I am privileged to serve many, many servicemen. I make it a point to learn the different insignia and ranks so that I can properly address each soldier. I have befriended many of these heroes who come in regularly. However, I was totally shocked and surprised when a Captain approached me today and asked me if it was alright to have a re-enlistment ceremony in my store. I emphatically answered, “Yes.” It turns out that when a non-commissioned officer re-enlists, they get to choose where the ceremony takes place. This young Sergeant chose my restaurant. I was truly humbled and honored and proud.
This Sergeant was making one of the biggest commitments he will ever make in his life, and he wanted to make it in my restaurant. Even though my lunch crowd was going strong, about twelve soldiers gathered in the corner. The Captain and several Lieutenants watched as the sergeant read, and signed the re-enlistment papers. Then the Command Sergeant Major swore him in with an American Flag as a backdrop.
After the Sergeant was officially sworn in, the small group of soldiers broke out in applause. I was pretty wrapped up in the whole ceremony thing and not really paying attention to the line of customers. But when the soldiers began clapping for their Sergeant, the line of customers also began clapping and cheering for the young man. Twenty or so people put aside their own personal thoughts and focused their attention on the young Sergeant and his fearless commitment to protecting our country and our freedoms. I was speechless.
I hear in the news that people are tired of the war on terror. I hear reports that the backs of our young soldiers are broken. I hear reports that enlistment numbers are down. I call bullshit! Today I watched the truth happen before my very eyes. Today the truth set me free.
Just Damn!
February 9th, 2006 on 11:35 pm
That’s Awesome!
February 10th, 2006 on 4:29 am
Great story, Dax. Too bad the press doesn’t find stories like this to be “newsworthy”.
February 10th, 2006 on 7:51 am
That was one fine post, Dax. You stirred up my patriotism. Great job.
February 10th, 2006 on 9:35 am
.. your customers clapping… priceless… we owe those men and women in uniform a great debt….
February 10th, 2006 on 9:46 am
If anyone is giving up, has aready given up or ever does give up, it won’t be the people who are actually fighting it.
February 10th, 2006 on 10:45 am
What a terrific post! Thank you to all who are serving our country.
February 10th, 2006 on 10:50 am
Great post, Dax. Truly great…
February 10th, 2006 on 11:23 am
Thank you! Congratulations to that young Sgt.!
Some time in March we will get to witness our son’s re-enlistment ceremony… at the same time he receives his Purple Heart. The sacrifice and commitment of our soldiers are humbling and something to behold!
February 10th, 2006 on 11:23 am
Wow! Just Wow!
February 10th, 2006 on 11:31 am
Thanks Dax. As one who raised my right hand and swore the oath five different times this means a lot to me. And, yes it is a commitment-one that too many of our fellow Americans never think about and even fewer understand.
February 10th, 2006 on 11:32 am
Okay - you just made me cry - great great story. Congratulations to the Sgt may he have a long happy career.
February 10th, 2006 on 11:48 am
Many thanks for sharing this inspiring first person story. Could you use it as a “Letter to the Editor” to your local paper? This one needs more circulation.
February 10th, 2006 on 11:52 am
What an awesome event that must of been to be part of. Our military men and women are truly some of the greatest people who are part of our country. They are truly, real American heros. Hats off to them.
February 10th, 2006 on 12:08 pm
That’s a good example of “supporting our troops”. I’m often confused by what some people mean when they say that but you’re clearly doing it…otherwise those Soldiers never would have asked you. Good for that young man…better for us in the Army!
Mike
February 10th, 2006 on 12:19 pm
That brings a tear to my eyes. What a wonderful thing to have witnessed!
February 10th, 2006 on 12:39 pm
That kinda stuff ALWAYS makes me cry!!! Tears of PRIDE!
February 10th, 2006 on 12:58 pm
Great story. Blackfive has linked to it so you may get some new visitors (like me!).
I think that Soldier thinks as much of you as you do of him.
February 10th, 2006 on 1:12 pm
Sometimes being in the restaurant business has great rewards. I’m sure this was one of them. It says a lot about you that these guys chose your place for the ceremony.
February 10th, 2006 on 1:19 pm
Hell Yeah!
February 10th, 2006 on 1:31 pm
We truly are blessed with the finest military and the finest young men and women in the world. God bless them one and all.
February 10th, 2006 on 1:44 pm
i’ve seen it myself
I think I wrote about a scene similar to this one that I witnessed in the Atlanta airport about a…
February 10th, 2006 on 1:59 pm
Fantastic Dax. Thanks for sharing that with us.
February 10th, 2006 on 2:12 pm
That says so much about the respect you have, that you would take the time to learn their ranks and insignias. And the Sergeant obviously felt welcomed and comfortable in your place to want to have his ceremony there. HOOAH! Keep up the good work.
February 10th, 2006 on 2:14 pm
Makes me proud to be an American.
May the young Sgt. have a wonderful and prosperous career.
February 10th, 2006 on 4:45 pm
Damn fine. Blogger don’t do trackbacks,but I blogged your post here: http://pawpawshouse.blogspot.com/2006/02/witnessing-truth.html
February 10th, 2006 on 4:59 pm
That was beautiful. I don’t get lumps in my throat often, but that did it. You rock.
February 10th, 2006 on 5:09 pm
About 45 years ago I enlisted in the Army at the age of 17. I did not appreciate at that time that the Army was to be the most professional, most egalitarian, most dedicated organization that I would ever see.
February 10th, 2006 on 6:16 pm
An outstanding story! I’ll post it on my blog. Thanks.
February 10th, 2006 on 6:26 pm
Ft Gordon, huh? I used to spend a bit of time there training with my ‘wartrace unit’; do you mind if I ask which restaurant?
February 10th, 2006 on 7:07 pm
That is just damn awesome!!!!
February 10th, 2006 on 9:43 pm
[...] Dax Montana talks about what happened in his restaurant. You know it was patriotic because I cried. [...]
February 10th, 2006 on 9:49 pm
*misty eyed* Beautiful…..simply beautiful.
February 10th, 2006 on 10:41 pm
You spanked that furcker for sure….
February 11th, 2006 on 10:59 am
There is no greater sactrfice than to lie down your life for another. These Troops are the greatest.
February 11th, 2006 on 1:33 pm
Great post Dax, I re-enlisted back in October for the second time, mine was a mild affair with my coworkers. I spent 3 years out of the military and came back in after 9/11, might as well put my talents and training to good use. War is weaning out the weak leaving a lean and strong fighting force, even though I’m heading back over in a few, I’m glad to be part of it.
February 11th, 2006 on 2:05 pm
The strong shall survive
I never would have thought I would describe a post by Dax as beautiful but he has done a beautiful post about a re-enlistment ceremony that took place at his restaurant. One thing about being a nation at war, people that arent willing to put their l…
February 11th, 2006 on 8:41 pm
The Truth Will Set You Free
Blackfive had a great post yesterday about his adventures with some “Ivy League MBA candy ass turbo jerks” who basically didn’t get it. I feel his pain. Every day I sit in a room full of college students who wax poetic about issues …
February 11th, 2006 on 9:08 pm
Great post! I’ve been to a number of reenlistments and retirements held in various business establishments because the owners took care of the troops.
Thank you for taking care of them.
February 11th, 2006 on 10:03 pm
Wonderful that he’d choose your place for the ceremony. Says something about the atmosphere you’ve created. I grew up and spent half my life in Augusta. Had a Master Sargeant as a soccer coach and practiced on the parade grounds many an afternoon at Fort Gordon. Even got pulled over by the MPs once.
February 11th, 2006 on 10:17 pm
Interesting Stuff to Read
Since I found a bunch of good stuff I thought I’d share a few with you.
February 11th, 2006 on 10:25 pm
Nice job Dax. I don’t think there’s much more to say that hasn’t been said already. I’m proud of them, and thankful for them too.
February 12th, 2006 on 8:39 am
The Truth
February 12th, 2006 on 11:49 am
Great story, thanks for telling it!
February 12th, 2006 on 11:59 am
Thanks for sharing that story.
February 12th, 2006 on 9:50 pm
Hooah!
February 13th, 2006 on 9:44 am
Awesome!
February 13th, 2006 on 5:53 pm
I agree with Jim near the top these types of stories should make the news. We don’t need any more moronic muslim cartoon shit.
January 31st, 2008 on 9:59 am
Great boys2fab192b6623f7215710ecd10ef4f39d
May 3rd, 2008 on 5:12 am
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