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Every morning, I haul my tired bones out of bed hours before the sun makes her debut for the day. I don my Army-approved uniform, rush to my company's headquarters, and stand in a formation comprised of hundreds of other Soldiers. We stand patiently, with our hands behind our backs and our heads held high, and our fearless leaders make sure all bodies are present and in one piece.

When everyone is accounted for, we are called to stand at the position of attention and face the flag pole - the flag of our great nation is about to be raised. A bugle sounds, playing reveille, and we salute the flag during it's ascent. Reveille still gives me goose bumps, even though I've been in the Army for a good while and it seems like I've heard it a million times.

Sometimes it's awfully cold on those mornings, yet we stand there warm as can be. There is a fire in a Soldier's blood; some people have had it their whole lives (like me), and for some it's newly kindled. The fire causes a burning desire to set things right in the world and to make a difference for those who cannot make it themselves. The fuel that keeps that fire going is a love of country, the quest for honor, and the responsibility of duty.

We do what we do because we have to; not because we were ordered to (although usually that's a big motivator), but because there's something inside of us that makes us do it. I am so proud to be able to serve in the Army that words cannot even describe my feelings - and I will do anything for my team, which isn't just limited to my platoon. My team is the Army as a whole. I know that most other Soldiers feel the same way; again, not because we're ordered to help our brothers and sisters in arms, but because they are our team members - our Army family.

Sure, we've got some bad apples. Everyone does. You can be sure, though, that we even look out for and take care of our bad apples - they're still our family.

When a Soldier joins the Army, they are taught the Soldier's Creed and the Army Values. The Creed and the Values are our way of life - not just something we repeat because we were trained to say them. The Soldier's Creed outlines our responsibilities as a Soldier, and the Army Values dictate the choices we make not only when we're on duty, but when we're off duty as well.

THE SOLDIER'S CREED:

"I am an American Soldier.
I am a Warrior and a member of a team.
I serve the people of the United States and live the Army Values.

I will always place the mission first.
I will never accept defeat.
I will never quit.
I will never leave a fallen comrade.

I am disciplined, physically and mentally tough, trained and proficient in my Warrior tasks and drills.
I always maintain my arms, my equipment, and myself.
I am an expert and I am a professional.

I stand ready to deploy, engage, and destroy the enemies of the United States of America in close combat.
I am a guardian of freedom and the American way of life.
I AM an American Soldier."

THE ARMY VALUES:

Loyalty - Bear true faith and allegiance to the Constitution, the Army, and other Soldiers.

Duty - Fulfill your obligations.

Respect - "Do unto others as you would have done to you."

Selfless Service - Put the welfare of the nation, the Army, and your subordinates before your own.

Honor - Live up to all the Army Values.

Integrity - Do what is right, legally and morally.

Personal Courage - Have the ability to face fear, danger, or adversity.

Believing in both the Soldier's Creed and living the Army Values, coupled with the patriotism and loyalty to humankind that we feel, is the reason we do what we do. It's why we go on multiple deployments to Iraq and Afghanistan and why you see us standing with our heads held high.

It is truly an honor to be a member of the United States Army.

Learn more about this author, Angie Papple.
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