Duty, Honor and Excellence

   Today is January 16, 2012 and in my beloved south land, this day is a celebration of two heroes and champions of our heritage and culture. January 15, 1929 in Atlanta, Ga, Michael Luther King was born. Michael later changed his name to Martin and went on to become a Reverend, Civil Rights Pioneer and Nobel Peace Prize Winner. January 19, 1807 in Stratford, Virgina, Robert Edward Lee was born. Lee struggled through life and went on to become a West Point graduate, chief engineer of the army, and the rank of General while commanding the Confederate Army of Northern Virginia. While on the surface appearing to be two completely opposite men, underneath and inside the core, is two southern gentlemen. King was born to Martin Luther King, a minister and Alberta Christine Williams a teacher, and as a result one can easily draw the connections and influence in Dr. King's life to his parents. Lee was born the son of Revolutionary war veteran and Governor of Virginia, Major General Henry Lee and Anne Hill Carter. Lee's father's death when Lee was 11 resulted in Lee being raised by his mother in such dire times. A review of this and a direct connection can be laid between Lee's success and his upbringing.

   These two great men had a fire and vigor, which is rare in this generation. They lack the willingness and fortitude to succeed in the face of great opposition. I have seen many times in my life; men figuratively curl up and die because of the odds stacked against them. In these times, it is easy to become frustrated and discontent with not having your wildest dreams. However, these will not come without great sacrifice and gallons of sweat laid upon the altar of improvement by you. I have spoken with persons born in other parts of this country, who often stereotype us as either poor dirt farmers or spoiled nobility of times gone by. I am proud to say that I can still catch a glimpse of class, no matter how fleeting in both sides of this equation, of our culture of honor. The ideology that respect, chivalry, honor, class and a "nobility of soul" as Dr. Samuel Johnson published in his book, A Dictionary of the English Language. I am proud to know many men that will without regard for personal safety or exhaustion; do by whatever means possessed by them, the mundane and dreary work of succeeding in life and providing without complaint for their families.

   I hear men of our generation speak fondly of such video games and other entertainment with great names as "Call of Duty", "Uncharted", "Resistance" and the list goes on and on. Generally these men will never answer their unchartered call of duty with vigor and zeal, but more often with resistance. Thoreau stated that “While civilization has been improving our houses, it has not equally improved the men who are to inhabit them. It has created palaces, but it was not so easy to create nobleman and kings". This author believes that Thoreau was directing this at the ever increasing appearance of our nobility, but the decreasing reality of our rogue stature and intent. Do not place stock in the cards you were dealt in this life, but rather in the willingness to learn the game and play with sportsmanship regardless of the outcome or victor. Do right because it is right, not because you have to. Defend with all fiber of being your place in this world, so that you may carry on our famous culture of honor. In the closing of this writing and in remembrance of our two great southern men, I will leave with you, a quote from each that should remind us daily of their legacy and sacrifice.

All labor that uplifts humanity has dignity and importance and should be taken with painstaking excellence. -Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

Duty then is the sublimest word in our language. Do your duty in all things. You cannot do more; you should never wish to do less. - Gen. Robert E. Lee