GMC News

Definition of the word of the week (COUNTRY): The territory or people of a nation or state.

John Gunther, author of “Death Be Not Proud,” once wrote, “Ours is the only country deliberately founded on a good idea.” We believe that freedom and other basic human rights are given by our Creator and belong to every one of us.

ight now, we have cadets, alumni and staff from Georgia Military College serving on the Frontiers of Freedom to bring the precious gift of democracy to a region of the world known for repression and persecution, especially toward females. In support of their efforts, our library will soon post an Organizational Service Flag that will have service stars representing GMC’s men and women serving in harm’s way in support of their country and for humanity. It will also include two stars for the former cadets that were killed in action – Chad Mercer and Mike Stokely.

When the cadets, alumni and staff return from their service abroad, what do you think they will do with the rest of their lives? Would they not be fully justified in saying that they have done their part and will no longer be of service to others? Have they not done enough and is it not someone else’s turn?

Some may choose to do no more but I feel confident that most will continue to serve other people. When one embraces virtue, it tends to be a lifelong commitment. That is one of the many reasons that I enjoy the company of men and women in our local civic clubs. Many of them have served their country and continue to serve in their local community in order to make a difference with their lives. Tug Greer leaps to my mind. He has more leadership and organizational skills in his little finger than most of us have in our whole body. After serving his country in both wartime and peacetime, he continues to serve the local community. It is men and women of strong moral character like him that strengthen the fabric of our community and make our lives better.

The Bible reads that, “from him to whom much is given, much is expected.” Each of us could just as easily have been born in a third world country and have been raised in abject poverty. Instead, regardless of our personal circumstances, we are blessed. We were born in America, the greatest country the world has ever known. We have been given much. Now, we are expected to do something with our lives and make our community, our country, and our nation a better place.
The following quotations are intended to assist in explaining and exemplifying the word of the week:

You can be a little ungrammatical if you come from the right part of the country. Robert Frost, Poet

If you don’t know how great this country is, I know someone who does; Russia. Robert Frost, Poet

Know most of the rooms of thy native country before thou goest over the threshold thereof. Thomas Fuller, Author

Part of the American dream is to live long and die young. Only those Americans who are willing to die for their country are fit to live. Douglas Macarthur, General

America is a young country with an old mentality. George Santayana, Philosopher

The biggest difference between ancient Rome and the USA is that in Rome the common man was treated like a dog. In America he sets the tone. This is the first country where the common man could stand erect. I.F. Stone, Author

If you don’t know how great this country is, I know someone who does; Russia. Robert Frost, Poet

America is a great country, but you can’t live in it for nothing. Will Rogers, Humorist

It is pretty obvious that the debasement of the human mind caused by a constant flow of fraudulent advertising is no trivial thing. There is more than one way to conquer a country. Raymond Chandler, Author

Let the people know the truth and the country is safe. Abraham Lincoln, President

Life is not a matter of place, things or comfort; rather, it concerns the basic human rights of family, country, justice and human dignity. Imelda Marcos, Philippines First Lady

COL Patrick Beer, the Dean of Students and Commandant of Cadets at Georgia Military College, prepares this study guide each week as part of the institution’s character education program. He welcomes comments and suggestions from readers. He can be contacted by phone at 478-445-2710 or by email at pbeer@gmc.cc.ga.us.