Troops Celebrate Independence Day By Renewing Their Vows

By Spc. Douglas L. York

CAMP LIBERTY, Iraq - The words, "I, ..., do solemnly swear that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic ...," rang in the air as more than 1,100 Soldier, Sailors, Airmen and Marines took Independence Day to recommit themselves to their military "vows."

Gen. David Petraeus, a native of Cornwall-on-Hudson, N.Y., who serves as the commanding general of Multi-National Force - Iraq gave the oath of enlist to the servicemembers which included more than 400 Soldiers serving with Multi-National Division - Baghdad.

"It's a good feeling to know that you're making an impact on a future generation," said Command Sgt. Maj. Marvin Hill, a native of Memphis, Tenn., serving as the senior enlisted leader of Multi-National Forces-Iraq. "That's why I feel that they are showing up by the numbers, recommitting themselves."

More than 1,100 Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen and Marines reenlisted at the Al-Faw Palace on Camp Victory July 4 in what was the largest reenlistment ceremony ever held. Gen. David Petraeus, commanding general of U.S. forces in Iraq, administered the oath of enlistment.(U.S. Army photo by Staff Sgt. Brock Jones, MND-B PAO)

One Soldier felt honored to be part of this momentous event.
"It's not everyday that you get to reenlist with all of the other branches that are here doing their part," said Spc. Travis Spuhler, a native of Salem, Ore., who serves as a military intelligence systems maintainer and integrator with Company A, Special Troops Battalion, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, MND-B.

Spuhler and his wife, Spc. Charleen Spuhler, a native of Gardnerville, Nev., who is an intelligence analyst, also with Company A, STB, 3rd BCT, 4th Inf. Div., MND-B, reenlisted July 4 along with servicemembers at Al-Faw Palace on Camp Victory, in the largest reenlistment ceremony ever held. Each renewed the vows and oaths to continue serving their country.

More than 1,100 Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen and Marines reenlisted at the Al-Faw Palace on Camp Victory July 4 in the largest reenlistment ceremony ever held. Gen. David Petraeus, commanding general of U.S. forces in Iraq, administered the oath of enlistment. Extra chairs and bleachers had to be rounded up to accommodate the huge number of servicemembers who participated in the event.(U.S. Army photo by Staff Sgt. Brock Jones, MND-B PAO)

"We've been discussing reenlisting for about 3 months," said Spuhler (Charleen). "I was worried that if he (her husband) didn't reenlist, I was going to get stuck at some podunk post in the middle of nowhere without him, without any college options or anything like that," she said, recognizing some of the special considerations married members of the military deal with.

"We had mostly been talking about how we didn't want to reenlist," Spuhler (Travis) said. "But then I was paying attention to the economy and the way it was going, I realized there was no way I could do my part as a husband if I got out."

Over 1,100 Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen and Marines reenlisted at the Al-Faw Palace on Camp Victory July 4 in what was the largest reenlistment ceremony ever held. Gen. David Petraeus, commanding general of U.S. forces in Iraq, administered the oath of enlistment. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Whitney Houston, MND-B PAO)

Which begs the question for those currently serving: why do members of the Armed Services continue to serve? It is easy to say that the tax-free bonus is great, the educational opportunities are wonderful, the chance to lead many great men and women builds character, but those aspects do not seem to satisfactorily answer the question in all cases. In truth, there are other methods and means to earn a living, to acquire educational benefits and to build character.

So then, why? Why do they continue to lace up their boots, put on their uniform, raise their right hands, endure deployments and tolerate the challenges each face in various fields of battle?

The Spuhler's personal answers to why they serve do not seem to fit most members of the military.

It seems, however, that one thing is certain: our country has a definite need for servicemembers to continue to do what it is they do, while wearing the uniform.

Command Sgt. Maj. Marvin Hill, a native of Memphis, Tenn., serving as the senior enlisted leader in Iraq with Multi-National Force - Iraq, addresses a group of over 1,100 Troops from the various branches of the Armed Forces who were participating in the biggest military reenlistment ceremony ever held. The event took place at the Al-Faw Palace at Camp Victory July 4. (U.S. Army photo by Spc. Douglas York, MND-B PAO)

"As a whole, we joined to fight and win our nation's wars... and that's what they're doing," said Hill. "I feel that's why they continue to step up to the plate and want to continue to serve. The message they're sending to the American people is we believe in what we are doing. We're committed and we're united."

Likely, there is no single answer. Yet days like this reenlistment, held on the birthday of our nation, provide an opportunity to attempt to answer such difficult questions.

Gen. David H. Petraeus, a native of Cornwall-on-Hudson, N.Y., serving as the commanding general of the Multi-National Force - Iraq, reenlists a group of more than 1,100 servicemembers from the various branches of the Armed Forces. The Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen and Marines were participating in the biggest reenlistment ceremony ever held. The event took place at the Al-Faw Palace on Camp Victory July 4. (U.S. Army photo by Spc. Douglas L. York, MND-B PAO)

"You are therefore proud inheritors of a tradition of service and commitment, professionalism and skill," said Petraeus, to the servicemembers reenlisting on the 4th of July. "Through your sacrifice and commitment, through your professionalism and skill you are beginning a proud new chapter to the already rich history of America's military services."

Perhaps it is that simple. Whether anyone wearing the uniform would care to admit it or not, inside each is the Revolutionary War-era "Minuteman," ready to serve any time, any place, and inside each member of the military will always be a patriot of these United States, "until death do us part."

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