Ladies and gentlemen, Welcome to the 172d Infantry Brigade – Alaska’s Bicentennial Pageant.

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[page 1] (Scene 1) The history of our great country began in Philadelphia where patriots pledged their lives and fortunes when they signed the Declaration of Independence. These immortal words have kindled the fire of freedom for 200 years (pause) : When in the course of human events, it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands which have connected them with another, and to assume among the powers of the earth, the separate and equal station to which the laws of nature and of Nature’s god entitle them, a decent respect the opinions of mankind requires that they should declare the causes which impel them to the separation. We hold these truths to be selfevident that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their creator with certain unalienable rights, that among these are life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. --That to secure these rights, governments are instituted among men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed – that whenever any form of government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the right of the people to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their safety and happiness.

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[page 2] (Scene 2) (Revolutionary War) On June 14, 1775 – The 2nd Continental Congress, meeting in the colony of Pennsylvania, voted to become the regular force of the Continental Army. Although it would not assume the name until 1789, the United States Army was created with this gesture. Destined to defend a country not yet born and a people generally against the concept of standing armies, our army came to being with a spirit that is keenly felt in our country to this day. After great debate, our founding Fathers voted a constitution for the fledging nation that has stood the test of time. Its preamble is the rock upon which the great nation is built. It reads: “We the people of the United States, in order to form a more perfect union, establish justice, insure domestic tranquility, provide for the common defense, promote the general welfare, and secure the blessings of liberty to ourselves and our posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution of the United States of America.”

[page 3] (Scene 3) The British had every reason to doubt American military knowledge and skill, but they had vastly underestimated Yankee determination as they were to learn within a week at Bunker Hill near Boston. During the Revolutionary War period, the army earned eleven battle streamers, among them Ticonderoga, Trenton, Brandywine and Germantown.

Before you now is the stars and stripes as it was when it flew over the beaten enemy at Yorktown to end our Revolutionary Ward, and the flags of our first states: the Diamond State, Delaware; the Keystone State, Pennsylvania; the Garden State, New Jersey, the Peach State, Georgia; the Constitution State, Connecticut; the Bay State, Massachusetts; the Old Line, Maryland; the Palmetto State, South Carolina; the Granite State, New Hampshire; the Old Dominion, Virginia; the Empire State, New York; the Tar Heel State, North Carolina, and the Little Rhody State, Rhode Island.

[page 4] (Scene 4) (War of 1812) By 1812 the Louisiana Purchase had added much new Territory to our new nation – more than could be effectively protected by the small standing army. Our status as an independent nation was continually being undermined by European nations both on our Northwestern frontier and at sea. These conditions, and a larger European conflict, forced Congress on 18 June to declare war against Great Britan. The army quickly expanded to meet the challenge of a war, with the greatest world power of the time. At the Battle of New Orleans, General Andrew Jackson proved that Americans, properly motivated, trained, and led, could fight and win against the best armies. The War of 1812 secured most of our Northern and Western borders and established a place for the United States in the community of nations. The army had demonstrated the same Yankee determination that won independence and six streamers were added to the army flag for bloody battles such as Canada, Chippewa, and McHenry. Before you now is the flag of 15 stars. On a stormy night at sea off Fort McHenry, Francis Scott Key was inspired to write our national anthem in the red glare of rockets as he saw our flag was still there – during this time, two new states joined the Union. The Green Mountain State, Vermont; the Blue Grass State, Kentucky.

[page 5] (Scene 5) (Mexican-American War) Citizens had performed so well as soldiers that Americans saw little need for a permanent army. In 1836, 200 brave men died at the Alamo to preserve independence for Texas. This was a prelude to what in 1846 became a war with Mexico. Victory gave the United States what is now Texas, California, and most of the area in between; and the U.S. Army added Palo Alto, Monterey, Buena Vista, Vera Cruz, and 5 others to its growing list of campaigns. Here is Old Glory as she was then. With 28 stars, our nation had more than doubled its number of states. The 13 new stars represented: the Volunteer State, Tennessee; the Buckeye State, Ohio; the Pelican State, Louisiana; the Hoosier State, Indiana; the Magnolia State, Mississippi; the Prairie State, Illinois; the Cotton State, Alabama; the Pine Tree State, Maine; the Show-Me State, Missouri; the Land of Opportunity, Arkansas; the Wolverine State, Michigan; the Sunshine State, Florida; and the Lone Star State, Texas.

[page 6] (Scene 6) (Civil War) In 1861, a proud nation, ignorant of the magnitude of the tragic confrontation that would ensue, divided and prepared for war. The Civil War remains the most tragic chapter of our history. Destructive offensive power far out-weighted the defenses against it; and, as a result, war casualties were awesome in their magnitude, both North and South.

[page 7] (Scene 7) In the midst of this terrible war, President Lincoln dedicated a cemetery at Gettysburg with these immortal words:

Fourscore and seven years ago our fathers brought forth on this continent a new nation, conceived in liberty and dedicated to the proposition that all men are created equal. Now we are engaged in a great Civil War, testing whether that nation, or any nation so conceived and so dedicated, can long endure. We are met on a great battlefield of that war. We have come to dedicate a portion of that field as a final resting place for those who here gave their lives that that nation might live. It is altogether fitting and proper that we should o this. But, in a larger sense, we cannot dedicate – we cannot consecrate – we cannot hallow – this ground. The brave men, living and dead, who struggled here have consecrated it far above our poor power to add or to detract. The world will little note nor long remember what we say here, but it can never forget what they did here. It is for us the living, rather, to be dedicated here to the unfinished work which they who fought here have thus far so nobly advanced. It is rather for us to be here dedicated to the great task remaining before us – that from these honored dead we take increased devotion to that cause for which they gave the last full measure of devotion; that we here highly resolve that these dead shall not have died in vain; that this nation, under God, shall have a new birth of freedom; and that government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth.

[page 8] With malice toward none; with charity for all; with firmness in the right, as god gives us to see the right, let us strive on to finish the work we are in; to bind up the nation’s wounds; to care for him who shall have borne the battle, and for his widow, and his orphan – to do all which may achieve and cherish a just and lasting peace among ourselves, and with all nations.

[page 9] (Scene 8) At a terrible cost, the Union was preserved. By war’s end, the U.S. Army had added twenty-five battle streamers for such famous battles as Bull Run, Chancellorsville, Gettysburg, Vicksburg, and Appomattox. 35 stars graced our flag. The seven new stars represented: The Hawkeye State, Iowa; the Badger State, Wisconsin; the Golden State, California; the Gopher State, Minnesota; the Beaver State, Oregon, the Sunflower State, Kansas; and the Mountain State, West Virginia.

[page 10] (Scene 9) In 1867 the United States made the real estate deal of the century – perhaps of all time – we purchased Alaska from the Russians for $7,200,000. The U.S. Army was tasked with securing the new territory and thus began what was to be a long and close association with the new land. The army pioneered trails, made maps, built forts and brought law to Alaska.

[page 11] (Scene 10) Here is Old Glory as it was when it replaced the Russian colors over 100 years ago. The flag has 37 stars. It was during this period, 1865-1890, that the United States Army fought over a thousand battles with the Indians during the settling of the western frontier. A thirty-eight star flag was carried through such campaigns as Black Hawk, Apaches, Little Big Horn, and Pine Ridge, adding still more honor to the army color. The new stars honored our Silver State, Nevada; the Cornhusker State, Nebraska; and the Centennial State, Colorado.

[page 12] (Scene 11) (1898) Americans have often been called upon to aid those less fortunate. This was true in 1898. Cuba was suffering under tyrannical Spanish rule and struggling for independence. The result was a war with Spain, and her possessions in 1898. From the Philippines to Puerto Rico, the U.S. Army gave meaning to the term U.S. Foreign Policy. The army fought well. Battle losses were minimal, but disease took a heavy toll. By the turn of the century the west had been won, 10 more states had joined the Union, and the United States had become a world power that stretched from “Sea to Shining Sea.” The Spanish American War added 17 battle streamers to the army flag. The battles of Santiago, and Manila are among them. The 45 Star Flag of the period, and the flags of some of our new states are before you now: The Flickertail State, North Dakota; the Coyote State, South Dakota; the Treasure State, Montana; the Evergreen state, Washington; the Gem State, Idaho; the Equality State, Wyoming; and the Beehive State, Utah.

[page 13] (Scene 12) (WWI) Global interest brought global responsibilities and, eventually, binding agreements and alliances. War in Europe [broke] out in 1914, though the United States managed to stay out until 1917. When our country decided to enter the fight, General “Blackjack” Pershing took the “Yanks” over in force. The general fought attempts to integrate our “doughboys” into battered foreign units. Soon Americans, American-lead-and-equipped, were earning respect and admiration from both sides. They were fighting hard from the trenches and mud, and dying bravely in the struggle for freedom, over there. GI marksmanship and fighting spirit overshadowed any lack of experience. Germany would long remember the American soldier. Millions of Americans served in World War 1, tens of thousands died, and nearly a quarter of a million were wounded. The U.S. Army made the difference. The war was won. Cambrai, Champaign-Marne, St. Mihiel, and Meuse-Argonne were among 13 streamers added to the army flag.

[page 14] (Scene 13) The familiar forty-eight star banner was the national emblem carried into Europe by the doughboys of World War I. This flag was later to be carried by Americans through World War II and the Korean War. The three new stars represented: the Sooner State, Oklahoma; the Land of Enchantment, New Mexico; and the Grand Canyon State, Arizona.

[page 15] (WWII) In 1941 our nation was again called upon to use her military might. From Burma to Belgium, and on three continents, the U.S. Army closed with and destroyed the enemy. It was a totally new environment for most of our soldiers, and it took some getting used to: On the islands of the South Pacific, our soldiers fought the heat, the jungle, the sickness, and the tenacious, fanatical enemy. In North Africa GI’s battled across the hot windy sands of the desert.

[page 16] (Scene 15) On the cold wet mountains of the Aleutians in Alaska, our army pried the enemy’s grip from the U.S. Territory in bloody fighting. Major “Muktuk” Marston was instrumental in the early stages of the defense of Alaska, founding, organizing, and training the Alaska Territorial Guard. His scout battalions are active today as part of the 297th Infantry, Alaska National Guard. World War II added 51 campaigns to the growing number of army victories; among them Burma, Aleutians, Philippines, Morocco, Sicily, Anzio, Normandy and Rhineland. We again marched under 48 stars.

(Korea) World War II increased growing United States commitments overseas, and a need for a strong flexible full-time army was recognized, an army ready to fight any enemy, anywhere, at any time.

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[page 18] (Scene 17) The Cold War began, and the United States Army kept quiet vigil in Berlin, along the Iron Curtain, and in the cold mountains of Korea. Finally the challenge came in a country on the other side of the world. An ally was in trouble. American soldiers were sent to help. At first a trickle, then a flood, until over half a million Americans were serving in the jungles and highlands of Vietnam. For 10 years American soldiers fought a faceless and elusive enemy in a war without battle lines. Prohibited by political considerations from taking the fight to the enemy homeland, the United States Army aggressively fought a defensive war in a friendly nation. The soldiers who served in South Vietnam can be justly proud of their accomplishments and sacrifices. The army performed its mission well.

[page 19] (Scene 18) It was during the early stages of our nation’s military involvement in Vietnam that two new states, the first in quite a while, entered the Union. Our 49th state, our largest state, the furthest north, furthest east, and furthest west state, the state with the highest mountains, the most lakes, and the largest forests, the Eldorado of the north, the Pioneer State, the Last Frontier, Alaska!!!!

Our fiftieth state is the Aloha State, Hawaii. Also before you are the colors of our nation’s capital, the District of Columbia; and the territories of the United States: Guam, Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands.

Before you now is the precious symbol of our freedom, Old Glory, with its 50 stars on a field of blue. Beside it is our United States Army flag, with one hundred seventy battle streamers. Each streamer represents great sacrifice by thousands who have gone before us – thousands who gave their all to keep our great country free for us!! Our 50 state flags, territorial flags, and the flag from the District of Columbia remind us that we are a union of sovereign states unknown in any other country in the world. This, Ladies and Gentlemen, Is our country, America the Beautiful!!!!

[page 20] Will you please rise for the playing of the national anthem of the United States of America:

Ladies and gentlemen, please be seated for the dismissal of the colors.

Ladies and gentlemen, it has been a pleasure for the United States Army, represented by the 172d Infantry Brigade (Alaska), to have presented our Bicentennial Pageant to you this evening. Thank you.