What is a Patriot?What is a Patriot? Is it only someone who lived during the American Revolution and wore 18th century clothing? When we say “Somerset Patriots” are we only honoring men like George Washington, and Ben Franklin and women like Betsy Ross and Molly Pitcher?
Are there any Patriots today? What is a Patriot?
According to Dictionary.com, Patriot is an old French word that means “one who loves, supports, and defends one's country.”
November 15th, 2004 will be a memorable day in my family's history: That was the day we took a boat from Ft. Wilderness to the Magic Kingdom and for the very first time in all of our lives we experienced Disney World!
But, November 15th, 2004 will also be memorable in the lives of a number of American families… while my family was enjoying the “Wonderful World of Disney”, a group of young men were entering a house … in Fallujah Iraq.
The young Marines were clearing yet another house of insurgents and had just finished clearing the outer rooms of a house when they approached yet another door… Sgt. Peralta tested the handle… then ready to rush into the rear part of the house, Peralta threw open the door. `POP! POP! POP!' AK-47 fire rang throughout the house as three insurgents were waiting behind the door. Peralta was hit several times in his upper torso and face at point-blank range and he jumped back into the already cleared room and fell to the floor, giving the rest of the Marines a clear line of fire through the doorway.
As they poured fire through the open door a yellow oval-shaped fragmentation grenade bounced into the middle of the room they were standing in. The four Marines still on their feet scrambled to the corners of the room and were pounding on a locked door to get out when the grenade went off.
Less than six months ago, November 15th, 2004 was a very different day for those young Marines than it was for my family. Was it wrong for my family to be enjoying a day at Disney? No. Did those Marines deserve to be in that room when a grenade went off? No, but there they were.
In fact, Sgt. Rafael Peralta, the first man through the door didn't even have to be there out of a sense of duty or responsibility.
Rafael Peralta, 25 years old, was born in Mexico and chose to come to America.
Though he was a civilian, he chose to join the Marine Corps and later became a citizen of the United States of America.
Back home, the only decorations he chose for his bedroom walls were a copy of the U.S. Constitution, the Bill of Rights and a picture of his boot camp graduation.
Recently Peralta's tour of duty was finished, but he chose to reenlist in the Marines though he knew the war in Iraq was still going on.
In Iraq, as the platoon's scout, it wasn't even Sgt. Peralta's job to be assigned to the assault teams that entered the insurgent safe houses in Fallujah, but, he regularly chose danger and volunteered to join the assault teams.
In the house that Monday, Sgt. Peralta chose to be the first man through that door.
And on November 15th, 2004, while my family was somewhere between Splash Mountain in the morning and Space Mountain in the afternoon … Sgt. Rafael Peralta, US Marine, lay on the floor, shot in the chest and the face while his fellow Marines desperately tried to escape before the grenade exploded … but before it did, Rafael made one final choice as he reached out and grabbed that yellow fragmentation grenade pulled it to his body, and rolled over on top of it shielding the other Marines from the blast.
4 young men walked out of that room alive because 1 man chose to die in their place.
Later that night, one of those Marines was told “You're still here, don't forget that. Tell your kids, your grandkids, what Sgt. Peralta did for you and the other Marines today.”
Rafael Peralta, was a 25 year old man. But, Rafael Peralta was an American, and Sgt. Rafael Peralta was a Marine, and Sgt. Rafael Peralta is a Patriot.
And if we would just stop for a minute, look around and listen to the stories. We'll quickly see that there are other Patriots like Rafael around us even today. Men and women who “love, support, and defend their country.”
Our Somerset Patriots wear an honorable name on their chests, not just in honor of historical heroes long dead, but, in honor of our sons and daughters, and in honor of our sisters and brothers and our husbands and wives, and in honor of our moms and dads.
Honor them as well, and wear the name “Patriot” with pride.
Almighty Father, Whose command is over all and Whose love never fails,
Make me aware of Thy presence and obedient to Thy will.
Keep me true to my best self,
Guard me against dishonesty in purpose in deed
Help me to live so that I can face my fellow Marines, my loved ones
And Thee without shame or fear.
Protect my family.
Give me the will to do the work of a Marine
And to accept my share of responsibilities with vigor and enthusiasm.
Grant me the courage to be proficient in my daily performance.
Keep me loyal and faithful to my superiors
And to the duties my country and the Marine Corps have entrusted to me.
Make me considerate of those committed to my leadership.
Help me to wear my uniform with dignity,
Let it remind me daily of the traditions which I must uphold.
If I am inclined to doubt; steady my faith;
If I am tempted, make me strong to resist;
If I should miss the mark, give me courage to try again.
Guide me with the light of truth,
Grant me wisdom by which I may understand the answer to my prayer.