I had the honor of presenting Cadet Ethan Fritz, 15 his Aggie Ring today. It was a proud moment for Ethan, for his mother, Noala, who was also in attendance, and for me. Ethan and his family are from Verdon, Nebraska. His two older brothers, Jacob and Dan, attended West Point and joined the US Army as Army officers. Jacob was killed in action in Iraq in 2007. I had the honor of being the presiding General Officer at Jacobs funeral - the first time I met the Fritz family and a moment Ill never forget. Noala Fritz told me that day that despite the tragedy that her family had suffered by losing their oldest son, that she still believed in our country and would continue to send us her sons. I never forgot what she said that day, and as the father of 2 soldiers, those words stayed with me for years. Ethan chose to attend Texas A&M and join the Corps almost 4 years ago, and I promised his mother that I would ensure that Ethan graduated and commissioned into the US Army, like his brothers. Today was a major milestone in keeping that promise. Ethan will graduate in May, and will commission into the US Army at the same time. Words cant even begin to express how special today was for me - as the Commandant, as a military officer, and as a father. Its families like the Fritz family that make this country great, and Aggies like Ethan Fritz who will continue the tradition of military service to our country that Aggies have been known for for over 130 years. Congratulations to Ethan and his mother on earning his Aggie Ring today, and may God bless them and their family as they continue their family legacy of military service to the United States. We truly are the land of the free because we have always been the home of the brave - and the Fritz family is one brave American family.
Posted on: Sat, 20 Sep 2014 02:58:41 +0000
Trending Topics
Recently Viewed Topics
© 2015