 Across the years, the lifetimes of many men, from General Washington's Continental Army to the Globe Circling Army of today, their stretches of continuity of devotion and of determination and of willing sacrifice, which we do well to remember. Today's big picture pays particular honor to the Americans in uniform past and present who are a part of that proud heritage. The bond of historic Fort McNair in the nation's capital is a fitting setting for today's tribute to those whose devotion has kept our nation free. And here to give motion and melody to that tribute are troops of the Old Guard, the Third United States Infantry, and of the United States Army Band. The Third Infantry is one of the most select units in the United States Army. It is older than our nation's Constitution and pairs on its roles the names of men who suffered at Valley Forge and triumphed at Yorktown. As the showcase unit of the Army, the Old Guard symbolizes the Patriots' heritage, shared by Americans in uniform wherever they may be, with a medley of authentic Revolutionary war tunes. The Continental Soldier, parading on some village green, marched to the stately colonial cadence of exactly 90 faces to the minute, 1847. General Winfield Scott was on the march from Vera Cruz to Mexico City. His force, led by the Third Infantry, was blocked by an enemy stronghold on the heights of Cerro Gordo. The Third led the charge which took the position with bayonets fixed. In the end, it was those bare blades which decided the matter. And so began a tradition which is a part of the rich fabric which makes up the heritage of the American soldier. Done in time with the medley of traditional Army tunes, muskets in motion. The Third Infantry drill team, a study in synchronization, some of precisely 150 beats to the minute, once started, does not vary a beat from the beginning of the demonstration to the end. Teamwork are so smooth that unless one watches closely they may go unnoticed. For example, the moment when the entire team exchanges rifles at once, this time on the ground of six marching men, a mid-air rifle pass with bare bayonet fixed, machinery times much has changed. But discipline, precision, teamwork, the essentials, the unvariables remain. Team Stars, the beginning of a visual and musical journey through history, a progression of the uniforms and the flags which American soldiers have taken into battle. Team Stripes flew at New Orleans and over Fort McHenry in the War of 1812, inspiring the words of our national anthem. 28 Stars, 13 Stripes, the Mexican War, Cerro Gordo, Chapultepe, Union Blue, Fort Sumter as the west was won, and the nation extended from coast to coast. American War, San Juan Hill, flag the dough boy took over there. Chateau Thierry, Bellow Wood, Sam Yell, Barber to Manila, Tunisia to the Rhine, and later Korea. The American soldier carries forward his proud heritage of devotion, has ensured the security of the Union which those 50 stars symbolize. For every one of our 50 stars, there is a colorful state flag, each with a tradition, a meaning of its own. Diversity and a harmony which is in itself symbolic of the broad union they represent. Thierce Military Command, whose meaning is this, let the soldiers pass by so that it may be seen what their quality is. It also recalls from whence they have sprung, for it is a fraternal thing, the ceremonial, honorable brotherhood, they among men of arms, of showing honor to those present and to those who have gone before. In terms of many men, their stretches a continuity of devotion and of determination and of willing sacrifice.