Robert Augustine Seidel III

West Point, 2004

Be Thou At Peace

Posted by Rob Seidel on January 27, 2007:

This was an essay question Rob had to answer for the Congressional Nomination Committee of Rep. Roscoe Bartlett, for his application into West Point As part of your military commitment you may be asked to send soldiers into a situation that may cost them their lives. In your own words explain how you feel about this possibility. I am fully aware, that along with my commitment to the military, there may come a time when young soldiers may lose their lives in the defense of our country. There is no possible way to justify the act of killing, but in this world it is sometimes necessary for men and women to give their lives in battle so that others may live their lives in peace. I could not, in good conscience, ask these soldiers to sacrifice their lives if I weren't first willing to do the same. So it is for these men and women, who would stand by my side in the presence of death that I am willing to lay down my life for our country. I would take some comfort in the fact that these men and women by my side are professional soldiers trained in the art of warfare. I would build my courage not from my own soul, but in the eyes of every soldier under my command who has entrusted me with their own life. I know that with every flag draped coffin there are many times that number of children that will have the opportunity to live their lives in freedom. And with every pair of empty boots sitting at the end of an empty rack, there are that many more people able to sleep at night knowing that the men and women of the armed forces are standing guard.

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