One of my favorite movies is PATTON. It won 7 Academy Awards including Best Picture and Best Actor (George C. Scott) in 1970. If you haven’t seen it, its a classic. General Patton was one of the greatest warriors we’ve ever had.
A friend of mine named Jerry – told me a story about his big brother, a WWII veteran. Jerry used to be an NBA referee. He’s in his 70′s now and this story epitomizes the respect and admiration the troops felt for Gen Patton.
When Jerry was 12 years old his 18-year old brother was serving under Gen. Patton in Europe. Jerry idolized his big brother and while he was away fighting Nazis, Jerry turned their shared bedroom into a military shrine.
He hung dozens of pictures of soldiers, weapons, tanks, aircraft, and ships on every wall and hung models from the ceiling. He was very proud of the way the room looked and couldn’t wait till his brother came home to see it.
When his brother came home, he looked at the bedroom and thanked Jerry for taking the time to show such honor. Then he said, he liked it but was going to make a slight change. He slowly removed everything from all the walls and ceiling. Then he took out a large picture from his suitcase and hung it over his bed, it was the only thing he wanted on the walls. It was a framed photo of General Patton.
Take a few minutes and watch this new speech by Gen Patton. Patton’s speech 2008
Below is the famous “Patton Prayer” and his Christmas greeting sent December 8, 1944
“Almighty and most merciful Father, we humbly beseech Thee, of Thy great goodness, to restrain these immoderate rains with which we have had to contend. Grant us fair weather for Battle. Graciously hearken to us as soldiers who call Thee that, armed with Thy power, we may advance from victory to victory, and crush the oppression and wickedness of our enemies, and establish Thy justice among men and nations. Amen.”
Christmas greeting
“To each officer and soldier in the Third United States Army, I wish a Merry Christmas. I have full confidence in your courage, devotion to duty, and skill in battle. We march in our might to complete victory. May God’s blessings rest upon each of you on this Christmas Day.”
Here are a few of his quotations
“In war the only sure defense is offense, and the efficiency of the offense depends on the warlike souls of those conducting it.”
“Wars might be fought with weapons, but they are won by men. It is the spirit of the men who leads that gains the victory.”
“A good plan, violently executed now, is better than a perfect plan next week.”
“A good solution applied with vigor now is better than a perfect solution applied ten minutes later.”
“America loves a winner, and will not tolerate a loser, this is why America has never, and will never, lose a war.”
“A pint of sweat will save a gallon of blood.”
“By perseverance, study, and eternal desire, any man can become great.”
“Do everything you ask of those you command.”
“Do more than is required of you.”
“Fixed fortifications are monuments to man’s stupidity.”
“Good tactics can save even the worst strategy. Bad tactics will destroy even the best strategy.”
“I always believe in being prepared, even when I’m dressed in white tie and tails.”
“I am a soldier, I fight where I am told, and I win where I fight.”
“If everybody is thinking alike, then somebody isn’t thinking.”
“If I do my full duty, the rest will take care of itself.”
“In case of doubt, attack.”
“It’s the unconquerable soul of man, not the nature of the weapon he uses, that insures victory.”
“Lead me, follow me, or get out of my way. ”
“Live for something rather than die for nothing.”
“May God have mercy upon my enemies, because I won’t.”
“Moral courage is the most valuable and usually the most absent characteristic in men.”
“Never let the enemy pick the battle site.”
“No good decision was ever made in a swivel chair.”
“Say what you mean and mean what you say.”
“Success is how you bounce on the bottom.”
“The leader must be an actor.”
“The soldier is the army.”
“There is only one type of discipline, perfect discipline.”
To see more quotes go HERE.
Wish we had him now.
