Duty, honor and country: my opinion

Introduction

General Douglas MacArthur (1880-1964) was an American general who commanded the Southwest Pacific in World War II, oversaw the successful Allied occupation of postwar Japan, and led the United Nations’ forces in the Korean War from 1950 to 1953. This man had once said “ Duty, Honor, Country – those three hallowed words reverently dictate what you ought to be, what you can be, what you will be. They are your rallying point to build courage when courage seems to fail, to regain faith when there seems to be little cause for faith, to create hope when hope becomes forlorn.” I believe that these very words help us build and shape our basic characters. They help us mold our futures and the roles we play. These words also make us strong enough to know when we are weak, and brave enough to face ourselves when we are afraid. They act as an encouragement to never give up on our duties, honor, and country.

Duty

So what exactly are duty, honor, and country? They are things we can’t neglect. Duty, honor, and country have an interlockable relationship that applies to our life. Duty is the sum total of all laws and rules that make up your organizational, civic, and moral obligations. This is important because duty implies that we are a part of a bigger picture, but we aren’t the “ whole picture.” We are just a small piece of the bigger picture. Even though we are just a small piece, we are nonetheless important. When we start to realize and recognize our duties in life, we also start to understand our place in life and the roles we play. We also begin to serve for a bigger purpose other than ourselves. This means that we aren’t the only ones that matter in society and around the world. When we are in the mindset that something needs to be fulfilled, we do what needs to be done because it is our obligations to complete it and that’s all that matters. We aren’t looking for recognition or rewards because there is a silent honor in doing our duty. For example, as students, we must carry out the requirements of our jobs, which includes obtaining a high level of education and prepare for hardships in order to step towards our future goals and careers. We are the next generations and we must build paths for the generation that follows.

Honor

Honor represents the set of all values that make up the public code any organization. It is synonymous to glory, respect, and distinction. This is a priceless reward given after one has accomplished something successful. No one was ever honored for what they have received, but for what they have given. Honor is a highly regarded word and people who have it are considered of high values and moral worth. This is an important attribute because when one has honor, they are able to distinguish between right and wrong. They conform according to their conscience and will have an excellent character that is looked upon by others. In order to exhibit the value of honor in my life, I have to adhere to and identify with a public code of professional values, show good moral judgment, and employ honor as my motive for action.

Country

A country is a nation with its own government, occupying a particular territory. It is a place that provided me with a warm home and family. It is where I spent my whole life. Thus, as a citizen, it is important to serve the country in times of need because we should always give back in return for what we receive and protect the place we live and where our family is. There’s a saying that goes like this: “ Having somewhere to go is home. Having someone to love is family. Having both is a blessing.” All of this is possible due to what our governments provide us. Therefore, it’s important to stay loyal to the place you’ve known for your whole life and protect it. I believe that even if we are kind and gentle, we will become the most powerful and relentless creatures when it comes to protecting our family, friends, and country. Therefore, as a citizen, one of my obligations is to serve the country in times of need, even if it means I would have to sacrifice my life to save the ones I love.