Invictus

by William Ernest Henley; 1849-1903

Out of the night that covers me,

Black as the Pit from pole to pole,

I thank whatever gods may be

For my unconquerable soul.

In the fell clutch of circumstance

I have not winced nor cried aloud.

Under the bludgeonings of chance

My head is bloody, but unbowed.

Beyond this place of wrath and tears

Looms but the horror of the shade,

And yet the menace of the years

Finds, and shall find me, unafraid.

It matters not how strait the gate,

How charged with punishments the scroll,

I am the master of my fate;

I am the captain of my soul.

I carried this poem on a dog-eared, muddy, faded index card with me during my last 25 years of my military career and found myself reading it quite a bit, especially the last two lines, especially during deployments. I also passed along a copy of it to a number of the young commanders as well as lieutenants and NCOs who worked for me over the years.

You know, in an overwhelming number of cases, these young Soldiers were outstanding people of conviction and high moral and ethical standing. As a nation, we are extremely fortunate to have these young people on our side. We are in good hands.

Hooah.

Merry Christmas everyone....
and Happy New Year!