Video: I Promise to Remember
I dedicate this video to Mr. Leif Maseng and all the veterans.
"Be loyal. Remember, your country is the best in the world. It's a wonderful country."
On June 3rd, 2014 my father and I were visiting the town of Arromanches, when we met a group of WW2 veterans on a tour from South Carolina. I stopped and thanked as many as I could, and some of the men were kind enough to pose for photos with me. When they saw I was wearing a paratrooper uniform, they led me to a gentleman named Leif Maseng. Mr. Maseng had served with the 82nd Airborne.When my father and I set out to assemble my tribute uniform, we vowed to create a replica uniform that would stand up to the scrutiny of any World War Two paratrooper. Now, we would see.
I met Mr. Maseng and I thanked him for his service. He looked over my uniform and complimented me on it. He even teased me a little because I was wearing the uniform of the 101st Airborne, and he had served in the 82nd. He also playfully remarked that it was too clean. And then he turned his attention to my Corcoran jump boots. He said: "Another thing I didn't have were the boots. All of the state-side paratroopers got boots, but in the army, in the war, we didn't have boots. So, you're very fortunate." Then he encouraged me to "Scruff 'em up a little bit." He was explaining to me that some of the units of the 82nd didn't receive the Corcoran boots like they did in the 101st. The Corcorans were the pride and joy of the paratroopers, which is why he said I was fortunate to have them. He was right. I have always felt this way. Finally, something in him changed and his playful mood grew serious. He must have felt that he had the chance to pass on a message to the youth of America through his words to me. He reached out and shook my hand, and while holding it, said, "Be loyal. Remember, your country is the best in the world. It's a wonderful country." The way he spoke those words to me, it was like he was speaking straight through me, right into my soul. When he said those words, I had the feeling that everyone and everything around didn't exist. All I felt was his hand holding mine, all I saw was the sincerity in his eyes and all I heard were his words and the message they carried. His message went straight to my heart. It was a moment I will never forget.
Since my father and I started Project Vigil, our motto has always been, "I promise to remember," and this is my vow. To anyone who has ever served or to anyone who has lost a loved one in service to our country, for you and for Mr. Maseng, I will remember the sacrifice, the strength, and the patriotism. And above all, I will remember to be loyal to my country. And that America is the best country in the world.
I promise to remember.