"What Corps Are We?"

How many times over many years have we marched to those words, while passing in review or returning to camp on a Sunday, the event about to end? Those martial words ring as true, and cause us to quicken our step with pride, just as they must have similarly done for the boys in gray, whom we honor. And, isn't that why we do this, ultimately - to honor those whom we deem worthy of our praise and adulation?

Indeed, what Corps are we? Are we the same group of stalwarts who harken back to those early days, when our General Hillsman formed the Corps? Are we those veterans who saw the continuation of that dream, upon his passing, under the guiding hand of General Maupin? Are we the men of General Shoemake's command, with whom we shared many arduous campaigns? Are we the rank and file and officers who bear witness to General Cornett's leadership? And, where shall we be in ten years, nay, twenty and beyond, when we shall be too feeble to stand our posts?

The Corps is a living, breathing thing, full of heritage, honor, devotion, and comraderie. You see, the leadership of this Corps has always understood that we belong to a timeless, tireless assemblage, whose face is ever-changing, yet absorbed in the mirror of memories, a thing which cannot really be described, except by those of us who have helped shape it. We are the Corps. It is us. Its essence cannot be adequately conveyed to any but those who share its facets and its goodness. It is, as General Jackson might have said of it, "a providential thing." We are blessed to call it our home, our inspiration.

As we near the six-month anniversary of this new command, let us all vow to rally around the history, the hopes and dreams, and the true meaning of what we experience together, and to each renew our zeal for what we value most - each other, and what we bring to this sacrament table we call Longstreet's Corps.

I'll see you around the camp.

Colonel Gallion