“The Fallen Patriot” depicts
a classic Ranger battle
formation. The men in
the front row are fanned
out and at the ready
while covering their
downed man. As the commander
assesses the situation,
he comes to realize that this brave
volunteer isn’t
coming home today.
Always
in the thick of the battle,
the Rangers in the rear
reload as they prepare
to unleash another lethal
volley of lead into the
pursuing French and their
Native American allies.
The “Roger’s Rangers” are
commonly referred to
as America’s first official military unit. Major Robert Rogers wrote the 28 “Rules for the Ranging Service” in
1757 as instruction
in the techniques of
woods warfare in North America.
The
Rangers pursued, harassed,
and killed their French
and Indian enemies
relentlessly. Ranger
reconnaissance missions
and many other daring
and dangerous exploits
deep into enemy territory
proved pivotal in the
struggle for control
of the American colonies.
Modern
American Special Forces
such as the Green Beret
and the U.S. Army
Rangers have adapted
Roger’s “Rules for the Ranging Service” for use in today’s
modern military.
