The future is now

Images courtesy: Donna Miles and Lona Parten

2nd Lt. Elizabeth Betterbed will never forget May 22, 2010. On this day, the Rhodes Scholar graduated as the U.S. Military Academy at West Point's top cadet and was personally congratulated by her commander-in-chief. After years of training and studying for this moment, 2nd Lt. Betterbed is ready to lead.

About six months ago, the Army women's soccer star was asked about how she would handle what will likely happen down the road: a deployment to Afghanistan or Iraq.

"There is a risk," she said. Anywhere we go to there’s going to be a risk. I don’t think there is a need to be terrified.

"It’s good to be a little bit afraid. It’s a new situation for anyone going over. I’ve been preparing for this since June 2006. Good preparation and good training will reduce the risk."

Michael Lewis' article said Betterbed studied engineering, learning new skills that will be able to help the Afghan or Iraqi people rebuild their war-ravaged countries.

"Part of the main reason I chose engineering was because there is a chance to help. You're building something at the end of the day where I will affect people's lives."

During his speech to the 1,002 graduating members of the 2010 class, President Obama said that the war effort in Afghanistan is "no less important than it was in those days after 9/11." He also warned of tough times ahead, as U.S. and coalition troops prepare for a major offensive in Kandahar this summer. In one of the speech's most solemn moments, the president paid tribute to West Point graduates who have lost their lives in Iraq and Afghanistan.

"We see your sense of honor in your respect for tradition, knowing that you join a long grey line that stretches through the centuries; and in your reverence for each other, as when the Corps stands in silence every time a former cadet makes the ultimate sacrifice for our nation," President Obama said. "Indeed, today we honor the 78 graduates of this academy who have given their lives for our freedom and our security in Iraq and Afghanistan."

While every cadet honors the fallen, those remarks certainly struck a particular chord with 2nd Lt. Daniel Parten, who graduated today in Michie Stadium and is pictured below on the left. That's because one of the 78 fallen West Point heroes in the war on terror is his big brother, 1st Lt. Tyler Parten, who I have written about extensively since his tragic death in Afghanistan. As 2nd Lt. Parten celebrates his achievements tonight with his wonderful family, there is no doubt that his brother, a talented musician who is pictured below on the right, is singing in jubiliation up above.

2nd Lt. Daniel Parten will not forget September 10, 2009, the day he lost his hero. Yet he will also carry May 22, 2010 in his heart, because while it is the day he begins his own new personal journey, it also marks another unbreakable bond with his oldest sibling. They will always be brothers in arms.