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to History and TraditionsThe history of the Engineer is the history of the United States of America. From her colonial beginnings Engineers mapped, built, and fought their way across this great nation from shore to shore, eventually extending the might of America around the globe. This Engineer Punch is a rare and unique combination of spirits, each symbolizing the heritage, the achievement, and the glory of the Engineers.
CHERRY BRANDY, representing the enlisted soldiers will establish the base of our punch, just as the Engineers have formed as the base of many branches of our Army.
In order to truly understand the significance of the Engineers we must examine carefully the first charge, our FOUNDATION, The red color, reminiscent of the shared heritage of Engineers and Artillerists attests to the time when mid-evil "Enginators" designed, built, and operated the engines of war. From those early Engineers sprang the Artillery, later the Armored forces, even Aviation, and the Chemical corps trace their origins to the early Engineers.
COGNAG_______, representing the history of civilian support for the Corps, will continue the heritage of our forefathers.
Engineers of our revolution met at occasions such as we are doing here tonight, and on 11 March, 1779, by resolution of Congress, The Corps of Engineers was formed. In commemoration of the Engineers who first trained in the snows of Valley Forge, organized into a corps, and won our independence at Yorktown, we add the second charge, COGNAC, honoring the French who contributed to our first victory and from whom we adopted much of our unique heritage.
WHITE WINE____, representing the youthful zeal of the Engineers, will remind us of the invulnerability and hope inherent in the Engineer spirit.
Truth, innocence, vigilance, and devotion are the principles which guide Engineers in the performance of their duty. This un-blemished magnificence found in third charge, WHITE WINE, is also the color of the white piping found on the Engineer colors. This white, original color for Infantry, represents of the secondary mission of the Engineer, that is to fight alongside the "Le-Enfantry", in French, the "children of battle".
CHAMPAGNE____, representing the Engineer senior leadership, will help us reflect on those who have given their last full measure of devotion, our fallen comrades.
In honor of the selfless sacrifice of the men and women, who for more than three centuries, have served this land, and have vowed to continue to carry on this tradition. Our final charge is CHAMPAGNE, the noblest produce of the vine, symbolizing the eternal mission of the Engineer and reminiscent of the effervescent spirit, the enthusiasm, and the indomitable courage with which Engineers have demonstrated their ability.
Today the mission of the Corps is as varied as the contents of this punch: Topographic Engineering, Combat Engineering, Facilities Engineering, and Civil Works, .... Mobility, Counter-Mobility, Survivability, and the underlying requirement to get the job done and get it done right. This is the Army Corps of Engineers. Accomplishing the mission, from the fortification of Breeds Hill to the Engineering of our environment, Engineers, now as always, clear the way.
If you look around you, from the establishment of
the Corps in the 18th century to the exploration of the universe well into
the 21st, you will see the tangible evidence of the Engineers and forever
hear the Engineer motto ringing in your ears; ESSAYONS
ENGINEER PUNCH RECIPE
Foundation:
Cherry brandy or Cordial 1/2 bottle
Fruit Punch 1 1/4 quart
Sparkling Water 1 1/4 quart
Cognac 1/2 bottle
White wine 2 bottles
Champagne 2 bottles