Dear William, Daniel, Catherine, Michael, and Sarah, (and your parents), (and any future descendants and their parents),

Hi, Kiddies (and your Parents)! I know that I have not written lately, but I DO think about you often.

This morning, Babcia Krysia had me go through a box of old papers — there I found this:

This one page (front and back) pocket manual is from my Army days — when I was in ROTC as a college student, and went to Airborne School, and finally became a commissioned 2nd Lieutenant in the U.S. Army.

During my Army days, there were things we had to memorize constantly — one of those things was the Rogers’ Rangers Standing Orders (now, researching this for you, I learned that these Standing Orders were NOT real — they were imagined in a book; but, they became real once the Army Rangers adopted them.

Major Robert Rogers, the founding leader and namesake of Rogers’ Rangers, in a 1776 painting

Rogers’ Rangers in their green, wool uniforms, during the French and Indian War

The Rogers’ Rangers started out as a New Hampshire independent military unit, attached to the British Army during the French and Indian War. They became the chief scouting arm of British Crown forces, and the British valued them highly for gathering intelligence. Later, they became a Loyalist force during the American Revolutionary War. Apparently, when the American Revolution began in 1775, Robert Rogers offered his services to General George Washington; however, Washington turned him down, fearing that he might be a spy. So, Rogers offered his services to the British, who accepted. When you study about this in American History — remember, the Rogers’ Rangers were not America’s friends.

I hope that, when the time comes, you will be able to impress your teacher and classmates with your intimate knowledge about the Rogers’ Rangers.

Personally, I like the first order the best: “Don’t forget nothing.”

There are many good lessons in these Standing Orders; lessons the can help you in your daily lives, and in your professional lives.

“4. Tell the truth about what you see and what you do.” Whether you are a spy, or an investigator — others depend on you to see, and tell. Do NOT say what you believe others want you to say — say what you, in fact, did see, so that others can adjust their plans accordingly. It is YOUR truth that can lead to success.

“5. Don’t never take a chance you don’t have to.” In your life, enjoy it; BUT, be risk-adverse. That means, do not put yourself in danger, if danger can be avoided. There is plenty of danger that cannot be avoided. Do not become your own worst enemy.

“11. Don’t ever march home the same way. Take a different route so you won’t be ambushed.” See the world; take a different route, take the road less traveled, observe and appreciate.

“13. Every night you’ll be told where to meet if surrounded by a superior force.” Always have an Exit Strategy. Be prepared for the unexpected; and, make arrangements with your family and friends to meet someplace if circumstances require it. When my children were little, we used to have Fire Drills. We all practiced running out of the house, and we would meet by the large tree in front of the house. We also had a designated meeting place if we could not get back home for some reason. If home was not an option, everyone was told to walk North, towards Canada; and to go to Elzunia’s and Alfred’s farm, where we would eventually meet (thank God we never had to do that — it would have been a very long walk!!!).

Walk from Westfield NJ to Potter Hollow NY — about 150 miles!!!

An average person can walk about 3 miles per hour on a road. If you walk for 5 hours per day, you can walk 15 miles. So, to walk 150 miles, it would take you about 10 days. Double that for the unexpected, and then give it some extra time for other unexpected things, we could all meet there in about a month. I realize that this is NOTHING compared to what Rysiu did; but, it was a plan.

You too should always have a plan; and, do not forget to plan for the unexpected.

Love,

Dziadziuś Paweł.

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