General Franks, General and Mrs. Blanchard, General and Mrs. Mataxis, Ladies and Gentlemen, Veterans of the 70th Infantry Division. It is indeed a privilege and an honor for me on behalf of the command, to accept this marvelous  tribute to you and to those who are not here today. 3945 casualties in the division over its eighty-six days of combat. 3945 casualties, 845 of whom died in action.  All of you veterans of the division have your scars, either on your body, your mind and in your heart. That trail that you blazed will forever be a pathway for Infantrymen who follow you. Infantrymen from Private to lieutenant to Captain to sergeant who pass through Fort Benning. All of them...all the Infantry pass through Fort Benning and will be inspired by your trail as their pathway. On behalf of those soldiers, who I am privileged to represent, I thank you for the sacrifice and the honor which  you have bestowed on this installation. But most of all, I thank you very much for the trail you blazed for the young Infantrymen that follow in your path.

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