John Block Reports from Washington

We all know that the beginning of a new year is the time to make some resolutions to guide us in how we want to live the new year. You can't look ahead without reflecting back.

As I look back, I am grateful to live in the United States of America and for the goodness that our country stands for. That gratitude is only magnified as we fight the terrorists and try to safeguard our country.

When I reflect on the past, I think ofmy mother and father and the sacrifices they made and the values they passed on to us. When I was recently back home, I stood at their graveside and memories came flooding back -- baseball games, showing pigs at the 4-H show, pulling weeds in the bean field, milking the cows (by hand). I think to myself -- have we measured up to the ideals of our parents? I hope so.

From my days at West Point, I recall some of the words of the Cadet Prayer. I think these words give us guidance on how we may want to live the new year:

"May our religion be filled with gladness and may our worship of thee be natural. Encourage us in our endeavors to live above the common level of life. Make us to choose the harder right instead of the easier wrong, and never to be content with a half-truth when the whole can be won. Kindle our hearts in fellowship with those of a cheerful countenance, and soften our hearts with sympathy for those who sorrow and suffer. Help us to maintain the honor of the Corps in doing our duty to Thee and our Country. All of which we ask in the name of the great Friend and Master of all. Amen."

Happy New Year. Until next week, I am John Block from Washington.