By profession I am a soldier and take pride in that fact. But I am prouder -- infinitely prouder -- to be a father. A soldier destroys in order to build; the father only builds, never destroys. The one has the potentiality of death; the other embodies creation and life. And while the hordes of death are mighty, the battalions of life are mightier still. It is my hope that my son, when I am gone, will remember me not from the battle field but in the home repeating with him our simple daily prayer, Our Father Who Art in Heaven.

Summary

The quote expresses the pride of a soldier in their profession, but emphasizes that their greater source of pride is being a father. The soldier's role involves destruction for the greater purpose of building, while a father's role is solely focused on creation and nurturing life. Despite the strength of the destructive forces of war, the soldier believes that the power of life and creation is even stronger. Ultimately, the soldier hopes to be remembered as a caring father by their son, not for their battles, but for the simple daily prayer they shared together.

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