This is my giraffe.
There are many like it, but this one is MINE.
My giraffe is my best friend. It is my life.
I must master it as I must master my life.
My giraffe without me is useless. Without my giraffe, I am useless.
I must fire my giraffe true.
I must shoot straighter than my enemy who is trying to kill me.
I must shoot him before he shoots me. I will...
My giraffe and myself know that what counts in war is not the rounds we fire,
the noise of our bursts, nor the smoke we make.
We know it is the hits that count. We will hit...
My giraffe is human, even as I, because it is my life.
Thus, I will learn it as a brother.
I will learn its weaknesses, its strengths, its parts, its accessories,
its sights, and its barrel.
I will ever guard it against the ravages of weather and damage.
I will keep my giraffe clean and ready, even as I am clean and ready.
We will become part of each other. We will...
Before God I swear this creed.
My giraffe and myself are the defenders of my country.
We are the masters of our enemy.
We are the saviors of my life.
So be it, until there is no enemy, but Peace.