As Americans, it is our duty and given responsibility to educate ourselves and our children of our past, history and origins. In doing this we are securing our future of freedom by enabling the future generations to have the gift of knowledge and wisdom. How can we help preserve the past? One very important but little known way is by preserving the history of our armed forces. Every branch in the armed forces has sacrificed men and women to keep our freedom and one excellent way of re-paying that unselfish devotion is by honoring them through their memories, history, and lives.

Retaining knowledge of the US Military swords is one way of showing our support and respect of the armed forces, by knowing each sword for each branch and by passing this information onto future generations to be kept in reverence and honor of the men and women that died carrying and using these swords.

The USMC, United States Marine Corps sword is one that truly captures the heart of pomp and circumstance. Shining brightly and carried by men and women dressed smartly, this sword outshines most others in its popularity alone, added to the pride and support represented by this icon. Their motto, "The few, the proud" brings new meaning to their background and history rich in battles and victories.

Followed closely by the marine's swords, are the Army swords that carry with them a weight of all the lives lost and taken in wars at home and on foreign ground. The embodiment of a lifetime, the Army saber has changed in variations of size, color, and style throughout the years. Taking a look at the timelines of the Army swords, we are able to see how it closely followed the trends of victory and loss along the way while attempting to keep a part of the original design as an ode to the originality of the beginning of man and his fight to protect his homeland. The history here helps to enlighten us in the varying ups and downs of the wars and the over all style of the Army itself over the years.

The Airforce sword is closely mimicked by the Airforce Academy Sword, but is kept different by slight variations in the pommel. For another history rich experience, researching the Airforce sword is one way of seeing a nation before it began and watching as it grew and unfolded.

The Navy NCO Cutlasses are an excellent specimen of superb workmanship. These US Military swords have changed from their original design used around 1841 to the design now used, but primarily created in 1860 during the Civil War. History does not get much more prevalent than this. These Navy swords are breathtaking displays of the embodiment of the spirit of our founding fathers as they embarked on journeys from which most of them knew they would not return. Forging ahead into lands uninhabited and seeking to give us our inheritance, these men left a legacy with the Navy cutlass, by the story that follows each one, and the history included into the fray. Although we are long apart from those days when these swords meant the difference between life and death, we have now come to a point where we acknowledge them as an incarnate icon of the bravery, loyalty, and honor that served to shape a mighty nation.