Who is offended by "Fiddlers Green?"

When I signed up for the Army the list of MOS’s to chose from at MEPS had it listed 19D CAV SCOUT, it didn’t really occur to me at the time this was like the “Indian killing cavalry.” I am an enrolled member of a tribe in northwestern WA state. I did not grow up on a reservation, (urban Indian is the term) but I am Native. Although we (Natives) serve in the US military in greater proportions than any other minority ethnicity, given the relatively small size of our population, I doubt many of you knew many Natives while you served. The entire reality of it is truly a paradox I live w/, serving in the US military (much less as a cavalryman) and knowing what US government did to Native tribes throughout the country. The government perpetuated many forms of genocide, including ordering the wholesale slaughter of tribal members (including women, children, and elders) by the US Cavalry. However you need to rectify that in your own mind, this is something that occurred. “It’s your government but it’s my country” might be the easiest work around I have found for myself. As it is, I owe much of my success in life to what I learned while serving in the military. Apart from the obvious dubious traditions, I am very proud of having been trained and served in the cav. I am not offended by Fiddlers Green and I look forward to seeing my brothers there once again.

You know, these days everybody is offended by something and everything offends somebody. Personally I like the poem (along with Kipling's "If" among my favorites). I think they are a great part of our Cavalry heritage and I continue to use it, offensive or not.

Well... If they are offended, maybe they should have joined the Cavalry!

Why should we, of the fraternity of arms, care what some limp di*k thinks? Hurrah for all those who place their bodies between our country and those who would harm that country.
Hil Evers
1975-2005
3d ACR, 2d ACR

In the time frame of the Indian wars, when this was probably written - the last thing you ever wanted was to fall into the hands of the hostiles. "especially the Apache". as they would slowly torture you to death and with great misery. Best to take the initiative and check out on your terms and not their's. I for one am not offended by this poem and I can accept the reasoning behind it given the circumstances.

Not at all.

Fiddeler's Green is a part of the Cavalry tradition. The combat arms profession is filled with these. Some much more grisly than this.

I was a 21 year infantryman who had the distinct pleasure of serving for 3 years in the 2d Cavalry Regiment. Personally I don't find this song offensive, i actually really like it. Honestly anyone who is offended by it needs to grow a spine.

Well.... Death before dismount....blood before surrender..

No, and I'm not sure that simply holding an opinion different from your own... qualifies something as offense. That said, it's probably not appropriate for use in any kind of official setting.