To the West Point officers whose professionalism in battle
shortened the war with Mexico, saving thousands
of lives on both sides of the Rio del Norte

and

To the private soldiers from both countries who fought
in the war, gaining little glory and fortune, surviving
only with great luck the naked blade and dreaded
disease of that conflict
and, finally,
To the memory of Winfield Scott, who had the
vision to bring a cruel war to a quick end