“To All Who Shall See These Presents, Greeting:”

The phrase “To all who shall see these presents, greeting:” is a traditional legal and diplomatic statement that dates back centuries. In the context of military awards and commissions, it serves as a formal opening to a document of great importance.

Here’s a breakdown of its meaning:

• “To all who shall see these presents”: “Presents” in this context is a legal term referring to the document itself. It’s a formal way of saying “to anyone who reads this document.”
• “greeting:”: This is a direct salutation, similar to “hello” or “greetings.”

Essentially, the phrase is a formal announcement to the world that the enclosed document is a matter of official record. It’s a way of asserting the authority and legitimacy of the award or commission. The use of this archaic language adds to the gravitas and tradition of the military, connecting the recipient to a long history of service and honor.

This opening can be found on a variety of official documents, including:

• Military Award Citations: Announcing that the President of the United States, authorized by an act of Congress, has awarded a medal to an individual.
• Officer Commissions: Certifying that an individual has been appointed to a specific rank and office, reposing “special trust and confidence” in their abilities.
• Treaties and Diplomatic Papers: Used to introduce official communications between nations.

It is a powerful and time-honored phrase that signifies the official nature and importance of the document it introduces.

Pronunciation

In the phrase “To all who shall see these presents, greeting:”, the word “presents” is pronounced with the stress on the first syllable, just like the noun “presents” that means gifts.

• It’s pronounced: PREZ-ents.

This is in contrast to the verb “to present,” which has the stress on the second syllable:

• To command Present Arms: pre-ZENT.

The reason for this is that “presents” in the military citation is a noun. It refers to the document itself. The Latin root of the word means “those things that are present” or “the document itself.” So, you are essentially “presenting” a document that is “present” for all to see.

It’s a great example of a homograph—a word spelled the same but with different meanings and pronunciations depending on its grammatical function.