Here’s a song that seems fitting for this Veterans’ Day: This Is Freedom
As a Cold War, Vietnam-Era veteran, I served and did what my country asked of me. But the USA has given me far more than I can give back to it. My professional training in 3 different career fields, including 2 college degrees, was either paid for, or made possible, by the USA. Yes, I owe this nation a great debt of gratitude. Below is the oath I took when I received my commission:
I, Harry Lee Wegley, having been appointed a second Lieutenant in the United States Air Force, do solemnly swear that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic; that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same; that I take this obligation freely, without any mental reservation or purpose of evasion; and that I will well and faithfully discharge the duties of the office upon which I am about to enter, SO HELP ME GOD.
There is no subtlety in this oath. It is an oath to defend the Constitution, NOT an oath to anyone in office. When the two conflict, an officer’s duty is clear. Please do not let anyone, especially the media, malign a military officer or enlisted person for doing their duty. Support them. Pray for them. Your lives and that of your children depend on them … in the coming days, far more than you might realize. And, in these days of muddled morality and cultural changes being forced on our men and women in uniform, their jobs are increasingly difficult. May God bless them all and strengthen them to their tasks. And may we never, ever forget those who served and came home after paying a steep price for our freedom.
H L Wegley