Sent to me by the mother of an Iraqi veteran.
A Tribute to our Veterans
From the Civil War to Europe – Pearl Harbor to Korea – Vietnam to Grenada – Kuwait to Afghanistan and Iraq – military men and women, our brothers and sisters, sons and daughters, husband and wives, and others we have never met shared a common bond. They all raised their right hands and swore an oath of enlistment or for officers, an oath of office.
For enlisted, the oath is as follows: "I, (state your name), do solemnly swear (or affirm) 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; and that I will obey the orders of the President of the United States and the orders of the officers appointed over me, according to regulations and the Uniform Code of Military Justice. So help me God."
For officers, the oath is as follows: "I, (state your name) , having been appointed an officer in the (branch of service) of the United States, as indicated above in the grade of (current rank)do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign or domestic, that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same; that I take this obligation freely, without any mental reservations 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."
Although the oaths are different in wording, one phrase is identical in both: “I, do solemnly swear (or affirm) 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”.
Both officers and enlisted solemnly swear to support and defend the Constitution. The Constitution – the stalwart foundation upon which the principles of the United States of America were built. The preamble to the Constitution succinctly highlights the ideals represented by that document.
According to the preamble, “We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defense, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America.”
This great country we live in today is based on the Constitution. A Constitution defended by the men and women who are currently serving, and have served in the United States Military – Our Veterans. Their bravery and sacrifices make it possible for all of us to live and work in the freedom accorded us by that very Constitution. On Veterans’ Day and every day, please join me in thanking our Veterans for their service before self, loyalty, and allegiance in defending the constitution. May God Bless our veterans, and May God Bless America. Amen!
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