"United States Military Oath of Allegiance (U.S. Code, Title 10, Subtitle A, Part II, Chapter 31, Section 502)Each person enlisting in an armed force shall take the following oath, which may be taken before any commissioned officer of any armed force:
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; 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."
This is my tribute to my father, and to all veterans who came before and after him. I thank God every day for him and veterans like him, without whom we wouldn't have the freedoms we've grown accustomed to. Freedoms that too many Americans take for granted.
Please take a few moments from your busy day to pause, reflect, and thank those who have served and are serving our country. While military conflicts are never easy to accept, neither are the denial of basic human rights. Whatever your opinions or beliefs, RESPECT and HONOR those who are answering the call to serve their country.
THE FINAL INSPECTION
Author: Unknown
The soldier stood and faced God,
Which must always come to pass,
He hoped his shoes were shining,
Just as brightly as his brass.
"Step forward now, you soldier,
How shall I deal with you?
Have you always turned the other cheek?
To My Church have you been true?"
The soldier squared his shoulders and
said, "No, Lord, I guess I ain't,
Because those of us who carry guns,
Can't always be a saint.
I've had to work most Sundays,
And at times my talk was tough,
And sometimes I've been violent,
Because the world is awfully rough.
But, I never took a penny
That wasn't mine to keep...
Though I worked a lot of overtime
When the bills got just too steep,
And I never passed a cry for help,
Though at times I shook with fear,
And sometimes, God forgive me,
I've wept unmanly tears.
I know I don't deserve a place
Among the people here,
They never wanted me around,
Except to calm their fears.
If you've a place for me here, Lord,
It needn't be so grand,
I never expected or had too much,
But if you don't, I'll understand."
There was a silence all around the throne,
Where the saints had often trod,
As the soldier waited quietly,
For the judgment of his God.
"Step forward now, you soldier,
You've borne your burdens well,
Walk peacefully on Heaven's streets,
You've done your time in Hell.
Comments
In the best of all possible worlds we would not have to send our people off to die in far off places, but until the day that happens Americans must still fight for the Freedoms we enjoy. Thank you Moogie for remembering and honoring our Veterans .
Posted by: D Brooks at November 11, 2005 02:40 PM
Well said Moogie, exactly I remember those who died to keep my country free, a 2 minute silence isn't much to ask on the 11th hour of the 11th month every year. The poem is wonderful, true to the point.
God bless the Soilders.
Posted by: Gopher at November 11, 2005 04:44 PM
Amen to that...
Posted by: debby at November 11, 2005 07:47 PM
Two minutes seems so inadequate given all they have done for us. I vow to reflext their spirit in everything I do, every day of the year. It's the least we can do, given the fact that we wouldn't be here if not for them.
God bless, indeed.
Posted by: Carmi at November 11, 2005 10:14 PM
Nice typo back there: reflext. Funny me. That would be "reflect". Sorry about that!
Posted by: Carmi at November 11, 2005 10:14 PM