~ “LETTERS FROM AMERICA” - by The Metaphysical Peregrine ~
"With hearts fortified with these animating reflections, we most solemnly, before God and the world, declare, that, exerting the utmost energy of those powers, which our beneficent Creator hath graciously bestowed upon us, the arms we have compelled by our enemies to assume, we will, in defiance of every hazard, with unabating firmness and perseverance employ for the preservation of our liberties; being with one mind resolved to die freemen rather than to live as slaves." ~~Declaration of the Cause and Necessity of Taking up Arms, July 6, 1775
This coming Monday is our Memorial Day, to honor our fallen. I’m a combat veteran (Vietnam), and each year this Day becomes more and more personal; I’m reminded of men I knew that actually fell. With God’s grace I survived.
The last line of our Declaration of Independance: "For the support of this declaration, with a firm reliance on the protection of Divine Providence, we mutually pledge to each other our lives, our fortunes and our sacred honor."
The oath we (enlisted) take when we join the military: "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."
Officers’ Oath: "I, _____ (SSAN), having been appointed an officer in the Army of the United States, as indicated above in the grade of _____ 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."
Since the American Revolution 1.2 million servicemen and servicewomen have died fulfilling this oath, and 1.4 million have been wounded. We have extended that oath beyond our shores, for the cause of liberty of all humanity. Benjamin Franklin: "Our cause is the cause of all mankind, and that we are fighting for their liberty in defending our own."
Honor. Duty. Country.
In Memoriam.
