The Oath
He wanted to make sure that the world knew that he was proud of his country. So he flew his flag everyday. If you went by the house it would be hanging on the post on the front porch. Every veterans day it was down to the VFW for a meal with the rest of the “boys”! Generally a steak and potato with a salad. His brother was in WWII and nephews were Vietnam and other theaters. His grandson even serves to this day. Any time that the military was involved he was interested. You see he believed the oath you took made you family, not the uniform, not the branch. The Oath.
“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.”
They are a special breed these men and women that took The Oath. They are united to this country, in the good and the bad. Their love for freedom does not fail. Many have given their life. Some have survived and many give their life in years retiring but never retiring from the Oath they took.
When I was a child I would go to Ft. McClellan. At the end of the day no matter where you were on that base, you would finish your day hearing the 24 notes of the song “Taps” . A soldier would end his day by hearing those notes. Many times the last notes of music heard for a veteran is the 24 notes of taps and the folding of the flag. The soldiers life completed. The Oath has been fulfilled.
So today, I thank all the men and women of past and present for keeping the Oath and defending our freedom. You are not forgotten.
Thank you VETERANS!
Jerry Elder 