And 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.
With those final words in the Declaration of Independence, some fifty-six men stepped forth and put their signatures to that document unique in all of history.
In July of 1976, I too stepped forward and honored a committment I had made a year before. I raised my right hand and swore the Oath of Enlistment for one hitch into the United States Air Force, with my life, and my sacred honor.
Every member of the United States Armed Forces has made that selfsame pledge, and those especially in our present generation do so as volunteers. As did their forefathers some two hundred and thirty years before. Millions have served, and many hundreds of thousands have died in defending this nation against all enemies, foreign and domestic. It is here noted that the costliest war in our history was that one amongst ourselves; we are indeed, the fiercest of warriors.
Which brings forth the point of my view of today's celebrations.
Today we observe the founding of our nation with picnics, parties, fireworks and festivities stretching from sea to shining sea. This is well, and as it should be. I would that such may be the case for now and forevermore.
But, given the prolictivities of certain amongst us to make common cause with our enemies, that oath taken thirty years past yet lives; I remain standing, ready to serve.
Let my hand be against all enemies, foreign, agents of those foreign enemies, and enemies domestic, one and all. May I be found not wanting, but standing in the breach against all who would betray this Nation unique in the history of mankind.
This land, bought in blood from a tyranical crown, shall not be sold cheaply to a new tyrannies, be they on the banks of the Hudson or the halls of Brussels. Likewise, I shall stand against those who from within, seek to undermine the very foundations of our Noble Experiment.
This I pledge, with my life, my fortune and my sacred honor.
Jim
Sloop New Dawn
Galveston, TX
THANK YOU FOR SERVING OUR COUNTRY!! AND TONIGHT, WATCH A FIREWORK DISPLAY KNOWING YOU TOO HELPED KEEP THE FREEDOM WE STILL HAVE TODAY. SO HELP YOU GOD!!!!
Posted by: Sue | July 04, 2006 at 12:27 PM
I live in a country which is not my own, because of various of these forces, is not not fit to live in.
I fought.
Keep up the fight and keep on celebrating.
Happy 4th.
Posted by: KeesKennis | July 04, 2006 at 01:05 PM
I enjoyed chatting with you in the chat rooms for Rob. I really like this post. What a small world. I enlisted in the Air Force around the same time.
Have a wonderful 4th!
*^_^
(=':'=) meow hugs
(")_ (")Š from da Raggedy one
*
Posted by: Raggedy | July 04, 2006 at 05:19 PM