Today I honor the men of the 1st Brigade Combat Team of the 82nd Airborne Division of the U.S. Army who have sacrificed their lives while doing their duty. For them, and all of their comrades in arms, I ask God to bless them and keep them.
To Lt. Winston Elliott IV, platoon leader in the 1st BCT of the 82nd Airborne, I offer these words: Strength & Honor, my son. We await the safe return of you and your men.
Today is an appropriate time to review the mission of those who serve in the U.S. military. We should also remember the responsibility of citizens to hold accountable those elected to public office who determine where and when our soldiers are asked to fight. We are ultimately responsible for the decisions which put our soldiers in harms way.
Below is the oath my son swore when he was commissioned an officer in the United States Army. How many citizens of our Republic honor these words?
“I, _____ , 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.” (DA Form 71, 1 August 1959, for officers.)
Books honoring those that serve our great nation may be found in The Imaginative Conservative Bookstore.
Thanks for posting this, and the vow specifically ~
I have four nephews in the Army right now: two safely back from Afghanistan, one headed there this Fall.
May the Lord protect your son and have mercy on these United States!
Dana in GA