On St. Patrick’s Day some years ago I raised my right hand and swore to defend the Constitution of the United States of America against all enemies. I stood in the recruiting office standing next to a large American flag. There was not a lot of pomp and ceremony about the event. There was a small group of people from my family and it was all over in a matter of seconds. Although I can sometimes be something of a cynic, I remember feeling an incredible responsibility. When it was all done I signed the letter sent to me by the office of the President of the United States. I took the following Oath:
I (stated my name), do solemnly swear that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic; and that I will true faith and allegiance to the same; that I take this obligation freely, without any mental reservation or purpose of evasion; and that I will well and faithfully discharge the duties of the office on which I am about to enter. So help me God.
I still get chills when I read those words. Something interesting that I realized that day is that enlisted oath (for service-members entering the military as enlisted persons) also includes a line to obey all lawful orders of their superiors. Officers make no such oath. The highest responsibility should be given to the Constitution. Regardless of your personal views on recent wars you can still value this kind of a devotion to the constitution. Devotion to the constitution above all else will lead to the prevention of the violation of personal rights.
Something that impressed me was that the oath of office includes the defense of the Constitution from all enemies foreign and domestic. This also represents our politicians at home that oppose the constitution through indirect means meant to skirt its sacred values of separation of power and human rights. On that day some unspecified years ago I became an officer in the military of our great nation. Although I do have a wee bit of Irish blood in my veins I have really only identify St Patrick’s day with my commitment to serve our great nation and provide for her defense since that day. If you’re patriotic like me I hope you’ll enjoy this as much as I did. I love these great United States.