To all all patriots and those who are unsure of what true patriotism is: Thank you for taking the time to read this commentary and for remembering our veterans this week.
I am a retired U.S. Army sergeant.
We honor and thank the veterans for risking their lives so we can be free to live our daily lives. We especially want to remember and pay tribute to the veterans who gave their lives or lost limbs in wars. I ask you to remember them and their families in prayer, for they have paid the ultimate price for your freedom and liberty. Remember the soldiers in Iraq and Afghanistan who every day risk dying from bombs or snipers.
Every soldier in all branches of military service has different reasons for enlisting in the military. The one thing all soldiers have in common is the knowledge that at some point in their military career they may be put in harm's way. All soldiers accept this risk. All soldiers will do their duty knowing there is an ultimate cost.
Before entering basic training all soldiers are sworn in by raising their right hand swearing to defend the Constitution of the United States and to follow the orders of the commander in chief of the military, who is the president of the United States. This swearing in is an oath and to break it would be the worst lie you could ever say.
The reason I am mentioning the oath to defend the Constitution is this: All members of Congress, the Supreme Court, and yes, including the president of the United States, have to raise their right hands and swear an oath to defend the Constitution of the United States. The best way you can honor the veterans is to hold the president, Congress and the Supreme Court of our nation to their oath to defend the Constitution. It will guarantee that our freedom and liberty continue. Our Founding Fathers fought hard, risked treason to the British crown and death by hanging to give you this free nation of liberty you enjoy.
You can work with your family and friends in the following ways:
You and your family can read and understand what the Constitution and Bill Of Rights say.
You and your family can read the most beautiful document in the history of the free world, the Declaration of Independence.
Read the Federalist papers and letters from our forefathers like Thomas Jefferson, George Washington and Samuel Adams, to name just a few. Compare what they said about different subjects when referring to the articles in the Constitution. This will give you a better understanding of what the articles truly mean, including the Bill of Rights.
Once you and your family have read and understand these documents, I ask you to compare what your president, Senate, House of Representatives and Supreme Court are doing in respect to voting and decisions they make.
I ask you to call, write and email those members who represent you when you see or hear things contrary to what the Constitution says. Explain to them that if they don't honor their sworn oath to the Constitution you will not support them in the future. Remind them that their first duty is to protect the Constitution and our Bill of Rights for the sake of our liberty and freedom. Tell them you will find someone who will protect and defend our Constitution and our liberty.
This truly is the best way to honor our veterans so they will not have died in vain.
True patriotism is protecting our Constitution in order to preserve liberty and freedom for our families and future generations.
Lastly, I leave you with a quote from Thomas Jefferson, who said, "Let no more be said of confidence in man, but bind him down from mischief by the chains of the Constitution."
Barry Thomas is a retired, 20-year veteran of the United States Army.
The views expressed here are the writer's own and are not necessarily endorsed by Alaska Dispatch News, which welcomes a broad range of viewpoints. To submit a piece for consideration, email commentary(at)alaskadispatch.com.