Veterans Day is an opportunity for all of us to thank those who have risked it all to uphold the Constitution and the nation. Here is the oath I took when I entered the United States Air Force:
The Oath of Enlistment
“I, Michael Bradley, 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.”
There is no expiration date on the oath. It does not say as long as I am active duty or in uniform. As a disabled veteran, I can tell you that helping veterans is very important. Battlefield medicine has become so good that I saw a recent statistic that 98% of wounded now survive. Unfortunately, stateside VA care is abysmal. There are wait lines for disability approval that can last years. Mental health, financial help and family help are often lacking.
So at least for this day, join me in supporting those who have served, past and present. See if you can reach out to at least one veteran in your life and say thank you. It really does mean a lot. Try writing or emailing your Congressman and Senators as well. Our veterans deserve a whole lot better treatment when they return home. These are young men and women, mostly 18 to 22 who join our military VOLUNTARILY to serve. They serve so that you don’t face a draft or danger from other nations. That alone should be reason to say thanks.
Michael Bradley - Time Traveler 