Name:   MAJ USA RET - Subject:   Have a Good One Date:   2/28/2012 4:44:21 PM

O5 MAY 68

<em style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal">"I, _____, 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."

I had received my draft notice from the Selective Service Board 100, Virginia Beach, Virginia.  I did not run off to Canada.  On that date I raised my hand and swore that oath.  On my commissioning, in July of 1980 I swore again a similar oath.

I retired in 1992… but, was recalled for Iraq in 2006 and re-retired in 2008… an old soldier.

I kept my promises….ALL OF THeM.

But every promise made to me relative to devoting my life… and risking death… in service to my country has either been broken… or been waffled upon… by my “grateful nation.”

Old soldier?  Were our nation invaded tomorrow, you would be glad that you had not allowed the 2^nd Amendment to be whittled away as you so permitted my service benefits. For…I would be there for you again.

I’m beginning to think that “Thank you for your service” has all the sincerity of “Have a good one.”