"I, Ralph Harold Fiscus, Jr, do solemnly swear 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."
It matters not the reason why one takes this oath. The noble call of patriotism, a ticket away from home, college money, a "job", travel, or just a childhood dream, all mean the same. Your enlistment presents your life as a blank check, payable on any battlefield your country needs you on.
No soldier loves war, but all soldiers are willing to fight one with the hope that it's the last one.
Say a prayer today for the men and women still fighting and standing for our freedoms.
I offer a heartfelt Thank You to all my brothers and sisters in arms, past and present. It was truly an honor to serve with you.
Thank You to the greatest country on earth for affording me the opportunity to serve. I am who I am today because of hard-nosed NCOs who wouldn't allow me to give up, and if I failed, taught me to adapt and overcome.
And Thank You to every person who takes the time to thank us for our service, a period of our lives where we believe we gained more than we gave.
Happy Armistice Day!
Happy Veterans Day!
