May 17 is Armed Services Day. Much like on Law Day on May 1, when lawyers reaffirm the oath they took to the Constitution when they joined the bar, I propose that veterans and active duty service members reaffirm the oath they took when they joined the military.

Military service members pledge to support and defend the Constitution. The U.S.is a nation of laws, not men, and we must remember to what we owe our allegiance.

As a former officer in the Navy, I plan to pledge again the oath I took before, an oath to the Constitution, which I consider still binding, and which I have never repudiated, but modified to recognize that while I did my duty faithfully, I am no longer entitled to command others.

“As a former (branch of service) officer, I, (name), do solemnly affirm that I will continue to support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign or domestic, and that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same; that I take this obligation freely, without any mental reservations or purpose of evasion; and that I did well and faithfully discharge the duties of the office upon which I was entrusted; so help me God.”

LAURA GORDON
Seaside