To "defend and protect" didn't end when I walked off the ship for the last time.

When I grew up Audie Murphy was my hero. I'm not forgetting Superman, but Audie was the real McCoy. Then Elvis went in and came out with an Honorable Discharge and a Good Conduct medal.

I joined the Navy and when I raised my right hand to take the OATH I was repeating the exact same words that Audie and Elvis had. It was the proudest day of my life. To "defend and protect" didn't end when I walked off the ship for the last time.

It seems to me that my country is calling me again, to serve her, to "defend and protect" her constitution. I put my life on the line then, and I'm willing to do it again. I may not come back: a lot of those young men who stormed the beaches on D-Day didn't come back either. Think about it. I have. I took an oath once. One oath is all it takes. Count me in. I'm in it for the duration. So help me God.

Tom MacLeran

Vietnam Veteran

Attached is a picture of the ole Gal, U.S.S. Galvaston CLG-3, that I was on during my tour of duty.

I will stand by ready protect the United States Constitution

I gave my oath for the first time on March 10, 1964 when I volunteered to serve a 6 year hitch in the US Navy. I served in Pensacola Florida and aboard the UWSS Glover out of Newport RI.

Latter in 1969 I again gave my oath as a full time Police Officer in a city in Massachusetts. I am now retired. To this day I stand by my oath to protect the Constitution of the United States. I am also appalled to hear Mr. Obama declare the Constitution a "Flawed document, in need of repair".

To my way of thinking MR. Obama is not the Commander in Chief. I will stand by ready protect the United States Constitution and Will Never accept an order from anyone that would defy it.

GM

I know what the Oath means to me and my family

I grew up in a house where I saw my father put on his uniform every Monday night for years and go to Reserve drills. Then when I turned 17 I joined the Naval Reserve while I was still in high school. After high school I did my active duty with MCB 7 doing one tour in Spain and one tour in Nam. After my active duty was over I stayed in the reserve and did several training duties with my father before he retired as a Chief Petty Officer. I stayed on and retired also as a Chief petty Officer. So I know what the Oath means to me and my family.

And Not on My Watch!

Ole Glory flies in my front yard everyday

Jack H BUC USNR-R

The Oath is to preserve The United States of America.

I have taken the oath to uphold the constitution several times and administered it to military servicemen also. The oath is not to uphold unlawful orders or to personally serve the president at his whim, but to preserve The United States of America.

I have been combat trained in the Air Force, US Navy and Sheriffs Dept. and will do what is necessary to preserve our American way of life from ALL ENEMIES FOREIGN AND DOMESTIC.

H. L. Mize

York, SC

My Duty to Keep My Country Safe

I served my country in two different branches of the service. First was the Army. After I had been out a while and heard on the news that the Navy was having trouble getting enough men to enlist to have a full crew for one of the Aircraft Carriers so I joined again.

I believed then and still do that it was my duty to keep my country safe.

I would like to join your fine organization if you will tell me what I must do.

Thank you for your time.

Earl Scoles Sr.

Miltary Family Stands by their Oaths

As a retired Major in the USAF, and a former enlisted man, I take the oath. As one of three sons of a veteran with 5 years combat time, I take the oath.

We three sons have served in 3 branches of service. Our father served in two wars, and we have served in two, ourselves, although we cannot compare our service with the hardship of our father.

As the 2nd of the sons, I spent 20 years in the Air Force. My oldest brother served 2 tours in Viet Nam and my younger brother served 6 years in the Navy in the bowels of ships. Our mother was also a veteran as an Army nurse and one of our sisters served as an Air Force nurse.

We have given more of our lives to public service than most families. We proudly gave of our lives not to the government but to the truths embodied in the US Constitution.

I take the oath that you have presented, without reservation. I know that my brothers share my beliefs. Our father bore wounds and medals and we carry forward his heritage as sons of this nation.

We place God-given rights above all, and as the foundation of all law; the only legitimate government is that which protects those rights.

May God in his grace preserve this land, and not necessarily it's corrupt government.