The Oath of the Soldier
A Memorial Day Observance Speech
by Johnny Q. Gogue III
by Johnny Q. Gogue III
Memorial Day – For most it is a three-day weekend, filled
with bar-b-que’s and picnics . . . A time to get away from the normal humdrum
of the week. For other’s it’s the beginning of summer, a time to look towards
the long lazy days and a time to plan your summer get-a-ways. Though for some,
Memorial Day holds a special significance.
On May 5, 1868, an order issued by General John Logan
established a day of remembrance for those soldiers who died during the Civil
War. May 30, 1868, was the day designated for this observance and flowers were
placed on the graves of the fallen soldiers of both the Union and Confederate
Armies. New York was the first state to officially recognize this observance in
1873 and in 1971 with the passage of the National Holiday Act; Memorial Day was
designated as the last Monday of May.
Now for many of us, the Civil War, the Spanish-American
War, WWI, WWII, and the Korean War are ancient history. The Vietnam War a
fading memory. But with the recent Operations Desert Storm, Enduring Freedom,
and Iraqi Freedom we, the American people have once again been thrust into a
position of remembering those who are fighting and dying today.
I, like my grandfathers, father, uncles and aunt before me,
am a veteran. I am and was proud of serving in the Armed Forces. I served in
the Army from 1985 to 1994. I was in Operation Desert Storm/Shield. I know what
Memorial Day is about.
I have two brothers who are currently serving. One brother
is serving in the Navy in Italy. My youngest brother, who is currently serving
in the Army, is right now in Iraq supporting and defending his fellow soldiers.
I know what Memorial Day is about.
Memorial Day for all soldiers is embodied in the words of
the oath that you first take when you enlist into the service of the country:
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.
This oath taken by each and every soldier exemplifies the
reason why soldiers do what they do each and every day. Soldiers are defenders
of the same principles that made this country great. They stand as Patriots to
defend and protect the ideals and sentiments espoused in the Constitution of
the United States. Soldiers bear true faith and allegiance to that document and
they work, and live, within the Codes of Military Justice. Soldiers also obey
the orders of the President of the United States and the Officers appointed
over them. These truths are self evident in the everyday lives of soldiers.
Now, as we see our fellow citizens arrive back from a
foreign land, we should not forget those words that each and every soldier
spoke upon enlistment. Because when we look upon a returning soldier from
conflict, a disabled veteran, or a grave marker – those words should ring in
your conscience.
I do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will support and
defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and
domestic . . . streaming from the eyes of the returning soldier. 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 . . . sounding from the stumbling gait of the disabled veteran. According
to regulations and the Uniform Code of Military Justice. So help me God . . .
blasting from the cold stone face of a grave marker.
Remember those that gave their lives, so that we may
continue to live in freedom as spelled out in the Constitution of the United
States and the Declaration of Independence . . . Lest we forget.
Each year I served as Lead Pastor of North Raleigh Church of the Nazarene in Raleigh NC I commentated Memorial Day on the Sunday before by showing a clip and leading our church family in prayer. This is my favorite clip to show:
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