An Oath is Forever: A Veteran's Response to Insurrection

We're Neither Suckers Nor Losers

I’m not a sucker or a loser.

The thing that most inspired me most about the Harris/Walz campaign was the unabashed love of America and taking back patriotism. Yes, there is lots of work to do for our imperfect union, but white nationalism is not the answer. Unless you’re Native American, we’re a country of immigrants.

There are a lot of things that bothered me about the administration of 45, but as a military veteran, I’ve found it impossible to come to grips with what happened on January 6, 2021…and the blind eye that many Americans have about it.

You can’t claim patriotism when you’re using the flag to assault officers. You can’t claim patriotism when you’ve sworn an oath to defend the country, yet you support, advocate, or participate in violence against the country you serve(d).

Below is a poem I wrote a month after January 6, 2021, which seems appropriate yet again this Veterans Day.

We who seriously took our oath to defend the constitution against enemies foreign and domestic know who the real suckers and losers are.

Arlington National Cemetery at dusk ~ February 2017

Pastoral Places in 50 States

Next time you’ll notice them
when driving in the bucolic countryside,
row upon row of white granite,
taps hanging in the air.

Ghosts of Iwo Jima, Normandy,
Fallujah, Battle of the Bulge
permeate your presence and
wonder why you’ve forgotten
your duty
to protect
their country.

The one they bled for, died for
to pay for your freedom…
but you turned your back,
looked away,
changed the subject,
placed blame on anyone but you.

History is harsh,
the land never forgets,
and souls remember
your Aaron Burr ways.

We rise up,
together…
united,
so they may rest in peace.

World War I Memorial

World War II Memorial with the Lincoln Memorial in the distance.