Thought for the day
March 4, 1999
Today is the 210th "birthday" of a document which I have never, personally, beheld but have sworn to lay down my life to protect. Of course, I'm referring to part of the United States Constitution called the "Bill of Rights." Why would anyone pledge to defend an old piece of paper with their life? Because it is NOT JUST A PIECE OF PAPER. Indeed, if all original copies were lost, I would feel the same about the ideals and the framework for a nation of laws that was set forth in our Constitution.
As a veteran, like my brother and father before me, I swore to defend and uphold the Constitution against all enemies both foreign and domestic, if necessary, with my life. Proof that we are not alone in believing in this oath can readily be seen everyday. Because without the dedication of millions of men and women over the course of more than two centuries, there would be no United States of America.
That I am allowed to write this is guaranteed in the Bill of Rights even though the authors could never have imagined that such a medium as the Internet could ever exist.
That people in my country are allowed to attend (and even more importantly, NOT attend) a church of their choice is also secured in our Bill of Rights along with protections against other forms of tyranny and injustice.
And yet, the document and the nation that it organizes are not perfect, but still evolving. The original document did not recognize women and minorities as equal human beings in the eyes of the law. Fortunately, our government was created with mechanisms to change itself. And although we still struggle to be the most fair and just nation ever, we still have work to do.
Today, I will take time to reflect upon the Constitution. I'll tell my children what it means to me and of the debt we all owe to those who came before us. And our obligation to the future to uphold these ideals. Perhaps you will do the same if you are a citizen of this GREAT Nation!
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