This week includes Memorial Day in the United States. If you live somewhere else, you probably have a similar celebration so that what we speak of today will apply for you at that time. And, we memorialize the same ones. In fact, I will be including all of those that are honored anywhere on such a memorial. All fell for ther country, or served their country and died later. For in the United States, we find ourselves not only honoring those who died on active duty, but all who have fought and passed on.
They all share the common bond of having anseered their country's call. Some did so voluntarily. Some were drafted. Others volunteered so that they could choose their form of service rather than have it chosen for them. But they all took an oath. I remember mine. Part of it was to support and defend the Constitution Of The United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic. Another part was to obey the orders of the President Of The United States and the officers appointed over me. Some who criticize us who serve forget that we took such an oath. Military service is not an occasion to debate the merits of a particular action.
And on this day, we remember them. In my case, I also honor those who might have been enemies at the time, but they would have been friends under other circumstances, and in a few cases some of those they fought alongside did become my friends when our nations became friends again.