I Swear

     I live in small-town U.S.A. I haven’t always though. As a matter of fact, I’ve lived all over the world courtesy of the U.S. Air Force. I joined right out of high school, before my eighteenth birthday. My decision to enlist was an easy one. I was looking for a way to pay for a higher education, and the military was the perfect choice for me. I eventually earned advanced degrees, but decided along the way to make a career out of it. I retired after serving twenty years. Several years after that, I married an Air Force member still on active duty. I followed him on three more assignments before we both decided to put down roots. 

     This past weekend, my husband and I attended an annual firefighter’s fund-raising festival. For some reason, my brain continued to replay a conversation from that evening, so I decided to try and break it down and perhaps move on. While we chatted up several of his high school buddies, one of them mentioned the bombing in Afghanistan. He said something about how it must have really affected us. We did the appropriate head nods, and mentioned that our son-in-law left part of his leg there when he stepped on an IED (improvised explosive device). We both fell silent and the conversation moved on to something else. Since then, I’ve been replaying the dialogue in my head. 

     I’m definitely not indifferent to what’s happening in the world. We watched as the events unfolded on the news channels, saw the footage of the caskets as they arrived in the U.S., and paused live coverage to see the names and faces of our fallen brothers and sisters in arms. I admire and respect anyone who decides to serve our country, for whatever reasons. 

     The day I left for basic training, I raised my right hand and swore to support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic. I didn’t grasp the gravity of that oath at eighteen years old, but over time I understood I had sworn to defend my country … to my own detriment. Those thirteen who died certainly understood the danger and risk associated with serving in the armed forces. Like me, I hope they felt proud and honored to serve their country and Commander-in-Chief, the President of the United States. Regardless of my personal political affiliation while on active duty, I remained bipartisan in the public eye to maintain unification and respect for the position of authority. It’s what’s expected of all U.S. military members. 

     All I have to do is look at my phone or turn on the television to be reminded of how divided we are as human beings. Wars, bombings, mass shootings, hate crimes, atrocities, the list of human suffering is a long one. Then I’m reminded of all the acts of kindness I’ve seen in my life. Just like I swore to serve my country, I want to show the same devotion to my personal life with this oath: 

     I do solemnly swear that I will create a life with meaning because it just might be the most important thing I ever do; that I will strive to look through an unbiased lense; and that I will defend and protect my family as though my life depended on it. So help me God.