Late at night, while we all lie content in slumber, someone watches over us.
As it has been for time immemorial, those who protect us continue their quiet selfless vigilance, beneath, behind and above us all.
Mostly unknown and unappreciated, but tirelessly true. Those are the ones that we salute today in print. Those are the ones that Carl and I admire and acknowledge. The ones that keep us safe, in arguable the safest country in all the world.
On Saturday we had the great fortune to entertain members of the Selfridge Air National Guard, as they gathered celebrate some well earned promotions. Bumper’s Landing played host to their party, and we were lucky enough to be on hand to entertain.
Half of the patio was opened up to allow enough area for the big party.
The weather was perfect, and the boaters were more than accommodating. So happy to share their favorite place with those who never seek recognition.
If I sound like I am in awe of these amazing individuals: I am. Neither Carl nor I take the freedoms that we enjoy each and every day, lightly. though we cannot imagine all of the sacrifices made, we appreciated and understand what we can of them.
Saturday gave us the great honor of meeting several wonderful members of the Air National Guard personally. A truly humbling experience.
We thanked them as we could for their great service. We tried to help their celebration as best we could, by playing all their requests; while adding a few patriotic songs of our own.
It was a magical night. We were then, and remain still in awe of all the incredible things that they do to keep us safe.
We salute them. We honor them. And we wish them all God’s speed, always.
Here is the oath that is taken, as a man or woman vows to serve our country by joining the Air National Guard:
“I hereby declare, on oath, that I absolutely and entirely renounce and abjure all allegiance and fidelity to any foreign prince, potentate, state, or sovereignty, of whom or which I have heretofore been a subject or citizen; that I will support and defend the Constitution and laws of the United States of America against all enemies, foreign and domestic; that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same; that I will bear arms on behalf of the United States when required by the law; that I will perform noncombatant service in the Armed Forces of the United States when required by the law; that I will perform work of national importance under civilian direction when required by the law; and that I take this obligation freely, without any mental reservation or purpose of evasion; so help me God.”
Rb
