On Wednesday, it was 4,384 days since the terror attacks of 9/11 in New York, the Pentagon and in Shanksville, Pa. It has also been 365 days since the attack on the U.S. Consulate in Benghazi, Libya. In both cases, our national response involved using military action.
In the case of the 2001 terror attacks, it has been a sustained effort for 12 years involving many partner nations. The response for the consulate attack was much smaller and shorter in duration, but was launched directly from Ramstein with our C-130J Super Hercules aircraft. In both attacks, terrorists struck because they objected to what America and Americans represent. It is our sense of freedom, justice, fair play, and our belief in equal opportunity for all that is objectionable to the extremists who want a perfectly prescribed role for every member of society.
The concepts of freedom, justice and equal opportunity all have roots in the U.S. Constitution. Sept. 17 is known as Constitution Day in the U.S. because it honors the adoption of the Constitution. The date signifies the signing of the Constitution in 1787 by the Constitutional Convention.
With 226 years of success behind it, the U.S. a long track record of congressional acts and court precedence that elaborate and define our rights. Constitution Day is also known as Citizenship Day to recognize those who have become citizens through the naturalization process. Our method of reinforcing individual liberties is still the most desired in the world as evidenced by the strong demand for applications for citizenship to the U.S. As an American born of American parents on American soil, I’m a citizen by birthright. I’ve always taken my citizenship for granted, not giving much thought to the rights, privileges and duties that citizenship entails.
Citizens’ duties include being available for jury duty, compulsory military service when required by a draft and paying taxes. The rights include the freedom to reside and work, enter and leave, stand for public office, and cast a vote for federal office. Note that we perceive casting a vote as a right and not a duty.
Birthright American citizens often focus on the rights afforded to them as citizens over their duties. Too little time do we focus on the duties of being good citizens.
Naturalized Americans tend to change this equation and put more emphasis on the duties of citizenship and less on our inherent rights. Constitution Day is a great opportunity to take the time to put our responsibilities out in front. This is also a great time to consider our civic participation. Civic participation is not compulsory in our country, but all great democracies need citizens actively engaged in all levels of the democratic process in order to thrive.
As military members, we have a lot more invested in the Constitution than ordinary citizens. Whether officer or enlisted, we swear an oath to protect and defend the Constitution against all enemies, foreign and domestic.
We’ve been put to the test over the last 12 years, but consider these facts. There are approximately 30,000 personnel in the armed forces who are not U.S. citizens, and there were 12 non-U.S. citizen members of the armed forces who gave their lives as part of the post 9/11 conflict.
These individuals swore an oath to protect a Constitution and a nation that didn’t even recognize them as citizens, and they went on to give their lives in support of that Constitution.
Fortunately, Congress has seen fit to offer them citizenship posthumously; however, we can’t overlook their dedication and sacrifice to the ideals embodied by our Constitution.
From Sept. 11 to 17, we have a period of time to reflect on the Constitution, our citizenship and on why we serve. We should remember and honor those who gave their lives on 9/11 and those who paid the
ultimate sacrifice in military service.
I, for one, could not be more proud of those who volunteer to serve our nation through military service in the wake of 9/11. They have made some tough personal choices that, in the end, make our country a better and safer place and keep our Constitution as strong today as it has ever been. Thank you for your service.
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On Wednesday, it was 4,384 days since the terror attacks of 9/11 in New York, the Pentagon and in Shanksville, Pa. It has also been 365 days since the attack on the U.S. Consulate in Benghazi, Libya. In both cases, our national response involved using military action.
In the case of the 2001 terror attacks, it has been a sustained effort for 12 years involving many partner nations. The response for the consulate attack was much smaller and shorter in duration, but was launched directly from Ramstein with our C-130J Super Hercules aircraft. In both attacks, terrorists struck because they objected to what America and Americans represent. It is our sense of freedom, justice, fair play, and our belief in equal opportunity for all that is objectionable to the extremists who want a perfectly prescribed role for every member of society.
The concepts of freedom, justice and equal opportunity all have roots in the U.S. Constitution. Sept. 17 is known as Constitution Day in the U.S. because it honors the adoption of the Constitution. The date signifies the signing of the Constitution in 1787 by the Constitutional Convention.
With 226 years of success behind it, the U.S. a long track record of congressional acts and court precedence that elaborate and define our rights. Constitution Day is also known as Citizenship Day to recognize those who have become citizens through the naturalization process. Our method of reinforcing individual liberties is still the most desired in the world as evidenced by the strong demand for applications for citizenship to the U.S. As an American born of American parents on American soil, I’m a citizen by birthright. I’ve always taken my citizenship for granted, not giving much thought to the rights, privileges and duties that citizenship entails.
Citizens’ duties include being available for jury duty, compulsory military service when required by a draft and paying taxes. The rights include the freedom to reside and work, enter and leave, stand for public office, and cast a vote for federal office. Note that we perceive casting a vote as a right and not a duty.
Birthright American citizens often focus on the rights afforded to them as citizens over their duties. Too little time do we focus on the duties of being good citizens.
Naturalized Americans tend to change this equation and put more emphasis on the duties of citizenship and less on our inherent rights. Constitution Day is a great opportunity to take the time to put our responsibilities out in front. This is also a great time to consider our civic participation. Civic participation is not compulsory in our country, but all great democracies need citizens actively engaged in all levels of the democratic process in order to thrive.
As military members, we have a lot more invested in the Constitution than ordinary citizens. Whether officer or enlisted, we swear an oath to protect and defend the Constitution against all enemies, foreign and domestic.
We’ve been put to the test over the last 12 years, but consider these facts. There are approximately 30,000 personnel in the armed forces who are not U.S. citizens, and there were 12 non-U.S. citizen members of the armed forces who gave their lives as part of the post 9/11 conflict.
These individuals swore an oath to protect a Constitution and a nation that didn’t even recognize them as citizens, and they went on to give their lives in support of that Constitution.
Fortunately, Congress has seen fit to offer them citizenship posthumously; however, we can’t overlook their dedication and sacrifice to the ideals embodied by our Constitution.
From Sept. 11 to 17, we have a period of time to reflect on the Constitution, our citizenship and on why we serve. We should remember and honor those who gave their lives on 9/11 and those who paid the
ultimate sacrifice in military service.
I, for one, could not be more proud of those who volunteer to serve our nation through military service in the wake of 9/11. They have made some tough personal choices that, in the end, make our country a better and safer place and keep our Constitution as strong today as it has ever been. Thank you for your service.