As we approach our country’s 244th birthday and I approach my 80th, it has been over 62 years since I signed away 4 years of my life and took an oath to protect and defend America and the U.S. Constitution. I was proud of that oath then, passionate about it today. Now, as I watch what is occurring on the streets across the nation, I am compelled to ask myself – “Was it worth it? Do these people deserve what we have preserved for them?”
Was freedom of religion, speech, assembly and a free press worth it? I see churches being vandalized. I see powerful corporations, politicians and individuals cowering before those who threaten their livelihoods dare they speak in opposition. I see universities aid and abet the silencing of speakers whose views don’t concur with those of a student body still too young, inexperienced and ignorant to see what they risk losing. I see a vast news media that has largely lost its integrity, the art of great journalism lost in the muck of partisanship.
Was it worth it to protect the right to the opportunity to own a home or business, or to an education? I see law enforcement having their hands tied by elected officials, forced to stand by as private businesses are looted and burned, innocent citizens threatened, all while they are subjected to be spat upon, hit by rocks or bricks, their vehicles burned, all to appease a rabble that will not be appeased, does not intend to be appeased, that Intends to destroy what we sacrificed to give them.
Was it worth it? I know that without our sacrifice – that of my Marine Corps, all the other services, cops, firefighters, our intelligence services and federal agents – those who now threaten to tear down what we have preserved would be facing a harsh justice unencumbered by the restraints of our Constitution.
Was it worth it? When I see mothers in crime ridden minority neighborhoods crying over the bodies of toddlers, or teenage sons and daughters slaughtered in their streets. I cringe for them as their kids get processed through schools to face a technological world as illiterates; opportunity denied them by long embedded corruption in the system.
But I have lived free for a third of the time our country has existed and we have survived crises multiple times. This one is different. Those who would do us harm believe that their moment has arrived, that our form of government can be taken down. But I have grandchildren and great-grandchildren that still have a chance to live as free as I have as long as there are still men and women who take that oath. We have taken them this far. I believe they will ensure we survive again. I believe that my children’s children will know the blessings of true freedom. So, yes, it was worth it.
Hi Jim. Well done Jim. You put into words what,I truly believe, most people think but don’t say (ie The silent majority) . Thanx Jim. P.S. Never picture you as an 80 year old! I know we are all getting older, but I still see 19 and 20 year olds when I read all these post. I’ll be 72 on my next B-Day. Harry 1371
great articale,and yes i believe it was worth it ,and i would do it again in a heart beat,it will always be worth it,in order to keep this great country going. i’ll be 76 this year ,and ablsuotuly would do it again,with a hasatention what so ever.
Jim – I think you spoke the words that so many of us have thought in these, and past, trying times. Of course, it is always worth fighting for our beliefs. I remember feeling the same way in the ’60’s as many of our own generation had distinctly a different philosophy of our social structure and political direction. Yet, we did persevere, as we will now. Remember, adapt and overcome. Semper Fi!!! Top Pro
Thanks be to our military institutions and the men and women who stand guard against all enemies. Foreign and domestic! SEMPER FI!
domestic? in today’s world that no longer applies.
Does kind a look like a John Wayne picture. Probably taken before he won the MOH. The MOH picture looks outstanding. Semper Fi sir !!????
Your Words My Thoughts- Semper Fi
A men, Well written!!!
I feel the sane way and I have the same question. However,I keep coming back to the same answer.
We must not give in and we should follow the words of a former Wake Forest football coach, to” Never, never , never, EVER, quit”.
Sorry Dick, great thought but wrong university. The words, “Don’t give up, don’t ever give up!” were part of a speech given by Jimmy Valvano, North Carolina State University, upon acceptance of an ESPY Award prior to his death from brain cancer. Semper Fi!! Top Pro
Though age has caught up with us and we probably couldn’t score First Class in the PFT or successfully complete the obstacle course, we are still Marines. At one point we swore the Oath to defend the Constitution against all enemies foreign and domestic. Nick, you are correct that domestic is totally different in today’s world, but using the definition of actions taking place within the United States of America borders, no matter where the bad actors come from, we are under a domestic attack! Jim is absolutely correct that yes it was worth our efforts the same as it is today for our young men and women in the military, police, and first-responders. They need our support now more than ever. Be sure to do your due diligence about all candidates on your election ballet before this November’s elections. Do not support companies or organizations that aid, assist, or abide by what the so called “peaceful protesters” are doing to this country. Finally don’t forget to personally thank any of the military, police or first-responders that you might happen to meet. Semper Fi Marines, stay safe and be ready!
Yes it was worth it to keep American Ideals alive in the hopes that my grandchildren will one day be able to celebrate Independence Day as one of freedom for all.
Systemic racism permeates our healthcare, housing, education, employment, banking, politics and every aspect which combined create our American experience. Slavery gave way to segregation, to Jim Crow, to red lining, to war on drugs, to prison for profit. This has left us with two Americas and one ideal.
Our military has always led the way for systemic change. Integration of the Armed Forces paved the way for the civilian counterpart. Likewise, the US Marine Corps ban of the image of the Confederate Flag from all bases removes the painful memory of the racist pro slavery movement leads us a step in the right direction. We cannot realize American ideals when we accept one race (American) being superior to another (American).
America’s greatness stems from, ” Liberty for all…equality, fairness, justice and freedom…the pursuit of happiness…a people bound by ideals and not race, religion nor politics….”
America has not lived up to these ideals for all…yet. Yet these are the American ideals for which we struggle.
Semper Fi
Larry Alcantara
My thoughts exactly!!!
100 % agree on all accounts. Very disheartening watching the younger entitlement generation mocking the anthem, the flag, our very way of life many have shed blood and made the ultimate sacrifice. To see a political party lying in bed with a socialistic way of thinking in an effort to transform this country. The very idea which we have fought against for generations. I pray god almighty will intervene in the hopes that there exists a silent majority both young and old who will preserve and defend this republic, which I and so many have served to defend. My oath hasn’t ended …..Semper Fi !!
Very well said and exactly how I feel as well. I am scared for my children.
To all comments,Well Said.As long as we have a US Marine Corps,I don’t fear for this country.We Marines would not let our country go down the tubes as long as we breathe.Semper Fi.
Yeah, it was worth it.
Yes and I would do it again. I will not allow domestic terrorists ( Antifa and BLM) to run our country. Semper Fi. Be prepared; Have a plan; Keep your powder dry.
Thanks Jim I feel the same as you do I wonder if any one has read history. All the things that people all doing to this Great Country have all been done by others and they hall failed. M Greatest hope is we don’t fail. Yes, that Oath I took was well worth it.
Yes your service was “worth it”, as is that of all of us who gave come after you. (Parris Island graduate 10 NOV 1967) I was just barely 18 and not yet a US Citizen when I enlisted. I (we) have seen trouble like this before, and I hope that this round is settled more peaceably and with more “Justice for all” than happened in the 1960’s and
1970s. The ideals and words of the founders of this country are idealsto strive for, and we are not there yet. Add in the fact that language evolves (as it always does) and word meanings shift (as they always do) we still have a LOT of work to do to get closer to those ideals. TWICE I have taken the oath “to preserve and protect the Constitution from all enemies, foreign and domestic” – once when I enlisted, and again when I became a US Citizen. We are being attacked by domestic enemies. Some are hidden and cloaked, some are embedded in the highest levels of government …
To Jim Barber, yes it was worth it as all of the above have stated. We still abide by our oath of enlistment and the code of conduct. Semper Fi.
Yes your service, my service and the service of all who came before us and after us will agree it is definitely worth it. We can and will continue to be a great country and that is thanks to all veterans, military presently serving and all police and first responders who never give up. Semper fi.
Yes it was worth it and I will follow my oath if he calls at 72 once a marine always a marine god bless my country
Well said, Jim. We are of the same era. I also joined and reported to boot camp on 1 July 1958 and served four years active duty. The big 80 coming up soon also.
Semper fi,
Scott Powell
I took my oath as a 17 year old in 1948. Served until 1954. I still live by that oath – it didn’t end when my enlistment ended. I am appalled at what is being allowed to happen by anti – American factions. There seems to be a plan and an organized effort to take down our form of government and then so many young, uninformed people standing around or protesting. They are like sheep and they are being led badly astray.
Keep the faith fellow marines. We still stand for something good. We didn’t serve for nothing.
Semper Fi,
Tom Clarke
Former Sgt. Combat infantry instructor during Korean war
Rather than the question “Was it Worth it?” It would be more appropriate to as “IS IT Still worth it?” If your answer is an absolute “YES”, as I am sure the majority of us who have served is, then I ask when do WE stand up for what is Right?
“…What country ever existed a century and a half without a rebellion? And what country can preserve it’s liberties if their rulers are not warned from time to time that their people preserve the spirit of resistance? Let them take arms. The remedy is to set them right as to facts, pardon and pacify them. What signify a few lives lost in a century or two? The tree of liberty must be refreshed from time to time with the blood of patriots and tyrants. It is its natural manure…”
-Thomas Jefferson to William Stephens Smith, Paris, 13 Nov. 1787
2020 – 1865 = 155 years……it’s beyond the time to bring out the manure spreaders.
“DEUS et patriae” (GOD and Country)
“Democracy is two wolves and a lamb voting on what to have for lunch. Liberty is a well-armed lamb contesting the vote.”
[Benjamin Franklin]
What Americans tolerate only emboldens others to increase the way they have been treating us. And we are witnessing their true AGENDA…..the Destruction of a Constitutional Representative Republic. I suggest we start being more diligent in who we elect at the ballot box.
SEMPER Fi Marines (77-86)
Yes it was worth it. We need to support our neighbor when they are under attract and bear arms when needed. I will not surrender to a bunch of punks trying to distort my country I fought for. If you don’t stand for something . you’ll fall for anything.
I may be 76 but I still have a couple cans of ass whip left. Navy 61-67
yes it is worth it we took the oath and stand by it we are still marines no matter how old we get I am 84 years old and still a marine semper fi brothers 1954 to 1957 cpl Dominick sieni.
Well with all this said, I am just wondering when the Marines will be called in to stop all this crazy stuff and stop the burning of our US flag, burning buildings, looting and so on. I am all for seeing Marines on every street corner during all this un-rest Semper Fi
I hear you load and clear but, we both know that is not going to happen. Harry 1371
Well said Jim. There is an old axiom that says, “better I should have trouble in my time so that my children will know peace.” I watch the news then look at my grown children and find myself saying over and over and again saying to them, “I am sorry, For what you are going to have to deal with. I did my best to make it better. My daughter replied in one such occasion, Dad had you mad your Marines not taken your stand, the evil would have spread faster and things would be worse.” So to my daughter on behalf of all of us, thank you for that grace. And to my brother and sisters, thank you for taking your place on the front lines for freedom. Semper Fi
I need a catalog,Thank you. Ace.