Veterans Day Reflection
On the 250th anniversary of the United States Marine Corps, former mayor, Carrboro resident, and USMC Reserve Retired, Jim Porto, shares a reflection for Veterans Day.
“I, James V. Porto, do solemnly swear that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic; that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same; that I take this obligation freely, without mental reservation or purpose of evasion; and that I will well and faithfully discharge the duties of the office upon which I am about to enter. So help me God.”
This is the oath — or one of its variations — that I, along with 18 million U.S. veterans and 1.3 million active-duty service members, have taken upon entering the Armed Forces. We take this oath seriously.
For the past nine months, I have watched the steady assault on the rule of law and the constitutional checks and balances that safeguard our republic. I am now convinced that the red line between constitutional democracy and authoritarian rule has been crossed. It is time for veterans to renew their oath and to demand that every elected official do the same.
On this Veterans Day, we witness the rapid erosion of the very democracy we swore to defend. Individuals in positions of public trust—those who should be serving the American people—are breaking laws, enriching themselves, and consolidating power. This represents not only the largest theft of public resources in our nation’s history, but also one of the most egregious betrayals of public trust.
Veterans must now insist that all elected officials fulfill their constitutional duties and hold accountable those who attack the Constitution. Those who abuse their authority must be impeached and tried for their crimes. Those who fail to act—regardless of party—must be voted out of office.
Veterans, proclaim your allegiance to the Constitution by publicly reaffirming your oath on your social media accounts. Write to your representatives and demand that they reaffirm their own oath to you and to the American people. If they refuse—or remain silent—then they have forfeited your trust. Do not vote for them.
--James V. Porto, LtCol, USMC Reserve Retired
The Carrboro Town Council passed a resolution "honoring the service and sacrifice of individuals in uniform transitioning from active service." In observance of Operation Green Light for Veterans, the Town of Carrboro "will display green lights on Carrboro Town Hall and encourages residents to participate by displaying a green light in a window of their place of business or residence from Nov. 4-12."
A Veterans Day ceremony will be held at the Orange County Veterans Memorial on Tuesday, November 11 at 11 a.m. at 2501 Homestead Drive, Chapel Hill.