Letter to the editor: Protect the U.S. Constitution
When I enlisted, and every time I re-enlisted, in the U.S. Air Force, I swore to protect and defend the Constitution.
I did not swear to defend the flag, national anthem or the Pledge of Allegiance. I think that Molly Ivins, a columnist for the Dallas Morning News, called it right when she said, “I prefer someone who burns the flag and then wraps themselves in the Constitution over someone who burns the Constitution and then wraps themselves up in the flag.”
There was an attempt to burn the Constitution on Jan. 6, 2021. Those who invaded the Capitol, as far as I am concerned, were one and all traitors. Most likely these were the same people who wanted to destroy Colin Kaepernick when he conducted a peaceful protest, which he is permitted under the Constitution, during the singing of the national anthem.
On the perimeter of every military installation is a warning that "Use of Deadly Force is Authorized." It is a shame that the Capitol was not surrounded by a division of soldiers with fixed bayonets.
It is time that we started to conduct ourselves as Americans. I may not agree with what you are saying, however, I will defend your right to say it.
SMSgt Frederick L. Elsass, North Canton
This article originally appeared on The Repository: Letter to the editor: Protect the U.S. Constitution
