” So help me God” –  By Laura Carson.

“You shall not swear by my name falsely, and so profane the name of your God. I am the LORD.”  Leviticus 19:12 NKJV

America needs a strong and committed military to guard our freedoms and our country. Patriots willing and able to accept the sacrifices of service. That includes the real possibility that their commitment all too often requires one to lay down their life for our country.

There is an enlistment oath for each branch of our military, the closing statement is: ” So help me God.” To me that is such a solemn and serious statement! One not taken lightly at all by those that speak it. 

Veterans Day is a solemn day for me. 

In 1918 at 18 years of age my paternal grandfather took such an oath to join the U.S. Army. Grandpa had type 1 diabetes, but it was very well controlled. He was able to persuade three doctors to state how well he maintained his condition.  The doctors wrote that my grandfather could perform military paperwork to allow a “more able-bodied man” to go to the front.

WWI had been grinding on. The U.S. Army concurred with the doctors. My grandfather was grateful to take up his place and help the war effort.

In 1922 Veterans started nationwide poppy fundraising. The VFW handed out artificial red poppies to honor fallen service members and help disabled American veterans and their families. When you made a donation, you were given a poppy. 

At a very young age my grandpa started taking me with him during the fund raising times. I have been told that I wore a red dress and held a tiny American flag.  Grandpa said that if I went with him that they would get more donations. He would set me on the table and I would give out the red poppies. 

My grandpa passed away when I was 5 years old. I had helped with the poppies for three  years. My Dad and other relatives helped to keep his memory alive for me and instill his love for America in me. 

I believe we owe a huge debt to all those willing to take on military duty. We should honor them with enormous gratitude for safeguarding the freedoms we hold dear. We owe them a debt and honor that a paycheck and meager benefits do not adequately express.

God bless all our American Veterans!

“If a man makes a vow to the Lord, or swears an oath to bind himself by some agreement, he shall not break his word; he shall do according to all that proceeds out of his mouth” Numbers 30:2 NKJV