Duty. Honor. Country.

(Source)

I am an American, fighting in the forces which guard my country and our way of life. I am prepared to give my life in their defense. 

I will never surrender of my own free will. If in command, I will never surrender the members of my command while they still have the means to resist. 

If I am captured I will continue to resist by all means available. I will make every effort to escape and aid others to escape. I will accept neither parole nor special favors from the enemy. 

If I become a prisoner of war, I will keep faith with my fellow prisoners. I will give no information or take part in any action which might be harmful to my comrades. If I am senior, I will take command. If not, I will obey the lawful orders of those appointed over me and will back them up in every way. 

When questioned, should I become a prisoner of war, I am required to give name, rank, service number and date of birth. I will evade answering further questions to the utmost of my ability. I will make no oral or written statements disloyal to my country and its allies or harmful to their cause. 

I will never forget that I am an American, fighting for freedom, responsible for my actions, and dedicated to the principles which made my country free. I will trust in my God and in the United States of America. Code of Conduct of the U.S. Armed Forces

A long, long time ago I first raised my right hand and swore the following oath -

I, Christopher Allen Goodrich, 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; and that I will obey the orders of the President of the United States and the orders of the officers appointed over me, according to regulations and the Uniform Code of Military Justice. So help me God.

I stayed true to that oath in the years that followed, nothing has changed which would make me violate that oath. Ever. I am still in the pay of the United States Air Force and still consider myself a Master Sergeant in that service, albeit retired. Nevertheless, I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States until I no longer draw breath. I will obey my oath. The entire oath, not just the parts I like.

I will defend my family to the death, I will love my God, I will pay my taxes, and I will do my utmost to keep myself informed of the important issues of the day so that I might more efficiently and loyally perform my duty as an American citizen.

It is a duty, one I hold sacred and close to my heart.

America, The Beautiful

O beautiful for spacious skies,

For amber waves of grain,

For purple mountain majesties

Above the fruited plain!

America! America!

God shed His grace on thee

And crown thy good with brotherhood

From sea to shining sea!

O beautiful for pilgrim feet,

Whose stern, impassioned stress

A thoroughfare for freedom beat

Across the wilderness!

America! America!

God mend thine every flaw,

Confirm thy soul in self-control,

Thy liberty in law!

O beautiful for heroes proved

In liberating strife,

Who more than self their country loved

And mercy more than life!

America! America!

May God thy gold refine,

Till all success be nobleness,

And every gain divine!

O beautiful for patriot dream

That sees beyond the years

Thine alabaster cities gleam

Undimmed by human tears!

America! America!

God shed His grace on thee

And crown thy good with brotherhood

From sea to shining sea!

Carry on.