SENTRY DUTY We are all – each of us – is serving, - even now – as a sentry, knowingly or unknowingly in an active army of militant persons dedicated and fore sworn to that which we might call Righteousness...Good....Propriety...Decency and Fair Play.
We weaken our urge to act when we relate such unifying ideals giving purpose to living with our, oft times, rather shallows religious professions. Often that which we say we believe is not at all in sync with that which we actually accept and practice in our daily living routine.
We fail ,as a rule, to take seriously the responsibility we have to guard our traditional cultural values with proper care and dedication, Too often we are satisfied to place show-place protection in obvious places to warn any trouble-makers that we are prepared to stop them. Look, if you will at the impressive guards around Buckingham Palace, in London, They are admired for their discipline and remarkable ability to ignore all manner of foolishness designed make them laugh. They seem to thrive on this strange manner of torture. It is chiefly for show. Let a serious incident occur, however, and you will be amazed at the sudden support he has at his bidding in the nearby guardhouse, shelter or hallway.
Most of us who have done military service remember sentry duty as being the absolute epitome of dullness. It is, we who have done military service, think of guard duty as being the absolute epitome dullness. Doing nothing at all is difficult.
Right now now as the July 4th time of the year draws near wed are reminded of the pledges our forefathers made to each other as they fashioned the new, independent nation which is out heritage. They set up numerous safeguards which have acted as protective caretakers sustaining the strength and enduring values of the new nation. Compared to the history of other nations, ours has been one with and amazingly placid existence.
Citizens have, by and large, have accepted the obligations which our ancestors said were ours to continue without end. We must be part and parcel of the sense that we must vote our preferences for leaders and support them in their work insofar as we think best for the nation. We must guard this right to vote. We have also promised to defend the nation against all enemies. Herein we, have faltered from time to time. Thus far we have kept our guard up and strong.
On this July 4th of 2006 – a good many years since 1776 – say a short prayer of thankfulness for the Power which has enabled us to do so.
Andrew McCaskey amccsr@adelphia.net 7-2-06 [c457wds]
