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Goodbye, and Semper Fi.
"I, Anthony Jones, 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."
Those were the words I said and promised to live by as I was sworn into the Delayed Entry Program of the United States Marine Corps. I'll ship out to Parris Island on May 11th, 2009.
This site has a lot of meaning to me; I sort of grew up here. I was only 15 when I joined four years ago, and going back through my journals shows my own evolution. I can see my politics change as well as my writing style, and it's fascinating. As I was going through the process of enlistment I kept thinking to myself, "How did I get to this point? Does this contradict every value and belief I've ever held, and written about on RvB?" This site is an indelible part of my life; I can trace a lot of my political education back to some very important, and special people from this website. Since I went away to college I haven't had time to come back here often and check on my friends. Still, you are my friends and I love you.
I've sworn to support and defend the Constitution of the United States. When I realized the meaning of those words I realized that what I am doing does not in any way contradict my core values. Beyond the thousands of words I've written disparaging American imperialism, racism, and corporatism I still in my heart believe in this nation. I believe even more in that document from which we derive our freedom. I've never disparaged the military or those who serve in it because I realize they are an essential part of our system. I deeply respect and admire our military, and I hope I am able to join their ranks to defend our Constitution. I still despise elements of our broken system and many of the people who lead it, but in the end I am willing to lay down my life to preserve it.
I've been blessed with so much in my lifetime: health, financial security, education, love, etc. I am ready, willing, and able to defend this way of life and I do not see how morally I could refuse my call to serve. I've often said that the term "College Republican" should almost be an oxymoron because any young adult who belongs to a party that uses patriotism as a weapon while refusing to serve is beyond morally repugnant. These are the worst hypocrites in America. How can they reap the benefits of American life, pervert it's values for political gain and give nothing back in return? These are not Americans, these are parasites.
I don't know if I'll be back on this site before I leave. I often simply forget it exists and do not come back for long stretches of time. To my friends I've ignored, I'm sorry and I still think about you. I'll be back one day. Always remember that America is not without hope. Love and treasure her, take nothing for granted that life gives you. Never forget that somewhere out there is a Marine who loves you.
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