The Oath to Defend the U.S. Constitution….

By the rude bridge that arched the flood,
Their flag to April’s breeze unfurled,
Here once the embattled farmers stood,
And fired the shot heard round the world….

Concord Hymn by Ralph Waldo Emerson (1837) (Audio Here)

Chinalauren Photo: Concord Reenactment

h/t china lauren for the photo

In commemoration of “The Shot Heard ‘Round the World” (April 19, 1775) The Committees of Safety and The Oath Keepers rallied yesterday on the Lexington (MA) Battle Green. On April 19, 1775 the Minutemen and British regulars met here in a brief battle signaling the opening of hostilities between the American colonies and Great Britain. Early this morning the annual reenactment of the event took place on The Lexington Battle Green; yesterday the patriots and red coats skirmished at Concord’s North Bridge.

A well regulated militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed. (Amendment II, U.S. Constitution)

The Committees of Safety presented written remarks by the constitutional scholar Dr. Edwin Vieira who has described himself as “one of the very few people… vociferously advocating revitalization of “the Militia of the several States” along strict constitutional lines”. Dr. Vieira was unable to attend and his speech was read by Tom Moon. The present day Committees of Safety is a national organization founded by Walter Reddy. The group consists of citizens

“who exercise their constitutional rights of association, speech, and petition through non-partisan, non-violent, public education and legislation and legislative activism for the purpose of restoring a “constitutional system of security and defense” in their own States what the Constitution declares as “necessary to the security of a free State” throughout the United States….(and further)…one State at a time, restoring the system of community defense crucial to a “Republican Form of Government” in each State through the efforts of the people themselves – true “government of the People, by the People, and for the People.”

Go here for history of the original Committees of Safety during colonial times. Founder Reddy spoke briefly before introducing the Patriot Pastor, Garrett Lear.

The Oath Keepers portion of the program was initiated by the group’s founder Stewart Rhodes. At his blog Dirt Rhodes Scholar, Rhodes says this about himself:

“Blog of E. Stewart Rhodes, ex-paratrooper, disabled vet, ex-firearms instructor, former Ron Paul staff member, Yale Law grad/Research Scholar, & Montana/Nevada lawyer. Stewart has written for Gerry Spence’s The Warrior, for moreliberty.org, writes the Enemy at the Gate column for S.W.A.T. Magazine, and is writing a book on the dangers of applying the laws of war to the American people in the “war on terror.” Stewart is NOT a liberal, unless you want to consider him a classical liberal.”

Stewart Rhodes spoke at some length about the obligation of our military members and peace officers not to obey unlawful orders. Rhodes Audio Clip 1 (2:13) Next he read an address by General Washington to his troops just before the Battle of Long Island. Rhodes Audio Clip 2 (3:41) Rhodes then read out and explained the orders the Oath Keepers will not obey. (see video that follows)

Next the audience of around 200 persons heard a spirited speech from Sheriff Richard Mack whose website says: I’m Richard Mack, former sheriff of Graham County, Arizona, and long-time crusader for freedom and individual rights. Right now,

..it is vital that we restore the Constitution as the supreme law of the land. The greatest threat we face today is not terrorists; it is our own federal government. If America is conquered or ruined it will be from within, not a foreign enemy.

Sheriff Mack spoke passionately about peace officers’ personal moral obligation to keep their oath of office, to defend the U.S. Constitution. Mack has written several books, the latest being “The County Sheriff-America’s Last Hope”. Do take the time to listen to his speech; it’s a little over 16 minutes.

Sheriff Rchard Mack (Audio-16:37)

Note especially the part where Sheriff Mack talks about Rosa Parks of Montgomery Alabama and the audience response to his humanitarian tone. Patriotic conservatives are nothing like the evil imaginings of the moronic Janeane Garofolo (audio: 02:32) recently heard on MSNBC where she described the Tea Party participants as racists and white power freaks who hate the Black president. For an answer to Garofolo see Michelle Malkin on Katrina Pierson who says “We are a Free People….We will resist socialism…We as the people have the right and the duty to protect our  Constitution and our sovereignty from any person or government that threatens it…”

Sheriff Richard Mack

The finale to the program was the reaffirming of their oaths by those present, and for those who had never been sworn there was the opportunity to take the oath then and there. Set out below is the Oath to Defend the Constitution with audio of the swearing in.

I (name) do solemnly swear, or affirm, 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; that I take this obligation freely without any mental reservation or purpose of evasion; pledging my life, my fortune and my sacred honor, so help me God.

Oath to Defend the Constitution (Audio-3:43)

The program ends with as the assembly sings “My Country ’tis of Thee; Sweet Land of Liberty; of Thee I Sing Let Freedom Ring (2:09)

A little light music to end this post:

The Constitution (from School House Rock)

Tags: committees of safety, garrett lear, oath keepers, oath to defend constitution, Oaths of Office, orders not to obey, ralph waldo emerson, richard mack, saving the republic, stewart rhodes, unlawful orders