This Speakout was written by the Rev. Larry Ort, retired Episcopal priest.

The April 28 edition of the Brookings Register contained an article entitled “Johnson visits town: Representative Johnson honors Vietnam-era veterans.” Veterans were invited to reflect on their service. Representative Johnson was quoted as follows: “These stories are going to help inspire another generation of patriots who swore that oath to their country. ... The need for brave men and women is no lower now than it ever has been. Thank you for helping inspire the next generation of these patriots.”

The oath to which Johnson referred is the oath of enlistment: “I, _______, 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; 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.” [Emphasis added.]

The Congressional oath is very similar: "I, ______, 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; and that I will well and faithfully discharge the duties of the office on which I am about to enter. So help me God." [Emphasis added.]

As a Vietnam-era veteran and a former U. S. Air Force officer, I took the oath of enlistment. It was a solemn moment — one not to be taken lightly.

Although separated from military service, I still feel a strong responsibility to my oath, as evidenced by this letter.

As far as I am concerned, all too many members of Congress, including Representative Johnson and senators Thune and Rounds, have failed to honor their oath for they have idly stood by while President Trump has set about undermining the Constitution through his failure to observe the separation of powers and the underlying values of the Constitution.

Considering this, and this is not to take away anything from those who served, I must ask: What is the value of an honor bestowed by one who seemingly fails to observe his own oath?

If you would like to read a fine analysis of the significance of this oath, I highly recommend Liz Cheney’s "Oath and Honor: A Memoir and Warning." Her reflections are those of a true patriot.