In a letter to the editor, Jersey City resident and U.S. Marine Corps veteran Ramon Aponte explains why he feels our public servants need to uphold their oaths of office and “denounce these insurrectionists.”
Dear Editor,
Every person who has ever served in the United States military has been given the oath of
enlistment or office (for military officers) before gaining entry to their respective military
branches.
Before administering the oath, the new recruits are reminded of its significance in order for them to understand what they are swearing to.
Part of the oath states that they will swear to “support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic.”
Although it further states that, “I will obey the orders of the President of the United States,” the oath does not discuss defending a person, but rather the values and beliefs of
our Constitution.
In fact, subjects who violate the oath are held accountable for their actions under the Uniform Code of Military Justice (UCMJ).
Similar oaths are administered to public servants, such as elected government officials,
law enforcement officers, and firefighters, to name a few.
The common denominator of these oaths is the willingness to affirm dedication in defending the Constitution of the United States.
Public servants are also obligated to defend their state’s constitution, which mirrors the values and beliefs of the US Constitution. Public officials who violate their oath, can be held
accountable through sanctions as well removal of their public office(s).
It is appalling that there are individuals who have taken this solemn oath (which is based on values in providing democracy for all its citizens) then willfully violated that oath when they participated in the insurrection that occurred on the US Capitol on January 6, 2021.
Several states are reporting compelling evidence that both military and public servants took part or stood by on the sideline looking on.
It is also distressful to hear reports that institutions related to public safety are investigating their departments to ensure none of their members were involved.
We as citizens entrust people to uphold the law for the sake of ensuring not only national
security relating to foreign affairs, but also national security related to domestic affairs.
Yet people like Larry Rendell Brock, an Air Force veteran, have forgotten or failed to uphold his oath. People like Derrick Evens, newly elected public official of West Virginia, have forgotten or failed to uphold his oath.
People wearing US military logos, and others waving the “Thin Blue Line” flag, have either forgotten what these symbols represent or have failed to adhere to the oaths which these institutions were built from.
It is shameful to see that while Capitol Police were struggling with these insurrectionists, being kicked, punched, and sprayed with pepper spray, there were public servants nearby who failed to act.
There are many ways to voice our grievances and hold our public officials accountable
other than engaging in acts of violence and vandalizing our nation’s Capitol.
Not only are these actions a waste of our taxpaying dollars, but they are also harmful to our values and beliefs in democracy.
I write this letter to call on my fellow service veterans, members, and public servants to denounce these insurrectionists and to remind you of our obligation to uphold the oath we took to defend to our country.
Ramon Aponte
Gunnery Sergeant
USMC (Veteran)
Jersey City native