by Tech. Sgt. Phyllis Hanson
Secretary of the Air Force Public Affairs
9/15/2010 - WASHINGTON (AFNS) -- "I ... solemnly swear that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic," are words from the enlistment oath that every Airman has sworn to one or more times.
As the Air Force marks its 63rd year Sept. 18, the Department of Defense commemorates the signing of the Constitution with Constitution Day and Citizenship Day on Sept. 17.
"Celebrating both Constitution Day and Citizenship Day is a perfect opportunity to highlight the outstanding efforts of our total force Airmen and reflect on the purpose of our military," said Air Force Secretary Michael B. Donley. "Every individual supporting our Air Force and our nation should stand proud knowing that what they do directly upholds American citizens' 'inalienable rights' and shows other nations the way to greater freedoms for their own people."
For more than two centuries, this founding document reflects the Air Force's core values and preserves the truths set forth in the Declaration of Independence, that all Americans are endowed with certain unalienable rights.
For activities and education on this commemoration, the DOD has a website at http://constitutionday.cpms.osd.mil/ that contains information about the Constitution and U.S. history.
The site includes a course that provides the history of events leading up to the Constitution's creation by the founding fathers, as well as the document's evolution through the 19th and 20th centuries.
Sandra Day O'Connor, retired Associate Justice of the Supreme Court, provides a guest spot on the site.
As required by Public Law 108-447, all federal agencies are to provide education and training to all civilian employees.
