Note: the duty to honor this oath is placed fully on the individual officer who swears the oath. There is no exculpatory phrase such as “unless the Joint Chiefs of Staff or Commander-in-Chief fail to honor the oath or order that I not honor the oath.” The oath is a duty to the Constitution of the United States in its entirety.

Alfie Lyrics

[Verse 1]
What's it all about, Alfie?
Is it just for the moment we live?
What's it all about when you sort it out, Alfie?
Are we meant to take more than we give
Or are we meant to be kind?

[Verse 2]
And if only fools are kind, Alfie
Then I guess it is wise to be cruel
And if life belongs only to the strong, Alfie
What will you lend on an old golden rule?As sure as I believe there's a heaven above, Alfie

I know there's something much more

Something even non-believers can believe in

[Verse 3]

And I believe in love, Alfie

Without true love we just exist, Alfie

Until you find the love that you missed you're nothing, Alfie

When you walk let your heart lead the way

And you'll find love any day, Alfie

Alfie

“ "Alfie" by Burt Bacharach is a poignant and introspective song that delves into the fundamental questions of life and the pursuit of meaning. The lyrics are a heartfelt conversation with Alfie, urging him to contemplate the essence of existence. The central theme revolves around the search for purpose and the choices we make in life.

The opening line, "What's it all about, Alfie," sets the tone for the song, expressing a deep sense of curiosity about the meaning of life. The lyrics question whether life is merely a fleeting moment or if there is a greater purpose to our existence. This existential pondering continues with the inquiry, "What's it all about when you sort it out, Alfie," suggesting the need to make sense of our actions and decisions.

The song raises the moral dilemma of whether we should prioritize taking more than we give or choosing kindness and compassion. It implies that being kind might be seen as foolish in a world where cruelty may seem more pragmatic. This dichotomy between kindness and cruelty reflects the complex choices individuals face in their pursuit of happiness and success.

The recurring mention of "Alfie" throughout the song personalizes the message, making it an intimate conversation between the singer and Alfie. The repetition reinforces the importance of these existential questions and the need for Alfie to reflect on them.

The song's imagery also plays a significant role in conveying its message. The line "As sure as I believe there's a heaven above, Alfie" suggests a belief in something greater than oneself, perhaps alluding to spirituality or a moral compass. The mention of "an old golden rule" emphasizes the idea of treating others as you would like to be treated, highlighting the importance of kindness.

The culmination of the song's message comes in the affirmation of love as the ultimate answer to life's questions. "I believe in love, Alfie" encapsulates the idea that love is the driving force behind our existence. Without true love and meaningful connections, life can feel empty and purposeless.

In conclusion, "Alfie" by Burt Bacharach is a contemplative and soul-searching song that explores the meaning of life, the choices we make, and the significance of love. Through its lyrics, it encourages listeners to reflect on their own lives and the values that guide them. Ultimately, it suggests that love is the key to finding fulfillment and purpose in our journey through”

Once upon a time, in the land of Hush-A-Bye,
Around about the wondrous days of yore,
They came across a kind of box
Bound up with chains and locked with locks
And labeled 'Kindly do not touch; it's war.'
A decree was issued round about, and all with a flourish and a shout
And a gaily colored mascot tripping lightly on before.
Don't fiddle with this deadly box,Or break the chains, or pick the locks.
And please don't ever play about with war.
The children understood. Children happen to be good
And they were just as good around the time of yore.
They didn't try to pick the locksOr break into that deadly box.
They never tried to play about with war.
Mommies didn't either; sisters, aunts, grannies neither
'Cause they were quiet, and sweet, and pretty
In those wondrous days of yore.
Well, very much the same as now,
And not the ones to blame somehow
For opening up that deadly box of war.
But someone did. Someone battered in the lid
And spilled the insides out across the floor.
A kind of bouncy, bumpy ball made up of guns and flags
And all the tears, and horror, and death that comes with war.
It bounced right out and went bashing all about,
Bumping into everything in store.And what was sad and most unfair
Was that it didn't really seem to care
Much who it bumped, or why, or what, or for.
It bumped the children mainly. And I'll tell you this quite plainly,
It bumps them every day and more, and more,
And leaves them dead, and burned, and dying
Thousands of them sick and crying.
'Cause when it bumps, it's really very sore.
Now there's a way to stop the ball. It isn't difficult at all.
All it takes is wisdom, and I'm absolutely sure
That we can get it back into the box,And bind the chains, and lock the locks.
But no one seems to want to save the children anymore.
Well, that's the way it all appears, 'cause it's been bouncing round
for years and years
In spite of all the wisdom wizzed since those wondrous days of yore
And the time they came across the box,
Bound up with chains and locked with locks,
And labeled 'Kindly do not touch; it's war.'

Analysis (ai): The poem critiques human failure to prevent war despite knowing its horrors, emphasizing how war disproportionately harms children.
Allegorical Structure War appears as a forbidden box storing a dangerous bouncing ball, ingeniously transforming abstract conflict into a tangible, chaotic force.
Symbolism of Containment Chains and locks symbolize societal prohibitions against war, while their breaching represents the violation of these safeguards.
Victorian Parallels Its nursery tale frame echoes morality tales, yet subverts Victorian optimism by revealing inevitable human folly.
Georgian Context As post-WWI Georgian poetry, it reflects disillusionment with civilization's promises and established authority figures ("Mommies," "sisters").
Modern Engagement It responds to WWI's mechanized slaughter ("guns," "bumping") and exposes the widening gap between claimed wisdom and disastrous political action.
Formal Execution Simple rhyme scheme and singsong rhythm mimic a child's poem, creating jarring dissonance against violent imagery.
Commentary Status Unlike Abercrombie's more obscure philosophical lyrics, this is his best-known piece due to its direct anti-war stance and accessible parable form.
Lesser-Known Aspect Its specific attack on societal apathy towards child victims ("no one seems to want to save the children anymore") distinguishes it from general pacifism.
Authorial Contrast The poem's stark bitterness and colloquial tone differ markedly from his typical Georgian ideals of pictorial beauty and rural life.
Narrative Irony Establishing a mythic, innocent past ("land of Hush-A-Bye," "wondrous days of yore") highlights humanity's perpetual repetition of failure.
Catastrophic Unleashing Depicting war's unpredictable "bashing" and indifference ("didn't really seem to care") captures modern war's impersonal terror.
Curse vs. Contingency Contrasting the unavoidable unleashed hazard with the stated ease of containment ("isn't difficult at all") intensifies the condemnation of inaction.
Terminal Futility Closing with the ball bouncing "for years and years" reframes "wondrous days of yore" as ironic, revealing a cycle, not a lost golden age.

Five other KC-135s were reportedly damaged by an Iranian missile strike while parked at an airfield in Saudi Arabia.

These 12 aircraft losses in just 3 weeks tallying hundreds of millions of dollars in any prior conflict would be a huge story reported on by our Pentagon DoD spokespersons and our press but Americans are getting little detail. Why? Why is not one media outlet doing a major story of this excessive loss of our aircraft?