Dear Friends and Colleagues: 

As we head into the Fourth of July Holiday, I wanted to take a moment to reflect on this 245th Birthday of this great Nation.  We have never been perfect, but we have always aspired to be. That is what truly makes the United States so special. We are founded on ideals of Freedom, Equality and Justice. 

As my fellow Veterans know, this is what we take our Oath to – the Constitution of the United States. Not a person, not an office, not even to the Nation itself. We swear to support and defend the ideals that make this Nation special.  The Oath of Office has been on my mind a lot lately as July 3rd marks the 30th anniversary of the first time I stood at attention, raised my right hand and swore to defend something much bigger than myself.  I am sure I am not the only one who can close his eyes and still remember that moment.  

Thirty years, numerous deployments, and a few combat tours later, I appreciate the Oath and the ideals I vowed to serve more than ever.  Service to something bigger has appealed to me. I think that is why I ended up going to law school. I wanted to be able “support and defend” and fight for people who could not fight for themselves.  

Things are far from perfect in our Nation right now, but our ideals are still as perfect as they ever were. I hope everyone gets to enjoy and celebrate the Holiday despite the COVID related quarantines. I will be in my backyard with burgers, beers and my kids – perhaps the best way to celebrate. 

I will be back in the office on Monday, ready to roll up my sleeves and work towards those ideals I first swore to support all those years ago.  

Happy Birthday America, here’s to another 245 years of Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness.  

Sincerely, 

Lewis Rhodes

LtCol USMCR

General Counsel, P.C. Government Contracts Practice-Chair