Independence Day
“Sweet Mother Mary I’m so tired, but I can’t come home ’til the last shots fired.” – - – Til the Last Shots Fired, Trace Adkins
We Americans are truly lucky – we can honestly say we are free. Free to worship the way we want; free to challenge viewpoints we don’t agree with; free to be free.
Of course many of us in this country, take not only our freedoms for granted, but also how it came to be that we are free. These individuals forget that in order for us to stay the incredible free country that we are, that men and women have to put their lives on the line every day in order to protect our freedoms. Even if you don’t agree with who they are fighting, or what they are fighting for, the simple fact remains that these soldiers are fighting every day so that you are free to agree or disagree. I think that is a true measure of unselfishness.
From the surprise attack at Trenton in 1776, with many men leaving blood traces in the snow because of their lack of shoes, to the Sunken Road at Shiloh where men held their ground despite the artillery barrage that was facing them, to wading through the chest-high blood-filled waters of Normandy – amid hellacious odds – in order to free a supressed people these soldiers have been there. From my grandfather, amid freezing conditions, pressing on with his B-24 Squadron in order to deliver their payload to the Germans, to my Father-in-Law’s two tours of duty in Vietnam soldiers have been there. And even today, in the hills of Afghanistan, to the deserts of Iraq, American soldiers are still there – defending our right to be FREE.
On this holiday weekend, and upon celebration of our country’s independence, please take a moment to remember how and why we are free. It is because of pure unselfishness that we are allowed to voice our opinions, choose the way we live, and get to kick back and fire up the grill.
It is because of the American soldier.
God bless all of you who have served or are currently serving. There isn’t a day that goes by that we don’t appreciate the precious gift you have given us.
Freedom! E pluribus unum!
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Good job Arthur. Have a great holiday!
Thank you for writing about the freedoms we have as Americans. Let us not forget how and why we got them, or to take the people for granted that have given up so much so we can remain free.
Happy 4th of July everyone!
Freedom truly is a blessing – and one that we can thank our military for. This is a great time to remember what our freedom cost and to be thankful to those who have paid the price.
Absolutely and well spoken Arthur!
I was one of the people who was born (luckily/un-luckily?) in 1957.
I was too young for the draft and by the time I had reached the ripe old age of 18 , I was already firmly entrenched in the workforce for about 8 years.
During that 8 year interim I almost joined up with the Navy but found a better paying job plus benefits,
And being out on my own since the age of 13 and already paying rent I opted for the highest salary.
My regret for many years now is that I had to learn discipline the hard way as where the military service would have taught me at a much earlier age.
Then perhaps I would have accomplished much more in my youth than I did.
Hooya! for the military, Freedom don’t come free!!!!
Nice job on the post Arthur.
Have a happy and safe 4th. of July.
Um Marines are not soldiers…..
WELL SPOKEN—–
ATCS(AW) Eric L. Morehouse
Distinguished Marksman
United Staes Navy (Retired)