Political Discussions
Memorial Day - Freedom Isn't Free
Posted by anticsrocks • 5/24/09 • Subscribe to this Discussion [RSS] • Report This Topic
Topics: freedom, memorial day, military, service, veterans
As we mark Memorial Day this year, let us reflect on why we set aside one day to show our gratitude to the brave men and women who have sacrificed so much to preserve our freedoms and the American way of life. United States soldiers have gone into battle in each and every corner of the world to meet the call and pay the price for freedom. Every since our great country was founded, we have enjoyed a unique place in the world. For our country is markedly different in that we are, as Ronald Reagan in his first Inaugural Address in 1981 said, “….a nation that has a government—not the other way around. And this makes us special among the nations of the Earth.” This is not to be taken lightly and many times in our nation’s history we have sent our young men and women into harm’s way in order to preserve our place in the world. At other times, our military has gone to face the evils of the world to liberate others. And when natural disasters strike, no matter where in the world, the United States always responds with humanitarian efforts, often delivered by our military.
One must stop and think, that but not for the strength, resolve, compassion and courage of the United States military Europe would be vastly different than it is today. Not only would the lines on the maps quite probably be changed but many, many more lives would have been lost to the evils that plagued our world during WWII. Again, to point to Ronald Reagan, ours is a “shining city on a hill,” and on this day, let us take the time to thank our military personnel for their service to this great country. I know that I will, for my family knows what it means to have loved ones go off to battle. My father served in WWII and my younger brother served during the first Iraq war. Thankfully they both came home to us. Not all families are that fortunate, so let us not also forget that the soldiers are not the only ones to feel the sacrifice that comes with service to our country
So as we go about grilling our hamburgers and getting a cold drink from the cooler, let’s take the time to show our gratitude to our service personnel. Thank a vet. Offer a friendly word to the family of a soldier. The next time you are in line at the grocery store or post office and you see one of our military people, let them know how much they mean to us. Let them know that we thank them from the bottom of our hearts, because freedom isn’t free and they, more than anyone else know just how true that is.
User Comments
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On this we agree - freedom cannot be bought, you must stand up and fight for it.
We had our memorial ride today - it's for both Memorial day, and for a local hero who fought to have restrictive laws removed from our books. As we were riding, I though about the meaning of today. I looked at the people lined all along the roads, waving, drinking beer, waving flags - little kids and old ladies dancing.
The kids and old ladies - the old ladies particularly - showed a particular type of joy that came straight from the heart. Their actions, their faces - they said "we love the ideals of our town, our life, our country". They didn't shout nationalism from the rooftops, but rather showed a celebratory thanks and request to continue fighting - through action - to improve this country.
And that made me cry. As much as people give me shit about being an America hater - I'm not. The reason I bitch, and fight, and protest, and argue and get active is because We can do better We can always do better - and there are a lot of things that need to be fixed. I'll be damned if anyone tells me that we shouldn't improve - that we can't improve, and that we shouldn't fight inside this country to increase freedoms, equality, and guarantee a quality of life that IS achieved, by everyone.
That is what I believe should be honored today. From the founding fathers, to various just wars, to local fights, and local heros who didn't give a damn what people called them, because they fought to improve things in this country.
People get me all wrong - I love the people in this country - I love the geography - and I love what this country can become. And I'll fight tooth and nail to make it happen.
So happy memorial day everyone.-
Anok, that was the first post you have written in which I was able to catch a glimpse of the real you. And I liked what I saw. You and I may disagree, but I will say that what you expressed here today without rhetoric or confrontation makes me say that I can surely see you in that "shining city on a hill" that Reagan spoke of.
Happy Memorial Day Anok. -
There is always common ground. ANd sorry for so many spelling errors in the board - this computer sucks. (It is also why I haven't cut and paste, or offered many links, getting new pages to open on this thing is terrible)
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@antirocks: You write: "that was the first post you have written in which I was able to catch a glimpse of the real you . ." I would suggest that that is because you have been doing way too much sniping, at least that's what I've noticed recently.
If you're interested in what some BC members were thinking about Memorial Day last year, see this old thread: www.blogcatalog.com/discuss/entry/memorial-day-in-the-us I don't plan to start a new one or write a blog post this year, because I'm going to stay in and work, unfortunately. I did notice Rolling Thunder participants last night when I was downtown. This was my Memorial Day last year: markstoneman.wordpress.com/2008/05/26/memorial-day/
FYI, as you can see in that thread, British Commonwealth countries celebrate a similar holiday on Nov. 11th, Remembrance Day (en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Remembrance_Day). -
Fair enough about the sniping mark. You have me there, I guess I get wrapped up in the politics and forget to watch my tongue, so to speak. In my defense, if you go to www.blogcatalog.com/politics/discuss/entry/they-call-me-a-naysayer and read my most recent post, I think you might see that what I said above on this post @Anok, I meant.
BTW, that was a beautiful piece that you wrote at markstoneman.wordpress.com/2008/05/26/memorial-day/
Correct me if I'm wrong, but didn't this poem by Monia Michael have a lot to do with the British calling their's Poppy Day?
"We cherish too, the Poppy red
That grows on fields where valor led,
It seems to signal to the skies
That blood of heroes never dies." -
I appreciated that, and I will make sure to respond in kind.
In my own defense, I am lost without my computer in debate - all of my references are out of reach, no sources, none of the stuff I use, no bookmarks etc... SO I do get frustrated when I know something, but can't get to the info I need to use it in debate. If you look at old threads, you'll see I usually inundate the board with referenced material - but I can't right now
Hope everyone enjoys their Memorial day today.
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On this day, when we remember the brave soldiers who died for a lie, who died so that oil companies could control the Iraqi oil reserves, who died so Nixon could get re-elected, let us work together so no one ever dies again in an unnecessary war.
The problem in defense is how far you can go without destroying from within what you are trying to defend from without. ~Dwight D. Eisenhower-
sati, all the rest of us left the rhetoric alone in honor of ALL OUR FALLEN HEROES. Why couldn't you?
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