As much as celebrating the 4th of July is a great tradition for this country, it's a shame that we need a reminder to appreciate that which we so frequently take for granted.
We have freedoms that so few other countries enjoy. My dad, who served in the Army-Air Force in WWII, would wake me every morning and tell me to be grateful that I have the privilege to live in the United States of America. He was born here, raised in another country, and fought for our freedom. He had a unique perspective.
Even so, do we find much to whine about today? Yes, at times. Our dependence on foreign oil is one of them. Our current economy is another. And there's, oh, so much more.
Yet, as Americans, we have the choice to worship when, where, and Who we want. We may run any business we wish under our system of free enterprise. We may join any occupation that we enjoy (or, in too many cases, don't). We may marry freely to whomever we choose. We have adequate food, water, and sewer systems. We travel quickly and easily from place to place. These are some of the activities that we take for granted everyday, while many others in this world don't have access to any of the things that I listed above.
However, our freedom comes at a price. I, like others, reap the benefits of the sacrifice of many. Our military personnel, who voluntarily prepare and fight to keep our land safe and democratic, do so out of love for and loyalty to our country. The friends of mine who serve in the US Armed Forces are some of the most intelligent and courageous people I know. They are proud to defend our country. Today, I thank them for their service and for what it means to me personally. I was a Navy wife for the first five years of our marriage. I learned, first hand, what it takes to ensure that our troops operate at their optimum level. And it ain't easy.
For many reasons, we are truly blessed to be able to call ourselves Americans and to live in the land of the free. Happy Independence Day!.
Thanks to MB for sending me this poem:
It is the Soldier
It is the Soldier, not the reporter
Who has given us freedom of the press.
It is the Soldier, not the poet,
Who has given us freedom of speech.
It is the Soldier, not the campus organizer,
Who has given us the freedom to demonstrate.
It is the Soldier, not the lawyer,
Who has given us the right to a fair trial.
It is the Soldier, who salutes the flag, who serves beneath the flag, and whose coffin is draped by the flag,
Who allows the protester to burn the flag.
By: Father Dennis Edward O’Brien, United States Marine Corps
