Freedom isn’t free
I could tell of those who lost their homes and lives due to the acts of rebellion that ended with the building of the United States of America. I could tell of historical heroes who gave their lives for their country but for me it is a little closer to home.
We recently celebrated the Vietnam Homecoming with my father-in-law. He served three years in Vietnam, fourteen years in the Marine Corp. Forty years he waited, ostracized by the country he loved. It was a devastating blow to be ignored, treated as a criminal, even attacked for serving his country. I am proud of his service. It is hard to understand people who condemn him for doing his job. He didn’t chose to go to Vietnam, he went because his country sent him.
My son Jason is in the army, he’s leaving for a second tour of Afghanistan. I worry as I watch the news, I know that there is a chance that he may not come home. After his first tour he had a difficult time. He did not feel that he was a hero because he was support and worked in the back ground as a helicopter mechanic. When people thanked him for his service he felt he didn’t deserve their appreciation. I know he did his job and that meant someone else could do their job, safely. I feel that all of our service persons are heroes whether they go into battle or not, for each job is important to our freedom and safety. The country song “Some gave all, All gave some” sums up what I believe, these men and women devote their lives to doing what ever is necessary to keep our country free.
As Memorial Day draws near, I reviewed this essay and wanted to add, our freedom has a price, just because you aren’t the one who paid that price doesn’t mean it didn’t cost. Whether you are the men and women who have served in the past, or are serving now, whether you are the parent, spouse or child of someone who served, this is a chance for all of us to remember that in order to keep our country free, we all must be willing to support it.