For many Americans, sadly, Memorial Day simply means a day off work and maybe a picnic. But, perhaps, being at war gives American a hightened awareness of the ultimate sacrifice made by our servicemen and women who have given their lives for our country. I guess if there is one lesson we've learned from Vietnam is that the American people need to separate their political view on this enagement or that engagement, and support the troops who are serving our country. So, on this Memorial Day, let's concentrate on honoring the sacrifice made by those who gave their lives in the service of our country, and we'll give the political aspects of war and local elections a rest, perhaps. I'll leave you with this to think about....
Freedom Is Not Free
- Kelly Strong
- Kelly Strong
I watched the flag pass by one day.
It fluttered in the breeze.
A young Marine saluted it,
and then he stood at ease.
I looked at him in uniform
So young, so tall, so proud,
He'd stand out in any crowd.
I thought how many men like him
Had fallen through the years.
How many died on foreign soil?
How many mothers' tears?
How many pilots' planes shot down?
How many died at sea?
How many foxholes were soldiers' graves?
No, freedom isn't free.
I heard the sound of TAPS one night,
When everything was still
I listened to the bugler play
And felt a sudden chill.
I wondered just how many times
That TAPS had meant "Amen,"
When a flag had draped a coffin
Of a brother or a friend.
I thought of all the children,
Of the mothers and the wives,
Of fathers, sons and husbands
With interrupted lives.
I thought about a graveyard
At the bottom of the sea
Of unmarked graves in Arlington.
No, freedom isn't free.
Posts
5 comments:
TA, I thought you'd post this:
What would you do
If you were asked to give up your dreams for freedom
What would you do
If asked to make the ultimate sacrifice
Would you think about all them people
Who gave up everything they had.
Would you think about all them War Vets
And would you start to feel bad
Freedom isn't free
It costs folks like you and me
And if we don't all chip in
We'll never pay that bill
Freedom isn't free
No, there's a hefty fuckin' fee.
And if you don't throw in your buck 'o five
Who will?
What would you do
If someone told you to fight for freedom.
Would you answer the call
Or run away like a little pussy
'Cause the only reason that you're here.
Is 'cause folks died for you in the past
So maybe now it's your turn
To die kicking some ass
Freedom isn't free
It costs folks like you and me
And if we don't all chip in
We'll never pay that bill
Freedom isn't free
Now there's a have to hook'in fee
And if you don't throw in your buck 'o five
Who will?
You don't throw in your buck 'o five. Who will?
Oooh buck 'o five
Freedom costs a buck 'o five
I attended 2 parades today with Steve Greenberg, and had numerous interactions with many veterans. I never miss a chance to simply say "thank you" to them, even when its not memorial day, and I love the feeling I get (which I can't explain) when I see the look in their eyes and on their faces when they hear "Thank you for your service." It never gets old. So do yourself a favor today, tomorrow, days from now when the flags are folded up and the uniforms put away - say thank you to a veteran, and you'll do both of you some good.
Mark's out with a new letter talking about smacking the President on abortion, I understand the politics behind it, we need to get soccer moms behind us, but I worry what it will do to him in a gubernatorial primary in 10.
I believe everyone is pro-life in their hearts. Even the independent thinking soccer moms watching their kids play soccer or doing anything else.
The reality is we have the right to safe abortions in this country vis a vis Roe v. Wade.
A more disturbing issue is the late-term abortions, staunchly supported by Michele Obama, and parental notification, staunchly opposed to by Illinois Democrats and their front group - Personal PAC.
Those are the lines in the sand in which Republicans earn support. Why kill a 7 month old baby when folks are waiting in line to adopt?
Why allow a 14 year old the right to an abortion without parental notification? You can't run a 10K race without parental notification until you are 18 or older.
People should read this.
Post a Comment