Hello all,
I could write volumes on the idea of freedom but for the sake of brevity and holiday, I won't.
My father is 82 years old. He joined the Marine Corps right after World War II, and he had four brothers who served in the military. I have an uncle who was at the piers in an open air jeep the day the Japanese bombed Pearl Harbor. Another uncle was caught in the battle of the bulge in Germany during World War II. From the time my father was seven years old, he knew he wanted to be a Marine.
He served 24 1/2 years through the Korean War, the invasion of the Bay of Pigs in Cuba and 15 months in Vietnam. He did it because it was his honor to serve his country. He still considers himself a Marine. As the bumper sticker on his truck says, "Not as mean, not as lean, but still a Marine."
My family is not the only one to sacrifice for this country. We Angels had a dear friend lose a son in the current military conflicts where our country is aiding others to gain their freedom. Sometimes, it's very hard to understand why anyone would join the service and fight "over there."
But ask any citizen of a country where every move you make, every word you speak is put to the microscope for traces of sedition.
As writers, we sometimes forget the wonder of freedom. We're allowed to create worlds where the bad guys are detestible, the good guys shine in the light and we solve the problems of our imaginary world in 300 pages. We seldom give thought to the idea we could be thrown in prison for our words.
Think of all the things you do on a daily basis and the comments you make that, in any other country, might land you in jail. Freedom is hard won. Many lives were lost for us to be able to speak without checking every word we say.
Freedom is not free.
To every person who has given their time, their service, their children so that I may write this blog... thank you.
Sable Angel
What a wonderful post. Your words sent chills down my spine. We take for granted so much in our country. Until you've visited a country or know someone from another country, you do not uderstand what freedom really is and all we've had to do to maintain those rights we all take for granted.
ReplyDeleteGreat blog. My dad was a marine and was in Korea. My son is in the Air force as well as his wife. My son-in-law in is the Coast Guard.
ReplyDeleteThere is a reason so many immigrants are streaming to our country. Even with its flaws it is better than others.