Saturday, 13 November 2010
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Freedom Is Not Free
I have seen many inspirational people walk across the stage at my high school. Today, however, as I sat holding my contra-alto clarinet and wishing the techies would turn the bright stage lights away from my face, one of the most inspirational people I've ever seen walked right beside me.
I watched as the young man struggled to get to the podium and slowly came to the realization that he had two prosthetic legs. As he began to speak, my heart sank.
Robert Jones graduated from my high school in 2003 and continued his education at Virginia Tech. While there, he decided to join the marines. After returning from his first tour in Iraq, he enthusiastically volunteered for a second tour in Afghanistan. During his second tour, a tragic accident caused him to lose both of his legs.
This young marine spoke enthusiastically about his recovery. He thanked those of us who saw him as "inspirational," because he never once thought he'd be an inspiration to anyone. I cried as he looked out into the audience and told us that it was people like us who kept him going.
See, the truth is, it is people like him who keep us going. Freedom is not free. It is through the brave men and women who have served and continue to serve this country that we have the ability to taste freedom.
People in other countries are not as fortunate as you and I are. People in other countries dream of the chance to live in America.
Today, I am more proud to be an American than I ever have been. This country provides me with opportunities that I might never have if I had been born somewhere else. And this country is able to provide me those opportunities because of our veterans.
So, to all the veterans out there, thank you. Thank you for risking your life for my freedom. Thank you for your bravery, dedication, loyalty, and honor. You are true heroes and I am extraordinarily grateful for that.
Have you thanked a veteran today?
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- From: FreeYourFears@xanga
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Comments (25)
i love this.
in the past year the military has had a very strong influence on my life, more than i ever thought it would. i just got out of a relationship with a guy who joined the air force. i've met quite a few of his friends and family who are in the military. my friend chris joined the army and my sister joined the navy. i've gained a new respect for all of them. i always thought of them as heroes, but now i understand more of why they join and why they feel that it's their duty to serve their country.
@xLaurenFaceeex@xanga - *nods* It is sometimes difficult to fully understand before you meet someone who has been in the military. I'm glad you enjoyed the post. =)
While freedom isn't free, it is important to realize that except for the world wars we haven't done much in the way of defending freedoms. We are much more so a bully of the world waging war in self interest rather than a defender of noble things. While it's good acknowledge the courage of those who have noble intentions when joining the armed forces they become tools of people who's morality is questionable. A lot of them do it to serve their country and better their own lives which isn't bad. It's also important to give thanks to others who risk their lives to be whistle-blowers or political activists, and fight in many other ways to preserve civil liberties, and give people information about things going on in the world that need to be stopped.
While it doesn't seem as dangerous it can be at times more so, either thrown in jail for their whole lives, killed, or just financially ruined for trying to help get the truth out, from underneath all of the cover-ups and misinformation.
@crim077@xanga - The point was that you should be thankful to have men and women who risk their lives on a day to day basis.
@CedricNewmoon@xanga - There are people other than those in the armed forces that do that. I'm not going to be ignorant and naive to think that we are actually protecting freedoms with the wars we are currently waging. Things aren't black and white.
@crim077@xanga - I understand and agree, but I have a friend in the marines. I don't agree with his decision to join, but I do value the fact that he puts his life on the line, even if it is under the misconception of what he is doing it for.
<3
as a european, this disgusts me.
@crim077@xanga - +1
@shattered_intimacy@xanga - as a human being, your response disgusts me.
@crim077@xanga - I completely agree that our veterans are not the only ones who protect our freedoms. However, they do protect our American freedoms. And even if you do not agree that they do, you should still be thankful that they are willing to risk their lives for you.
@ko0ky@xanga - :) Glad you enjoyed it.
@shattered_intimacy@xanga - I'm sorry you feel that way. However, I would never reply to a post about your country the way you just replied to a post about mine. Your response is very disrespectful.
why is this on datingish...?
@crim077@xanga - Agreed
@crim077@xanga - Sounds like you need to stop being a little pussy and do some time in the Service
Haha, people thinking that we're actually free.
My friend, Jeremiah David Costello, was killed by a roadside bomb in Iraq. I miss him everyday, as do numerous other people (especially his daughter.) He dreamed of becoming a Marine and worked hard to achieve that goal. In the end, he gave his life for that dream and for doing what he believed was right.
As for anyone who doesn't believe that our troops are still fighting for our freedom... tell that to someone who has lost a parent, child, sibling, or friend because that person was fighting for our freedom.
For those of you who dont think that your free... Dont you walk around every day making your own choices? Would you like to live somewhere where you couldnt even make a peep without permission? Where the things you take for granted everyday like your hair style, clothes, or who you can be in a relationship with are taken from you? Would you like to live in a country where joining the military was an obligation instead of an honor? Im pretty sure that life is no where near peachy for normal people 90% of the time.... but at least your life is shitty because your own choices made it that way and NOT because you were FORCED to be where you are right now. STFU.
@shattered_intimacy@xanga - Nice profile pic. If you were an American, you wouldn't have to be afraid to admitt what you want. We have freedom of speach over here. Just sayin :)
@HoldOnFor1MoreDay, @FreeYourFears, @proudsmartypants
whine whine whine :)
@crim077
excelllent comment. i totally agree.
@HoldOnFor1MoreDay@xanga - You said that very well. I'm sorry to hear about your friend. I wish the best for both you, his family, and the rest of his friends. He did a great thing for our country. *hug*
Thank you.
Every Veterans' and Memorial Days, I volunteer at the local VA Hospital. It's not much, but it's the least I can do other than to say "Thank you" (as heartfelt and sincere as it is).
In regards to what crim077 and shattered_intimacy said..... whatever you say won't change their views. But it's always easy to sit back behind the computer and criticize, hence the Internet. Regardless, whatever floats their boats.
Anyways, thanks for posting this.
@Revolutionary22@xanga - I could not for my own moral integrity and principles. I do not condone the killing of innocent civilians which has been done many times in the night raids done in Afghanistan, because people acted on poor information. I am most definitely willing to risk my life for the well being of others, but not for the sake of the tyrannical empire our United States have become. @FreeYourFears@xanga - I am thankful for those with that noble sentiment, however it's not the only thing going on. I give gratitude where I should and also am not afraid to be critical of those whose judgement is less than favorable or who are more willing to follow orders and keep out of trouble from their superiors than to stand against something they don't agree with.
@shattered_intimacy@xanga - Why even comment if it's so disgusting?
The OP is right, you're being disrespectful. Unnecessarily, I might add.