Words of Wisdom from SharLeigh

WHAT PRICE FREEDOM?

In the days following that great disaster of 9/11 there was a surge of patriotism. You could go through neighborhoods and see the American flags waving high. Everyone gathered together and was proud to be known as the land of the free! But now, five years later, there is grumbling about our boys dying in the Middle East. Many say for what purpose? The answer to that is very simple: what price freedom? Have we gotten so spoiled and used to freedom that we can take it so much for granted? The world watches us – and half of it is not happy about our freedoms, our beliefs and all the abundance we have. They want to bring down freedom and will stop at nothing to accomplish this goal. The terrorist’s are worldwide and they have no regard for life. We cannot assume that they will fade away. Freedom is a threat to their very existence. What actually is freedom? It is the liberty from slavery, detention, oppression, political independence and the capacity to exercise choice (free will). What does this freedom grant us? Freedom from want; the right to bear arms; the right to assembly; the right to different beliefs; and most importantly, the right of free speech. All of these freedoms are guaranteed to us in the Bill of Rights. It is a mighty tall order that was handed down to us from our forefathers. They fought for these freedoms with shear determination. Throughout our history it has always been the same. No matter what the circumstance, our country has always risen to the occasion. Franklin Delano Roosevelt said it best when he stated, “We have learned that we cannot live alone, at peace; that our own well-being is dependent on the well-being of other nations, far away. We have learned that we must live as men, and not as ostriches, nor as dogs in the manger. We have learned to be citizens of the world, members of the human community” (January 20, 1945). Again, we are at the forefront of the battle for freedom; it will not be an easy fight but it will take the support of each and every one of us. God Bless America and the young men and women of the Armed Forces. May Old Glory wave, showing the world that freedom still stands!