Over the Memorial Day weekend I had the opportunity to watch several Military history programs. I re-watched the movie Glory, the story of the 54th Massachusetts, an all black Union regiment. These men braved war and bigotry to fight for their freedom. I watched the History Channel special on George Washington, the Father of our Country. General Washington (as he preferred to be addressed) did what no other conquering, commanding person has every done in history… He won the war and hung up his sword. Gen. Washington begrudgingly assumed the Presidency. Finally, I watched portions of Band of Brothers… Need I say anything about the men who freed Europe and beat back the waves of Fascism?
These men had in their heart a central theme…Liberty. A word that is thrown around almost as commonly as curse words. It is bastardized in ways to justify personal whims and desire of individuals. It is shouted by folks on the right and left as motivation for political action or inaction.
But what is Liberty? It is defined as immunity from arbitrary exercise of authority: political independence. In truth, Liberty is the heartbeat of every true American. It is the instinct that drives our individualism. The drive that pushes us to achieve, to create, to succeed. It is the basic human desire that God has granted us. Through Liberty we have our way of life.
Let us never forget that our way of life, our freedoms, our joys, our triumphs are blessings from God. This blessing is made possible by the sacrifice of brave men and women who risked their lives at Monmouth, Gettysburg, Normandy, and Iraq.
Rush recently had a call from an Air Force Lt. Colonel who used the expression, “Home of the Free, Because of the Brave”. What a true statement. God Bless our Armed Forces.
