Posted on 05/26/2007 9:59:39 PM PDT by redrock
"Freedom Is Not Free"---MEMORIAL DAY--Special Thread
It's a small town.
Just like a million other small towns all across this Nation.
It has a main street which runs thru the middle of town...both ends decorated by gas stations and mini-marts.
And in the center of town was it's 'City Park' with a baseball diamond taking up half of it. Picnic tables were everywhere...(and the much needed restroom was on one end of the park).
....and on the other end of the park was something at once totally strange...and all at once totally normal.
A Monument (almost an altar if you will) Dedicated to those from this small Utah town (and it's neighbor miles northward) who had served in the Military of this Nation.
On the front of the 3 stones were the names of those who had served.
It was amazing to note the numbers...and to note just how many had come from each family. Sometimes there were almost 20 names or so from just one family...then another family would take over with it's names. (note to all of the idiot 'Mormon' haters. Just about ALL of those who had served were LDS. For generations these families had believed in this Nation...and it's Constitution...and had done the ultimate to prove it. They had enlisted in the Armed Forces and put their lives on the line.)
On the center stone were the names of those from these two tiny towns who had lost their lives in the service of their Nation. And in a community so small...the percentage was quite huge.
And on the top of the center stone was the following;
"FREEDOM IS NOT FREE!!"
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
In 2 days we will be 'celebrating' MEMORIAL DAY. A day in which we (hopefully) will honor those who have given all that they had for their Nation.
For their way of life.
For their families.
For their 'Brothers'........
Because they understood (if even they never really spoke of it) that the cost of our Freedom is immense.
Because they understood in the very core of their soul that the cost of our Freedom was their lives.
......and still (STILL) they went willingly.
......and they still (STILL) go willingly to pay that price.
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
I feel heartened by what I witnessed in that small Utah town.
Because the 'Heartland' STILL understands....still holds our Freedom dear...and still understands the price that must be paid.
Because it wasn't an old Memorial that I saw...one brittle with time.
It was one that was brand new.....just newly created.
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
God Bless the United States and it's people who still BELIEVE.
....and who understand that 'Freedom is not Free'....and willingly still stand up and are willing to pay that price.
Guess some will just have to get used to it but......"America ain't dead yet".
....and a very special Dedication to....Kathy in Alaska for helping me during my time of illness and, of course, to Brian aka 'Tonk'...a person who is my friend and will always be my 'Brother'.
Brian...when you get to the other side...save me a spot.
It was a little more difficult for me to write than normal. My hands are so sore from the IV’s and the treatments.
Thanks again for all that you have done.
Mike
Still alive....and it’s all about MEMORIAL DAY.
redrock
MEMORIAL DAY!!
redrock
Lest We forget.
MEMORIAL DAY!!!
redrock
MEMORIAL DAY!!!
It’s THAT important!!
redrock
MEMORIAL DAY!!!
Something you understand.....
Mike
MEMORIAL DAY!!!
redrock
Welcome back, Brother. Your faith in Kathy was well-placed.
A new monument? That is heartening indeed. Small town America is still where bedrock principles are found most often.
Bump to the top.
Thanks for the ping.
Alaska SGT
MEMORIAL DAY!!!
redrock
MEMORIAL DAY!!!
redrock
ping.
MEMORIAL DAY!!
redrock
MEMORIAL DAY!!!
redrock
Posted this evening by redrock.
Thank you Kathy,here’s a bump.
My favorite cap says “The Price of Freedom is NOT Free”.
In an instant I can determine someones education level as they read it by the look on their face.
Mike, it was my honor.
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