Here in the South, and I assume across my Nation, people are gearing up to celebrate Independence Day. The fireworks stands are in full swing. You see them dotting the highways like fleas on a dog's hind quarters. Convenience stores are raking in the cash on beer sales. Wal-Mart is happy about how many steaks, coolers, and grills are flying off their shelves. The lake is filled with boats towing people skiing and tubing. And everyone is excited about having a long weekend off from work.
So what does Independence Day actually mean? By the way most people celebrate it you'd think it was merely another excuse to party and get drunk. And I guess that is what it has turned into to a lot of people, just another excuse to party and take time off work. But for others, it is much more.
My granddaddy is a Navy veteran. He fought alongside many other brave men in World War II who never got to come home. He witnessed one of the last great eras in our country. Yes, we were at war, but there was something special about that time. The folks at home supported our Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen, and Marines. Our men knew that what they were doing was right. They didn't need to question if it was worth it. They knew the cost of freedom. My granddaddy knew the cost of freedom, and I can only imagine how high that price was just to him. I know it was higher than I can imagine to our nation as a whole. How many sons, brothers, fathers, husbands...never got to come home...the cost was high, but it was for a great and noble cause.
I also wonder, how many of those service men would be rolling in their graves right now (were it possible) just seeing what has become of our patriotism, our drive, our pride! I tell you, I'd much rather had been my granddaddy fighting the Germans and Japanese in World War II than to be someone fighting in our current war. At least my granddaddy had support from his family, he had the love of his country, he was fighting evil men...
Is Osama Bin Laden any less evil than Adolf Hitler? Is our country, nay our WORLD, in any less danger now than it was then? No, it isn't. It is a different danger, but it is still an act against the freedom so many of us take for granted. I want to be free, no. I NEED to be free! I don't want to feel entitled to this freedom or anything else. I know there is a price, there is always a price. There are so many service men and women out there RIGHT NOW paying that price. Why? Because they feel passionately about it. They feel it is the right thing to do. They feel that helping to rid the world of evil men and their ideas is worth more than their own life. And they're right.
How many times have each of us thought that we'd die for someone? "I'd die for my children." Well then why is it so hard to support our men and women who ARE fighting and some of them dying for their children, their parents, their siblings, their spouses, their childhood friends? Instead, as a country, we say "No, the cost is too great." I ask you, how high will the price be to turn a blind eye?
On this Independence Day weekend, I hope you do more than set off fireworks and drink beer. I hope you take the time to reflect on the price that has been paid (and is continuing to be paid) so that you can have a weekend to drink and set off fireworks with your family and friends. I ask that each and every one of my fellow citizens take the time to remember, take the time to appreciate, and take the time to thank God that there are men and women out there who still remember the cost of freedom and are willing to pay it.
