4th of July

I was discussing Flags of our Fathers with John B. recently and during the conversation, I recieved an email from Darrin K. asking for something we are grateful for in light of Independance day tomorrow.

Already being in that mindset, I replied to Darrin with this:

I am grateful that there are people in this world that are willing to not only fight for an idea, but lay down their life for that idea if needs be. Not because they are not afraid of dying, or are itching for a fight, but because they believe with all their heart that it is right.

I am not the type of person that would willingly go pick up a gun and head to war. I did come close to joining the marines in college and I have several family members who have served, but I ultimately chose a different route. I have to respect the people who do choose that life though.

I am not foolish enough to think that all the people who join the military do so from an idealistic cause, but I do believe in my heart that many of them are doing what they do out of a sense of patriotism and pride. Pride that they are Americans.

And they are fighting for it.

And they are dying for it.

It doesn’t matter what the circumstance that they fight or die. They are representing our nation. For better or for worse. They are out there because they believe. Look back over the course of our history. Sure there have been wars and battles that perhaps should not have been fought. However, there are a great many battles that were fought for all the right reasons. Wars that freed people. Wars that made people equals. So, I am grateful that over the 200+ years that this country has been in existence, and the several years before it was that there were people who believed in an idea so much, that they lay down their life so that I could sit here today and type this without having to worry about what I am saying, without having to worry about who is going to be reading it. So that I can walk the streets without having to fear for my life, and so that I can enjoy the multitude of freedoms that I am able to enjoy today.

Thank you.