"Our pledge and our prayer this day are those of free men and free women who know that all we hold dear must constantly be built up, fostered, revered, and guarded vigilantly from those in every age who seek its destruction. We know, as have our nation's defenders down through the years, that there can never be peace without its essential elements of liberty, justice, and independence. Ronald Reagan, May 20, 1988 |
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Faith ~ Family ~ Freedom
America is not at war. The Marines are at war.
America is at the mall.
I am an American Patriot, my Father and his brothers, my grandfather and his father and fathers before him were American Patriots. Without such men this nation would have perished not long after the Tea Party. The patriots involved in the birth of this nation shed gallons of blood and the framers of our Constitution knew that freedom was the most important aspect of human life. An inalienable right from our creator.
Our Freedom isn't free, it never has been and never will be. It has been paid for in blood, for over 230 years by young men & women like my son and the current batch of American Patriots.
In 1961 then president John Kennedy said “Let every nation know, whether they wish us well or ill, that we shall pay any price, bear any burden, meet any hardship, support any friend, oppose any foe to assure the survival and success of freedom”
When Rhys was killed we became the living embodiment of president Kennedy's statement. We as a family, and all of us as a nation have indeed paid a very high price for our freedom and continue to bear a heavy burden. Over 4000 soldiers, sailors, airmen & marines have given their lives for this ideal and more fine young men and women will continue to step up, because that is the kind of kids we grow in America.
Let me make something clear here, supporting the troops, but not the war is like supporting your son or daughter in college, but hoping they fail. There is simply no way one can "Support the troops but not their mission," since the mission (Iraq or any other) is why we have the military to begin with.
Their MAIN MISSION is to serve and defend their country, even at the peril of sometimes putting their lives on the line to do so. They all volunteered for it. They all knew the risks, yet each signed on the dotted line and stepped up. So we owe unqualified 100% support for every phase of their service.
We can't have it both ways. You cannot be against our military and their missions and be an American Patriot. Our military acts on the ideals and foundations of our nation rooted in freedom & democracy, for which they preserve, protect and defend.
If our nation believes "all men are created equal", that every human being deserves to be treated equal, that one's life should be given the opportunity for liberty and the pursuit of happiness, then offering the opportunity of freedom & democracy through our military force to other nations becomes one of the most noble and responsible goals of our nation.
To think or behave otherwise, is to NOT be an American Patriot.
Freedom Isn't Free
have been to the funeral of someone who has paid it".
Louann Thomas, Arizona State PGR Ride Captain
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