Freedom's Call

Today, as we celebrate our Independence Day, I am thinking about my ancestors who came to this great land. On my mother's side of the family, I have ancestors who fought in the War of 1812, the Civil War (including one who was injured at Gettysburg), the Battle of Little Big Horn, and WWII in which one of Mom's uncles was killed .

On my Father's side, our family history in the US did not begin until 1914 when my great-grandfather moved his family from Nemirov Ukraine. After years of suffering from pogroms directed against Jews and before the Russian Revolution, they sought the refuge that America offers. My grandfather served in WWII as a construction contractor in such places as New Mexico and Salinas KS. My father served in the Army for 16 years and the Navy for 4. As a Seabee, he saw two tours of duty in Vietnam.

Both sides of my family took advantage of the opportunities in America and thrived. They did not forget that freedom isn't free. It has to be protected and fought for.

America is truly the Land of Opportunity. "Give me your tired, your poor, your huddled masses yearning to breathe free" are at the foot of the Statue of Liberty. The waves of immigrants who have come to our land in the past and are still coming know that these words are true.

Many people around the world are yearning to breathe free. The ongoing War on Terror, Operation Enduring Freedom, and Operation Iraqi Freedom are spreading that freedom. The men and women in the military today understand the sacrifices that must be made to ensure that we remain a Land of Opportunity and of Freedom. They are part of a long line of Americans who heeded the call to serve and we Americans should be proud of them and support them.

There has been a lot of criticism directed at the Commander in Chief, our president. This criticism has the affect of undermining the morale of our soldiers. When they hear things like the unfair comparison of Guantanamo Bay to a Soviet gulag, Pol Pot, and Nazis, it undermines their morale. When they hear negative story after negative story about how we are bogged down in a "quagmire", it undermines their morale. They do not need to hear that crap and that's what it is, crap. These criticisms are directed at President Bush for political gain and need to stop.

So much progress has been made in Afghanistan and Iraq and yet all the news media can focus on is the negative. Afghan sent it's first candidate to West Point on June 24. Reconstruction is ongoing. Both countries are on the way to determining their own government and the people of each country will have a say.

Each one of us needs to do something to thank our military. There are so many originization's out there that you can join.

At every opportunity I try to thank our servicemen and women. Sometimes, about once a month I have to relive a co-worker in our retail market for an hour or so. All military get a 10% discount when I do.

Also, as a member of Books for Soldiers, I have the opportunity to send items that a soldier has requested. This has been so rewarding. So far, I have been able to send books, care packages, and letters to about 20 servicemen who are deployed in Afghanistan, Iraq, Germany, and Korea.

So, this Fourth of July, remember these men and women who have heeded the call of freedom. As a grateful nation to their sacrifices, each one of us should get involved. Take the time to visit some of the military blogs I have listed. We have a great and varied bunch who are serving.

The National Guard Experience
Assumption of Command
Blackfive
Lance in Iraq
ArmyWifeToddlerMom
Live From Iraq
Hello Iraq
From My Position..On The Way
Soldier's Perspective
American Soldier

For news:

Michael Yon
Iraq the Model
Chrenkoff
Defend America