Standing upon the ashes of the worst terrorist attack on American soil, Sept. 14, 2001, President Bush pledges that the voices calling for justice from across the country will be heard. Responding to the Presidents' words, rescue workers cheer and chant, "U.S.A, U.S.A.."
For many years our determined soldiers have carried on with the grueling task of fighting the war on terror. Many strides have been made, and victories won, but unfortunately lives lost. Throughout the past ten years, Memorial Day and September 11th have served to bring Americans, a great sense of pride, as Firefighters, Policemen, and Servicemen have been recognized and honored. Our eyes swell with tears as our hearts burst with joy when we witness a soldier returning home to his loved ones.
And I'm proud to be an American,
where at least I know I'm free.
And I won't forget the men who died,
who gave that right to me.
~Lee Greenwood
where at least I know I'm free.
And I won't forget the men who died,
who gave that right to me.
~Lee Greenwood
We did not ask for this war on terror, the terrorists beat down our doors. We do not desire to attack innocent women, children, and men. The United States of America, in response to this war on terror, has relentlessly fought to keep our country safe from acts of terror here as well as abroad. Freedom comes with a price. We enjoy the benefits of living in the land of the free because of the sacrifices that have been made to assure our liberty. As Benjamin Franklin said, "Where liberty dwells, there is my country."
As I think back over the past years concerning this war on terror, I remember a young man by the name of Pat Tillman. You can click on this link and read his story. What courage this young man had as he laid aside his dreams of being a football player with a $9.0 million dollar contract with the Arizona Cardinals, and chose to join the army along side his brother. He had paid the ultimate price for freedom when he was killed in Afghanistan by friendly fire.
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This is just one of many examples of sacrifice, courage, dedication, and commitment that our American soldiers face, as they daily lay down their lives to protect our freedoms. Just as policemen are needed to stop crime, so too are our servicemen needed to stop this war on terror. We live in a free country because we have men and women who serve to protect us. If we had no laws there would be no order. What good would laws do if we had no one to enforce them? This same principle can be applied to the rights that we take for granted; "Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness"
