Share Your Stories And Opinions Of
September 11th, 2001
|
|
Show Top Posts:
|
Show All Posts:
|
|
spirit of freedom
|
|
Posted by: phillip J. Crom from Allentown, Pa. (formerly Marysville, Calif.)
Tuesday October 12, 2004 @ 04:07 PDT
|
the price of freedom
copyright cannonball press (first work)
(winner of the 2002 spirit of freedom awards, essay category
from the appeal democrat newpaper of marysville, california.
published monday, september 30, 2002)
(editors comment: although it has been more than a year since i
wrote this, and i can see it isnt the greatest thing i have ever
written, it still even after all this time invokes a deep
emotional response as i re-type it. this is dedicated to my
grandfather william eugene phelps sr., who died in ww2,
the victim of sabotage but none the less, he died a hero.
my hero. this is for you gramps. god keep you till i get there.)
freedom:(fre'dom) n. 1. the state of being at liberty rather
than being confined or under physical restraint, 2. exemption
from external control, interference, regulation, etc.
this is the random house definition of freedom, and the price of
freedom is the sacrifice our armed forces make so that we can be
free; courage in times of adversity, and temperance for our neighbors,
who come from many different countires but as americans believe as we
do in the constitution. on these three points i write this small
dissertation on freedom.
on the first point, i remember a saying i once read on a plaque: the
price of freedom is paid for the courage of yesterdays youth, who gave
their tomorrows so we may have our todays. now i think thats not a
direct quote, because i think i added to it, but please bear with me.
from the revolutionary war to operation enduring freedom, the youth of
america have given of themselves in times of war for the ideal of
freedom, facing the horror of war with courage and spirit. in doing
so, many times over heroes have emerged and shined in the face of
annihilation.
i have never served in the armed forces, but i have a deep respect and
reverence for those who have. i have talked to manyvetrans from at
least three of the major campaigns of the 20th century and to hear
how these brave souls fought, bled, and sadly, sometimes died so can
be free to go about our daily lives fills me with a rare type of awe.
it is our fathers, sons, husbands and grandfathers who gave of
themselves for us. to them i say thank you, and you will never be
forgotten. win or lose, american soldiers have proven that freedom
is worth fighting for.
on the second point i have much to say in the wake of recent events.
the price of freedom is when the chips are down and our nation is hit
hard by tragedy, civil servants and ordinary citizens show great
courage even in the face of certain death.
on september 11th, 2001 our great nation was struck by a tragedy the
likes of which we have not seen since pearl harbor. we were hit below
the belt by a fanatic group that didn't have the courage or moral fiber
to meet our armed forces on the field of battle in a manner that would
be honorable and right. but in doing so, they allowed this great nation
to show again the depth and scope of american courage.
more than 2800 people died that day, and yet so many more were saved
through the selfless acts of ordinary people: policemen and firemen,
not to mention ordinary citizens who witnessed the crash, and the crew
of the airplane bound for our nations capitol was brought down by the
heroic actions of the passengers and crew, sparing the lives of many,
including our president.
janis joplin once sang," freedoms just another word, for nothing left
to lose." the people on that plane were free in that moment, and they
used that freedom so innocent people could remain free. i have heard
heroes neverr know they are heroes, and they come from the most
unlikely places, but i believe those people who showed great fortitude
that day knew for that instant what they were: angels of heaven.
there was a verse i read as i was watching the towers collapse, i
opened my bible and there it was, in black and white "there is no
greater gift, than one who lays down his life down for another." i
cried thinking such a thing was not going to happen in 21st century
america, but then reports came in to the contrary (and in new york no
less!) and i felt a stirring in my soul.
i knew right then, win or lose, americans will never fear the price
of freedom. i say thank you to those who paid the price and to all
those who gave up their time to sort through the carnage; you are
truly god sent.
on the final point i also have much to say. we cannot let the grip
of fear take a hold on our hearts. these examples of courage and
greatness should be a beacon for us to live by, not with fear but
for great hope for tomorrow. we must learn learn about our neighbors,
because they are as much a part of the american quilt as you or i,
whether they be rich, poor, black, white indian, asian, muslim,
christian, athiest, or pagan.
yes we should be on our guard, not with each other, but with forces
outside our home. if we become paranoid, then the enemies of freedom
have already won. if we cannot let our fellow americans be free without
overstepping and instituting an orwellian type of regime, then we have
defeated ourselves, but i know this will not come to pass. win or lose,
americans know the responsibility of freedom.
in conclusion, i wish to say freedoms' price is high, but americans
have proven they are willing to pay that price. the pirce of freedom
should be paid by each of us every day by being brave, being just and
being unified against tyranny and opression.
to quote from out own pledge of allegiance, "one nation, under god,
indivisible, with liberty, and justice for all." we must remember we
are diverse in out heritage, bound by the principles of equality and
liberty. i took for granted that freedom, and i realized i am
priviledged to sit here today and write this essay. as i read back
through it, i realize i had not fully understood what the price of
freedom was until i took it and distilled in my heart and let the
words flow out onto this page.
thank you to everyone who ever paid the price for my freedom, and i
only hope that i can do justice to the sacrifice and hard work of
those who paid that price.
(re-transcribed oct. 30, 2003)
|
|
|
|
