There is a horrible price to pay for the freedom we enjoy. It's a price that has been paid in blood since before the beginning of this great nation and regular payments have been since our founding. It's the blood of those that have sacrificed themselves in the belief that all of us have the right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. The blood of patriots that made no complaints about lying on the alter freedom so that we may enjoy the simple pleasures that we are afforded the right to take for granted.
Yes, there is a price for freedom and for some it's a heavy price indeed. While we sit at home with our families, watch T.V., play video games, or keep up with latest Internet addiction, they are a world away continuing to ensure that we have the ability to continue these activities. I am willing to believe that each and every soldier of this United States of America who is stationed abroad are wishing that they could be with their families right now. Wishing that they indulge in the simple honor, like hugging their child good night, or complaining on their way to the garage to fill the dogs bowl with food.
All too often we take things for granted, because many of us can not perceive a life without these routine daily occurrences. But there are people out there that make our routines possible. Somewhere in the world even as I right this, there are tens of thousands of our soldiers longing to return to the same thing that they allow us to take for granted. But somewhere they stare at the same stars we do and some day, the lucky ones will return to our soil when their duty is done.
I could make this post go on forever, but in the end no matter how long it is, it's only words. Words can mean a lot, even simple words, but they only go so far to express the debt of gratitude that each and every one us should feel toward our protectors. Words can lift spirits and crush hopes, but in the end they are so much less impressive than actions. So here's to all our American soldiers crossed across this vast globe whose actions have paid the price of freedom and made this very post possible.
______________________________________________________________________________________________________
JL Boney, III - Columbia, SC Realtor - Russell and Jeffcoat Real Estate
I specialize in Columbia, SC real estate and the surrounding areas, including Blythewood, SC, Kershaw County, Fairfield County, and Lexington, SC. If you are in the market to buy or sell a home in Columbia, SC or any of the surrounding areas, I would love the opportunity to speak with to see how I can help. Thanks for reading and feel free to contact me if I can be of service to you.
Office- 803-788-1450 Cell- 803-730-9601 Email- jlboney@russellandjeffcoat.com
My Columbia SC Real Estate Website
My Columbia, SC Real Estate Blog
www.jlboney.com/columbiascrealestateblog.html
www.activerain.com/blogs/jlboney/rss
Subscribe to JL Boney's Columbia SC Real Estate Blog by Email
JL, you are absolutely right, our military is out their putting their lives on the line to protect our way of life. They NEVER should be taken for granted.
JL...You are so right...I know my family has paid the price more than a dozen times since WWI. I sometimes fel theat there is a large bunch that do not understand what we have been up against. Talking isn't always an option, and we need to understand that.
As a long time military wife, I appreciate your post, JLB. :-)
JL, Freedom is not FREE!! We really are not a military family but have served our country for FREEDOM since the Revolutionary War!! Our son just finished his second tour of Iraq protecting our freedom!! He gets gets out of the Army May 2nd!! My Dad fought for our freedom in World War II!! He was in for 5 years, drafted before Pearl Harbor! FREEDOM IS NOT FREE!!!
Hi JL. I'm Canadian, and my son is heading home this week after more than six months in Afghanistan. I am very proud of what he has been able to accomplish, and it will be a tremendous relief to have him home. In terms of what is right or wrong here, I can't comment. I am just numb. My son is well, and our family is fine, but the cost has been so great for others.
JL, we often fail to acknowledge those whose sacrifices make it possible for us to speak our minds. Thanks for the reminder.
Nice, JL. There is a huge price paid for the freedoms most take for granted. It's not granted by providence per se, but by men and women fighting and dying to preserve a way of life. I can well remember when Kathy was deployed and I was home with our kids... it was easy to explain why she wasn't there... but they still missed 'mommy.' Others paid an infinitely higher price... and we should always honor their service. Freedom is most definitely not free
I knew you had a serious side J L. Thankful for such an excellent thoughtful post. I hope that as a nation we never forget those who paid so much for us to be free.
From a long live of Military men in my family some just dont realize. Its a taxing job but someone has to do it!
JL - thanks for remembering them and this great post, especially since there is no special day or three day weekend to remind us. And thanks to people like Gary Senice and Carlos Mencia who give so much of themselves for the military.
JL - Agreed. The men and women in our Armed Forces should always be appreciated for the sacrifices they make on behalf of us all.
JL great post....although I am not a military man I appreciate what they do...most of my aunts and all my uncles and grandparents and most of my cousins were Marines, Air-force, Army,and Navy and happy to say we never lost one in combat... peace zane
JL...
Truer words were never spoken. Too often we forget about the sacrifices of others that preserve our way of life! Good post.
Gary- No they should not.
Bill- I believe that eventually people will come understand.
Shirley- my post is only words, I appreciate what you and your family has done.
Marchel- No, freedom has never been free by any stretch of the imagination. I hope all the best for your Son and his safe return.
Bob- I believe you should be proud my friend, and I can not imagine what a relief it must be to hear he is coming home.
John- We do indeed, but we shouldn't.
Jesse- I am always more than happy to honor those that sacrifice so I can be what and who I am.
Hugh- I do have a serious side once and a while, and I won't forget.
Laura- Someone does have to do it, and we should not forget that.
Mike- We should not need a special day to remember our armed forces. Every day we live free is a special day and they make that possible.
Sardi- Yes they should.
Zane- I do not know that my family has lost anyone in combat either, but there have been several that served. You don't have to be in a big military family to appreciate the military my friend.
Richard- It's just the habit of a nation that's too comfortable with there daily lives. They rarely think of why they have their routines.
Good Morning JL-Great post my friend and so often I think we forget just how lucky we are that we are born in this great country where we have freedoms and rights that other countries can only dream about and why so many dream about coming to America. It is hard to think how many of our brave men and women have lost their lives for our country. They are folks we can never forget or take for granted. Very thoughtful post my friend. Have a wonderful Friday. <SMILE>
Sharon- We are very lucky that we were born in such a great place, and we should never take that for granted.
JL you are so right. I had the honor last week of meeting a man my father served with in the Army Air Corp between WWII and the Korean Conflict. They lost men in their unit that were shot by snipers. To hear him talk, really made me think. We all owe our service members a big THANK YOU.
Kim- I would assume that hearing what they have to say would make all of us stop and think for a minute or two.