Those Who Fight for Freedom

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JamesMichael
Member Empyrean

since 1999-11-16

Posts 33336
Kapolei, Hawaii, USA

0 posted 2004-11-19 11:29 PM

Those Who Fight for Freedom

How did we gain freedom?

Are some so absurd
to think that it
was given without
a sacrifice?

It was not, there was a time
when freedom was naught, a time
when men fought, to gain freedom
for everyone, the sacrifice of a
few giving freedom to many.

It is up to you to use your freedom
as you wish, but never forget the
sacrifices that were given and are
still being given today, to give
you freedom.

JamesLee
November19
2004

Veterans Day by Father Denis
Edward O'Brien, USMC

It is the soldier, not the reporter,
who has given us freedom of the press.
It is the soldier, not the poet,
who has given us freedom of speech.
It is the soldier, not the campus organizeer,
who has given us the freedom to demonstrate.
It is the soldier who salutes the flag,
who serves beneath the flag, and whose
coffin is draped by the flag, who allows
the protester to burn the flag.

Copied from Ann Landers column in the
Honolulu Advertiser of November 11, 2001.

stevebrklynnyc
Member

since 2004-01-04

Posts 292
GA, Camden

1 posted 2004-11-20 12:20 PM

Outstanding! Every word written true, why? Because of fallen men and women who die for this great place we call home! Much enjoyed, great job.

Michael

Moderator

Member Rara Avis

since 1999-08-13

Posts 7666
California

2 posted 2004-11-20 01:21 AM

Amen!

2dalimit
Member Elite

since 2000-02-08

Posts 2228
Mississippi coast

3 posted 2004-11-20 09:10 AM

Thanks. I agree.

Melton

passing shadows
Member Empyrean

since 1999-08-26

Posts 45577
displaced

4 posted 2004-11-20 09:15 AM

an awesome topic here

Enchantress
Member Empyrean

since 2001-08-14

Posts 35113
Canada eh.

5 posted 2004-11-20 09:26 AM

Excellent write James!

*Alli4000*

Member Elite

since 2004-03-21

Posts 3188
The World of Poetry

6 posted 2004-11-20 02:56 PM

Amazing!!

~Alli~

*:.AIM = Alli4000.:* My Journal
Don’t cry because it’s over, smile because it happened...

SPIRIT
Senior Member

since 2002-12-29

Posts 1745
California Desert

7 posted 2004-11-20 03:08 PM

Everything I would want to say has been said - so DITTO to all above comments...well done indeed.

JL
Member Ascendant

since 2004-04-01

Posts 6128
Texas, USA

8 posted 2004-11-20 03:48 PM

Thank you Brother!
These are beautiful thoughts you have written here JamesMichael.

JL

DavePage
Member Elite

since 2003-12-21

Posts 2917

9 posted 2004-11-20 03:56 PM

James

Look at Burma before you talk of soldiers giving freedom.

Soldiers volunteer to do what they are told.

Their job is what they concentrate on, since it saves their lives not to be saints.

Soldiers dont declare wars, politicians do.

Soldiers do their best to achieve what they are told to do, and be alive at the end of it.

Admire their courage and their strength but dont portray them as saints, because they aint.

Dave

Balladeer

Administrator

Member Empyrean

since 1999-06-05

Posts 25505
Ft. Lauderdale, Fl USA

10 posted 2004-11-20 05:52 PM

There will always be dissenters, JamesMichael, but I feel you have written a piece with very excellent points in it. Soldiers are much more than robots simply doing what they are programmed to do and we owe our freedom and way of life to what they do and how they do it. Japan had millions of trained "robots". Germany had hundreds of thousands of "programmed" soldiers. They could not stand up against the soldiers of democratic countries who fought with purpose, goals and a passion to succeed.

Happy Veteran's Day to you, sir

If you can read this, thank a teacher. If you can read it in English, thank a soldier.

SEA

Moderator

Member Seraphic

since 2000-01-18

Posts 22676
with you

11 posted 2004-11-21 02:01 AM

amen Balladeer

and James, this is great

Kevo
Member

since 2004-06-02

Posts 466
Navarro County, Texas, USA

12 posted 2004-11-21 03:06 AM

Thanks for recognizing our fallen brothers and sister in arms. They are the reason Dave has a forum for sharing his thoughts, however misguided they might be in my opinion. I, along with all I knew, endeavored to make this world a safer place through our service at home and abroad. I felt it was my duty to my country and my family of Americans. I never considered it a "job" or something I had to do. I did it because I love this country and what it stands for. The principle on which it was founded. The freedom. Love it or leave it I like to say. Politicians have a way of stirring it up but you have the right to vote them in, and right out again here. That is what makes this place such a treasure. And as you have so eloquently put it James, it comes at a heavy price. I appreciate your words more than you know. They touched me at the core of my being. I am profoundly grateful that you would remember our fallen heroes. Daves words remind me of a poem I will repost that contains the line, "Cherish him and he dies for you, Spit on him and still he dies for you. Discrimination, eternally foreign to him." I hope I remembered it write. You can read it.

Semper Fidelis,

Kevin Reese
Sgt USMC 1988-1996

time prophet
Member

since 2003-07-30

Posts 371
In New Zealand Amongst the Ancient Trees

13 posted 2004-11-21 06:36 PM

Plus the freedom to fight another war, for the need of greed for evermore.

JamesMichael
Member Empyrean

since 1999-11-16

Posts 33336
Kapolei, Hawaii, USA

14 posted 2004-11-21 11:08 PM

I thank each one of you for the special thoughts from your hearts...James

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