Open Poetry #34 |
Those Who Fight for Freedom |
JamesMichael Member Empyrean
since 1999-11-16
Posts 33336Kapolei, Hawaii, USA |
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. |
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© Copyright 2004 JamesMichael - All Rights Reserved | |||
stevebrklynnyc Member
since 2004-01-04
Posts 292GA, Camden |
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. |
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Michael
Moderator
Member Rara Avis
since 1999-08-13
Posts 7666California |
Amen! |
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2dalimit Member Elite
since 2000-02-08
Posts 2228Mississippi coast |
Thanks. I agree. Melton |
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passing shadows Member Empyrean
since 1999-08-26
Posts 45577displaced |
an awesome topic here |
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Enchantress Member Empyrean
since 2001-08-14
Posts 35113Canada eh. |
Excellent write James! |
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*Alli4000*
since 2004-03-21
Posts 3188The World of Poetry |
Amazing!! ~Alli~ *:.AIM = Alli4000.:* My Journal |
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SPIRIT Senior Member
since 2002-12-29
Posts 1745California Desert |
Everything I would want to say has been said - so DITTO to all above comments...well done indeed. |
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JL Member Ascendant
since 2004-04-01
Posts 6128Texas, USA |
Thank you Brother! These are beautiful thoughts you have written here JamesMichael. JL |
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DavePage Member Elite
since 2003-12-21
Posts 2917 |
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 |
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Balladeer
Administrator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-06-05
Posts 25505Ft. Lauderdale, Fl USA |
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. |
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SEA
Moderator
Member Seraphic
since 2000-01-18
Posts 22676with you |
amen Balladeer and James, this is great |
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Kevo Member
since 2004-06-02
Posts 466Navarro County, Texas, USA |
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 |
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time prophet Member
since 2003-07-30
Posts 371In New Zealand Amongst the Ancient Trees |
Plus the freedom to fight another war, for the need of greed for evermore. |
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JamesMichael Member Empyrean
since 1999-11-16
Posts 33336Kapolei, Hawaii, USA |
I thank each one of you for the special thoughts from your hearts...James |
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