Today the United States stops and celebrates freedom. Freedom that was bought with the blood of men and women who’s desire was for their prodigy to grow and succeed. They died hoping that the world would be better by their sacrifice. They died on the battlefields of Bunker Hill, Lexington, New Orleans, Lake Champion, Atlantic and Pacific oceans, Gettysburg, Vicksburg, Normandy, Iwo Jima, Okinawa, Khe Sanh, and many more. These men and women did freed sailors during the War of 1812, the slaves during the Civil War; the Jews during World War II, and recently nations under dictator’s rule. All for freedom.
Yet have we forgotten their sacrifice? Have we forgotten the families that we divided during the Civil War and their hardships? Have we forgotten the Jews who watched family members disappear into Auchwitz? Have we forgotten the men and women who’s families this day will celebrate one short? Sadly, we have.
Freedom comes at a cost. Always has. Freedom is always taken for granted until it is lost. Let us this day not forget our freedoms, nor take them for granted. Let us not stand idle by as they are stripped away. Instead let us stand as our forefathers so that our prodigy has a nation that provides them the ability to grow and succeed. Like our forefathers we will have to sacrifice, but is not freedom worth it?
Jesus did not stand by. He came to free us and give us the ability to live and grow. What a great example of sacrifice and love.