Freedom.

Daily I read negative news reports from all of the major news services regarding the on-going war on terrorism. I read the negative and unfavorable statements on Iraq and President Bush for sending and keeping a military presence in that impoverished country. I read the cries from the anti war liberals and watched in sorrow as Cindy Sheehan camped out at the Bush ranch stating at first America was not worth dying for then changing her tune to Iraq is not worth dying for. I read it all and inside I wonder when the media will ever change.

I wonder why in their continuous quest to provide news they slant it towards what they want us to hear, not what is the truth. I wonder when, as a country, we the citizens, which comprise it, will stand up and say, “Enough is Enough!” I wonder when someone, somewhere has the guts to utter those famous words from the movie, Broadcast News and say, “I’m mad as hell and I’m not going to take it anymore!” I wonder all of this and watch our brave men and women of the military fight for something they believe in, Freedom.

We all watched in awe as William Wallace, as played by, Mel Gibson in the movie Braveheart screamed “FREEDOM” as the executioner’s axe fell onto his head. Some of us actually had tears on our face from that scene. It was powerful and it affected us deeply because we, as American citizens enjoy this word. We are born with it, live with it and die with it. Freedom, one wonderful, yet powerful word which instills a sense of pride within each and every American.

Freedom one word, the quality of being and living free. Free of the threat of coercion, or constraint in our choice and actions. We decide the course of our lives. We elect, choose, who governs us. If we are unhappy with that choice, we have the freedom to change it. Freedom. The choice of our religious beliefs, to attend the college of our choosing, to work in the field we desire.

We as American’s can do this because in 1176 a group of men were tired, disgusted, with the relentless persecution of another country. They made the choice that freedom above all was a given right that cannot be ruled by a king, country or person. They made that choice and wrote one letter, a document and they called it, The Declaration of Independence and it truly did shape the course of human events. Then as newly anointed citizens of a country they called, America they gave their all, their lives, their souls to insure that dream was fulfilled.

Freedom. This is what our military stands for, fights for and yes, gives their lives for. It is what every veteran of every branch of service knows and understands. Free the oppressed is the motto our U.S. Army Special Forces live by. Freedom. Think of this word sometimes. The people in Iraq could not. Not until we gave them that right.