In Defense Of Freedom

~The insignia of the United States Army Green Berets states clearly the mission of our special forces...De Oppresso Liber "To Liberate The Oppressed"~

Our own country's honor, all call upon us for a vigorous and manly exertion, and if we now shamefully fail, we shall become infamous to the whole world.  Let us therefore rely upon the goodness of the cause, and the aid of the supreme being, in whose hands victory is, to animate and encourage us to great and noble actions - the eyes of all our countrymen are now upon us, and we shall have their blessings, and praises, if happily we are the instruments of saving them from the tyrany mediated against them.  Let us therefore animate and encourage each other, and shew the whole world, that a freeman contending for liberty on his own ground is superior to any slavish mercenary on earth.
~George Washington, General Orders, July 2, 1776~

These were dark years for a fledgeling nation.  These final years of the late 1770's had brought strife and struggle to this land which was in some circles still known as "The new world."  For the years had not been too far removed from a time when a idealistic group of settlers had embarked from the shores of the only country and continent they had ever known in search of a new land and a new life.  England, that land which they had known as home had, over time, become a land of oppression for some.  These few chose a life outside of the English monarchy and its religious requirements.  To them, this was not freedom, but oppression.  Leaving the only life they had ever known seemed like a risky venture, but the costs of enduring the costs of such a governments oppression were far greater.  They chose the uncertainty of a ocean voyage into a brand new uncharted world over a life ruled over by the english monarchy.  The freedom of their own homeland was indeed a radical idea for their time.  And so these few commited to their journey to the new world.  History tells us of the trials and successes these brave few endured from their crossing of the Atlantic ocean to their final landing along the far Northeast coast of the new world and home they risked so much to find.  Once there, their struggles did not end.  On the contrary, the struggles of these early colonists only solidified the reputation of hard work and endurance which have earned our nation the well deserved name of "Land of opportunity."  For there are fewer nations on earth where so many have searched out her shores for that very chance to be free and to succeed.  And they came, from all corners of the world, guided by that one promise, freedom.

The New Colosus

Not like the brazen giant of Greek fame, with conquering arms astride from land to land; Here at our sea washed,  sunset gates shall stand a mighty woman with a torch,  whose flame is the imprisoned lightning, and her name Mother of Exiles.  From her beacon-hand glows world-wide welcome; her mild eyes command the air-bridged harbor that twin cities frame.  "Keep, ancient lands, your storied Pomp!"   Cries she with silent lips.   "Give me your tired, your poor, your huddled masses yearning to breathe free, the wretched refuse of your teeming shore.  Send these, the homeless, tempest-tossed to me, I lift my lamp beside the golden door!"
~Inscription On The Statue of Liberty in New York Harbor~

I find it interesting that in recent decades we seem to have come to a crossroads in our nation over just what freedom means.  There are those who still adhere to that old ideal that with freedom and opportunity comes sacrafice.  Yes, those first settlers chose freedom over persecution, but although they had freedom, it had not come without sacrafice.  The blood soaked fields of Yorktown, Gettysburg and Shiloh all attest to the sacrafices given in defense of our freedom.  As more than a few have observed, freedom isn't free.  Many have known well the high price paid for the idea of freedom in this nation.  But our ideals for freedom have stretched far outside of our own borders.  For when those who sought to bring tyrany upon the world rose up, it is the United States of America who responded in defense of those oppressed.  Indeed, our fight for freedom has stretched worldwide over the years.  Our sacrafices for freedom have grown to include the blood stained beaches of Normandy, Tarawa and Inchon.  These days, many a military veteran will speak with pride, and sorrow, of the sacrafices they endured in the endless battle for freedom.  To these few go the honor and gratitude of a grateful nation.  It is my wish that the battle we wage for freedoms cause should never end nor be forgotten.  For although we may be free, for others the battle continues to rage.  The battlefield may be a far off nation, or a inner city neighborhood.  Wherever it may be, wherever it is that freedom is threatened, the battle to defend it will be ours.

~Scott~