Freedom is Not Free
What makes America great? Is it her vast size? Surely not, for the Roman Empire conquered the world, yet today the Roman Forum lies in ruins and the crumbling Coliseum, although a fascinating landmark, is a monument to cruelty, brutality, and corruption. I’ve seen it with my own eyes. Is it her great riches or technological advances? Surely not, for the temples built on the Acropolis in Athens are empty…the treasures are found in museums or lie at the bottom of the sea, and though the Egyptians knew many mysteries… today the Sphinxes guarding the Pyramids in the desert are silent. Then is it her military might? Surely not, for Hitler led a powerful army, yet history records his extermination of millions. America is more than power, might, riches, or technological advances. America is great because we are free. “Freedom! No word was ever spoken that has held greater hope, demanded greater sacrifice, blessed more the giver, condemned more the destroyer, or came closer to being God’s will on earth. May Americans ever be its protector.” –General Omar Bradley
Yet we must remember, freedom is not free. It was won by the blood of our forefathers. Of all the heartrending, dramatic, and poignant images embedded in our nation’s consciousness, the Winter of 1777 at Valley Forge is one of our darkest times inspiring Thomas Paine to pen the now famous line: “These are the times that try men’s souls.” General George Washington bitterly reported, “You might have tracked the army to Valley Forge by the blood on their feet.” We can follow their bloody footprints in the snow until we find our patriot soldiers wrapped in thin blankets partaking of a Thanksgiving dinner of a ½ cup of rice and one teaspoon of vinegar. We read in anguish about the endless days of rain, snow, sickness, intolerable smells, poisoned water, and epidemics of smallpox. And we gasp in amazement as we watch this tattered army of skeletons as they are transformed into a powerful, disciplined force…defenders of freedom, our freedom. As we close this page of America’s history book today, let’s consider these words of C.S.Lewis borrowed from the Chronicles of Narnia. Using the searchlight of history let us apply them in a different context: For them, the heroes of the Revolutionary War, this was the end of their story, but for us, it was only the beginning of the real story—the story of forging a great nation. This is a great story that must go on forever…in which each chapter is better that the one before. We cannot let their story, our story end.
As we celebrate our American heritage today, we must remember that Freedom is more than a precious possession to be cherished. It is a way of life to be practiced, a priceless ideal to be pursued, a powerful philosophy to be taught, a descendant of sacrifice that commands our vigilant concern and disciplined devotion. Patriotic education is absolutely essential to the future of freedom.
According to a report recently submitted by the Albert Shanker Institute, “Education for Democracy,” young people today often hear an unbalanced story of our own country. This panel made up of former presidents of the United States, democrats, republicans, labor union representatives, historian, authors, scholars, and professors, found that we hear plenty about America’s failings, but not enough about her values and freedoms. Students today are generally disengaged in society and unappreciative of democracy. The report went on to state that over the past 30 years, the percentage of those under 25 who exercise their right to vote has dropped 15 points. These findings suggest we students need to remember that America is a modern democracy that has inspired people around the world to seek freedom. “There is something magnificent about having a country to love.” James Russell Lowel
So once again I ask, “What makes America great?” America is great because she is the sanctuary of liberty, democracy, and faith. She is the hope of the whole wide world.
