Memorial Day: The Price of Freedom May 2014 Courtesy of the Family Research Council
Freedom truly is a gift from God. Words engraved on Jefferson’s Memorial reflect that truth: “God who gave us life gave us liberty at the same time.” And freedom is foundational to who we are as a people. It is a part of the American DNA. But freedom is not free. Jesus Himself said:
“Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one’s life for his friends.” (John 15:13)
Freedom requires sacrifice. And that is true for our nation. The cost of freedom is great. The fight for freedom is never over. We must fight to win it, and then we must fight to keep it.
Just survey our rich history and heritage of freedom. From the Minute Men who were out-manned and out-gunned by the British on Lexington Green and later that day at Concord Bridge, to General Washington and his ill clad men enduring the harsh winter at Valley Forge, to the rocket’s red glare over Fort McHenry in the War of 1812, to the blood soaked fields around Gettysburg where brother fought against brother, to the Doughboys in the trenches facing sniper fire and mustard gas in WWI, to the scores of Sailors who died at Pearl Harbor, to the Soldiers who stormed the beaches of Normandy, to the Airmen who went on bombing raids over Tokyo, to the Marines who fought on the shores of Iwo Jima, on the frigid hills of Korea, the jungles of Vietnam, the deserts of Iraq, and the rugged mountains of Afghanistan — these Patriots secured our liberty at a high price.
We are the land of the free because of the brave. We should honor those who serve in our military and never let their sacrifices be in vain.
Because of God’s blessing and because of the sacrifices of our military, no other nation enjoys such great freedoms as America. But our freedom, won at such a high price, is under fire in America today.
From Walter Reed Medical Center enacting – and later rescinding – a ban on Bibles being brought to our wounded warriors, to the repeal of Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell allowing open homosexual behavior in the military that is now threatening to violate the consciences of Chaplains who object on Biblical grounds, to the burning of Bibles sent to Afghanistan because it was said they would be deemed “offensive” to the Muslim population, to the removal of Christian symbols from chapels on bases, we are seeing an unprecedented assault on religious liberty. The men and women of faith who serve in the Armed Forces deserve better.
Action Steps:
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Pray for the members of the military and their families. Thank God for those who have paid the ultimate price for our freedom.
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Learn about the threats to Religious Liberty in the Armed Forces. Visit militaryfreedom.org and download the Clear and Present Danger Report.
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Urge your elected officials to act. Call the U.S. Capitol switchboard at (202) 224-3121. Or visit www.FRC.org and click on Contact Officials
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THE FINAL INSPECTION
The soldier stood and faced God,
Which must always come to pass.
He hoped his shoes were shining,
Just as brightly as his brass.
‘Step forward now, soldier,
How shall I deal with you?
Have you always turned the other cheek?
To my Church have you been true?’
The soldier squared his shoulders and said,
“No, Lord, I guess I ain’t,”
Because those of us who carry guns,
Can’t always be a saint.
I’ve had to work most Sundays,
And at times my talk was tough.
And sometimes I’ve been violent,
Because the world is awfully rough.
But, I never took a penny,
That wasn’t mine to keep…
Though I worked a lot of overtime,
When the bills just got too steep.
And I never passed a cry for help,
Though at times I shook with fears…
And sometimes, God, forgive me,
I’ve wept unmanly tears.
I know I don’t deserve a place,
Among the people here.
They never wanted me around,
Except to calm their fear.
If you’ve a place for me here, Lord,
It needn’t be so grand.
I never expected or had too much,
But if you don’t, I’ll understand.
There was a silence all around the throne,
Where the saints had often trod.
As the soldier waited quietly,
For the judgment of his God.
“Step forward now, you soldier,
You’ve borne your burdens well.
Walk peacefully on Heaven’s streets,
You’ve done your time in Hell.”
Author Unknown
