The price of Liberty
Guest Column
On this July Fourth, we celebrate the announcement of political independence for our nation from Great Britain 241 years ago.
At that time, no one foresaw how radically world changing that announcement or the ideas behind it would be.
It was, indeed, a profoundly bold assertion that all humans have divinely bestowed rights to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.
In fact, the idea was so radical that only a few thought a nation founded on such could survive, let alone, succeed.
Nonetheless, it is not an understatement to say that, both the idea of liberty for the common man and a nation based on it, succeeded beyond any expectation.
However, the price for achieving that success was steep — thousands endured hardship and died to make it a reality.
There were politicians, facing the hangman’s noose if captured, who fearlessly proclaimed: “Give me liberty or give me death!”
There were former-school-teachers-turned-soldiers who, as they, quite literally, faced their own demise bravely asserted: “I only regret that that I have but one life to lose for my country.” Hundreds upon hundreds stood against tyranny and fell on battlefields from Lexington to Yorktown.
In the centuries since that first success, thousands more have made the ultimate sacrifice to preserve a nation based on those ideals.
These brave souls gave all for their fellow countrymen to keep their liberty to pursue their opportunities for happiness.
It has been well said that “Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.”
Consequently, the relevant question becomes what is our obligation to those intrepid patriots who willingly spilled their blood our liberty?
To me that obligation means being a positive contributor to society… to give of one’s self more than is taken from others.
This concept goes beyond just working, raising a family and paying taxes. Rather, it also means stepping up and participating in activities that make our community, our state and our nation better.
It means staying truly informed, not just watching the TV news or scanning the newspaper headlines. Moreover, it means exercising critical thinking about the information acquired - asking myself, and others, the really tough questions. It means not letting some editorial board, commentator or opinion columnist do my thinking for me.
It means, regardless of the mistakes politicians and leaders may make, never giving up on the ideals of liberty and justice for all. In short, to me, it is trying to be the best citizen of this Republic possible.
As our nation celebrates independence and the blessings of liberty bought at such a steep price, what is your answer?