By EAST AURORA NEWS (11/11/2010 12:46:11 PM)
For the past 10 years I have studied our country's
history. How it was before the first European settlers
arrived. How those settlers tried, failed, and finally succeeded in
establishing the first settlement in Jamestown back in the early
1600's. How the population grew up and down the east coast with the
establishment of local governments. How several skirmishes, wars and
battles came to be. How and why we have won and lost conflicts over
the years. And finally how and why hundreds of thousands of men and
women feel strongly enough to lay their lives upon the alter of
freedom.
More recently, especially since 9/11 and the
recent explosion of government intervention and regulation even right here on
our soil, I have thought about the similarities between the things that we have
fought for over the past 400 years and the things that we are fighting for
now.
It is the same.
People in this
country fight to be free. What does it mean to be free? It
certainly has lost its cache over the years and I really do think that freedom
is taken for granted by our leaders and many of us as well.
Do a search on google and you will find that its meaning
is subjective. For me, freedom can best be described by a
manifestation of the concept. Similar to scientists who tried to
define a black hole. They had never seen a black hole, but
saw huge objects that would suddenly disappear. So instead of
using the black hole itself to define one, it would instead define the
manifestations of one.
The best way for me to describe
freedom is to say that it is the confidence in the collective wisdom and energy
of people to improve the way of life for everyone. That is exactly
what we have fought throughout our existence as a
country.
To the extent one can understand the way of life
for those in communist or socialist countries, I know how they are
different. I work with folks who lived in those countries and can tell
you that they live each day fundamentally different than you or
I.
If it weren't for the brave men and women who have
placed their lives on the alter of freedom I would not be able to write this
article. You would not be able to write your letters to the
editor. Our town and village governments, if they existed at all,
would not be filled by ordinary people who choose to run for
office.
Do it. Call a veteran today.
The local Veteran Affairs office phone number is 716-862-7350.
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