In this nation we enjoy freedoms unequalled in many places around the world. We enjoy basic God given rights to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. As of the time of this writing, we still get to choose where and how we worship God. The level of education we receive and the career paths and choices we make are limited only by our ability to achieve those things. Our own limitations, many self-inflicted, are really all that hold us back. Even though we live in a time when many are seeking to strip these rights and freedoms from us, we still truly do live in the greatest nation on earth. We enjoy, and sadly often take for granted our freedom. Freedom that was bought and paid for by the blood of patriots and warriors. Every day we go about our routines, enjoying that freedom.
At the same time halfway across the world there is a group of young men and women walking through an empty street. They walk single file going from house to house, rifles at the ready in their hands. The street is dark and quiet. The air is dry and dust invades every opening and pour in their bodies. All around them. In every dark alley and around every blind corner there is potentially someone who wants nothing more than to claim the life an American soldier. These brave young men and women live in a Fob on the edge of that city. A ramshackle assembly of concrete walls and sandbag structures. For them it’s just another day. They do what they can to bring a little bit of home to this particular part of hell which they now inhabit. It’s not the same. Their family and friends are thousands of miles away. Home enjoying the freedoms and the peace that these brave soldiers provide. It’s ok though. They don’t ask for thanks or sympathy. They chose this life. They grew up being taught that freedom was never free. Freedom wasn’t a privilege that was given. It was earned through the sacrifice and blood of the brave men and women who had come before them. Now it was their turn. They would take their place among those brave soldiers in history. They would do their part to help secure the freedoms that their nation continued to enjoy. At night as they lay their heads on dusty pillows on a cot in a room with a dirt floor they sleep with one eye open. They rest secure in the knowledge that they have brothers awake and alert. Brothers ready to kill and die to defend them as they sleep. Still, they rest ready to jump up at the first sound of trouble to grab the rifle that is propped against the wall inches from their cots and join those brothers. It truly is ok though. They are the sheep dogs. They are the small percent of Americans that will run toward the fight instead of away from it. They are the American soldier. The brave men and women who are on the front line every day securing our nations peace. Back home people can relax and live their lives as they choose. They can have different political views. They can even protest they war and disrespect the people fighting in it. They can refuse to stand for our national anthem when it blares from loudspeakers at an NFL game. They are free to voice their disdain for Hillary Clinton. They are free to voice their disdain for Donald trump. Some of them even vow to leave this country when the candidate of their choice loses the election. Of course they never will though. Because somewhere deep down inside themselves they know .as we all do that this is the greatest nation on earth. But it really is ok. These soldiers choose to fight for the rights of these people as well. They fight for the right of all Americans to be able to disagree. They fight for each and every one of us. So every morning as you begin your day of freedom, Please join hands with the ones or silently alone in your hearts and Pray for these soldiers, pray to God in heaven to keep these brave men and women safe. Pray for them to be returned home to the ones they love. To the ones that love them. As you go about your day, cherish the freedom you still enjoy as Americans and remember that it was not free. It was earned. It came at a cost. It continues to come at a cost. God bless you all.
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From @timmo3663