The Cost of Freedom · 8:01pm May 27th, 2019
Ours is a world of consequences. Whether we are aware of it or not, there is no action, thought, or word which passes without consequence, for good or for ill. It is the nature of things. In order to respond to these consequences and change a course that has been set in motion, answering actions must be taken, with their own corresponding consequences. When a great many evils are done, the number of possible responses which may change the course of that evil dwindle.
Sometimes, there remain peaceful options in the face of such evil, as with the victories of the American Civil Rights Movement and the Polish Solidarity Movement in the face of oppression.
At other times, the only means of stopping evil is through noble men and women skilled in the art of war.
The path of the warrior is one of sacrifice. A warrior must lay down time, energy, profession, plans for the future, wealth, and personal liberties. Innocence, health, and peace are frequent casualties upon the altar. And, all too often, a warrior must make the ultimate sacrifice.
This is the price of freedom. When all roads lead to tyranny and peaceful options have been exhausted, then it is only by blood and courage that freedom is maintained.
Armed Forces Day honors the soldiers presently serving.
Veterans Day honors those who have served.
Memorial Day honors those who served unto the last, holding nothing back from the altar. Not even their own lives.
The cost of freedom is high. It always has been. So it falls to those of us who enjoy its blessing to make the most of its bounty, if for no other reason than to honor those who bled and died for it. To do any less is to be unworthy of the honored dead who gave their all so that the many may live.
Eternal rest grant unto them, oh Lord, and let Perpetual Light shine upon them. May the souls of these faithful departed through the mercy of God rest in peace. Amen.
“Then the king will say to those at his right hand, ‘Come, you that are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world; for I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you gave me clothing, I was sick and you took care of me, I was in prison and you visited me.’ Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when was it that we saw you hungry and gave you food, or thirsty and gave you something to drink? And when was it that we saw you a stranger and welcomed you, or naked and gave you clothing? And when was it that we saw you sick or in prison and visited you?’ And the king will answer them, ‘Truly I tell you, just as you did it to one of the least of these who are members of my family, you did it to me.’”
Matthew 25: 34-40
Well said, as always. I hope everyone has a peaceful Memorial Day this year.
We sleep soundly in our beds because rough men stand ready in the night to visit violence upon those who would do us harm. ~George Orwell
May God bless our soldiers, living and dead. Let us remember that their sacrifice was not in vain.
May all those who have fought for our lives and liberty rest in eternal peace. They deserve that much, if nothing else.
Very well said. Freedom is sacred, because it is purchased in blood. Therefore, only a moral people can be free. For if a society or a people give themselves over to degeneracy, they become slaves of sin. And what happens in the heart, inevitably manifests itself in the world. The communists knew this, which is why they promoted immoral behavior in the USSR; because they knew a morally weak people were a people easy to control and manipulate. We must be a moral, upright people. This is the only way to both preserve our freedom and the best way to honor those who have purchased it for us by living lives deserving of that freedom.
5065586
Well put. A society which sacrifices personal freedoms to degeneracy (addiction) will soon sacrifice civil freedoms to whoever holds the power to maintain those addictions. Wickedness is often likened unto chains, but I prefer the analogy of drugs, and tyranny is the greatest earthly drug dealer of them all. History holds no exceptions to this rule, no matter the era or continent.
People sleep peacefully in their beds only because the rough stand ready to do violence on their behalf.
And no much how the simpering cuckolds may whinge and whine and gush their feelings of life needing to be fair, the tyrant will always seek to stand upon them. And just as inevitably will be those who say not "someone should" but say "I will."
But its better to resist them now then later. Such a pity it seems such a lesson has yet to be learned.
5065586
"Fuck Communism."
-John Wayne
Speaking of degeneracy