Posted by
Douglas C. Boyd on Saturday, May 26, 2007 1:55:54 AM
The Price of Freedom
"With tears in our eyes and pride in our hearts, thank you for your sacrifice."
The following is from an editorial I wrote for the Wichita Falls Times Record News on April 6th, 2003.
"From the halls of Montezuma to the shores of Tripoli. We will fight our countries battles on the land and on the sea. First to fight for right of freedom, and to keep our honor clean. We are proud to claim the title of United States Marines."
Appropriate words to sing today borrowed by the Marines Hymn.
I would like to start off today by saying that I never really intended to write as much about patriotism as I have, but with the war in Iraq brewing hot, I have no choice but to listen to my heart.
The liberation of Iraq from a madman and his evil regime has begun and already we are hearing the stories that we knew we would hear....the stories of the rape, torture, murder and the all out horror, of life under dictator Saddam Hussein.
Iraqi people on the street as well as Iraqi military deserters are starting to spill their guts about the horrors that this evil regime has inflicted upon the people of Iraq. Deserters have commented on how they were forced to fight and how their families would be killed if they didn't. Some Iraqi military leaders are even forcing small children to fight or be shot. One deserter commented and said "we were told that America wanted to take over Iraq but we are not so stupid. We know that Sadaam rules this country and that we would be better off without him. I can now say what I've always felt. Sadaam led to this war. We don't want to fight America and we don't want to fight Sadaam."
Shocking still was the fact that even after knowing the atrocities that have gone on in Iraq, there have still been those here in America who have protested by lying in the streets, thereby stopping traffic, causing fellow Americans to be late for work. They have handcuffed themselves to business doors, again, causing delays in the work routines of those trying to make an honest living. Some of these so called peace protestors have even resorted to violence to get their point across.
I believe history will look back and will be proud of our military for the freedom they are bringing to Iraq. For standing up for what is right and fighting against that which is evil despite how idle nations like France and others sit back and do nothing when action is required. Arthur Ashe once said "True heroism is remarkably sober, very nondramatic. It is not the urge to surpass all others at whatever cost, but the urge to serve others at whatever the cost." And that is exactly what our military is doing.
Yes their will be some who will pay the ultimate price because freedom is never free. It is bought and paid for with the blood of patriots and heroes.
To those who have lost a loved one in this war on terror my family and I grieve with you. We pray for you and we mourn for your loss. With tears in our eyes and with a heavy heart, we are eternally grateful to those who have perished in this conflict. Kitty Kelly once said that a hero is someone you can admire without apology. Our service men and women both here and abroad definitely fit that bill.
As we think about those that have served this nation and have gone on to their reward I can't help but to think that as these brave souls, these warriors for freedom, have headed into eternity, that all over heaven the angels are lifting a hand in salute to the fallen patriots of America.
May God bless and keep America.
Douglas C. Boyd
Update-May 25th, 2007
We have found out just how difficult this war against the evils of terror will be. We have to date lost around 3500 men in Iraq. Some say we should pull out, others like white flag waving Harry Reid have said we have lost. Our commanders on the ground say other wise.
All I know is this, it's not time to wave a white flag. It's not time to say we have lost and destroy the morale of our troops who are in harms way. It's not time to pull a Rosie Odonell and insinuate that our fine troops, the best in the world are the real terrorists. I would like to tell Rosie something that I used to hear comedian Chris Farley say, "Rosie, why don't you shut your big YAPPER!"
The facts remain. We were attacked by terrorists on our home front in 2001. I will never forget the images of that day. Most of us will be forever haunted by it. This is a fight we must not only fight, but we must at all cost win. The future of America depends on it. The peace of the world is counting on it and that is the bottom line.