I’ll bleed for your right to bite the hand that feeds you
Almost three years ago I joined the United States Army out of a motivation to serve my nation. I was frustrated with the apathy of many Americans around me, and resolved that I would not be one to take my freedom for granted. I am not a violent man, nor am I blind to the tragedy of death and loss. I also consider myself to be open-minded, and my brain does work from time to time. Yet there exist many, even on our own campus, who feel that patriots are ignorant, and those supporting the government’s response to terrorism are ‘warmongers’. I imagine that when Pearl Harbor was attacked, these voices claimed that we should not retaliate, but give in to the warring nations. These voices probably said to America, let the Confederacy go, a united America is not that important. I can hear these voices trying to convince American settlers that the English suppression wasn’t that bad, and that freedom was a crazy idea. I will never tell those individuals that they are wrong to express their opinions. In fact, I proudly wear my uniform to protect their rights to free speech. I see it as a tragedy however, that they choose to express their rights by insulting, belittling and dishonoring their nation.
In an ideal world, we could live without war and everybody would be accepting, peaceful and generous. The brutal truth is, however, that we do not live in an ideal world. I am not excited for the prospect of war, yet I realize that there people and organizations that understand no other language. They attack us unjustly, and kill the innocent, yet people feel that for some reason these cowards will just go away if we’re nice and don’t retaliate. A lack of a powerful response is an invitation for more attacks, more bloodshed, and more tragedy. We do not call for war because we are bloodthirsty, hasty fools, we retaliate swiftly because no other action will impress upon the minds of this world’s tyrants that America cannot be shaken by terrorism, or any other threat to freedom.
I realize that the sword of justice is two-edged, and that there will be further sacrifices to be laid upon the altar of freedom. I fear that we will continue to see and hear protesters, claiming that no action will be better than any action at all. But I know that I do not stand alone, when I say that I will stand up, and that I will fight, and that I will protect America so that you can sit at home and complain about your cozy life. I’ll fight for you, even though I fear you won’t do the same. If needs be I’ll even die for you, so that my wife, my family, and my freedoms can continue to shine bright in an ever darkening world.
Nate Cazier750-0386ncazier@cc.usu.edu