COLUMN: In Honor of our Veterans
In honor of Veterans Day, I would like to take this opportunity to thank the men and women who have served our country in the armed forces.
First, I would like to pay tribute to those who took a stand and fought for our nation’s independence. Those brave soldiers and their families sacrificed much, and many gave their lives so we could live in this free nation today. The odds against them were great, but they still fought with a vision of a brighter future for their posterity. They suffered repeated defeat and miserable conditions but kept fighting to the end.
I thank all those who, in the generations since the birth of our nation, have served and sacrificed to maintain that freedom. They have given and served much, and we have been blessed by their service. They have left a legacy that has inspired us all.
I would like to thank those who left to fight for our nation in other lands and never came home. I also want to thank those whose loved ones left but never returned. You have given much. I honor your sacrifice.
To the veterans who are among us, thank you for your service. Thank you for your sacrifice. Thank you for teaching us of courage and honor. Thank you for reminding us all that freedom is not free – it comes with a price. Thank you for paying that price.
Thank you, soldiers, who are serving our nation today. Thank you for putting your lives on the line for us. Thank you, mothers, fathers, brothers, sisters, sons and daughters of those serving, for the sacrifices you make daily.
I hope all of us can take the time to think about the sacrifices these brave men and women have made and continue to make, and show our gratitude to them. They have done so much to preserve our freedom.
During the Revolutionary War, Thomas Paine wrote, ” … what we obtain too cheap, we esteem too lightly; ’tis dearness only that gives everything its value. Heaven knows how to put a proper price upon its goods; and it would be strange, indeed, if so celestial an article as freedom should not be highly rated.”
I hope we can all remember how valuable freedom is. Our freedom has been bought with a price. It is up to all of us to be vigilant and ensure our freedom is not lost due to our negligence. We all owe this to those who have given their lives to ensure our freedom. We owe it to future generations to ensure they still enjoy the freedom we have.
Once freedom is lost, it is not easily regained. Let us all honor our veterans and soldiers and ensure that freedom’s flame stays alive in our nation.
Colby Lyons is a senior majoring in law and constitutional studies. Comments can be sent to him at c.lyons@aggiemail.usu.edu