Freedom Isn't Free
We remember those that have served...
Freedom is not an inheritance. For over 200 years is has been bought and paid for by men and women that have answered the call to duty. They have given life and limb for it. Their families have endured and sacrificed so ours wouldn't have to.
When I was young my heroes were fictional. Now that I have a son in the Army my heroes are real people. To me a hero is anyone who has stood at MEPS, raised their right hand and taken the oath to defend the Constitution of the United States. They go to basic training, endure all types of weather, go without sleep and without food. They are dropped off in the middle of nowhere and find their way back. They become proficient in combat, armed and unarmed. They rely and trust each other because soon that's all they will be able to do. Now they are ready, ready to go to a foreign country to keep terrorist out of ours. They want to go do the job they were trained to do knowing they will miss birthdays and graduations and anniversaries. They know that some will pay the ultimate price for freedom, they know some may be injured, they know that if they don't fight terrorist in their homeland they will have to fight them in the United States. These are my heroes.
A hero is a man or woman that puts on their lab coat or scrubs and walks through the doors of a VA hospital and meets the warrior that has been injured. They look into the eyes of these warriors and see frustration, sadness and determination. Frustration because they have been taken away from their unit. Sadness for their comrades that paid the ultimate price for freedom. And, determination to overcome their injury, visible or invisible. They go to work day after day, week after week. They see heroes come and go, they see the price of freedom every day. These are my heroes.
A hero is a mom, dad, wife, husband or child that watches their loved one pack their sack and board a plane. They can't express the emptiness they feel because words can't describe it. They look forward to every phone call, every e-mail and every letter. They count the months, days and finally the minutes until they see their loved one again. On the day they finally get to see and hold the one they have missed, they can't describe their happiness because words can't describe it. All they can do is cry. These are my heroes.
What would you do to thank someone like that? We can't give them our limbs. We can't give them our peace of mind. We can't take away their nightmares. Saying "Thank You" doesn't quite say enough. Here's a chance do say thank you on a continuous basis. We can give them memories of a day on the water with their family or friends. We can take their mind off the every day task of coping with the stress of deployment or reintegrating into civilian life. Freedom Excursions is a non-profit organization that depends on generous contributions large or small. Every little bit helps. Also, we can use volunteers! Contact us and help us serve those that sacrificed.
Hope you have fair winds and calm seas,
Bryan
