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Not free
Off the Wall
June 28, 2007
Advertise a thing in the newspaper that it is free
for the taking, and people will beat down your door to get it.
On the other hand, present a way of life to individuals, and
if accepted, it may be a freedom for which people may have to
fight. As can be noted, one comes very easy. The other does not.
For centuries now, citizens of our beloved country
have gone to battle to uphold the many freedoms we value so highly.
These liberties have carried forth in our lifestyles today and
in some cases, even taken for granted.
With that being said, it must be noted that we can't just
mention one of our many country's holidays without tying in three
of them that really go hand in hand. I'm speaking, of course,
of Memorial, Independence and Veterans Days respectively.
And, if we didn't have the Fourth of July celebration each year,
what would our gallant soldiers be fighting for if it weren't
for those things we treasure so much in the US of A.
Sometime back, as some of you may remember, I walked
the streets of Latrobe asking citizens two questions "Why
are you proud to be an American," or "Why do you hate
living in this country." I really didn't expect answers
to both, but got replies to both.
Two people told me, "Because of good people
like you, and, "Because I know you."
I quickly laughed that off and moved on.
A lot of citizens said their pride came as a result
of relatives serving in the armed forces, either in the past
or in the present, from grandparents to soldiers in Iraq.
One man commented, "The founding fathers mostly
used the Bible and the Ten Commandments to form our Constitution
Can't think of a better country based on God's Word.
Religion did enter into two people's thoughts along
with that of free speech.
Some statements caught me off guard. A small youngster
looked up at me and proclaimed, "Because I live in a house."
That was powerful. A woman shared, "Going for a walk. Others
related, "Women aren't put down in this country or having
to cover our faces." And another "We can live
together no matter color, religion, male or female."
Quite a few people were emotional. One person let
on, "It is the most moving holiday of the year." One
citizen, shedding tears as she spoke, said quietly, "I feel
bad for our boys and for everything that is going on in Iraq."
Most all the negative comments centered around one
organization our government.
"I hate living in this country because the politicians of
today are the opposite of those years ago. They use their office
for personal gain." Or, "I don't believe our government
has true compassion for the average and below American."
"This country is too money hungry, lie, cheat, steal for
the mighty buck (the government).
One teen told me, "You're making me think."
I hope I made more do the same.
There were many who could not tell me any freedoms
they valued or plain refused.
So, was my goal in writing this story to see how
many different freedoms people could come up with, or was there
more? Anytime I write stories, I do so with purpose. I wanted
to create awareness and also give honor to those who continue
to fight the battles so that we may hand down these freedoms
to our children. I was looking for one answer that never was
brought up the right to vote. Only once on the Internet
did one person mention this all too important freedom.
Remember the headlines of the last election? "Light
Turnout Expected." Why do people snub their noses at something
so important? This is a right for which our veterans fought.
Shouldn't we cherish it as part of our democratic system?
I was also seeking to hear more about education.
Here again, one person told me, "We have the right to get
a good education." People in so many foreign countries don't
have the opportunities we do. We are given the chance to make
something out of our lives, but sometimes feel people do not
exceed their comfort zones and try harder to do their best.
Could it be that the purpose of this column is to
bring to light how blessed we are to have so many freedoms? They
may seem "free" as we know the word today, but more
important, we may not be living them had it not been for our
veterans of ages past.
Paul j. Volkmann
5/29/07
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