The Land of the Free and the Home of the Brave.

Freedom... I think it's something many Americans take for granted. We don't often think about how easily we could lose it, whether by a power grab or a foreign country invading. But that is why we have safe guards. We have checks and balances to defend us from internal tyranny, and we have a military to protect us from external tyranny. The latter form of defense is what I would like to recognize today.

Today is Memorial day. A day we can remember all the courageous men and women who died to keep this country free.

America has been involved in lots of wars in its near 250 year existence. From the American Revolution, To the Spanish/American War, from the World Wars, to the War on Terror, we've had a history of conflict to protect our country and freedom. Somewhere around 700,000 thousands troops (not including the Civil War) have died defending this nation. And today we honor them and remember the debt we owe them.

I would like to quote A man who served in our military,Father Dennis Edward O'Brien, USMC, about why our troops are so important.
 "It is the soldier, not the reporter, Who has given us freedom of the press.
It is the soldier, not the poet, Who has given us freedom of speech.
It is the soldier, not the organizer, Who gave us the freedom to demonstrate
It is the soldier, Who salutes the flag, Who serves beneath the flag.
And whose coffin is draped by the flag, Who allows the protester to burn the flag."

Our armed forces do their best to preserve our great nation. Our country wouldn't even be here if it weren't for the deaths of many men. So I ask that you think about your freedom today, and think about those who died allowing you to have it. God Bless America.