Honoring Those Who Serve

For over two centuries, America has been a beacon of hope for the rest of the world to emulate. Our Declaration of Independence and Constitution set a standard for human rights and democracy that still resonates to this day. These rights, which good men and women have fought and died for, mean freedom for millions of Americans.

These rights have also allowed Americans to experience unprecedented levels of success. Freedom leads to prosperity, because businesses flourish under free market systems, unencumbered by massive government intrusion.

However, many more people around the globe spend their existence without any rights. Their lives are controlled by and are essentially the property of others. In nations devoid of human rights, citizens are subject to the whims of their superiors. Political prisons and violence thrive in places such as these.

Atrocities reminiscent of the Dark Ages are being committed worldwide. Throughout the Middle East and parts of Africa, Christians and other minority communities are being executed by the thousands, including women and children.

In recent times, democratic nations have had their rights threatened by the enemies of freedom. In France, Freedom of Speech, Freedom of Press, and Freedom of Religion were all under fire, as Muslim radicals, upset with the depiction of their prophet, targeted the employees of the Charlie Hebdo publication and Jews at a kosher market with death.

Our own freedoms and security at home are too at risk, by those who would wish us harm. We must constantly strive to protect them and honor those who risk their very lives to do so. Our freedoms and our rights were granted to us by the Creator, and we should never take them for granted.