Chaz Bantle
Delta-Omicron (University of Montanta- Missoula) ’10
First Lieutenant, United States Army, 181st Brigade Support Battalion
To me, the meaning of freedom is simple. Someone at some point in time – either present day or past – has fought for, defended, and died for our American way of life. And in turn, we pass that freedom onto the next generation so that they may enjoy American freedom as we have.
Our Origins
Put aside current day political views and opinions of war and think back to a time before the United States of America. People came to this new land to escape oppression and to live free. Later on, relatives of those people would fight for freedom and independence from a King located 3,000 miles away who wanted to tax and control America. In this war, an American fought for and died for our freedom that we enjoy today. This war was about American freedom that we enjoy today.
America In History
Think about WWI and WWII when the World was at war. In both cases, the United States of America held out as long as possible. But when we joined the fight, whether it be our American population at home working long hours producing war supplies or an infantryman on the front lines, an American fought for and died for our freedom that we enjoy today.
Who knows how each war would have turned out or how much longer each war would have lasted if the American industrial machine and fighting spirit had not joined.
America Today
Finally, think about today’s conflicts. Following the September 11th attacks, was the United States of America suppose to move into a state of isolationism to prevent further attacks? No. That is not the American spirit. Whether you agree with today’s politics or not, the War on Terror is not something that we as a nation can ignore. If we do, it will once again come to American shores. And because of this, out there right now as you read this there is an American fighting for our freedom that we enjoy today.
What To Think About Today
As you think about freedom on this 4th of July, think about: Why does American freedom continue? Because someone at some point in time – either present day or past – has fought for, defended, and died for our American way of life. American men and women will continue to do so in-order-to pass that freedom onto the next generation.
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