Let's imagine where we would be both as a nation and a planet were it not for those who fertilize the tree of freedom with their blood and sacrifice.
Without them we would probably be speaking English with a British accent and suffering under their socialized medical system much sooner, My 10 year old may not have made if through her difficult birth because some heartless bureaucrat would have decided she was not worth the effort.
Without them we would have ended the peculiar institution of slavery much latter thus prolonging the say when the Supreme court and our president would be of African Decent.
Without them My native land of Puerto Rico would still be under Spanish control rather than a Commonwealth of the United States.
Without them we and Europe would be speaking German and the Third Reich would be a major world Power, Jews would be all but extinct as a people as well as Christianity.
Without them Millions of Muslims, from Kosovo, to Iraq and Afghanistan would still be oppressed rather than being a self determining people and the light of freedom would have been to dim for the People in Iran to even consider rising against their oppression in spite of our current leadership.
Without them Communism and it's close cousin Fascism would be the dominant political systems in the world rather than systems in decline.
Without them we would have undoubtedly been attacked perhaps even worse than 9-11.
It may be them that save the American Experiment despite our best efforts to end it.
The Men and Women who make up our armed forces are not uneducated brutes, but educated men and women who often give up lucrative careers in the civilian world to serve, such as Pat Tillman and the sons and daughters of many politicians including John McCain and Vice President Biden.
So today as you celebrate our freedom (sometimes without realising) please remember to give thanks to that veteran in your midst. Chances are there will be one in your celebration whether from current wars or previous ones.
