The Price of Freedom

[Shaffer]

As we celebrate this glorious day, I would like to reflect on how great is to have this independence, this freedom we so often take for granted and remember the price that has been paid.

With that said, I would like to pay a special tribute today to those who paid that price in the ongoing war to fight terrorism and protect this freedom we are so fond of.

Independence Day Tribute

Semper Fi,

Jerry

[thedrifter]

I watched the flag pass by one day.
It fluttered in the breeze
A young Marine saluted it, and then
He stood at ease.

I looked at him in uniform
So young, so tall, so proud
With hair cut squared and eyes alert
He'd stand out in any crowd.

I thought, how many men like him
Had fallen through the years?
How many died in foreign soil?
How many mothers' tears?

How many Pilots' planes shot down?
How many foxholes were soldiers' graves?
No, Freedom is not free.

I heaard the sound of taps one noght,
When everything was still.
I listened to the bugler play
And felt a sudden chill.

I wondered just how many times
That taps had meant "Amen"
When a flag had draped a coffin
of a brother or a friend.

I thought of all the children,
Of the mothers and the wives,
Of fatrhers, sons and husbands
With interrupted lives.

I thought about a graveyard
at the bottom of the sea
Of unmarked graves in Arlington.
No, Freedom isn't free

By Kelly Strong

Sempers.

Roger

[thedrifter]

TO ALL,
>
> WISHING EVERYONE A HAPPY 4TH OF JULY. TODAY WE ALL
> SHOULD NOT FORGET ALL THOSE WHO GAVE THEIR LIVES SO
> WE MAYBE FREE. ALSO LEST WE FORGET ALL OUR POW's
> AND MIA's. FREEDOM IS NOT FREE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
>
> GOD BLESS AMERICA, GOD BLESS MARINES, GOD BLESS ALL
> OUR SERVICE MEN AND WOMEN, GOD BLESS US ALL
>
> Sempers,
>
> Roger and Ellie