It is now the holiday season and we are a nation at war. At stake in this struggle is nothing less than the legacy of freedom bestowed upon us by the creators of our nation more than two centuries ago. We take this endowment of freedom too lightly sometimes, perhaps almost for granted.

It must be remembered that this American birthright was actually purchased at a great price in both courage and sacrifice by the first soldiers of this new nation. Preserving it over these last two centuries has come at a cost that the Armed Forces of our nation has stepped up to meet whenever asked to do so.

From the shivering army of George Washington at Valley Forge to the Fort Hood troops now sweating in the deserts of Iraq, the soldiers of this nation are the reason we have been - and still are - a free nation. This column, as an elected representative in a democratic nation, is dedicated to these brave men and women.

Think about it for a moment: I am able to write a column as an elected official in a local newspaper because of the valiant deeds over the years of these American soldiers. Free elections and an independent press are two of the blessings their sacrifice have given us. The freedom to celebrate the upcoming holidays under the teaching of our individual faiths is another debt that we owe.

Again, we take these liberties for granted. We act sometimes like we have always had them. But study the past a bit and you will realize how rare of a thing liberty has actually been in the totality of human history. Look around the world today and ponder the billions of people that have never cast a ballot, expressed a public opinion without fear, or worshipped freely according to their own conscience.

Freedom isn't free, as the saying goes. It has carried a large price for all of us to still have it today – a price that others in uniform paid on our behalf over the centuries. The millions of brave military men and women who have served us are owed more than we can ever hope to repay.

These men and women endure hardships both great and small without complaint. Their families serve as well, as the military life is not an easy one. Yet, they still do it. They wear the uniform of our nation proudly and agree to go anywhere, at anytime, to face any foe.

Many of these men and women ate their Thanksgiving meal in a tent in the desert in November. In December many more will have to experience their children opening Christmas presents through photographs. Valentine's Day may be spent without their sweethearts and the fireworks overhead on the Fourth of July may be live rounds.


Yet, again, they still volunteer to do this task for us all.


As we all gather together with our families and friends over this holiday season, please give a thought to those whose service on our behalf over the years has made it possible. Add them to your prayers, send a card to those you know that serve, and please keep them warmly in your thoughts as you go about the holiday season.

In the time of giving gifts, they have already given us the greatest gift of all: our freedom. Please accept our nation's thanks, offered to all that serve. Bless you all and please have a Merry Christmas, wherever you are.

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