Cheryl Courtney Semick

We the people of the United States will celebrate our independence this month. As we pull out the red, white and blue and make much noise, let’s not just spend the day overindulging in the festivities, waiting for the big light show at dusk. Rather, let us pause in silent respect for those who paid freedom’s price.
Freedom is one of those privileges whose cost can be quickly forgotten by those who did not pay for it. Shamefully, the Fourth of July has slipped into the list of paid holidays, as if it was another one of our rights. But this year, I encourage you to look into the eyes of a veteran and see the battle that paid for your rights. Their mind’s eye keeps daily account of every expense.
Stand next to a Veteran when the national anthem is played and you will see that their right hand still covers their hearts with pride when our flag is raised. You will hear their trembling voice sing our national anthem and know that each note is sung with humility and reverence. The tear that drops from their eye falls in memory of those who fell beside them on a field of blood.
I always choke back tears when I see these brave men and women during the fireworks; they stand so still, as if their own hearts could explode like a firecracker shooting out endless tales of pain and sorrow spun on the shores of other worlds. Their humble silence is so much louder than all the noise we could possibly muster. It rises above the meaningless jabber of those whose hands are buried in their coolers and whose mouths have yet to learn words that contain more than four letters.
Theirs is a holy silence; a stance of honor.
These understand true independence. They understand that independence doesn’t mean freedom from all restraint, freedom from all rules or authority, but freedom from tyranny and oppression. Not freedom to do whatever they want whenever they want—but freedom to unite and agree and to live in peace. These brave soldiers served under command and obeyed their officers to secure the rights that we all enjoy on a daily basis. It took obedience, unity, courage and sacrifice.
Sadly, the tragedy of freedom is that blood must be shed as history testifies. And, despite all the analytical condemnation that surrounds every war, of this I am sure:  we are a nation that will not stand still when wrong is being done to any human nor turn our eyes away from those in need. I like that about my country.
I like that about my God, too. It is He who taught our forefathers to love and respect human life, to treat all equally. We chose to put our trust in God at the start and still proclaim it on our currency.  May we never take for granted the price of our freedom—may we never forget how God has blessed America!