Mel Gibson, at the end of the movie Braveheart, remember the blood curdling yell, “Freeeeeedooooom” said with such passion it resonates to this very day with the audience.
When the 1,200 Colonial troops stood firm at “The Battle of Bunker Hill “on June 17, 1775 they were outnumbered by a superior size British Army but repelled two assaults on their position before running out of ammunition and retreating to Cambridge, Mass.
Captured Colonial Soldier Nathan Hale on September 22, 1776 before being hanged said, "I only regret that I have but one life to lose for my country."
These symbolic gestures have been passed down from generation to generation and “We The People…” must never forget that “Freedom isn’t Free.” Men and women throughout our history as a nation have stood fiercely and uttered such phases aloud are to themselves or to the enemy, as they have fought for our Nations Freedoms.
From the “Shot Heard Around the World”, the phrase is in the opening stanza of Ralph Waldo Emerson's "Concord Hymn" (1837), and describes the impact of the battle at Old North Bridge in Concord, Massachusetts, on April 19, 1775. Emerson wrote the "Concord Hymn" for the dedication of a battle monument very close to his family's home, and the words are meant to emphasize that a critical event happened at this location that triggered something of global importance. The entire stanza is:
"By the rude bridge that arched the flood,
Their flag to April's breeze unfurled;
Here once the embattled farmers stood,
And fired the shot heard 'round the world."
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shot_heard_round_the_world
From the farmers of Ralph Waldo Emerson to the brave men and women who serve our nation today in combat areas in Afghanistan and Iraq, and every conflict in between America has asked the best and bravest of their generation to step forward and protect our nation.
In today’s world we think of September 11, 2001 and the innocent men and women who were in the twin towers working, and the first responders who exemplified the best men and women this nation, in this generation, has to offer to protect “We The People…” We should all feel a tugging at our hearts to insure that each person who survives these actions is treated with “respect and dignity” the rest of their lives.
As a nation we do a pretty good job from the Federal and State levels to help our Veterans, but the unfortunate fact is that we are leaving too many brave and heroic men, women, and their families to fend for themselves.
I ask you again, today, to take up the yoke of supporting our Military, Reservist, National Guard, Veterans, First Responders, and their families. Without you, “We The People…” our Nation cannot maintain our commitment to those we have asked to maintain the peace on our land.
Please remember a request to each of us in the past century, “Ask not what your country can do for you, but ask what you can do for your country.” President John F. Kennedy. Please ask and then Act.