If you’ve purchased property in the last couple of years you’ve probably talked about how much it has gone up in value. Some of us have probably said “never has land been so expensive” But we pay for it and build, plant, hunt, and choose what its highest and best usefully be. A thought recently hit me though, “Do I really know the true value of my property?” A value that no real estate appraiser could quantify. A non-tangible value that is embedded in my property. In fact, a value that goes deeper than the dirt itself. A value that ascends the return on any investment my mind could think of. Something more valuable than any amount of wealth that one could accumulate through the opportunity we have been afforded.
The value I am describing is a gift. A gift that has been poured out. Poured out of the veins of those whose honor, duty, and love of their brothers and countrymen chose to face the enemy. It was that sacrificial blood that has given us the ability to even own the land that we might complain is so expensive. There is no track of land that I would trade for my son’s life; however, so many have given up their sons to give me the right even hold the title of property period.
I hope to always remember that land has always been more expensive. That short strip of beach in France called Omaha cost over 2400 American lives. The skies over Europe hold the souls of over 57,000 bomber crewmen. The depths of the Pacific mark the graves of over 31,000 US Navy Sailors. The list goes on and on like that ominous black wall in our nation’s capitol.
Apart from the break from work, a day at the lake, cookouts, or whatever we are doing to enjoy our extended weekend, let us remember the true value of what we have in our country. A value that is extended to us by the blood that was freely given by our fallen. A value that flows from the eyes of the families whose world stood still when they were told their most precious ones would not return. Let us never exchange our gift of freedom for anything. Our freedom is a birthright that must be preserved. Never trade it for a bowl of soup. Never let go of it out of fear. Never let the enemy voices of division destroy our freedom by moving us to destroy each other. Hold precious the freedom that was purchased for us and defend it to the end. Recognize the enemies of our freedom and stand with our fallen to defend it.
So when you are at the grill this weekend, remember that pork chop-shaped island in the south pacific called Iwo Jima. It cost the US Marine Corps over 7000 lives.
Enjoy your Memorial Day.
I agree!
I thank God everyday to be born in the greatest country on this small planet. I take time everyday to remember those who have come before us, I thank them for the sacrifices they have made so I can live my life as a free man in a free country. No matter how divided we seem to be (it seems to be more and more the last 10 years) I always remember that we are ALL Americans and have come together over and over in our history to fight for and die if necessary for what is right and just and true!
I buy these sets from an American small business and thank our brethren in Poland for doing their due diligence in the research they have done to get these products true and correct to the best of their ability. I purchase these and display them as a reminder to never forget our history as a nation standing up for those who cannot stand for themselves and I thank our creator that he made a country like the USA and the generous, righteous and loving citizens we have the inhabit this land that is grand!