“Freedom is never free,” said President Ronald Reagen. He was quoting from James Grengs’ Freedom is Never Free, or maybe he was quoting from Kelly Strong’s poem Freedom is Not Free. Trey Parker wrote the song Freedom Isn’t Free. The phrase seems to be identified with many, however Googling susgests its origin is credited to Col. Walter Hitchcock of the New Mexico Military Institute. Whatever its origins, it's true.
Irvine Health Foundation, ihf.org/veterans/ is one of many that says, “A
veteran is someone who, at one point in their life wrote a blank check made
payable to “The United States of America,” for an amount up to and including
their life.” The person who first said that appears to be unknown, but the
quote rings loud and clear on Veterans’ Day, November 11.
The words were echoed once again by emcee D. L. as he
spoke to hundreds of vets who were recognized at the Green Bay Yacht Club. In
its 20th year, the club honors all vets who enter the grounds
under the fire department’s huge flag arch. As they meet and greet, they enjoy
coffee, pastries, hors d’oeuvres, and a scrumptious lunch for which there is no
charge. It was and is a day of remembering and comradery. Veterans know each other
even though they’ve never met.
Solemn 2024 ceremonies included an invocation, a speaker – this year
a Lt. Col. who talked about being under fire when a severely wounded man kept
it up, putting his life in even greater jeopardy thus surely saving the lives
of others. The story of such bravery brought tears from those who knew how many times it was repeated in the 250 years of U.S. history. The bagpipers from the
Green Bay fire department added to the emotion. The flag ceremonies, the
Sullivan-Wallin Post 11 salute and taps, and the Coast Guard dropping the wreath
into the water to honor those lost at sea had an effect on all present.
There were sobs. Some were men still dealing with
the demons of Vietnam. They had a special honor though when musician/songwriter Mickey
Grasso introduced his new song, “Welcome Home.” Vietnam vets came home to be
degraded and even spit upon for being drafted into service, and Mickey sang
just for them. Veterans’ services vans were there with staff offering information
and assistance.
The future was represented by elementary school scouts who
led the Pledge of Allegiance and then went on to be of service carrying food and
coffee for those with mobility issues, or just helping around the dining room.
The men who originated the event, and all those who have
helped to grow it, know Col. Hitchcock was right: Freedom isn’t free. From the
Revolutionary War to present day, it is ordinary men and women who have written
the blank check. For far too many, the check has been cashed!
