From ancient history and current events, we gain insights for calculating the cost.
Currently, a Marine sergeant from Jacksonville is critically ill in ICU as a result of a second deployment to Afghanistan. Sgt. Ben Tomlinson has invested his life in the cause of freedom by serving in a voluntary military force that’s stretched to the breaking point. Is it time for the United States of America to reinstate a military draft to democratize the cost of defending our freedom? That’s an unpopular question, but spreading the cost of sacrifice may be needed to insure greater sensitivity to the truism that freedom is not free.
Observance of Armed Forces and Memorial Days lends credence to the truism about freedom. The symbolism of a cracked Liberty Bell sheds light on the significance of the maxim. The price of freedom remains unchanged.
Thanks to The Star’s editorial on Memorial Day, “A Day to Remember.” The cost of American wars from the American Revolution to 2011 validates the truth that “freedom is not free.”
ACE Hardware in Jacksonville honored that truth by closing its doors on May 30 in honor of past and current veterans. Tomlinson and others have invested their lives in freedom that’s indeed highly priced and greatly prized.
John A. Vanderford
Jacksonville
