A war veteran reflects on Independence Day in America

WHILE SERVING MY COUNTRY in the United States Air Force in the midst of war, I noticed a trend among my younger Airmen--many of them couldn't explain why we were at war in the first place. Furthermore, the history of American warfare was not a frequent topic of conversation in most of the military training regimen. Why did America ever fight a war? Sure, the subject of history might seem boring to young minds, but to understand our history is to understand America and why freedom is so precious to our nation.
      Anyone who actually craves war has never seen it up close. War is brutal and horrible to experience. The sight of such brutality doesn't leave the mind like a vague joke--mass graves and grief burn like eternal embers in the souls of all who endure it. Freedom has a price, and that price is eternal vigilance. Sometimes that vigilance comes at a cost of American blood and treasure. We must always remember and respect the sacrifices so many have made in the pursuit of securing and protecting our freedoms. Unfortunately, politics tends to cloud our judgment over recent events in our history. In addition, it is easy to become complacent in our understanding of what liberty actually means.
     I always felt my military service would be a golden age in my life, and I believed the time Americans spent in our nation's armed forces would become fond memories in the future for every service member.  With this belief close to my heart, I felt we needed to have a continuing conversation within the ranks to foster brotherhood and reinforce a sense of fraternal community.  So, with my commander's permission, I published a newsletter for my squadron on a semi-monthly basis.  In each issue, I interviewed Airmen in my unit to tell their story.  I packaged each interview to read like I was interviewing a celebrity.  One Airman talked to me about his love of playing guitar; another spoke of her family's wedding traditions that had been cherished for generations.  These stories started the conversations I desired, and I felt the bonds of friendship and familiarity grow, but I wanted something more.

Cover from The Defender Digest.

     In the seventh issue of The Defender Digest, I wanted to evoke a theme of reverence for the traditions of the US military by using historical photographs, quotes from our founding fathers, and heartfelt stories from my colleagues about why they served our nation.  The response was overwhelming, and I released a powerful reminder of what it meant to serve and fight.  Young Airmen were exposed to the experiences of seasoned officers and sergeants, and those who have been to war gained from the shared knowledge of others who have been by their side.
     So, why do it at all?  I did it because too many didn't understand the difference between the United States and other nations in regards to actual freedom.  You cannot compare our freedom to those perceived in the world.

American freedoms versus the world's "freedoms"

     I once ran an administrative office while serving in England.  I had actual English civilian employees working in my department.  One day, an employee came to my office to complain.  He simply did not understand "American gall" as he put it.  In 2009, a grassroots uprising known as the Tea Party had taken root in America, and their demonstrations at town hall meetings were being broadcast in the British news media.  The English, naturally, could not comprehend how "American commoners" were legally allowed to demand accountability from their elected representatives in government.  After a long conversation, he still could not understand.  In resignation from the discussion, I said "there's a reason we dumped your tea."  He was not pleased with the statement.

     I spent a decade overseas in Europe and a year in Asia.  During that time, I served in the Middle East in the midst of the Iraq war.  I met people from all over the world, and realized how blessed I was to be an American.  You can do anything in America unless there is a law against it.  Sounds simple, right?  However, in many places outside of America, laws are passed to make something legal.  In other words, everything is illegal unless a law is on the books to permit it.  This is completely backwards from what we know in America.  You can actually be fined and jailed in the United Kingdom for making an inflammatory statement on social media.  While the phrase "hate speech" is common in modern vernacular, there are no hate speech laws on the books in the US.  We have the freedom of speech to speak our minds.  Our only limitation is when our speech encroaches on another's freedoms or directly threatens another's safety or security.  Arbitrary hate speech laws place citizens on unsteady footing and force people to curtail their own speech because they don't know when someone else will be offended.  This is no way to live and flies in the face of freedom to an American.  Our nation was founded on harsh language and defiance toward tyranny; Americans will not tolerate such oppression--it simply isn't in our blood.

Burning the flag

     In the last fifty years, it has become commonplace for demonstrators to take the occasion to burn an American flag.  The reasons these people burn the flag of our nation are sometimes difficult to identify.  Some burn the flag because they are against American foreign policy or politicians, but some actually wish to see the destruction of our nation and way of life.
     There are organizations within the United States who advocate the violent overthrow of our way of life.  Everyone has heard of the Ku Klux Klan and other racially-motivated organizations that are hateful toward others, but what do you know of the Revolutionary Communist Party?  I post these images to inform--not to celebrate:

These guys actually want to destroy America as it currently stands

     This organization is one of many, and, ironically, and they're free to exist in our nation.  One of the hallmarks of America is how free our people are to assemble and discuss ideas--even the unpopular ideas.  When people ask me "how can the Klan be allowed to exist in America?" I simply point to our Bill of Rights.  Hating someone and being an asshole isn't illegal in America.  In itself, hate is an inert concept that lacks ferocity.  Hate has the ability to animate people to violence, but until violence is communicated or acted upon, the hater is free to hate.  The same could be said about this colossal group of jackasses in the Revolutionary Communist Party.

More craziness from these jackasses

     If you want my opinion on flag burning, I despise it.  However, I don't believe a flag burner should be jailed or punished for their actions (unless they burn the flag in an area where the burning of anything is declared illegal).  Burning the American flag is an expression of freedom whether you like it or not.  A flag burner should not be punched or otherwise assaulted.  Feel free to ridicule a flag burner, but never threaten or physically harm them.  America is stronger than some asshole with a lighter.  The best way to defeat these flag-burning jerks is to educate the masses and celebrate America for the beacon of hope she stands for.  We eliminate the haters through education and attrition--not by throat punches.  The marketplace of ideas works, and frankly, our ideas are better than anything these unwashed commies can concoc

The celebration of independence should be rowdy, yet reverent

     You're free to be a beer-swilling, firework-popping, classic rock-cranking, flag-waving, barbecue-grilling loudmouth.  Enjoy your freedom!  Our founders struggled and died to declare our independence from the British crown, and victory is still sweet after two centuries.  The world doesn't understand our revelry, and that is a testament to their continued oppression.  Have fun, but remember the sacrifices made to secure the freedom we celebrate.  Freedom without responsibility is idiocy.  Talk to your kids about our independence in a meaningful way.  When you're out having fun, don't become "that guy" who gets so drunk he starts fights.  Fighting against a tyrant king was necessary, but fighting because you're an asshole drunk is beyond reason.
     I've lived in some of the most horrible places on Earth.  I have climbed an ancient ziggurat in Iraq to observe the ruins of ancient societies from thousands of years ago.  I've seen the horror of Saddam Hussein's mass graves and the misery of those who searched the bodies for missing family members.  America isn't perfect, but we are the greatest example of freedom in the history of the world.  America has done more to free more people since our founding than the rest of the world combined in all of collected history.  That says something about the power of freedom.  That is something to be treasured, respected, and celebrated.  Crank up the Metallica and pass me a beer.
--The Atomic Father