Monday, May 30, 2011

Memorial Day Remembering






So I was chatting with my partner Betty about what I wanted to talk about during my upcoming blog turn here on Inkspot. Betty said to me, "As we celebrate Memorial Day weekend we should take time to thank those who have given the ultimate sacrifice for our freedoms. Without that sacrifice, the very words you battle to write could've been censored, your true voice drown out."

I thought about her words. She's absolutely right. My Betty is a very smart cookie... and is usually pretty quiet. She's happier to contemplate her next musical CD purchase than think deep and philosophical thoughts. However, every once in awhile she spits out a zinger that's unexpected, eloquent, and spot on. Indeed, because of the noble sacrifices our Armed Forces have made, everyone's voice has a fair chance to be heard, whether their point of view is agreed upon or not.

People write and say many things, sometimes things not everyone agrees with. Having the ability, having the very right, as an author, to pen a book on any topic we choose is something we can't ever forget. Thanks to the 1st Amendment, freedom of speech is one of our core rights. And thanks to our Armed Forces defending, to the death if necessary, our rights--our 1st Amendment, the rest of the Amendments, and our Consitituion--we have the ability to speak and write our minds as we please.

So this blog entry is dedicated to those who have fallen in the defense of our country so that we may continue to have rights and freedoms. So that we may write what is in our hearts. This is for those who have been injured--both mentally and physically--protecting America, protecting my right to independent thought. This is for those who continue to safeguard our way of life. Thank you for your sacrifice.

6 comments:

Misha Gerrick said...

So true. :-) Well said!

G.M. Malliet said...

Amen. What we take for granted now has been hard won. The families of service members sacrifice so much for our freedoms, too.

God bless all of you!

Lois Winston said...

Lovely post, Jessie.

Jessie Chandler said...

Misha, I'm very impressed with Betty's insight too! Wish I could have claimed them as my own.
Alice, thank you! Wasn't sure if it was inappropriate. I sure didn't mean it to be in any way, but i think it came across okay.
Alan...indeed. And I'm not the least bit religious.
Gin, right on about the families of those serving. Sometimes I think that can be much harder than being the person on the battlefront.
Lois, thanks :-) Sometimes it's good to remember...

Terri Bischoff said...

Awesome post Jessie. And I was there to witness Betty's words of wisdom.

My dad served in Vietnam. But he never talked about it. I can only wonder about how that changed his life.

Jessie Chandler said...

Thanks Terri!!! I think I pretty well caught the amazing words that seemed to just fall out of Bettys mouth every so often!!!