It is the Soldier, not the minister
Who has given us freedom of religion.
It is the Soldier, not the reporter
Who has given us freedom of the press.
It is the Soldier, not the poet
Who has given us freedom of speech.
It is the Soldier, not the campus organizer
Who has given us freedom to protest.
It is the Soldier, not the lawyer
Who has given us the right to a fair trial.
It is the Soldier, not the politician
Who has given us the right to vote.
It is the Soldier who salutes the flag,
Who serves beneath the flag,
And whose coffin is draped by the flag,
Who allows the protester to burn the flag.
— quote from Charles Michael Province, U.S. Army
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wrong. these do not come from soldiers.
the soldier defends these things from those who would usurp.
these freedoms rest undeniably, irrevocably, and naturally with every human being. they are already ours.
more often than not in history, it’s the soldier who has been the one denying or usurping these rights and freedoms.
-mike
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The freedoms should be natural, but they must be defended if people are to enjoy them. And while soldiers have often been used throughout history and across the world to squelch freedom, in the United States where we are celebrating Memorial Day, this quote is applicable.
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