|
Editorial: Honor to many, to each
Op-Ed · May 25, 2017
An American soldier and spy was captured by opposition forces and sentenced to death. At the execution site, he was reported to have said, “I only regret that I have but one life to lose for my country.”
The man was Nathan Hale, who served in the Continental Army during the American Revolutionary War.
There’s some disagreement by historians over how Hale actually worded his famous quote, but we find this most notable: He was only 21 years old at the time he uttered those words.
The level of patriotism embodied in Hale’s final words seizes our attention.
No one wants to die, but patriotic Americans consider dying for a good person, a good cause or, in this case, a good country, certainly worthy of respect.
On Memorial Day, we honor those who let virtues of honor, strength, courage and sacrifice lead them to take up arms and protect the rest of us who could not, should not, or would not.
It is with great humility that we offer great thanks in memory of those who gave their lives not only so that we may live, but that we may live in this lap of luxury of freedom and opportunity known as the United States of America.
These men and women served to protect everything from free speech to free trade, freedom of religion and the freedom that comes from privacy. We can, because of them, use Memorial Day to work or relax, to visit family or visit a national park.
We would also humbly ask everyone to take some time to attend one of the Memorial Day activities here in West Branch. You will find more details about those activities in this week’s paper.
Economist Milton Friedman once said that “Society doesn’t have values. People have values.” In this context, society does not sacrifice itself for freedom. People do, and they do it for other people. We do well to not only see Memorial Day for the entirety of those who died for us, but individually as well.
Our honored dead did it for us.
And we are extremely grateful.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
