TJ Pander is a US Air Force veteran and a staff writer, producer, and director of digital media at Crawford Media Group in Denver, Colorado. He enjoys politics, playing & recording music, and technology.
The other day, I was talking to my wife who is also a US Air Force veteran about Donald Trump’s comments about writing legislation to jail people who burn and desecrate the flag. Don’t get me wrong, here, I’m as angry as President Trump is watching entitled college kids out shilling for terrorist HAMAS and stomping on the very thing that gave them the right to be idiots publicly.
But free speech is a big deal here.
How can we lead the world in things like free speech, religious liberty, and civil rights when we literally jail people for burning a piece of cloth. And before you go nuts at me, please hear me: it’s not just a piece of cloth to me or my wife, but to these ill-taught students, it is just that. Its value is obviously lost on those who would do such a thing, any way, so Old Glory is basically meaningless to those entitled few.
But that conversation got me thinking about a speech I gave to an Airman Leadership School graduating class in 2004. I was asked to speak about this very thing; that is why we come to the fight each day, ready to fight, kill, and die for the people who would sooner see us die at the hands of Palestinian terrorists.
So, when I was asked to write a blog post about that very thing I thought I would just share the speech with you, in hopes that it inspires you to think about those people who get after the belligerent work of violence against our enemies, on your behalf. Each and every day, hurling themselves into harm’s way. From the line cook at the chow hall to the front line Marine Infantryman.
NO OTHER WAY
Airman Leadership School Class of 2003, Tinker AFB
Those who expect to reap the blessings of freedom must, like men, undergo the fatigue of supporting it.” — Thomas Paine
A young private sits on the shores of the Potomac, a bullet in his chest and a bloody musket in his hands. Bleeding, he cries “Freedom!” Wounded from battle, starving from inadequate rations (if any rations at all) still with fire in his eyes and victory on his brow, he believes that it is, in fact, worth every final breath of air in his lungs to continue fighting. He had no idea the roads ahead and didn’t care. No longer the slave of another. That’s all that mattered to him — life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness were his mission. He died so you and I could truly live. I believe his words now would reflect something like this:
“This flag is my body, blood, heart and soul, and yet you choose to burn and desecrate it. This is your choice, but lest you forget, that flag and its connotation is what led to the ability to choose. “For it is the soldier who salutes the flag, serves the flag, whose coffin is draped with the flag that allows the protester to burn the flag,” but you know I would have it no other way.”
“The leaders that you heckle and make light of are my empowerment and the driving force that led you to have the choice to if you wish. Never forget that we have paved the way for you to do so without fear of reprisal, and I would have it no other way.”
“The anthem during which you slouch, complain and squirm means more to some than to you. And while it sickens me to watch this, you are free to do so. The men and women who have died defending our nation’s sovereignty give you that freedom to choose. They would have it no other way.”
“The pledge of allegiance that you choose to abstain from is held in the highest revere with many, including myself. Simply stated, it is affirmation of the solidarity of this great nation and our belief that we owe her some simple words of appreciation. You are free to choose to refrain with no consequences, no fear. She would have it no other way.”
“The young men returning from foreign soil to find an ungrateful public curse and spit on him more than likely didn’t enjoy your ignorance, but it was yours to choose. The same man solemnly believed and fought for your right to do so. I am sure they would have it no other way.”
“I fought many a harsh battle to give you the freedom to vote, yet some choose to stay at home because “it was a hard day at work, its raining out and I have to make some dinner.” Still, it is your right not to choose. It angers me; however, I would have it no other way.”
A young North Korean boy lies hungry in his bed somewhere at this very moment. He thought about going to church this morning, but decided it wasn’t worth the risk, as the “Republic” has been cracking down lately.
Several of his friends have been killed just this month.
While he got his ration of rice for the day, it wasn’t really enough. He really wished that his country would lift the new ration system; it’s just too bad he doesn’t have a voice to protest.
He says a prayer through the silence, as quiet as possible because his last holy book was taken for the same reason … he doesn’t want to lose this one. And more than that, his wounds still have not healed since they found the last one.
The North Korean anthem begins to play outside. He’s tired from a hard day on the government’s farm, but he knows that if he doesn’t pay respect, he’ll get another visit from the dawn patrol. Lights out…finally. Maybe tomorrow will be better…
You see I died to save you from this hell, and while I disagree with much of what you say and do, I gave much of my family, my countrymen and myself for you to be able to. But this is the very essence of freedom. I know that true freedom is worth every ounce of blood I shed on this battlefield, every drop of sweat spent, and every tear shed from my newly orphaned family. But of course … I would have it no other way.
So, as you watch the news and vote your conscience this cycle, remember that what we cherish the most, of all the rights and liberties we enjoy, free speech is essential to our republic. Passing laws to imprison people for exercising that right may get the point across as hyperbole at a campaign stop, but ironically doing so would severely limit our freedoms.
And don’t ever forget that it’s not a cost-free right. Thank a veteran for standing up for you to the world’s nefarious actors, terrorists, and despots. Buy them a coffee, shake their hand, pray for them, and ask them how they’re doing. We can be hard nuts to crack but when you get us talking I guarantee you won’t be able to shut us up.
