This week we celebrate the fact that 235 years ago, our Founding Fathers declared our independence. We should never forget though, that the freedom proclaimed in words on July 4, 1776, did not become reality for five more years – only after the Continental Army sacrificed untold amounts of blood, sweat, and tears. From the start, the foundation of this nation has always been the brave men and women in uniform and that is still the case today. But as has happened before, we are not doing nearly enough to care for and stabilize that critical foundation.
Take Sergeant First Class Leroy Petry. Next week, he is due to be awarded the Medal of Honor by President Obama. While serving in Afghanistan, Sergeant First Class Petry lost his right arm while tossing away an enemy grenade that threatened his fellow Army Rangers. Then he put a tourniquet on his own wound, and miraculously, stayed in the fight. He clearly represents the very best of our military and our nation as a whole, and will be only the second living recipient of the medal for actions occurring since Vietnam. He is an incredible hero. But heroes need help, too.
