Christians around the world celebrate the birth of Christ today. For many it is a joyous celebration. A time to reflect on the ultimate Gift and to enjoy the ones opened from under the tree and to share food and conversation with those we love.
We owe our ability to celebrate this holiday so freely and fully in no small part because of the men and more recently, women, who have fought to defend liberty for those at home and those abroad.
That willingness to sacrifice their lives for us is a gift we open every day and that each of us should remember amid the hubbub of tearing wrapping paper and stuffing ourselves. One way to remember is to watch Ken Burns? recently released documentary, “The War,” about the Second World War. It dispels any myths about the cost of liberty. If you did not get it for Christmas, buy it.
Steven Spielberg and Tom Hanks? HBO miniseries “Band of Brothers” is another excellent depiction of WWII. They are not easy to watch, but neither is the price of freedom low.
That is something The Examiner continues to show in its “No Greater Love” series about Maryland soldiers who died serving in Iraq and Afghanistan.
Many of the stories are told through the eyes of family members and the soldiers themselves from journal excerpts.
They tell of ordinary men and women who responded to a higher calling to protect our nation and our way of life.
The last letter that the family of 23-year-old Army Spc. Ari Brown-Weeks, of Abingdon, received from this fallen soldier spoke volumes of his commitment:
“Many men have fought and died before I to achieve this way of life. I am honored to be amongst those who made the ultimate sacrifice not only for their country but for humanity. Some will not ever be able to grasp this mindset. I ask only that you try.”
We must do more than try, not just in remembrance of those we have lost but in anticipation of economic and national security challenges facing us in the years to come.
For in understanding our soldiers? gifts to each of us, we can more clearly understand the Christmas Gift and can more ably work toward a world of peace and goodwill toward all men.
